The homebuyers area guide for Cabo Roig, Orihuela Costa

Cabo Roig is a residential urbanisation located on the eastern coastline of the Mediterranean Sea, in the southernmost quarter of the Alicante province, and 8.8 km south of the coastal city of Torrevieja.

The area is popular during the height of the summer season as a favoured holiday destination for tourists, attracted by the white sandy beaches and the abundance of quality leisure facilities.

According to the latest government data, the official population of Cabo Roig numbers just 453 registered residents. However, that number belies the popularity of the community, as seasonal visitors and tourists can multiply that figure six-fold during the summer.

LOCATION

Cabo Roig can be split into two distinct areas - the original urbanisation that surrounds the old tower that forms the historic centrepiece of the community, and La Regia which lies slightly further inland to the northwest.

The main N-332 coast road runs north to south through Cabo Roig, with easy access to the AP-7 motorway which runs parallel to the coast offering toll-free access south toward Murcia, or a faster-paid toll route northward to Alicante.

Bordered by La Zenia to the north, the beach district of Campoamor to the south, and Monte Zenia inland to the west, Cabo Roig falls under the jurisdiction of Orihuela Town Hall.

HISTORY

Construction of the Cabo Roig residential community initially began at the end of the late 1950s, but the Town Hall partially rejected the original urban plan and it wasn't adopted in full until 1972.

Industrial-scale building work commenced following the acceptance of the urban plan in the mid-1970s, with development centred around the site of a historic 16th-century watchtower.

Constructed of masonry stone with two floors and a roof terrace offering commanding seaward views, the old Cabo Roig tower was built to defend against attacks from North African Barbary pirates and renegade corsairs that plundered the Mediterranean coastal areas of Spain for centuries.

A scheduled monument in Spain since 1949, the striking tower has been authentically restored and today forms part of an outdoor garden replete with medieval artillery cannon.

GEOGRAPHY

The area is characterised by a low-lying relatively flat topography typical of most Mediterranean beach-side locations, and benefits from its immediate proximity to the sea, providing cool onshore breezes during the summer and temperate generally dry winters.

Cabo Roig benefits from a healthy Mediterranean micro-climate, characterised by relatively low annual rainfall, and an average of 325 days of sunshine each year with a median annual temperature of 19.3°c.

Long warm summers and short dry winters are emblematic of this part of the Costa Blanca, and visitors to the area from June through to September can expect temperatures to vary between 25ºc at night to 35ºc during the day.

FACILITIES

Cabo Roig boasts two magnificent white sandy beaches, each awarded Blue Flag accreditation for their high standards of maintenance and safe, clean Mediterranean waters.

Cabo Roig's main beach, Playa de La Cala Capitán, is a large cove-shaped beach 86m deep and measuring 157m at the water's edge. Playa de La Caleta beach can be found further south - a strip of white sand 287m long and 43m deep.

Both beaches are comprised of fine sand, with beach bars and lifeguard services provided during the high season. Cala Capitán offers a wooden walkway that accommodates the needs of families with children and wheelchair users.

A coastal path runs around the coastline of the community, and it´s possible to walk or cycle north through Cabo Roig from Campoamor and onto La Zenia.

A leisure marina occupies the eastern edge of La Caleta beach offering a safe harbour for sailing boats and motor cruisers, in addition to a range of water sports including jet-ski hire (personal watercraft), stand up paddleboarding, and water-ski hire and equipment.

Cabo Roig is rich in culinary choice, with fine dining and casual restaurants located throughout the community. However, there is a marked concentration of lively bars and restaurants located along a parade adjacent to the main N-332 coast road.

Locally known as "The Strip", this is Cabo Roig´s main entertainment centre. 600m of bars, bistros, restaurants, and nightclubs line the street scene, offering a veritable choice of dining and leisure experiences.

The area behind the Cabo Roig Strip close to the medical walk-in centre hosts the local street market every Thursday morning throughout the year.

Cabo Roig is well served by public transport with regular services connecting the community with destinations north and south. Super-fast fibre-optic broadband services and public Wi-Fi are available throughout the area.

PROPERTIES

The majority of the original housing closest to the coastline tends to be large detached single or two-storey villas on large-sized private plots that command premium prices.

Newer-style properties in Cabo Roig constructed further inland in neighbouring La Regia are usually built on smaller and more manageable plots. These newer properties typically require less maintenance than older-style properties and are built to adhere to more recent building standards.

With the exception of newer coastal developments to the southwest of Cabo Roig, properties are mainly low-rise, and La Regia offers a wide selection of affordable townhouses, apartments, and modest detached villas.

Unlike neighbouring La Zenia to the north, Cabo Roig, and La Regia in particular, still has a relatively large percentage of undeveloped land. As such, the area is still very much in development and has potential for future expansion.

SUMMARY

Cabo Roig may not be as sparsely populated as the latest official figures suggest, and with room for expansion in the local property market, there's plenty of scope to increase housing stocks still further.

Nonetheless, the privileged location remains highly sought-after and even allowing for the skew in average property prices due to the sheer number of large luxury villas, the locale still commands a premium.

Cabo Roig is exceptionally popular with property buyers looking for a second home abroad and international residents outnumber the indigenous Spanish population, with a familiar mix of German, French, Dutch, Irish, British, and Scandinavian expatriates settled within the community.

The area can be busy during peak season, but for prospective property buyers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the coastal locale, neighbouring La Regia offers similar ease of access to beautiful beaches and amenities without the premium price tag.

A tale of two halves, Cabo Roig will suit property buyers looking for either a grand luxury second residence with immediate access to first class facilities, or prospective overseas property purchasers who might require something smaller and more manageable, yet still be as close to a beach as their budget will allow.

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Data included in the graphics are correct at the date of publication. Price per square metre is for illustration only, and calculated from the prices of resale properties available on our website at that time. For official market data, please contact us.