Pilar de la Horadada
Pilar de la Horadada is the southernmost municipality on Costa Blanca and offers the best of both worlds: a lively, genuine Spanish town a few kilometres inland and the charming coastal area of Torre de la Horadada with its watchtower and seafront square. Modern villas are being actively built in both zones, with prices of €200,000-€500,000.
Quick facts Pilar de la Horadada
Population
38 000
2024
Source: INE/Estimat
Foreign residents
45%
Source: Estimat (hög andel britter/skandinaver)
Estimated Swedes
2 500
Stor koloni i Torre/Mil Palmeras
Distance to airport
40 min
Alicante-Elche (ALC)
Price per m²
3 300 €
Source: Idealista/Marknadsdata 2025
Sunshine hours per year
3200
Average temperature
20°C
Average temperature
Lifestyle in Pilar de la Horadada
Authentic and family-oriented. In Pilar you live a genuinely Spanish daily life with siesta and local festivals. In Torre the pace is more holiday-like along the promenade. Very popular for cycling and hiking along the Río Seco trail.
Why Swedes love Pilar de la Horadada
- ✓The combination of old and new: The old tower in Torre meets ultra-modern villas in Higuericas.
- ✓Cycle-friendliness: The area is flat and has excellent cycle paths (including the green route to the sea).
- ✓The sports centre: Pilar has one of the coast's best municipal sports facilities with a swimming pool and tennis.
- ✓The "real" Spain: In Pilar itself, the Spanish live, which gives life year-round.
🤔Who is it NOT suitable for?
- •Those who want skyscrapers and neon lights (high-rise building near the coast is not allowed here).
- •Party lovers (it is calm and family-oriented, nightlife is limited).
- •Those who want rocky coves and deep inlets (here it is shallow sandy beaches).
Districts in Pilar de la Horadada
Torre de la Horadada
The coastal gem with the iconic watchtower. Charming and genuine.
Pros
- +Genuine Spanish charm
- +Fine squares with restaurants
- +Beautiful beaches
Cons
- −Limited services in winter
- −Higher prices near the sea
Mil Palmeras
Modern beach area known for its "thousand palm trees".
Pros
- +Fantastic sandy beach
- +Lots of new construction
- +Flat and easily accessible
Cons
- −Lots of tourists in summer
Pilar Pueblo (Centrum)
The main town located 2-3 km inland. Lively year-round.
Pros
- +All services year-round
- +Cheaper housing
- +Real Spanish everyday life
Cons
- −Not walking distance to the beach
- −Less holiday feel
Lo Romero Golf
Exclusive golf area ("The Golf Island") just outside the town.
Pros
- +Beautiful natural surroundings
- +Prestigious course
- +Modern villas
Cons
- −Car dependent
Climate in Pilar de la Horadada vs Stockholm
2800
Sunshine hours/year
50
Rainy days/year
28°C
July avg
25°C
Sea temp July
| Month | Pilar de la Horadada | Stockholm | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16°C | -2°C | +18°C | |
| Apr | 21°C | 5°C | +16°C | |
| Jul | 30°C | 18°C | +12°C | 26°C |
| Okt | 24°C | 8°C | +16°C |
Property market in Pilar de la Horadada
Price trend (5 years)
+15%
Steadily increasing trend since 2020
Estimated Rental Yield
6.5%
Gross yield for long-term rental
Tourist license
Possible
Generally possible to obtain a short-term rental license.
What does a property cost?
Average price ranges for standard properties in good condition.
* Prices are estimated averages and may vary depending on location, condition and view.
Attractions & experiences in Pilar de la Horadada
The Torre vigía (watchtower), the church square in Torre with its restaurants, Higuericas beach (currently the trendiest), the Río Seco hiking trail and Lo Romero Golf.
Transport & getting around in Pilar de la Horadada
Midway between the airports: 40 min to Murcia, 50 min to Alicante. A car is needed.
The best of Pilar de la Horadada
Två centrum
Stad & Kust
Trendigt
Modern nyproduktion
Higuericas
Populär strand
Aktivt
Vandring & Cykling
Practical for Swedes
Travel from Sweden
SAS, Norwegian, Ryanair
Dagligen
Ryanair
3-4 ggr/vecka
Transfer to the area:
Equally convenient to Alicante (50 min) and Murcia (40 min). Taxi approx. €60-70.
Healthcare & Health
Health centre in Pilar centre and summer opening in Torre. Hospital in Torrevieja (15 min).
NIE number & Legal
Applied for locally (police). Good service at the town hall for foreigners (CIC).
Swedish services on-site
Compare with nearby areas
💡Tips for buying in Pilar de la Horadada
The Higuericas area is the priciest and trendiest. Pilar town centre gives the most house for your money and year-round life. Mil Palmeras for a pure beach focus.
Watch out for
"Those who want skyscrapers and neon lights (high-rise building near the coast is not allowed here)., Party lovers (it is calm and family-oriented, nightlife is limited)., Those who want rocky coves and deep inlets (here it is shallow sandy beaches)."
Common questions about Pilar de la Horadada
Pilar is the main town inland with a town hall, schools and year-round life. Torre is the coastal part with beaches and holiday properties.
No, generally not, but near nature areas (Rio Seco) they can occur occasionally. The municipality actively combats them.
Yes, it gets quieter but people live there year-round. Shops and restaurants are open.
The average price is around €3,300/m² (2025), with Torre de la Horadada around €3,500/m² and Mil Palmeras around €3,200/m². Pilar town inland is cheaper, approximately €1,900/m². Prices have risen approximately 15% over five years. The rental yield of 6.5% is strong for a coastal location (Source Idealista 2025).
Pilar de la Horadada has 3,200 sunshine hours per year, 16°C in January and 28-30°C in July. It is one of the mildest coastal climates in all of Spain: the January average of 16°C is exceptionally warm for a European country. The sea reaches 26°C in summer and the swimming season extends into November (Source AEMET).
Pilar de la Horadada has approximately 2,500 Swedish permanent and part-time residents, making it one of the largest Swedish colonies on the entire Costa Blanca. Swedish estate agents and services are available locally. The padel centre in Torre de la Horadada has strong Swedish connections and is a popular social hub.
Properties in Pilar de la Horadada
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