Torrevieja’s Waterfront Renaissance: A New Marina, Paseo del Mar and City-By-The-Sea Vision
Over the past few years, Torrevieja – our coastal gem on Spain’s Costa Blanca in the Valencia province – has been undergoing one of its most significant urban and maritime transformations in decades. What was once a working fishing port and industrial quay is being reshaped into a modern marina and leisure waterfront, designed to attract more visitors, improve quality of life for residents, and integrate the city with its maritime heritage.
What’s Being Built?
The “Paseo del Mar” Leisure and Marina Zone
At the heart of the redevelopment is the ambitious Paseo del Mar project: a new mixed-use marina and leisure area along the old port. This includes:
• New promenades and walkways at sea level
• Restaurants, cafes and entertainment venues
• A revitalised urban space with landscaping and lighting
• Underground parking and improved road access
Originally budgeted at around €16 million, the project has expanded in scope and now carries an investment of over €40 million, with multiple buildings and amenities taking shape as part of the port’s new face for residents and visitors.
A key access route – a temporary diversion road to the fish market and Marina Salinas marina – has already been opened, allowing heavy machinery and construction vehicles to begin dismantling parts of the old Levante Promenade and make way for the new infrastructure.
New Walkways and Urban Integration
An important feature of the redevelopment is the extension of pedestrian routes connecting the port to the city, including:
• A walkway and ramp linking the Hombre del Mar area to the Levante Breakwater and Paseo del Mar zone.
• Enhanced public realm works including street furniture, lighting, and urban landscaping.
• Restoration and connection of the port facilities with the city’s promenades, creating a continuous pedestrian route from downtown to the waterfront.
These works are part of the urban integration project approved by the city in late 2025, covering access improvements and the finishing touches to public spaces between the Acequión area and the Levante Breakwater.
When Will It Be Finished?
Good question! We were all hoping for summer last year, but while speaking to the town hall in Madrid at a tourism conference in January 2026, it seems some parts will be open in summer 2026, while others will not be until 2027. Part of the walkway has already been opened thankfully so we can still enjoy a parade and the views.
• The urban integration works, including the main walkway and finishing street elements, are planned to take about eight months from contract award, suggesting an early-to-mid 2026 finish (likely around June 2026).
• Some components, like underground parking spaces and sections of the main marina area, were expected to be ready earlier and partially operational by late 2025–early 2026.
For projects like this, they need to be completed in phases (car park and roads were the first) meaning some promenade sections or public spaces will open as they are finished, even if final landscaping and decorative features extend a bit longer.
Why This Matters for Torrevieja
This redevelopment does more than modernise a working port:
• It boosts tourism appeal by creating lively waterfront spaces all year round.
• It transforms formerly industrial areas into public social spaces perfect for strolling, dining and enjoying the marina views.
• It strengthens Torrevieja’s identity as a destination for beach lovers, sailors and cultural visitors alike.
• It integrates public access from the city centre to the waterfront in a way that was missing before.
Looking Ahead
Once completed, the transformed port and marina zone will be a landmark for the city — helping to reposition Torrevieja’s image beyond sandy beaches to a 360-degree coastal urban experience.
As of early 2026, with final works underway and scheduled to wrap up by summer 2026 officially (although we are not holding our breath), locals and travellers alike can soon look forward to walking, dining, boating and enjoying panoramic sea views in a brand-new harbourfront setting that blends tradition with modern lifestyle improvements.
