If you’re thinking about staying in Ciudad Quesada, you’re probably wondering what there actually is to do once you get there.
The good news is, quite a lot.
Quesada isn’t a traditional Spanish town and it’s not really a beach resort either. It’s a large residential area just inland from Torrevieja, with plenty of restaurants, bars, shops and things to keep you busy. And because you’re only a short drive from places like Guardamar and Torrevieja, you don’t have to go far if you fancy a day at the beach.
It’s also one of those places where you can have a very different holiday depending on what you’re into. You can spend the morning around the pool, play a round of golf in the afternoon and then head out for dinner without having to travel to far.
There are plenty of family businesses restaurants and bars around Quesada, so if you’re staying for a week or two, you won’t feel like you’ve run out of places to eat or things to do after a couple of days.
So, what is Ciudad Quesada actually like?
Quesada is part of the municipality of Rojales and sits a little way inland from the coast.
It’s a popular place for both holidaymakers and people who live in Spain permanently, so it’s not just a holiday resort that closes down once summer is over. You’ll find a mix of Spanish and international restaurants, supermarkets, cafés, bars and all the usual services you’d expect from a sizeable residential area.
It’s quite spread out, though. This is worth knowing if you’re booking somewhere to stay. A restaurant or shop that looks close on a map might not be particularly close on foot, especially in the heat. and a lot of the streets beyond the high street are up and sown particularly steep hills.
Having a car makes life much easier, particularly if you want to see some of the places around Quesada as well.
Things to do in Ciudad Quesada
You don’t need to plan every minute of your holiday, but there are a few things that are definitely worth putting on your list.
Spend the day at AquaPark Rojales
If you’re visiting during the warmer months, AquaPark Rojales is an easy choice for a family day out. It’s right in Ciudad Quesada, so there’s no long drive involved, and there are slides, pools and areas for younger children as well as places where adults can sit and relax.
It’s one of those places where you can turn up for a couple of hours or make a full day of it. And, let’s be honest, when it’s really hot in July or August, getting in a swimming pool is probably going to sound better than walking around looking at old buildings.
La Marquesa Golf
Golf is a big part of life around Quesada and La Marquesa Golf is right on the doorstep.
The course is surrounded by the hills and residential areas of Rojales and is popular with both people who live locally and visitors coming over for a golf break.
You don’t need to be a serious golfer either. If you’re staying in Quesada and fancy playing a round while you’re here, it’s definitely worth looking into.
There are also other golf courses within driving distance if you want to play somewhere different during your stay. You can see the other Golf courses here.
Where to eat in Ciudad Quesada
You’re not going to struggle to find somewhere to eat in Quesada.
There’s a surprisingly big choice considering the size of the area, and you’re not limited to Spanish food either. You’ll find everything from tapas and traditional Spanish dishes to Italian, Asian and British-style food.
That’s one of the benefits of Quesada being such an international community. If you fancy something different, chances are there’ll be somewhere nearby doing it.
V9 Gastrobar
V9 Gastrobar is on on the main high street and is a good option when you want something fairly relaxed.
It works well for lunch, dinner or just a casual snack with a few drinks.
Yoku
If you fancy something different from tapas, pizza or the usual British favourites, Yoku is one of the places you’ll come across in Ciudad Quesada. It’s an Asian restaurant, which fits quite well with the mix of different cuisines you find around the area. Quesada has a very international feel to it, so having this sort of choice alongside Spanish and European restaurants is pretty normal.
Quesada Fish And Chips
You might not expect fish and chips to get a mention in a guide to Spain, but spend a bit of time around Ciudad Quesada and you’ll soon see why it does. There’s a large British and international community in the area, so familiar food has become part of the local restaurant scene.
Fish and chips, Sunday roasts, pies and great baguettes stuffed with fillings. It does get very busy and you should look at booking a table if you are going with a group. You can order over the phone and get a take away.
its good value for money and has a nice menu that will satisfy everyone.
Voraz
Voraz is my personal favourite place to eat in Quesada and possibly and I don’t say this lightly one of my favourite places to have eaten in spain.
I really can’t write much more about this place great service, chilled vibe, attention to detail, and the food is very, very good. You must try it, You will not regret it.
What about the beaches?
This is one of the questions people usually ask when they first look at Quesada.
Yes, you can get to the beach easily.
No, you can’t walk there.
Ciudad Quesada is inland, but Guardamar del Segura is close enough to make a beach day really easy. There are buses that run into Guardamar you can see the bus routes here.
Shopping in Quesada
For everyday shopping, you really don’t need to leave Quesada.
There are supermarkets, smaller shops, cafés and plenty of businesses providing the things you’d expect to find in a well-established residential area.
There are also shopping areas around Quesada where you can spend an hour or two browsing, grabbing a coffee or picking up a few things.
If you’re after a much bigger shopping trip, you’ll have more choice around Torrevieja and the larger shopping areas further towards Alicante or to La Zenia.
Things to do with kids
Quesada is a pretty good base for a family holiday because you don’t have to drive miles every time the kids want something to do.
Quesada Aqua Park
The AquaPark will probably be top of the list in summer. but be warned as soon as the holidays are over it closes for the year. I missed it by just a day when I took the photo below.
Quesada Bowling
If the weather isn’t playing ball, (it does rain) or you just fancy doing something a little different, Quesada Bowling is another option in Ciudad Quesada. It’s an easy-going place for families, friends or a group looking for something to do for a couple of hours, and you don’t need to be a serious bowler to enjoy it.
It can also be a good choice if you’ve got children who have had enough of the pool for one day. A few games of bowling gives everyone something to do, and it works just as well for adults who fancy a bit of friendly competition. It’s the sort of activity that is easy to fit into a day rather than needing you to plan your whole day around it.
Quesada Mini Golf
Quesada Mini Golf is another easy way to spend an hour or two, especially if you’re looking for something the whole family can enjoy. You don’t need to be good at golf, and that’s probably part of the fun. Just pick up a club, grab a ball and see how you get on.
It works well for families, couples or groups of friends. Of course, once you start keeping score, things can get a little more competitive than planned, but that’s all part of it. There is also a bar attached and prices are reasonable.
Quesada Go-Karts
Quesada Go-Karts is always a good option. It’s particularly popular with older kids and teenagers, but there’s no reason the adults can’t have a go too. A few laps around the track can turn into some surprisingly serious competition, especially when everyone starts trying to beat each other’s times.
It’s another activity that works well when you don’t want to spend the whole day planning an outing. You can head over for a few races, have some fun and then carry on with the rest of your day. If you’ve got children who love anything with wheels, this is definitely one to consider while you’re in Ciudad Quesada.
There is also some rides and amusements for the kids to do that will keep them entertained and a restaurant and bar inside should you want to have a bite to eat and a couple of drinks after your karting session.
Is Ciudad Quesada good for a holiday?
It depends on what you’re looking for.
If you want a historic Spanish town where you can walk everywhere and sit beside the sea every evening, there are probably better choices.
But if you want somewhere relaxed with plenty of restaurants, golf, swimming pools, shops and easy access to the coast, Quesada makes a lot of sense.
It’s also a good choice for families because there’s enough to do without having to spend a fortune on organised activities every day. And if you’re staying for a couple of weeks, having all the everyday stuff nearby makes a big difference.
When should you visit?
Summer is obviously the busiest time.
June, July, August and September are popular if you’re mainly interested in sunshine, swimming and beach days. July and August can get seriously hot though, so don’t underestimate the heat during the day.
Spring and autumn are probably better if you want to explore. The temperatures are usually much easier to deal with, and it’s a great time of year for golf, walking and day trips.
Do you need a car?
I’d say a car is worth having.
You can get around parts of Quesada on foot, especially if you’re staying near the main restaurants and shops, but the area is spread out. Add going shopping for food or snacks it could have you walking up and down hills in the hot sun.
Once you start looking at beaches, Rojales, golf courses and other towns, having a car makes everything much easier.
You can also decide at the last minute that you fancy going somewhere for lunch or watching the sunset on the coast without having to work around public transport.
So, is Ciudad Quesada worth visiting?
If you’re after a relaxed Costa Blanca base with plenty of places to eat, things to do and beaches within easy reach, definitely.
It isn’t trying to be a historic Spanish village or a traditional seaside resort. It’s a modern residential area that has grown into a popular place for both holidaymakers and people who live here all year round.
And that’s really its biggest advantage.
You’ve got restaurants and shops on your doorstep, golf nearby, family attractions, beaches a short drive away and plenty of other places to explore when you fancy getting out for the day.
You can be as busy as you want to be.
Or you can spend the afternoon beside the pool with a cold drink and do absolutely nothing. Sometimes that’s exactly what a holiday is supposed to be.
