Villamartín – Housing, Golf and Lifestyle 2026

Villamartín is the social epicentre of Orihuela Costa — an area where golf, restaurant life and an international community create a lifestyle that few other places on Costa Blanca can match. The area lies around 4 kilometres inland from the coast, and that gives lower property prices than seafront urbanisations — two-bedroom apartments are available from around 100,000 euros and townhouses from 150,000 euros. The price you pay for the lower cost is the distance to the sea: budget 5–10 minutes by car to the nearest beach. But for the thousands of expats who live here permanently it is a more than acceptable compromise — especially when you have Spain's most concentrated golf cluster, a lively square with restaurants that stay open 365 days a year, and a community that makes it easy to build a social life from day one.

This guide is written for those considering buying a property in Villamartín. I cover everything from the golf course and Villamartín Plaza to current property prices, climate and an honest comparison with the neighbouring areas of La Zenia and Los Altos.

Where is Villamartín?

Villamartín lies in the southern part of Costa Blanca, in the municipality of Orihuela in the province of Alicante. The area is part of Orihuela Costa — the 16-kilometre coastal strip that runs from Punta Prima in the north to Dehesa de Campoamor in the south. But unlike most other urbanisations in Orihuela Costa, Villamartín does not sit by the coast but a few kilometres inland, at an elevation that gives panoramic views over the Mediterranean and the surrounding golf courses.

Useful distances:

• Alicante-Elche airport (ALC): 55 km, around 40–50 minutes via the AP-7
• Murcia-San Javier airport (RMU): 30 km, around 25 minutes
• Torrevieja town centre: 12 km to the north
• La Zenia Boulevard (shopping centre): 5 km, around 7 minutes by car
• Nearest beach (La Zenia/Playa Flamenca): 4–5 km, 5–10 minutes by car

From Sweden there are direct flights to Alicante from Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö during high season, and year-round connections via SAS, Norwegian and Ryanair. Murcia airport is even closer and has more budget airline flights, particularly with Ryanair.

Villamartín Golf — one of Costa Blanca's most classic courses

Villamartín Golf is the very reason the area exists. The course was designed by the American golf course architect Robert Dean Putman and opened in June 1972. This makes it one of the oldest and most established golf courses on the whole of Costa Blanca — over 50 years of golf history.

What is the course like?

It is an 18-hole championship course with par 72 measuring 6,132 metres from the white tees. The course uses the natural undulating terrain in a way that makes it challenging but still enjoyable for players of all levels.

• The front nine are built on higher ground with dramatic elevation changes. From the highest point you have a panoramic view over the Mediterranean — one of the best views from any golf course in the region.
• The back nine run through valleys with steep ravines that come into play on several holes. Mature olive trees line the fairways and give the course its characteristic Mediterranean feel.

The course has hosted golf legends such as Severiano Ballesteros, José María Olazábal, Ian Woosnam and Sam Torrance. Villamartín hosted the Mediterranean Open in 1994, and the course continues to host high-level competitions.

What does it cost to play?

Green fees vary depending on season. During high season (November–March, when winter sun attracts northern European golfers) the price normally sits around 60–80 euros per round. During low season (summer) you can find prices from 40–55 euros. The course today belongs to the La Finca Resort group, which means there are discounted packages if you play several of the group's courses (Villamartín, Las Ramblas, La Finca and Campoamor).

Villamartín Plaza — the social heart

If Villamartín Golf is the area's history, then Villamartín Plaza is its present. The square is a rectangular space surrounded by dozens of restaurants, bars, cafés and shops — and this is where life unfolds every day, year round.

What does a typical day on the square look like?

In the morning pensioners sit reading the newspaper over coffee and churros. At lunchtime the terrace restaurants fill with families eating menú del día (the daily lunch, normally 10–13 euros for three courses including a drink). In the evenings the live music begins — often acoustic artists or cover bands — and the terraces are full until late in the evening.

It is no exaggeration to say that Villamartín Plaza is the best-known and most visited meeting point in the whole of Orihuela Costa. Many expats describe the square as their "living room extension" — the place where they meet friends, celebrate birthdays and watch football.

What restaurants and bars are there?

The offering reflects the international population:

• Spanish tapas and menú del día — several traditional bars with local dishes
• British pub food — The Tavern, The Hub Sports Bar and other pubs with quiz nights and live sport
• Argentine meat — Che!!! Argentinian Restaurant, known for its grilled steaks
• Italian — Che Pizza & Pasta with handmade pasta and pizza
• Cocktail bars — Gin and Fizz with creative drinks in a more sophisticated setting
• Steakstones Hot Rock Grill — tables where you cook the meat yourself on a hot stone

In addition to the restaurants there are hairdressers, estate agents, mini-markets, ATMs and pharmacies around the square — everything you need for everyday life without getting in the car.

What does it cost to buy a property in Villamartín?

Villamartín is one of the most affordable areas in Orihuela Costa, largely thanks to the inland location that gives lower land prices. The average price per square metre in the area sits around 2,400–2,800 euros, which is noticeably lower than the seafront urbanisations (Cabo Roig and La Zenia sit around 3,000–3,500 euros/m²).

Price overview 2026

| Property type | Price range (EUR) | Typical price | |--------------|-------------------|---------------| | Two-bedroom apartment with communal pool | 95,000 – 160,000 | ~130,000 | | Three-bedroom apartment | 140,000 – 220,000 | ~175,000 | | Townhouse / Quad house | 150,000 – 280,000 | ~200,000 | | Semi-detached with private pool | 200,000 – 350,000 | ~270,000 | | Detached villa with pool | 280,000 – 550,000 | ~380,000 |

Price growth in Orihuela Costa has been strong — an increase of around 12–13 per cent during 2025 compared with the year before. Forecasts for 2026 point to a calmer but still positive development of 3–5 per cent. The low new-build supply specifically in Villamartín keeps prices up on existing properties, but it also means you may need to be quick when something interesting comes up.

Foreign buyers (resident and non-resident) account for an estimated 60 per cent of demand in Orihuela Costa, and Villamartín is particularly popular among British and northern European retirees.

What is the climate like in Villamartín?

Villamartín shares the typical Costa Blanca South climate — one of Europe's mildest and driest. The area records over 2,800 sunshine hours per year and gets an average of just 305 mm of rainfall annually. That is less rain than Stockholm gets in three months.

Temperatures through the year:

| Month | Daytime temperature | Night-time temperature | Rain | |-------|---------------------|------------------------|------| | January | 17°C | 7°C | 22 mm | | April | 22°C | 11°C | 28 mm | | July | 31°C | 21°C | 3 mm | | October | 25°C | 15°C | 42 mm |

Winters are mild — you can sit outside on Villamartín Plaza in a sweater and enjoy lunch in January. Summers are warm but not unbearable; the evenings cool to comfortable temperatures, and the low humidity means that 31 degrees feels more tolerable than a Swedish 28-degree day with high humidity. The mean annual temperature is 19.3°C.

Who lives in Villamartín?

Villamartín has a distinctly international population. Orihuela Costa as a whole passed 30,000 registered residents during 2025 — an increase of 7.7 per cent in a year. But the real figure is likely higher, as many expats do not register.

In Villamartín itself British expats dominate — they make up an estimated half of the permanent residents. Beyond the British there are large groups of Irish, Germans, Scandinavians and Dutch. The Scandinavian presence is less marked here than in, for example, Playa Flamenca or Torrevieja, but there is a small and growing group of Swedish and Norwegian buyers.

The area has around 1,500 properties — a mix of apartments, townhouses and villas. That gives a manageable size: small enough for everyone to recognise each other on the square, but large enough for proper services and an active social life.

The typical Villamartín buyer is:

• A retiree or semi-retiree (50–70 years) wanting golf, sunshine and community
• A couple without children at home seeking a calmer lifestyle
• A golfer who wants the course within walking distance of home
• A budget-conscious buyer who wants more property for their money compared with a seafront location

Shopping and services — what is nearby?

Villamartín has most of what you need for everyday life around the square: mini-markets, a pharmacy, hairdressers, estate agents and ATMs. But for larger purchases and a broader range you need to take the car.

Within 5–10 minutes by car:

• La Zenia Boulevard — one of Costa Blanca's largest shopping centres with over 150 shops, Primark, Zara, Mercadona and Carrefour (5 km)
• Consum and Mercadona — full-range supermarkets in Los Altos and La Zenia
• Torrevieja town centre — supermarkets, hospital (Hospital Universitario de Torrevieja), Spanish street market on Fridays (12 km)
• Habaneras shopping centre in Torrevieja — cinema, restaurants, clothes shops

Healthcare:

• Quirónsalud Torrevieja (private hospital) — 10 km
• Hospital Universitario de Torrevieja (public) — 12 km
• Local health centres in Orihuela Costa — 3–5 km

Transport:

• Bus lines in Orihuela Costa cover Villamartín, but service frequency is limited — a car is strongly recommended
• The AP-7 motorway is nearby and gives quick access to the airports and the rest of the coast

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Villamartín?

No area guide is complete without an honest assessment. Villamartín is a perfect fit for some buyers — and less so for others.

Advantages

• Lower prices — you get more property for your money compared with seafront La Zenia or Cabo Roig
• Villamartín Plaza — one of Costa Blanca's most lively squares with restaurants open year round
• Golf paradise — three courses within five minutes (Villamartín, Las Ramblas, Campoamor)
• Strong community — easy to find friends and social activities, especially for English speakers
• Quiet residential area — less tourist bustle than seafront areas
• Views — the undulating landscape gives several properties sea views despite the inland location

Disadvantages

• Far from the beach — 4–5 km, you need a car every time you want to swim
• A car is required — public transport is not enough for everyday life
• British-dominated — if you are looking for Spanish culture or a Scandinavian community Villamartín may not be the first choice
• Limited local services — for larger purchases, hospital and authorities you have to drive to Torrevieja or La Zenia
• Older housing stock — much of the building is from the 1980s and 90s, and renovation may be needed
• No beach feel — if you dream of walking down to the sea in a bathrobe in the morning, this is not Villamartín

Villamartín compared with La Zenia and Los Altos

Many buyers looking at Villamartín compare with the neighbouring areas. Here is an honest comparison:

Villamartín vs La Zenia

La Zenia is on the coast and has Costa Blanca's largest shopping centre (La Zenia Boulevard), a broad Blue Flag beach and a wider restaurant offering. Prices are 15–25 per cent higher — a comparable three-bedroom apartment costs 200,000–280,000 euros against 140,000–220,000 in Villamartín. La Zenia suits you if you prioritise beach and shopping, but it can be touristy and crowded in summer. Villamartín is better if you want calm, golf and a lower price.

Villamartín vs Los Altos

Los Altos is the nearest neighbouring area and offers a middle ground — it lies closer to the coast but not by the beach, has good services and is family-friendly. Prices are similar to Villamartín's. Los Altos suits better if you have children and want proximity to schools and playgrounds, while Villamartín suits better if you want the golf and the social life of the square.

Villamartín vs Cabo Roig

Cabo Roig is the exclusive option with a marina, beach restaurants and a higher price level (3,500–5,000 euros/m²). It is a different market — Cabo Roig for those who want a luxury beach lifestyle, Villamartín for those who want value for money with social life and golf.

Frequently asked questions about Villamartín

Last updated: April 2026. Prices and regulations can change — contact us for current information.