From time to time, a girl just needs a shopping spree. In Torrevieja itself, we have Las Habaneras, but if you want some fun thrown in, nothing better that heading for the relatively new La Zenia Boulevard.
If you have a car, no problem, but, if like me, you have to rely on public transport, matters get a bit more difficult. Let me give you the latest update. There are just two (!!) buses running there from Torrevieja. The first at 8am, the next at 12.45am and that’s it. They leave you at the entrance, any other time you must take a bus to Cartagena, get off at the Playa Flamenca stop and...hike.
The return time table is even weirder: 3pm and 9pm. The girl at the ticket counter told me, that when the mall opened, there was an hourly bus, but, not any more. A taxi, depending on where you go in Torrevieja, sets you back at least €12. Practicalities out of the way, the mall itself is very nice indeed, not only for shopping but also for eating and fun for kids if you have any.
Centre piece so to speak is the fountain, very popular in the summer with kids who can’t get enough of running around under the gusts of water, getting happily drenched.
Several smaller stands although with tables and chairs are around the fountain, offering drinks, crepes, ice cream and snacks.
The shops range from low cost (Primark) to medium. ZARA Home as well as ZARA clothes, Massimo Dutti, other British high street stores, Italian knitwear, shoes, bags and perfumerias galore. Two great interior decoration shops, a vast Alcampo supermarket round out the picture in short, you will find everything you need in a mall which is easily negotiated.
They also do events, like a recent carnival parade, sometimes life music. Just check the local paper. Most conveniently, La Zenia Boulevard shops do not close during siesta and are open year around with the exception of a few bank holidays.
I love the feel of the open ‘streets’, with plenty of benches and flowers, big toy animals for kids to ride around on, play areas, in fact, the place is quite family orientated.
The upper level is dedicated to food. I especially like the three tapas bars, offering hot and cold tapas as well as montaditos. Italian, Chinese, what ever takes your fancy you can fill your stomach with, sitting out in the sunshine.
Even if you buy nothing more than a lip stick or a T-shirt, a trip to La Zenia Boulevard makes for a pleasant few hours people watching.
