Oropesa del Mar, in the heart of the Costa del Azahar, is a small town which has grown up on the shores of a small bay. Its beaches – Platja de la Concha and Platja Morro de Gos – and little coves, plus a marina, have made it a popular holiday destination. Its beaches – Platja de la Concha and Platja Morro de Gos – and little coves, plus a marina, have made it a popular holiday destination.The old quarter of Oropesa del Mar includes some notable buildings, such as the church of La Virgen de la Paciencia, known for its interior with beautiful 18th-century tiles from L’Alcora. The town’s past as a strategic defence location is revealed by towers such as Torre del Rei, and the remains of its old castle.
The history of Oropesa del Mar
The first remains left by humans around Orpesa and Oropesa del Mar, found at Cau d’En Borrás, date as far back as the Stone Age. However, the first records don’t appear until the Roman period, with their literature making references to large groups of Iberians on the Mediterranean coast. Indeed, archaeological remains of this culture were discovered in so-called Orpesa la Vella (Old Orpesa).
In 1103, references to the place appeared in the conquests of the mercenary hordes of the Almoravids. In 1233, James I the Conqueror, King of Aragon, managed to definitively recover the settlement, which shortly afterwards was given by Ramón Berenguer, Count of Barcelona, to the Hospitaller Order of Saint John. The town later passed to various aristocratic families, notably the Jafferos, theThous and the Cervellóns.
However, today’s Oropesa del Mar is the successor of a town that arose with the Municipal Charter of 1589, after an abandoned site was repopulated with 24 families. The appearance of various diseases and epidemics, as well as the harsh consequences of wars, caused serious problems for the town during a large part of its history. For that reason, it wasn’t until the 20th century that Oropesa del Mar began to grow, particularly from the second half of the century, thanks to the invaluable help of tourism, which provided the town with a strong and decisive economic boost and led to the prosperity it enjoys today.
First maritime swing in Spain
The Oropesa del Mar City Council diversifies its tourism and continues in the search for attractions that reinforce your positioning in the Community Valenciana and in the national territory as a destination. Thus, recently the council has invested 10.000 euros in the installation of the first maritime swing in Spain, located in a cove near the municipality’s La Concha beach. Also, in the swing, made with a very resistant material and suitable for the sea, The Oropesa del Mar hashtag has been designed to disseminate the charms of the municipality on social networks. Thus, the maritime swing was born with the vocation of attracting thousands of visitors to the municipality because it is unique in all of Spain. It also becomes an ideal space to capture a beautiful photo with the sea in the background. It is undoubtedly a great opportunity for all photography enthusiasts and for any Instagrammer who wants to take spectacular photos of this fascinating place.
Beach: La Concha
La Concha is the brightest jewel in San Sebastian’s crown and one of the city’s major icons, its incomparable setting. Situated in front of Santa Clara Island, La Concha beach is forever featured in magazines and newspapers and has been named the best beach in Europe and Spain. Today thousands of people continue to enjoy the view from the famous railings of its seaside promenade, making their way down for a stroll along the beach or to take a dip in its hypnotic waters.
The fine golden sand and its length of more than 1,300 metres make this a perfect beach for enjoying a barefoot walk. Continuing along the sands of La Concha, at low tide you can walk to Ondarreta beach by the path through the rocky area separating the two beaches, known as the Pico del Loro, or parrot’s beak.
Mount Urgull on one side and Mount Igeldo on the other protect the waters of La Concha and make this the perfect spot for rowing a canoe or paddleboard, or, if you prefer, for enjoying a view of the city from the calm and gently moving sea. And if you prefer yachting, diving or long-distance swimming, this is the ideal place for you too.
Playa Morro de Gos
The Morro de Gos beach, located in the municipality of Perelló, is characterised by its tranquillity, its natural beauty and its crystal clear waters. It is one of the largest beaches in the municipality.
Morro de Gos Beach encompasses a large area; to the north, it stretches up to a semi-urbanised area with tranquil spots for relaxing, and to the south, a more residential area with apartment blocks and a beautiful promenade.
It’s the perfect setting for if you want to unwind. You’ll find all the services and facilities required of an accessible. This beach’s main draws are its size and its quite atmosphere.
Places you should see.
- Playa de la Concha – https://www.google.com/maps/place/Plaja+Scoicii/
- Playa de Morro de Gos – https://www.google.com/maps/place/Playa+Morro+de+Gos/
- Ondarreta beach – https://www.google.com/maps/search/ondarreta+beach/
