Guardamar Del Segura is hugged by 11km of soft sand – residents here are blessed with the ability to roll out of bed and roll out a towel on the sugary expanse in a matter of seconds. Its name comes from the Río Segura estuary to the north, a picturesque area of brackish water with bobbing boats and plump pochards. Over at the port there's a hub of activity, with cocktail bars and a sailing club, while the town centre is peppered with busy terraces where locals enjoy seafood straight from the ocean. 

What's it like to live in Guardamar del Segura?

Lots of people hold fond memories of beach holidays on the Costa Blanca, but what's it like to live in Guardamar del Segura? In some ways, it's not very different at all. Lots of expats love the stress-free feeling of an eternal beach holiday. Some start the day with a walk along the wide promenade on the coast. It's shaded by pine trees and backed by a rather lucky row of sea-facing houses.  

As well as being a place of leisure, the seaside is a driving force in the town's gastronomy. The area is famed for its prawns, which fisherfolk pull from the depths of the ocean and send directly to local restaurants. Another revered delicacy is a locally-grown pepper called la ñora. This tomato-sized fruit is dried directly on the sand dunes at the end of August; people say it is the soul of rice dishes. Restaurants like El Jardín serve the prawns when they're in season; try the delicacy on their ocean-facing terrace with the warm sea breeze rippling through the open doors.

In the afternoon, loungers fill up on the beach. Sun worshipers recline with a good book while groups of friends prop up the bar with rounds of cold beers. Blue Monkey is a laid-back bar with chairs and tables in the sand and luxurious beach beds with white curtains that billow in the breeze. On cooler days, active types fire up the quads and cycle to the natural wetlands crisscrossed with wooden bridges in the north.

Living in Guardamar del Segura: essential information

In 2023 the population of Guardamar del Segura was 17,284, according to ine.es. Around 36% of those were foreigners. There is a diverse range of nationalities that call Guardamar del Segura home: Spanish people look here for second homes, while British, Scandinavian and Dutch are among those who choose to live here. The average age of residents is 45.9 years.

Healthcare in Guardamar del Segura

Centro Sanitario Integrado Guardamar Del Segura is the main point of contact for medical services. Across the town, closer to the beach, is the public physiotherapy centre called Centro de rehabilitación pública de Guardamar Del Segura.

For a wider range of services, including surgery, oncology and dermatology, Hospital Universitario de Torrevieja is a 25-minute drive away. The well-regarded centre recently implemented cutting-edge 3D surgery technology, and the ophthalmology department is award-winning.  Check out our guide to healthcare in Spain for more information.

Working in Guardamar del Segura

Finding a job in Guardamar Del Segura might be top of the list for people moving here, and it shouldn't be a headache. The area has a huge tourism industry, one that has overtaken more traditional trades like fishing and agriculture. Because of this, many hotels, restaurants and bars are on the lookout for staff – especially those who speak English. Check milanuncios.com for up-to-date jobs in the area, it's especially good for waiting, bartending and hospitality jobs. And as well as online searches, schedule in some one-the-ground job hunting – they say it's not what you know but who you know, and that's especially true in Spain.

Hoping to set up your own business? Entrepreneurs should investigate the Spanish Chamber of Commerce for events, training sessions and advice on setting up a business in Spain.

And if you've already got a job but work remotely, good news – there are plenty of places to perch with a laptop around the town and log some hours. Aurum Business & Care offer chic coworking offices with private meeting rooms, technology for virtual meetings, and a rooftop terrace for hosting events. The internet speed is generally good, up to 170 Mbps with Telefonica de España according to fairinternetreport.com.  

Spain's Digital Nomad Visa is a new initiative aimed at remote workers. It's available to self-employed people and their families, as long as the applicant meets certain requirements, like having at least three years of experience and a university degree in the chosen field of work.

Schools and Education in Guardamar del Segura

Children will adore life by the sea. What's more, this is a compact town, so the school won't have too much of an impact on choosing where to live in Guardamar del Segura. There is a small selection of public schools for families to choose from. El Colegio Molivent, for example, is a bilingual primary and secondary school, where classes are taught 41% in Valencian, 44% in Spanish and 16% in other languages.

There are a couple of brilliant private schools within drop-off distance, too. Ten minutes in the car will take you to Willow International School, which follows the UK national curriculum. It teaches from primary right through to A-levels, and the 2024 inspection noted a 'warm and friendly' school where students are inspired to reach their full potential. Magno International School has been named one of the best schools in Alicante by micole.net, and it's just a 40-minute drive away. The private school features over 30,000 sq metres of lush green space, ample sports facilities and even a patch of farmland.

Looking for more information on education options? Check the Citizen Services section on the Department of Education for up-to-date grants, aids and subsidies and read our guide to finding the right school in Spain.

Transport in Guardamar del Segura

The local bus terminal (Estación de Autobuses de Guardamar del Segura) is a busy little spot. Buses to Madrid (€35, around three hours 45 minutes) leave six times a day, and the buses to Alicante are even more frequent.

Travelling by car offers the most freedom. With your own wheels, it's possible to whizz to your favourite golf course or to the hidden coves of Cartagena in one hour, or the wild mountains of the Parque Regional de Sierra Espuña in one hour 30 minutes. If a car is the option you decide to go for, take a look at our guidance on driving in Spain with a UK licence. 

Things to do in Guardamar del Segura

Shop at the local market

Every Wednesday the Parking La Redonda transforms into a vibrant local market. Taking place between 8am and 1pm, it's a pleasingly DIY affair, with fruit crates stacked one upon the other to create makeshift stalls. Hundreds turn out for the weekly event, where traders carve legs of jamón to order, regulars haggle over pyramids of locally-grown tomatoes and groups of friends chatter while sifting through rails of cut-price clothing.

Go fishing

Guardamar del Segura has a rich fishing heritage which anyone can tap into – as long as they have a fishing licence. Thankfully, the permits are affordable; €11 for one year, €16 for three, €20 for five. There are dedicated fishing spots along the Río Segura, and on the beaches Tossals, Vivers, Camp and Ortigues there are set fishing hours. Nifty lines might catch bream, turbot or red mullet, but the best part is taking a seat on the seashore and listening to the rumbling of the ocean.

Potter in parks

Locals are spoilt for choice when it comes to green spaces. Parque Alfonso XIII was the centre of a huge reforestation project in the late 19th century; some 600,000 trees were planted, creating a densely wooded and peaceful place to spend an afternoon. And in the centrally-located Parque Reina Sofía, visitors will find pétanque courts, duck ponds and playgrounds under the dappled shade of pine trees.

Explore the Vías Verdes

Vías Verdes are an extensive network of cycling paths made from old train tracks which weave through pine-scented forests, past fluttering butterflies and into under-explored villages. Near to Guardamar del Segura, there's the Vía Verde de Torrevieja, a lake-side path which traces the old line that wagons of salt would have taken on their international journey, sometimes travelling as far as Cuba. For hardy cyclists, there is a string of almost-connected Vías Verdes that stretch from Guardamar del Segura to Murcia, around 54km.

Watch the sunset from the castle

Many of the buildings are modern in Guardamar del Segura, but don't let that fool you: the historic town has roots that stretch back to the 8th century BCE. A trip to Castillo de Guardamar is an illuminating trip for history fans. The dominating castle overlooks the coastline; it was built in 1271 with the Christian conquest of the town. Sadly, the building was left in ruins after an earthquake in 1829, but it was partially rebuilt into the simple structure that we see today. Now, people visit for a moment of peaceful reflection – time with the sunset for magnificent views.

Time travel in the museum

Leap into local history with Museo Arqueológico de Guardamar. Start at the ground floor and spot gigantic mastodon gnashers from the ice age and sithes from the bronze age. Don't miss the revered sculpture, Dama de Guardamar. This limestone figure of an Iberian lady is 2,500 years old, but she looks fresh as a daisy. Upstairs, a fascinating display explains the Roman relics of the area, including that famous castle.   

Expat clubs and activities in Guardamar del Segura

While there are lots of expats living in Guardamar del Segura, there aren't a huge amount of groups dedicated to expats or speaking English. But don't let that put you off – it's a perfect excuse to mingle with the locals. Keen runners might like to join the Amigos del Running group, which organises marathons and fun runs around Alicante. Yoga is another great way to get to know your new neighbours; a 10-minute drive from the town centre is the yoga and alternative therapy centre InterSer. Try hatha yoga on the sunny lawn or book in for a massage to feel totally zen.

And if the 50-minute drive to Alicante isn't too far, there are lots of English-language groups in the neighbouring city. Join the International Language Exchange Meetup every Wednesday, try your luck at Uno or Catan with the Board Games & Brews crew on Fridays, or shake those hips at free belly dancing lessons by Let's Belly Dance. 

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