There comes a moment, every autumn, when northern Europe starts to dim: the days shorten, the damp sets in, and you find yourself longing for somewhere winter feels more like a long spring. That place exists, and it’s closer than you think. The southern edge of the province of Alicante — what we call Orihuela Costa — enjoys one of the best winter climates in all of Europe.
Almost 300 days of sun a year
It isn’t a brochure line: it’s the figure that explains why so many British, German and Nordic retirees spend the cold months here. In the depths of January it’s perfectly normal to eat outdoors, walk the promenade in short sleeves at midday and watch a calm sea under a clear sky. Temperatures rarely drop below 10 °C at night and often climb past 17–18 °C in the midday sun.
The geography helps that microclimate along: the area is sheltered from cold winds and has no heavy industry or shipping traffic, so the air is clean and the light — that very particular light of the Playa Flamenca area — stays with you almost all day.
More than sun: a comfortable life all year round
Wintering away from home only works if the destination has a life of its own, and Orihuela Costa does. Supermarkets open all year, health centres, the province’s largest shopping centre minutes away, weekly markets and a restaurant scene that doesn’t shut down in the low season. Those who come to stay for months find everything they need here without depending on the car for everything.
And when you feel like moving, there’s no shortage of options. You can work your way along the beaches of Orihuela Costa, many of them Blue Flag and linked by a coastal path; book a court at one of the area’s golf and padel venues; or spend a day exploring the surroundings, from the pink salt lagoons of Torrevieja to the inland villages.
Punta Prima and Playa Flamenca: where to stay for a long break
Within Orihuela Costa, two areas gather the best of what’s on offer for those after quiet and the sea at once. Punta Prima, on the Torrevieja border, is ideal if you want coves on foot while still having a town nearby. Playa Flamenca is a touch more residential and peaceful, perfect for switching off.
For long winter stays, two of our apartments fit especially well. Parque Recoleta, in Punta Prima, is a ground-floor home with a private garden terrace and two communal pools: a warm, quiet retreat made for couples coming for the season. And La Calma, in Playa Flamenca, lives up to its name, with a relaxed setting a few minutes from the sea.
How to book for the season
We work with a four-night minimum all year round, but for those coming to spend several weeks or a couple of months in the sun we offer special conditions. You book directly with us, the owners, with no platform commission, and we look after you in your own language before, during and after your stay.
If you’re thinking of trading winter’s grey for the light of the Mediterranean, get in touch and we’ll work it out together. Orihuela Costa has been the well-kept secret of those who know where winter is best spent for decades.
