The Orihuela Costa is an all-year-round holiday destination for countless thousands of tourists every year, but the beaches simply don't harbour the same kind of attraction that they possess during the summer months.

So sometimes necessary to venture a little further afield to explore some of the area's finer features and make the most of that hire car you've already paid for. And even in the summer, the natural canopy of the park provides welcome shade and a chance to escape the temperatures of high season.

Fortunately, when it comes to the great outdoors, our little part of the South Costa Blanca offers a rich and varied topography, boasting some of the most spectacular public parks you'll find in Spain.

Just 20 minutes north of La Zenia, you'll find the beachfront town of Guardamar del Segura, named in honour of the River Segura that flows from the lowlands of the Vega Baja into the Mediterranean Sea.

There are many compelling reasons to visit Guardamar del Segura, an ancient pine forest, and 11 km of unspoiled white sandy beaches are among the most popular, but perhaps its most unexpected attraction is its central park.

Reina Sofía park, a Mediterranean pine copse in town

Nestled in the centre of the municipal town, Reina Sofía park (in Spanish “Parque Reina Sofía”), occupies more than 70,000 m (17 acres) of pine copse and natural, rugged terrain.

The hilly public park has been thoughtfully landscaped to provide an oasis for indigenous feather and fowl, occupied by a wide variety of birdlife throughout the year.

A network of waterways and lakes weave through the park, and the canopy of pine trees provides welcome shade and a perch for migrating and resident birds.

Undoubtedly, the beautiful wildlife is the main attraction, and Reina Sofía park is naturally blessed with some of the Mediterranean's most endearing creatures.

Red squirrels scamper along the woodland furrows, darting between the trees, while peafowl wander the forest floor, noticeably nonchalant and oblivious to visitors.

Birdlife here is prevalent, with a variety of birds coming and going, landing in the waters, with the local menagerie seemingly in a state of both constant departure and arrival.

Things to do in summer and winter on the Costa Blanca

The park offers refuge to a wide variety of birds, including mute swans and majestic Indian peacocks that roam the grounds, dragging their vibrant trains.

Their spectacular signature mating ritual occurs during the summer months, and September sees the arrival of baby peafowl and mating pairs of swans with cygnets.

With so much life on the ground and in the treetops above, it is perhaps unsurprising to find life in the park's waters too.

European pond terrapins bask in the sunshine on specially created islands and shallows, alongside Florida turtles.

The imported exotic freshwater turtles, more commonly known as Yellow-Bellied Sliders, have an average lifespan exceeding 30 years in the wild and can reach 40 years old within the safe confines of the park.

Established paths and bridges wind through the park and over waterways, and picnic tables and chairs are located at beauty spots throughout the forest.

Visit Guardamar del Segura, Spain's year-round destination

The park has a large playground providing plenty of entertainment for younger children, and an open-air theatre offers live performances throughout the year.

The Town Hall maintains the park and cares for the animals year-round. The welcome shade, an abundance of local facilities, and the close proximity to the beach make Reina Sofía park an enjoyable experience for all the family, whatever the time of year.

Local bars and restaurants surround the park, and the beachfront promenade and beaches are less than a two-minute walk to the east, with a wide variety of restaurants serving paella and other Spanish staples year-round.

Originally inaugurated in 1991, Reina Sofía park can be found in the centre of Guardamar del Segura, with plentiful free on-street parking. To find Reina Sofía park, simply click here for a Google Map with directions from your location.

Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.

Photo credit: LaZenia.com

Torrevieja is home to some of the most exquisite and well-preserved natural spaces in this part of Spain, and the Parque del Molino del Agua is one of our favourite places to visit.

Located within Torrevieja's northern enclave, the park encompasses the better part of 43 acres (172,000 square metres) of beautifully conserved natural woodland.

Literally translated as “Watermill Park”, the beauty spot has been attentively cared for by the local council, who should be recognised for their outstanding efforts in keeping such an extensive area in pristine condition year-round.

Parque del Molino del Agua: a serene and tranquil experience

At first glance, Parque del Molino del Agua isn't something that raises expectations, but that soon changes once you spend a few minutes exploring the interior and appreciate the sheer scale of the location.

The main entrance to the park is located in its southwestern corner, adjacent to the American-themed and steamboat-inspired Restaurante Queen Mississippi (worth a visit in its own right).

A spectacular water feature at this highest point in the park sends water cascading down the hillside, through a system of interconnected viaducts that weave through the forest into freshwater pools, ending the journey in a lake with a central fountain and inhabited by geese, ducks, and turtles.

The viaducts can be crossed via paths and pretty bridges that span the waterway, with waterfalls along the near quarter-kilometre route. The elevated location and the close proximity to the sea mean that the Mediterranean can be glimpsed through the treetops throughout the park.

Picnic tables and seating along the route offer one of the most peaceful and memorable places to enjoy a picnic, with plenty of space for children to enjoy the natural environment.

The Parque del Molino del Agua is home to thousands of mature pine trees that extend and merge with the sand dunes on the nearby beachfront, and a faithful replica of the old water mill at the entrance pays homage to the extensive subterranean aquifers that lie beneath the sandy soil.

Closer to the beachfront, the Aleppo pine trees grow in unusual squatted forms with the trunks lying in the direction of the prevailing winds due to the high salinity.

The park is rich in both flora and fauna, and our pictures cannot portray the natural soundtrack that accompanies visitors throughout the locality.

A natural wonder: one of our favourite things to do in Torrevieja

Thousands of birds inhabit the Parque del Molino del Agua year-round, particularly woodlarks and barn swallows; and the abundant foliage provides a natural habitat for Mediterranean red-tailed geckos, field mice, Pipistrellus bats, and red squirrels that thrive in the environment.

The paths throughout the park wind through the pine trees creating a natural maze that leads to the sand dunes. Taking the most direct route, La Mata beach is approximately 450 m from the park entrance, and the paths connect to the coastal path that runs between Torrevieja to the south and Guardamar to the north.

The size of the park means that even in peak season, you will always find an idyllic spot to enjoy the serenity that the park offers, and the welcome shade and cooling sea breezes make this attraction suitable even in the height of summer.

The park is open to the public completely free of charge, offering a small children's playground and picnic seating throughout the park.

Plentiful streetside parking is available year-round, and the park is wheelchair friendly, family-friendly, and suited to persons with limited mobility. There are some steps between the wooded area and the coastal path.

One of the south Costa Blanca's best-kept secrets, the Parque del Molino del Agua is one of our favourite things to do and worth a visit at any time of year. You'll leave feeling completely stress-free.

Visit the official Torrevieja tourist board website for more information, or click here for a Google Map and directions to this natural attraction.

Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.

Photo credit: LaZenia.com.