Residential areas Orihuela, La Zenia II
La Zenia II, Orihuela Costa
La Zenia II is the inland extension of the older and slightly more prestigious beach residential area of the same name, occupying a part of the land between the main N-332 road and the AP-7 motorway. Direct access to the area is from the toll stretch of the motorway, for which reason many motorists coming from the south prefer to take the exit at Campoamor and approach along the N-332, while those coming from Torrevieja in the north often follow the N-332 into La Zenia although the journey normally takes longer.
The main reason for so many people travelling to this area is the shops: since the La Zenia Boulevard shopping centre was opened in September 2012 it has attracted thousands of visitors, and this has caused traffic problems in the area with volume on the N-332 rising to 33,000 vehicles a day. Alongside the Boulevard there are also other smaller shopping centres such as Zenia Golf (don’t be misled, there is no golf course here) and Zenia Mar, and in many respects La Zenia II has become more important as a retail park than a residential area.
Despite this, the properties here are, for the most part, not unattractive. They are mostly new, or at least newer than in nieghbouring areas, and this is one of the few parts of Orihuela Costa where construction activity is still prospering as more and more northern Europeans are tempted by the attraction of living on the Mediterranean coast. Many very modern-looking projects are still under way within a couple of hundred yards of the Boulevard. Of course, the proximity of internationally known retail outlets adds to the attractiveness of the area for many: the occupancy rate is, logically, lower in winter than in the summer, but the streets are always busy and this area is definitely not one of those which become deserted out of season.
Weekly street markets
It may be that those living or staying in La Zenia II don’t see the need to travel further afield for shopping and eating out opportunities, but for those who do a visit to one of the local street markets might make an attractive change from the modern malls. All of the following markets are held weekly:
Monday: Santa Pola, San Pedro del Pinatar, Elche.
Tuesday: Orihuela, Mil Palmeras, Benijofar.
Wednesday: Monforte del Cid (fruit and veg only), Guardamar del Segura, La Mata. Santiago de la Ribera, San Miguel de Salinas.
Thursday: Campoamor, Cabo Roig, La Marina, Aspe (fruit and veg only), San Javier, Rojales.
Friday: Torrevieja, Pilar de la Horadada, Los Montesinos.
Saturday: Santa Pola, Almoradi, Playa Flamenca, Elche.
Sunday: La Marina, Ciudad Quesada, Campo Guardamar.
Other shopping options
For those preferring the more modern approach to shopping, though, other major malls which are easily reached by car include the Habaneras in Torrevieja (15 minutes’ drive), Dos Mares in San Pedro del Pinatar (15 minutes), Espacio Mediterráneo in Cartagena (30 minutes) and the Nueva Condomina and Thader centres in the north of Murcia (45 minutes).
An alternative shopping visit for shoe fans could be the towns of Elche and Elda, where thousands of locals make their living in the footwear industry, one of the few sectors which have continued to thrive during Spain’s economic crisis over recent years. Shoes from this area are exported all over Europe and the rest of the world, and for those who like to keep abreast of the latest fashions the factory outlets in the area are a 
veritable shopper’s paradise.
Health facilities ( click Orihuela medical information)
The local public health centre is in Calle del Mar at the inland end of the Aguamarina area, just a few hundred yards away along the N-332. During the week there is an all-night emergency unit at this centre, and at weekends this facility is operative 24 hours a day. The telephone number is 965 322965.
There is a chemist’s just opposite La Zenia II on the Avenida La Playa, which goes down towards the beach from the main roundabout on the N-332 which serves both La Zenia and La Zenia II.
Two hospitals are located between 15 and twenty minutes’ drive away: one is the Los Arcos hospital to the south just outside San Javier (leave the AP-7 motorway at km 780 on the RM-1/MU-301 heading towards Santomera and Sucina), and the other is the Torrevieja hospital to the north (signposted from the N-332 on the CV-95 towards Orihuela).
Local sporting facilities
There are three golf courses within a ten-minute drive from La Zenia II, namely Las Ramblas, Campoamor and Villamartín, and Las Colinas and Vistabella are only a few kilometres further afield. Under half an hour away by car is the historic town of Orihuela itself, which gives the municipality its name, and other possible visits include the cities of Alicante, Murcia and Cartagena, all of which are well under an hour away by road.
Under half an hour away by car is the historic town of Orihuela itself, which gives the municipality its name, and other possible visits include the cities of Alicante, Murcia and Cartagena, all of which are well under an hour away by road.
Orihuela as a municipality has a wide range of attractions and activities, with plenty of places to visit and activities to enjoy. More detailed information can be found in the dedicated Orihuela municipality section, accessed via the map box at the bottom of every page, including suggested places to visit and things to do.
The area has a good social scene due to the year round presence of a multicultural community, with a wide range of clubs, charities and associations in not only the La Zenia area but also neighbouring residential areas.
English speaking services are supplied by the Town hall which has an office dedicated to the needs of its foreign residents nearby.
Click for Foreign residents office, Orihuela Costa
Click for beaches overview to see beaches in the Orihuela municipality
Click for the full Orihuela municipality section, which includes information about the whole municipality.
Click for Business directory listings of Agents selling, renting and maintaining property in this area, select property.
