Area Guide · 4 min read
El Chaparral, Torrevieja: area guide
23 February 2021 · Hansson & Hertzell
El Chaparral is a quiet, green suburb on the western edge of Torrevieja, right next to the pink salt lake. Where it is, the natural park, services, climate and the property market.
El Chaparral in Torrevieja is a wonderful, quiet suburb in a green environment. It is located next to the famous pink salt lakes and full of flora and fauna. This calm residential area has many bungalows, villa’s and town houses, and is equipped with all amenities. There are endless walking trails and activities nearby, with Torrevieja only a stone's throw away. This is the perfect place for people that are looking for tranquillity, nature, and the Spanish lifestyle. Let us introduce you to El Chaparral!
Where is El Chaparral located?
El Chaparral lies on the western edge of Torrevieja, between the built-up town and the pink lake (Laguna de Torrevieja). The beaches of Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa and Alicante are easy to reach thanks to the good road links.
Where is the closest airport?
Región de Murcia International Airport (RMU, Corvera): roughly 45-60 km, about 50-55 minutes by road. The old Murcia-San Javier airport closed to civil flights in January 2019.
Alicante-Elche (ALC): roughly 40-50 km, about 40-50 minutes by road
What to do in El Chaparral?
Visit the Salt lakes
The great asset of this area is its location next to the salt lagoons of the Parque Natural de las Lagunas de La Mata y Torrevieja, a natural park of about 3,700 hectares, around 2,100 of them water. The lagoons have a rich bird life, including flamingos, which are seen most reliably at the La Mata lagoon. Walking and cycling trails run around the lakes.
The scenery is stunning, with the lake turning shades of pink and purple depending on the light, most strongly in summer. The colour comes from the microalga Dunaliella salina and halobacteria that live in the very salty water. At sunrise and sunset you will find people admiring the view.
Guided walking tours of the salt works run seasonally (in Spanish and English), and the natural park has a visitor centre at La Mata, just off the N-332.
What services can I expect in El Chaparral?
El Chaparral offers all the services you need for daily life. There are supermarkets, gas stations, convenient stores, bus stops, and kiosks throughout the area.
Healthcare is close by: the public Torrevieja University Hospital and the private Quirónsalud Torrevieja hospital are both a short drive away, and there are pharmacies in the neighbourhood.
There are small commercial centres with restaurants and bars that serve coffee with toast or English breakfast throughout the day. In the neighbourhood bars, you can enjoy live music or karaoke! It’s a very local and social area with a close community of neighbours.
Climate and weather in El Chaparral
The climate here is dry and sunny, with warm summers and mild winters. The nearest official long-term weather station, Alicante (AEMET, 1981-2010 normals), records an average annual temperature of about 18 °C, around 2,850 hours of sunshine a year and only about 310 mm of rain.
How is the real estate market in El Chaparral?
El Chaparral is a quiet residential area with a mix of low-rise bungalows, townhouses and villas, most of them resale homes. For current asking prices and registered sale prices, see our El Chaparral area page.
The population of El Chaparral is international. There is a mix between Northern European expats and local Spanish residents. The average population consists of families with children, pensioners, and holiday seekers. This creates a calm and safe environment, excellent for everyday living and enjoying nature.
The area is made up of urbanisations such as El Limonar, El Chaparral, El Dorado and La Siesta. Some of them have private areas for residents, with parking spaces and communal pools.
The salt lakes, amenities and good transportation make it the perfect place for a calm, yet comfortable life!
Explore Torrevieja further
- El Chaparral: area page, prices and homes for sale
- Torrevieja: area guide and homes for sale
- Best areas to live in Torrevieja: neighbourhood guide
- Aguas Nuevas, Torrevieja: area guide
- Los Balcones, Torrevieja: area guide
- Playa del Cura, Torrevieja: area guide
- Los Náufragos / El Acequión, Torrevieja: area guide
First published in February 2021, republished and fact-checked on 16 October 2026: airports (Murcia-San Javier closed in 2019), the natural park, guided tours, hospitals, climate (AEMET) and the urbanisation list were updated; bus stops, a water park, a bowls club and a restaurant list we could no longer confirm, and unsupported health claims, were removed.
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