Pilar de Horadada
Pilar de Horadada is a small but pretty town in the Province of Alicante, in the southeast of Spain. It’s located 66 km south of Alicante and close to the safe sandy beaches of the Mar Menor.
The town has been the site of many battles because of its location at the historical frontier between two kingdoms: the Kingdom of Murcia (Castilla) and the Kingdom of Valencia. Pilar de la Horadada was a town with dry farms and few houses known as Campo de la Horadada. After various centuries of agricultural economy, its tourism breakthrough came with its independence from the Orihuela municipal district in 1986. The region is largely agricultural; surrounded by market gardens, orchards, citrus groves and pastoral farms.
Pilar de la Horadada weather has a Mediterranean climate meaning that there are three hundred days of sunshine annually, a guarantee of no rain in the summer months, and mild winters with a little rainfall.
Beaches
The beaches of Pilar de la Horadada are spread along five kilometres. Because of the high water quality, they have been awarded by the EU with the "blue flag". Because of the rich underwater world Pilar de Horadada is also a popular destination for divers.
Calas de Rocamar Beach is an isolated beach with coves that attract lonely souls in search of inspiration and couples who demand peace and relaxation.
El Conde Beach –a nice stretch of lovely sand, the beach is a small crescent shape adjacent to the Tower (or Torre) that gives the town its name, at the other side of the headland point is the small marina. This is a popular beach with both tourists and locals alike
El Mojón Beach is an open beach of golden sand and with a beautiful dune and Mediterranean natural environment.
El Puerto Beach this beach, of fine and golden sand, counts on an enviable waterfront going along it as well as several services. It is an urban very well cared creek always showing a very bustling aspect.
Las Villas Beach The colour of sand at this beach serves as an example to understand the name of Costa Blanca. In addition to this, we must stand out a charming environment, borders shaped by small dunes where vegetation grows up and blue usually calm waters. The sea here is at one end of Mar Menor, therefore shallow and usually calm.
Mil Palmeras is a very crowded beach, with all kind of services and next to a shopping and leisure area allowing having a snack at the seashore. Beach adapted to people with reduced mobility. The beach at Mil Palmeras is ideal for sailing enthusiasts
Los Jesuítas also known as the Playa de Punta del Gato is a part of a long run urban beaches where fine and white sand on its surface contrasts with reddish walls enclosing the beach, divided into two charming creeks at the bottom of a Watchtower of the 16th century.
Sports
Pilar de Horadada is also popular with sailers who find numerous berths at the Club Náutico. Numerous regattas are hold, and during the summer months you can attend a sailing course.
There are also a lot of activities in this beautiful natural environment such as hiking, bike rides, equitation centres and golf.
Lo Romero Golf . This is an amazing location, by the Mediterranean coast, next to the Mar Menor Sea with a mild climate, beaches, small ports and a happy and easy atmosphere. This par 72 course opened in 2008 where amongst the fauna are Aleppo Pines, Carob trees, natural Scrub bushes which can be seen growing along with Palm trees, and an abundance of Rosemary plants found growing in their natural environment.
Real Club de Golf Campoamor.This course is ideally suited for both pros and amateurs. A particular charm goes out from the long and narrow courses, which offer many declinations and are interrupted by beautiful plantings.
Las Colinas Golf course is surrounded by hills and meanders through a valley. It makes use of the natural landscape. The wide fairways, the large greens and the holes' numerous tees provide greater flexibility and allow it to be suitable for professional competitions, while offering an enjoyable round, which is fun and affordable.
Roda Golf with its lush, rolling fairways, lakes and palm trees, is going to look glorious. But this beauty is no accident. The course's stunning landscaping is the result of careful planning and technical expertise. Whether it's a tree, plant, bush or the grass under your feet, you'll find the course's flora have been carefully chosen.
Things to do
The river Seco a local river without water for the most of the year. The area is home to a lot of native animals and plants. Its peculiar environment is worthy of an excursion, one where you can the fragrant scents of herbs such as rosemary and thyme. The visitor trail begins at El Pinar de Campoverde, where you will find informative panels explaining the flora and fauna of the region, as well as facilities for barbecues.
The nearby Sierra Escalona has a large bird sanctuary. Birds of prey such as falcons, eagles, sparrowhawks and kestrels have been spotted in the area.
Parish Church of "Nuestra Señora del Pilar" in the centre of the town. It was built in 1986 on the same site as its predecessor. The bell tower of the original structure stands to this day. In the building there are lots of examples of religious art, especially works from the local artists José María Sánchez Lozano and Manuel Ribera Girona.
Watch Tower (16th century), built in 1591 to protect inhabitants of the town against the Mediterranean pirates. It is situated on the beach, in the nearby village of Torre de la Horadada.
Archaeological ruins of Thiar : an old Roman town on the Vía Augusta, the main route between Illici (Elche) and Carthago Nova (Cartagena), two of the most important Roman cities in Spain.
Archaeological - Ethnological Museum. It has five sections, dedicated to the environment, to fossils, numismatics and ethnology. On display are the most typical flora of the municipality, a collection of metals, assault weaponry, pieces from Iberian textile mills and objects made from esparto and the typical "pilareña" dress.
Remains of a Roman quarry on the Mil Palmeras beach
Dining out
The "pilareña" gastronomy is similar to that of the rest of the region. Rice is a principal ingredient of the local cuisine, usually boiled in fish stock.
"Arroz con leche" (rice pudding) is a favourite dessert, made with goat’s milk, lemon peel and cinnamon. Sweets such as "cordiales", "toñas", "mantecados" or "rollos de anis" and "milhojas" are also typical of the region, and very popular.
For a Fine dining with a contemporary touch go to Casa Araez (Calle Salvador Sugui). It’s a modern restaurant with a lot of choice. Try an absolutely perfect foie gras with tasty toast and steak tartar.
For a fantastic Sunday lunch book Restaurante Rebate (Carretera CV 952, km 10,5). A Lovely Genuine Spanish Restaurant. The service & food is excellent, the setting is perfect with stunning gardens.
El Gallego (Calle Transformador,1) offers the biggest best steaks in Galician style. The seafood is also quality and doesn't come at too high a price.
El Rincon Italiano (Avenida Salinas, 114) is a wonderful Italian restaurant with very open and relaxing atmosphere.
To get there
The resort is approximately 25 minutes drive to the north of Murcia San Javier airport and approximately one hour drive to the south of Alicante airport either via N332 or the A7.
