Residential areas Orihuela: Villapiedra and La Regia
La Regia was one of the first areas to be built up in the 70’s building boom
The two residential areas of Villapiedra and La Regia are located on the inland side of the N-332 as it runs through Orihuela Costa, providing a contrast to the slightly more upmarket areas of Aguamarina and Cabo Roig which lie on the seaward side of the road and provide the nearest beaches (Aguamarina, La Caleta and Cala Capitán).( Click for Orihuela beaches)
When residential development spread inland after the initial boom along the coast in the 1970s, La Regia, a small area just a couple of hundred yards from the Mediterranean, was one of the first to be built up, and this shows in the properties which line its few streets. These are mainly small terraced houses with small gardens, which, while being functional, now appear dated when compared to the newer developments further along the 
coast. Villapiedra, just north of La Regia on the other side of a grassy gulley, is rather newer, and the properties, without being grandiose in any way, are substantially larger and in a better state of upkeep. Many are semi-detached, and while they still do not enjoy large gardens their design is more modern and the whole area has a clean and well-maintained feel to it.( The top three images are Villapiedra, the bottom 3 are La Regia)
Shopping facilities nearby
Along a side-road parallel to the N-332 in La Regia is an arcade of shops, bars and commercial premises, but 
more extensive shopping and eating out opportunities are available in the Aguamarina and Cabo Roig shopping areas on the other side of the main road. Within easy driving distance there are many more shopping and dining opportunities: the largest local mall is Zenia Boulevard, just a few minutes away along the main road, while other large retail parks include Habaneras in Torrevieja (20 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).
Local street markets:
Those wishing to sample the wares at typical local street markets in the morning can make a trip to any of the following, all of which 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.
Another shopping opportunity is provided by 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 Medical information Orihuela municipality)
Next to the Aguamarina shops on the other side of the N-332 is the local public health centre in Calle del Mar: 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 the health centre, on the landward side of the large roundabout on the main road, just to the south of La Regia.
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).
Three golf courses within a 10 minute drive
There are three golf courses within a ten-minute drive from La Regia and Villapiedra, 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. ( click for sporting facilities Orihuela)
Both of these areas are located within the Orihuela municipality, Alicante province, Region of Valencia
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 Punta Prima 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.
