HOME > ALICANTE VEGA BAJA > CABO ROIG
Cabo Roig is an exclusive stretch of the southern Costa Blanca washed by the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, located in the much sought after destination of the Orihuela Costa. Favoured by expats from the UK, Ireland, Belgium and Germany, to name but a few, Cabo Roig is named for the distinctive red rocks that form its cape.
Located less than an hour from both Alicante and Murcia airports, the small enclave is characterised by its attractive lack of high-rise buildings, favouring instead villas and smaller urbanisations just a stone’s throw away from the coast.
A romantic, cliff-side promenade offers a walk from Cabo Roig right into neighbouring La Zenia, home to Alicante’s largest shopping centre, while the vibrant and cosmopolitan city of Torrevieja is just a ten minute drive away.
A well-known landmark is the historic Cabo Roig tower built in the 16th century as a defence against pirates, which is situated right beside the town’s stunning marina and blue flag beaches.
Flanked by La Zenia to the north and the beach-side enclave of Dehesa de Campoamor to the south, Cabo Roig’s temperate climate, with an average of 325 sunny days a year, makes it a popular second home destination with expats from around the globe. The surrounding mountains mean that it’s neither too hot in summer nor too cold in winter, while the refreshing Mediterranean breeze ensures the area remains comfortable during the warmest months.
How to get to Cabo Roig
The town is well connected to the airports of Alicante and Murcia and just a short trip on the N-332 dual carriageway in each direction. Visitors will know when they’ve hit the spot, as the entrance to Cabo Roig is marked by a round-about sporting a large Egyptian-esque stone pyramid.
The history of Cabo Roig
The town served as an outpost during the 16th century when the famous tower was built, but legend has it that more recently, a large pocket of the coast was bought in the 40s by a Murcian farmer who wanted a clean, coastal retreat for his daughter, who suffered from asthma. As the story goes, the doting parent was ridiculed by friends for purchasing the mostly rural land; that is, of course, before Cabo Roig became one of the most sought-after locations on the Orihuela Costa during the property boom of the 1970s.
According to locals, many of the farmer’s descendants still own properties in the area.
Places to go in Cabo Roig
Cabo Roig’s famous ‘Strip’, which is a kilometre-long promenade parallel to the coastal walk, offers even the most intrepid traveller an extensive choice of bars and restaurants from across the globe, as well as a wide array of shops, banks, pharmacies and hypermarkets.
The large number of surrounding residential areas means that Cabo Roig is stocked with everything the visitor or home-owner needs, including a modern medical centre, English-speaking church services, doctors and much more.
For those looking for a bargain, the Cabo Roig street market, located at the back of the strip and open between 9am and 2pm every Thursday, offers everything from the freshest fruit and vegetables to leather goods, clothing and toys.
Things to do in Cabo Roig
Sun worshippers will be spoiled for choice in this little pocket of Orihuela Costa with Cabo Roig’s two famous Blue Flag beaches, Cala Capitán and La Caleta. Both are awarded this accolade year after year for their services, access, cleanliness, safety and the quality of their waters.
Cala Capitán is at the northern end of Cabo Roig next to La Zenia. This 157-metre-long paradise offers a state-of-the-art children's playground and a beach bar in the summer season.
On calm days, it’s an explorer’s dream with miniature caves and hidden pockets that are a beautiful setting for snorkelling enthusiasts.
On the south side of Cabo Roig you’ll find the 287 metre stretch of La Caleta, a beach right beside the port of Cabo Roig.
The unique cove of La Caleta is protected from the wind and waves all year round and even in winter it is common to see people soaking up the rays.
In high season, boats from all over the area embark on the sheltered bay for the day.
Cabo Roig is home to one of Europe’s largest St Patrick’s Day festivals. Not just for the Irish, each March 17 the iconic strip is thronged with revellers who turn out to watch the world-famous parade. The street-side bars and restaurants fill up quickly, so be sure to get there early to secure a good vantage point.For all the singletons out there, or just those looking for a bit of good-natured fun, the biggest matchmaking festival in Europe hits the streets of Cabo Roig for one action-packed week during October. Veteran matchmaker Willie Daly does the rounds of the bars and restaurants with his 150-year-old “love ledger” in the hopes of adding to the more than 3,000 marriages he has already set up.
Images: Sarah Keane
Spain's pay rises still aren't reaching many workersAverage salaries are increasing, but millions in Spain are still earning close to €1,000 a month and regional and gender gaps remain wide Spain’s wages are continuing to rise on paper, helped in part by repeated increases to the minimum wage.. 29/05/2026
Spanish morning show mistakes Irish comedy sketch for genuine sunburn competitionAnyone who has spent a summer in Spain will understand exactly why Spanish television thought the sketch might actually be real Ireland is experiencing a heatwave at the moment, and in between articles about how the country is somehow hotter than.. 29/05/2026
Even hotter temperatures on the way: Alicante weekend weather May 28-31Alicante is heading into another hot weekend, with rising temperatures and mostly clear, sunny skies April 2026 has now officially been confirmed as the hottest April on record in Spain, according to AEMET data. And that trend looks set to continue.. 28/05/2026
Caring for elderly relatives in Spain could unlock extra financial supportFrom monthly payments to pension protection and home adaptation grants, carers may be entitled to more help than they realise Looking after an elderly or dependent family member can place huge emotional and financial pressure on families, especially when.. 28/05/2026
Costa Blanca to get more buses, better airport links and new routes from June 1The new €3.75 million bus network promises more frequent services and better links to Alicante, Elche and Torrevieja A major new public bus network is launching across the Vega Baja from Monday June 1, with regional officials promising more frequent.. 28/05/2026
Major €1.2 million road project finally gets underway in Orihuela CostaThe massive overhaul of one of Campoamor’s busiest roads will pause during summer to reduce disruption One of Campoamor’s busiest and most important roads is finally getting a major overhaul, with work now officially underway on a &euro.. 27/05/2026
WATCH: Orihuela Costa Police rescue puppy after fall from beachside cliffOfficers scrambled down the rocky slope in Aguamarina to bring the young puppy back to safety A five-month-old puppy is back home safely after a frightening fall from a cliff in the Aguamarina area of Orihuela Costa over the weekend. &.. 27/05/2026
Hotel inflation in Spain continues to soar: Prices rose 7.5% in AprilSpain’s hotel sector is now far more expensive than the EU average, driven by strong foreign demand Hotel prices in Spain are still rising at a pace that leaves many visitors feeling the pinch. According to fresh data from the European Consumer.. 26/05/2026
Spain warned over teenage vaping surge ahead of World No Tobacco DayDoctors say e-cigarettes are becoming the “gateway” to nicotine addiction as pressure grows for tougher anti-smoking laws Doctors in Spain are warning of a worrying rise in teenage vaping ahead of World No Tobacco Day on Sunday May 31.. 26/05/2026
Summer is on the way - here's exactly how much sunscreen you should be usingSpanish dermatologist reveals the “two finger rule” to avoid sunburn and protect your skin year round Summer is on the way and the sun is getting stronger, which means many of us are reaching for sunscreen more often. But are you really using.. 25/05/2026
Your supermarket shop in Spain just got pricier againTomatoes, eggs, fish and even wine have all seen noticeable price rises over the past year Anyone who feels like their weekly supermarket bill in Spain keeps creeping up is probably not imagining it. New figures released by Spain’s National Statistics.. 22/05/2026
Fire at Torrevieja Hospital leaves one person injured and forces evacuationA patient was admitted to intensive care following the incident at the Alicante province hospital A fire at Torrevieja Hospital on Friday afternoon, May 22, left one person injured with burns and several others suffering from smoke inhalation after.. 22/05/2026
Spain braces for first big heat of the summer as health officials issue warningFrom closing blinds at midday to old-school cooling tricks, traditional Spanish summer habits are making a comeback It may only be May, but parts of Spain are already preparing for temperatures above 30 degrees this weekend, with health authorities urging.. 22/05/2026
Spain blocks major solar plant planned between Murcia and the Vega BajaOfficials say proposed solar complex could cause significant environmental damage across Murcia and Alicante municipalities A major solar energy project planned between Murcia and the Vega Baja has been blocked after Spain's Ministry for Ecological.. 22/05/2026
Major new housing project in Orihuela Costa enters final stagesThe controversial Playa Flamenca development is set to transform the last undeveloped stretch of Orihuela Costa A huge new housing development in Playa Flamenca is edging closer to reality as work at the long-disputed Cala Mosca site on Orihuela Costa.. 22/05/2026
How electric car buying works in 2026New Auto+ Plan brings subsidies, discounts and updated EV rules across Spain Spain’s electric car market continues to grow, supported by both public incentives and a rapid expansion of charging infrastructure. A recent Government push includes.. 21/05/2026
