With around 10km of some of Spain's best beaches, Guardamar is a major hotspot for sun seekers and the perfect place to relax and enjoy the country's fantastic coastline. In fact the sandy beaches of Guardamar (also known as Guardamar del Segura) win Blue Flag awards practically every year for their cleanliness and safety, and there are plenty to choose from, including Playa de le Babilonia where you will see old fishermen's houses.
Located at the mouth of the river Segura, the resort is enclosed within a large pine forest - now known as the Dunes of Guardamar - planted in the early 20th century to protect the city from large blast sandstorms which had plagued the resort for years. This is now an environmentally protected area and is the smallest natural park in Spain, called Park Alfonso XIII. Guardamar has two other parks, Park Sur which is undergoing major landscaping, and Park Reina Sofia which boasts lots of walking paths, ponds, an open air stage and playground.
The city is surrounded by two stunning salt water lakes 'Salinas de Guardamar', which attract an array of bird life, including pink flamingos, and bathing in the lagoons is said to have great medical benefits.
Guardamar which is said to have a population of around 10,000 habitants, manages to retain a relaxed Spanish feel as it isn't as commercialised as many Costa Blanca resorts, and while there are many spectacles, high-rise flats and hotels are not one of them. But it is a growing tourist centre within Spain, not surprisingly when Guardamar boasts around 320 days of sunshine each year and an average daily temperature of 17 degrees Celsius (around 30 degrees in July and August).
Historical remains of the Phoenician, Iberian, Islamic, Roman, Arab and Christian civilisations can still be found in Guardamar, in particular the Iberian settlement of Cabezo Lucero where artwork known as La Dama de Guardamar was found dating from the 4th century BC.
Tucked away in the dunes of Guardamar is the Califal Rabita, and Islamic monastery dating from the 10th to 11th century AD. It's made up of three rows of buildings, separated by streets and surrounded by a protective wall. It formed a centre of pilgrimage housing a community of monks and is the only example of such a centre in the Iberian peninsula and one of the oldest Islamic monuments in the world. However it is not easy to find so it's worth taking part in one of the two-hour tours on offer.
The remains of Guardamar del Segura Castle are a sight not to be missed. Dating back to the 14th century and built by King Alfonso X, the castle was used by the people of the Vale of Guardamar up until the 19th century . In it's heyday it was one of the most important costal fortresses for the defence of Oriheula, but was destroyed during the earthquakes in 1829, forcing its inhabitants to start new lives in the valley.
Another interesting attraction is the Torreta de Guardemar, a 380-meter tall radio mast, built by the US Navy near Guardamar del Segura in 1962 for the transmission of orders to submerged submarines. It's the tallest architectural structure used for military purposes in Europe.
For the sporty types, golf is big in Guardamar as the Costa Blanca has some excellent courses. You can also enjoy windsurfing, scuba diving, fishing and water skiing or visit the local municipal sports complex for a bit of indoor football, tennis, basketball, handball or a spot of swimming.
After working up an appetite, there's the difficult decision of which of the Guardamar's extensive range of restaurants and bars to choose from. The cuisine on offer in the city is hugely diverse, ranging from tasty Spanish tapas to Greek, Indian, Chinese and English dishes.
There really is so much more to see and experience in Guardamar, it really is a place worth visiting.