You'll find the locals buying fresh regional produce to create meals at home for the forthcoming week, often stopping for a bite to eat and a drink at one of the market's laid-back café bars. They are well worth a visit during your time here, with visitors met by the beautiful colours of the clothes and the fresh smell of the fruit, vegetables and herbs on sale.

The local markets typically take place from 09:00 and finish at around 13:30. Although sometimes you will find the odd afternoon market, which starts from 16:00 until about 20:00. At the larger markets, car parks are provided free of charge, and there are normally attendants present to help you find an available space during busy periods.

The markets sell everything you might need. The fruit and vegetable stalls are run by local farmers, ensuring the quality and freshness of the locally grown Valencian produce. You will always find a bargain on these stalls, especially if you buy seasonal fruit and vegetables.

Markets take place all year round in Orihuela Costa

Depending on the season, 2 kg of strawberries can cost as little as €5. The same money can buy 6 kg of oranges at other times of the year.

You will find stalls selling Spanish cheese, Chorizo and Iberian hams. They are definitely worth a try to discover that authentic Mediterranean flavour in your food.

Alongside these stalls, others will sell seasonal herbs, olives, and fresh bread; the aroma will positively entice you.

As you wander around the local markets you will hear the bartering between the stallholders and their customers offering a good discount on the advertised price, and it's all part of the experience.

Costa Blanca street markets, a weekly part of life

And of course, there is more than just food on offer. You will find locally made Valencian leather goods such as handbags, belts and high-quality footwear. The smell of tannin hangs in the air, and the quality and price of the handmade goods are virtually unbeatable, with a small Spanish-made leather clutch or handbag available for approximately €10.

Spanish-manufactured shoes are a veritable bargain with prices from €15, and you'll always get the best advice for sizing to suit your particular requirements (Spanish sizes might be a little different than you're used to).

All Orihuela Costa street markets feature lots of stalls offering the spectrum of Spanish kitchenware, cooking pans and pots, seasonal plants such as herbs and chillies, and freshly cut bouquets of flowers.

Fashion features at each market too, and the clothes stalls are always worth a look as the fabrics are locally sourced and perfect for the hot weather that the Orihuela Costa experiences in the height of summer. Take a close look at the labels and you might be lucky enough to pick up a beautiful Spanish-made dress for as little as €15.

But the Orihuela Costa street markets would be incomplete without the traditional Spanish handmade lace goods the area is renowned for. Thankfully, you'll find plenty of shawls, tablecloths and many other beautifully produced clothing and homewares.

The delicate designs are eye-catching and of amazing quality, and they make perfect gifts to take back home for family or friends.

If you fancy trying different markets instead of just your nearest Orihuela Costa local markets, visit Viajes Rosa Tours. They offer day trips to other fine local markets further afield on the Costa Blanca and south into Murcia.

A local market should be on your list of things to do on your visit this year. The experience provides a lovely day out and you just might come away with some genuine bargains.

Where are the Spanish markets in Orihuela Costa?

You can find a comprehensive list of the Orihuela Costa street markets below, with some of the more popular South Costa Blanca markets included too.

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

The charitable function has been an integral part of Zenia Boulevard's social calendar since 2022, and the event returns to the heart of Orihuela Costa this coming Wednesday 4th February, from 12:00 midday.

Organised in conjunction with Orihuela Costa Pink Ladies & Panthers, World Cancer Day aims to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment.

It's a global campaign led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and the World Health Organisation, and the event organisers are hoping to raise funds for Alicante for the Fight Against Cancer (AACC) – a local non-profit organisation that provides comprehensive care for cancer patients and their families.

Raising awareness of cancer in the community

Last year's event raised 1,390 €, including a 500 € contribution from Zenia Boulevard's management team, and the organisers are hoping to raise additional funds for AACC this year.

Wednesday's event at Zenia Boulevard will be hosted by Simon Morton from Sunshine Radio FM with live music performed by local artists. The day starts at 12:00 with the opening of activities presented by The Pink Ladies & Pink Panthers.

A moment of silence will take place at 15:00 in honour of all those who have lost their lives to cancer – a symbolic gesture of unity and respect. Charity performances will take to the centre stage throughout the afternoon.

Workshops and activities for all ages will take place throughout the day, including painting and games, and a charity sale will offer exclusive products for purchase, with all proceeds going towards the fight against cancer.

World Cancer Day at Zenia Boulevard

Visitors can learn more about cancer prevention, access useful information from the association, and participate in a day dedicated to honouring patients, families, and professionals.

The event reflects Zenia Boulevard's strong commitment to the community and to social causes that contribute to collective well-being, and the shopping centre team hope to highlight the importance of early detection, with a central message: “Early detection saves lives, get screened now.”

The charity day is free to attend, non-ticketed, and open to visitors of all ages. Find out more from the official Zenia Boulevard website. Alternatively, visit the Orihuela Costa Pink Ladies & Panthers online to discover more about the vital work they do in the community and future events.

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: Orihuela Costa Pink Ladies & Panthers

The decision to uphold a legal amendment originally passed in March 2015 introduced new Sunday trading rules. The resolution dictates that large shops and shopping centres can open on only 40 Sundays and public holidays each year.

The Valencian Parliament approved the amendment in early February 2018, leaving commercial retailers and larger shopkeepers wholly unprepared for the imminent enforcement of new Sunday trading regulations.

Is Zenia Boulevard closed or open today? Opening hours for 2026

The ruling effectively ended Sunday shopping at certain times throughout the year, and after opening daily since its inauguration, Zenia Boulevard was obliged to close for the first time in its operational history.

The measures had an immediate effect on Zenia Boulevard in La Zenia, the Habaneras Shopping Centre in Torrevieja, and large retailers in Pilar de la Horadada, with local news outlets reporting increased footfall in shopping malls located in the neighbouring autonomous community of Murcia.

With the prohibition of retail therapy on Sundays, Zenia Boulevard responded with artisan craft markets on Sundays throughout the summer. The legislation does not apply to leisure facilities, restaurants, or fast-food outlets, which remain open to the public at most times of the year.

Is La Zenia Boulevard open on a Sunday?

Then, five years ago, Zenia Boulevard closed its doors once again. This time, not due to the requirements of the regional legislation, but at the hands of a global pandemic that swept throughout all four corners of the world.

The shopping centre is renowned for its spotless avenues and immaculate plazas, and the management team responded by putting an enhanced public safety and sanitary regime in place, adopting the strictest health controls to ensure the venue maintained a stringently safe retail and leisure space for all.

For the first time in its history, Zenia Boulevard abandoned its trademark celebration of key social dates, including cancelling the colourful and spectacular Christmas parades that the shopping centre is notorious for.

Zenia Boulevard opening times, is the shopping centre closed today?

The much-loved mall in La Zenia is Orihuela Costa's largest shopping centre, the largest in the entire South Costa Blanca, and one of the area's most visited tourist attractions, thanks in part to a social events calendar that runs throughout the year.

Zenia Boulevard opening times vary according to the time of year, with Sunday closures in La Zenia mainly affecting the months of January through to mid-June, with only two days of prohibited shopping in the latter half of the year.

The mall is open daily from 10:00 until 22:00 (23:00 during July and August), the Al Campo supermarket opens from 09:00 until 22:00 seven days a week, and restaurants open until midnight.

So is Zenia Boulevard open today? Here's the full calendar of dates that highlight when the shops will be closed at the shopping mall throughout the 2026 year.

Find more information about Zenia Boulevard opening times from the official website.

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

From bottled water and fresh bread, to milk and household grocery products, shopping in Orihuela Costa early and late is something many of us need to do, and running out of staple foods on bank holidays can be an issue for us all. (You can follow this link for a list of all public and bank holidays).

Thankfully, over the last couple of years, the establishment of one-stop shops and mini-markets has expanded throughout the Orihuela Costa area, and late-night, out-of-hours, and even 24-hour shopping is now a possibility throughout the year.

Many shops offer extended opening hours in the American 7-Eleven convenience store format, or follow a similar service to the Tesco Express stores in the United Kingdom, usually centred around a petrol filling station offering a choice of shopping around the clock.

Late night and bank holiday shopping in Orihuela Costa

From Los Balcones to Cabo Roig, here's a selection of local shops that offer late-night and bank holiday shopping. Tapping or clicking each of the headlines below opens a handy Google Map on your device, with directions from your location in Spain.

Repsol, Los Dolses

Located close to Villamartin Plaza, the Repsol petrol station at Los Dolses is open 24-hours a day, 7-days a week throughout the year. The perfect choice whatever your arrival flight time, the outlet carries a selection of essential grocery products and a café.

Open All Hours, La Zenia

Newspapers, magazines, essential fresh groceries, and a selection of imported British goods. Open every day except Christmas Day, usually from 8:00 until 18:00, but check out the current opening hours on their Facebook page or call +34 966 394 409.

SuperSaura, Cabo Roig

Open from 08:30 until 20:30 every day (14:00 on Sunday out of season), including public holidays. A large supermarket with fresh meat, dairy products, and baked goods. Cafe with a covered outside terrace.

BP Shop, Lomas de Cabo Roig

Open from 07:00 until 23:00 almost every day of the year, the BP Shop in Lomas de Cabo Roig provides fresh bread and baked goods and a selection of essential products for late and early arrivals in Orihuela Costa.

Carrefour Express, Playa Flamenca

Usually open daily from 06:00 until 21:00, offering a selection of fresh groceries, bottled water, baked goods, and holiday essentials for new arrivals. Open during almost all bank holidays in Spain.

BP and Mini-Consum, AP-7 / Los Balcones

Petrol station beside the AP-7 with a Supermercados Charter / Consum convenience store offering a selection of fresh groceries, including meat and vegetables, bottled water, and staple cupboard essentials for new arrivals. Open from 06:00 until 22:00 every day, including almost all red days in Orihuela Costa.

Goodnews Supermarket, Playa Flamenca

Located in the Citrus Centre and previously known as Johnson's Supermarket, the venue is open from 08:00 until 18:00 five days a week (including bank holidays), and from 08:00 until 17:00 every Saturday and Sunday throughout the year. Opening hours can vary occasionally, so please check the current hours on Facebook before you visit.

SnapShop 24 Hours, San Miguel de Salinas

Open from 07:00 to 01:00 seven days a week with a selection of essential items including bread, milk, and bottled water. Located in the Bosque las Lomas commercial centre in Blue Lagoon. The mini store also promotes a variety of special offers on its Facebook page.

Repsol SuperCOR Stop & Go, Los Balcones

Open 24-hours a day, 7-days a week year-round. This dedicated mini-market opposite the main hospital stocks the widest range of fresh, chilled, and dry products at supermarket prices, including fresh vegetables and baked goods.

The venue also offers beers, wines, and spirits, a café serving hot and cold beverages with outdoor seating (subject to ongoing health precautions), and on-site automated self-service laundry facilities.

Want to know when Zenia Boulevard is open? Take a look at the opening hours for this year and find out which days the Costa Blanca's favourite shopping centre will be closed.

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: Alexander Pichlmayr / LaZenia.com

Organised by the Orihuela Costa Pink Ladies & Panthers, a team of volunteers dedicated to fundraising activities throughout the year, the event aims to increase cancer awareness and raise much-needed funds for the AACC and the ongoing fight against the disease.

Santa's Walk takes place in La Zenia, with participants dressed as Santa Claus typically taking part in a 5.0 km walk throughout the avenues of Zenia Boulevard and around the local Orihuela Costa area.

Sunshine FM Costa Blanca radio will be on hand, playing a selection of festive family favourites to keep the crowds entertained before and after the walk.

When is Santa's Walk at La Zenia Boulevard?

The charity event takes place on Sunday 7th December 2025, starting and finishing at Zenia Boulevard shopping centre. The Santa's Walk fun run begins at 11:00 with participant registration open from 10:00.

Registration costs 5€ per person, and children aged 12 years or under can join the walk free of charge.

All funds raised will be donated to the AACC to help in the fight against cancer, and items of food or hygiene products will be collected to donate to the Pink Ladies Cancer Support Group.

Find more about this event from the Zenia Boulevard website, or check out the Pink Ladies & Panthers Facebook page for more information about the invaluable work of this essential charity.

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: Carl Wilson

Since then, the charity shop has evolved into a veritable Aladdin's cave of hidden treasures, whilst providing essential financial support for homeless dogs and cats in the local Orihuela Costa region.

The shop offers one of the largest selections of pre-loved quality furniture, garden furniture, and home furnishings in the local area. The selection and choice available changes over time depending on the furniture donated, but the outlet is a great place to start looking for second-hand bargains.

It's a treasured find for holiday home owners who might want to furnish their new home in Spain on a budget, and the charity shop offers local delivery of larger items to surrounding areas including Villamartin, Campoamor, Cabo Roig, Punta Prima, and of course, La Zenia.

In addition, bargain hunters will find a beautifully presented selection of second-hand and vintage clothing for both men and women, including dresses, tops, shorts, suits and swimwear. Plus, there are lots of fashionable shoes, hats, and handbags.

Ideal for holiday home owners furnishing on a budget

International, Spanish and British fashion names are well-represented, with offerings from recognised high-street brands including Marks and Spencer (M&S), Next, Zara, Punta Roma, Matalan and Tu.

You'll find the latest bargains and stock updates listed on the dedicated Little Pod Association charity shop Facebook page, and the outlet always has a great selection of items:-

• A selection of classic board games
• Crockery, glasses, and kitchenware
• Ornaments, vases, and decorative home items
• Jewellery and fashion accessories
• Cards for birthdays and all occasions
• A wide range of books and DVDs
• Mobility aids

Do you have furniture that you need to dispose of? The outlet offers free collection of unwanted quality furniture, and donations of home furnishings help provide much-needed funds to feed and care for animals in distress.

The Little Pod Association is a registered charity (CV-01-049800-A) in the south Costa Blanca. Despite the association with the Spanish Podenco, a breed of Mediterranean warren hound, Little Pods rescue and rehabilitate all abandoned and mistreated animals.

Free furniture collection service for La Zenia and Orihuela Costa

Cared-for domestic pets receive all the care they need including veterinary treatment, a neutering programme, EU-compliant vaccinations, identification microchips and EU Pet Passports.

Animals are rehabilitated and rehomed to loving, caring homes in Spain, other parts of Europe and the UK. The Little Pod Association relies solely on donations and profits from its charity shop in La Zenia to carry out this invaluable work.

You can find the Little Pod Association charity shop on the first floor of the La Zenia II commercial centre, adjacent to Lidl and above the Mercadona supermarket. The shop is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 until 15:00, except Wednesdays when the shop closes one hour earlier at 14:00. Click here for a Google Map.

Would you like to find out more about the Little Pod Association? Take a look at their Facebook page to find out more about their worthwhile work, or visit their Teaming profile and help them care for pets in need from just €1 per month. Alternatively, simply pop into the shop in La Zenia to donate any unwanted pet food you might have.

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

Now in its 12th year since opening, the Costa Blanca's favourite retail venue recorded an 8.6% increase in footfall compared with the previous year of 2022. The summer months of July and August saw the highest traffic, with 1.8 million visitors in July and 1.7 million in August 2023.

The shopping centre has been undergoing a thorough renovation since March last year, with 18 million Euros invested in improving the local retail mecca with a cutting-edge design and a radical new image.

The renovation of Zenia Boulevard includes improvement of the facades, pavement and tiling, rest areas, and upper dining areas, as well as improvements to the children's play areas and facilities.

A helicopter could be seen lifting heavy equipment onto the shopping centre's roof earlier this week to install additional equipment for the solar electricity installation.

The management team foresees a 40% increase in the use of sustainable energy in common areas and a 10% to 15% reduction in water consumption, thanks to the installation of a micro water treatment plant. Works are expected to be completed by the end of March 2024.

La Zenia Boulevard improvements due for completion in March 2024

Cristina Ros, the Director of Zenia Boulevard shopping centre, said, “We are very proud to have reached a new record number of visitors. This data highlights that we are a unique point of reference, a meeting point where our visitors can enjoy unforgettable moments together.”

“We are convinced that 2024 will be a positive year for Zenia Boulevard since we will have completed this ambitious renovation project that will transform us into an innovative, modern, and very welcoming shopping centre.”

“My thanks go to all the people who visit us and trust in our management, and to the entire Zenia Boulevard team for the hard work, dedication, and the effort that has made it possible for us to get to where we are today.”

Located strategically on the Orihuela Costa, Zenia Boulevard is managed by Nhood España and owned by French commercial property developer Ceetrus Properties and CBRE Investment Management. The popular shopping centre first opened its doors in 2012.

Is Zenia Boulevard open today? Find the complete opening hours calendar for 2024, with bank holiday and Sunday Trading closures during the 2024 year.

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 / Luc Cassiman

16 km's of coastline offers 11 idyllic golden sandy beaches and magnificent coves to explore, alongside a vast array of restaurants and venues that bring the finest Spanish gastronomy and tastes from all corners of the world to our part of Spain.

Coupled with notoriously fabulous weather, a median average of 320 days of sunshine every year, and a climate that attracts an annual mass migration of visitors from Northern Europe, Orihuela Costa has something for everyone of all ages.

That's all good news when the sun is shining, but entertaining demanding children on rainy days can be a nightmare for parents and families visiting our part of the Costa Blanca. Here's some much-needed inspiration for things to do with children when the weather isn't conducive to life in the great outdoors.

Play Cafe, Dehesa de Campoamor

Tucked away in a small corner of La Fuente commercial centre, rainy day parents will discover a jungle-themed children's oasis replete with a play village, a large soft-play adventure zone, a video game zone, and a host of free-play toys for younger patrons.

Play Cafe combines a family-friendly casual dining cafe with integrated playtime experiences and specialises in fresh fruit smoothies and milkshakes. The venue has been commended for its upbeat setting and decor, with previous visitors noting the spotlessly clean environment and attentive friendly staff.

An adult's menu offers a selection of healthy light bites such as paninis and a choice of sandwiches throughout the day, while the kid's menu focuses on food more acceptable to a younger audience, such as hot dogs, pasta, and a variety of cakes and cookies.

FACEBOOK > GOOGLE MAP > WEBSITE

Bowling Pleno Zenia, La Zenia

When it´s soaking outside, there's plenty of fun to be had inside at Zenia Boulevard. The venue offers 10 bowling alleys and 1,600 metres of arcade games and racing simulators, a gift shop, and a spacious “Dublin House” Irish bar with Guinness on draught (for the parents, obviously).

Family-friendly food is served in the cafeteria and when you're filled with all the bowling action you can take, large TV screens in the bar show the latest international football matches and live sporting events.

Open every day of the week from 12:00 until late, Bowling Pleno Zenia caters for special events and bowling-themed children's birthday parties, fully catered to suit younger tastes including an option to have food delivered from the Burger King menu.

FACEBOOK > GOOGLE MAP > WEBSITE

Dream Park, Playa Flamenca

Located in the Flamenca Beach commercial centre, you'll find Dream Park. The venue caters to younger residents and holidaymakers with soft play areas, ball pits, an indoor playground, and a small climbing area with thickly padded crash-mats suited to aspiring future mountaineers.

Regularly organised activities include face painting, craft workshops, magic shows, and musical entertainment.

Dream Park caters for private events and the opening hours vary depending on the day and the time of year, so please check availability via their Facebook page before travelling.

FACEBOOK > GOOGLE MAP > WEBSITE

Side Street Café, La Zenia

This recent family-friendly addition to the Orihuela Costa area guarantees fun for younger children whatever the weather. A dedicated play space provides plenty of fun for little people come rain or shine, and the café menu caters specifically to younger tastes.

Bigger people aren't forgotten though, and the venue offers a mouth-watering selection of handmade beef burgers, tasty breakfasts, cakes and sweet treats. A fully-stocked freezer is packed to the brim with lollies and ice creams to satisfy the sweet-tooth of diners of all ages.

Located in the Costa commercial centre, Side Street Café is open every day from 09:00 until 17:00 throughout the year.

FACEBOOK > GOOGLE MAP > WEBSITE

VR Club ES, Torrevieja

Enter a virtual world with Torrevieja's first Virtual Reality centre. VR Club offers a virtual simulated gaming experience for children and young adults alike, catering for individual players or groups of up to 12 people.

The online arena includes headsets with built-in 3D screens, immersive single-player games, or a choice of multi-player role-playing games such as Elven Assassin and Propagation VR.

VR Club offers prices starting from 10€ for 15-minutes of play, special offers on selected games, and a family ticket for 49€ that permits up to five players an entire hour of virtual reality gaming. The venue caters for groups in addition to fixed-price birthday parties complete with food and drinks provided.

FACEBOOK > GOOGLE MAP > WEBSITE

Cyber X Community, Torrevieja

The Cyber X community is a haven for hardcore gamers, offering 45 super-powerful bespoke gaming PCs, a PS4 Pro gaming zone with large screens, a mini cinema, and a lounge bar for adults and parents.

It's a cheap way to spend a day with gaming prices from just 4€ per hour. A professional racing simulator costs 4€ for 15-minutes, and the mini cinema costs just 10€ for 3-hours of viewing time – with popcorn included. Or pay 10€ and play all day on the PS4s or PCs.

The venue caters for birthdays, families, and groups, organising special events such as a Fortnite Tournament and Mortal Kombat competitions during the peak season.

FACEBOOK > GOOGLE MAP > WEBSITE

Need more things to do with children on the Costa Blanca?

Looking for holiday ideas and inspiration for summer 2022? 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: photos provided by featured venues

The shopping centre opened in 2012 and celebrated its 10th anniversary last September. It is the largest retail mall in the Alicante Province with more than 150 commercial units in a mixed retail and leisure development.

Located in a strategic position on the Orihuela Costa, Zenia Boulevard is managed by Nhood España and owned by French commercial property developer Ceetrus Properties and CBRE Investment Management.

The trio of corporate businesses will invest €18m renovating the facades, the avenues, the rest areas and green zones, the restaurant and fast-food areas, in addition to the children's play areas over the next few months.

The shopping mall at the heart of the Orihuela Costa

The Zenia Boulevard management team believes that the ambitious renovation project will reinforce its position, improve the customer's shopping experience, and attract new customers from neighbouring areas.

Antonio Simontalero, CEO of CBRE Investment Management for Spain and Portugal said “With this commitment to excellence, we increase the quality standards that Zenia Boulevard has offered since its opening, consolidating itself as one of the best shopping centres in the province – and in Spain”.

Teresa Verdugo, General Director of Nhood España stated “The general image of the shopping centre preserves its original design idea, recreating a Mediterranean village atmosphere that ten years later has evolved, improving its aesthetics and infrastructure.”

“Zenia Boulevard has become a benchmark for leisure in the Alicante Province, and over the past decade, more than 120 million people have walked its avenues. For this reason, and for our small town to shine more than ever, we are going to evolve, improving our facilities to continue offering our visitors an exclusive service, and above all, an unforgettable experience.”

La Zenia Boulevard, a Mediterranean village experience

The central concept behind the renewed image of the shopping mall is the idea of ​​becoming a lived-in town with a story to tell, a tourist spot where a melting pot of cultures come together – a more sustainable and more comfortable place, with more services, and more technologically connected.

Building work will be carried out overnight to minimise disruption for shoppers and centre visitors, and the shops and restaurants will continue to be open at their usual hours during the renovation. The works are expected to take place over the spring shopping season and conclude in the early summer months.

The Zenia Boulevard team will continue to offer their social calendar with events for the whole family, including children's entertainment, live music concerts, workshops, and retail promotions.

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: The Winter Sea Birds & Buoys

A commercial sanctuary for hardcore consumers and casual window shoppers alike, Zenia Boulevard sports a spectacular 161,000m of magnificent retail heaven.

More than 150 shops representing global and national Spanish brands are spread (mainly) across a single floor, navigated via avenues that meander around the shopping complex opening up into spacious plazas and a large central courtyard that provides a focal meeting point.

As you wander through the shopping mall you'll find plenty of familiar and instantly recognisable brands. Clothing retailers H&M, Gerry Weber, Bershka, Mango, and Massimo Dutti rub shoulders with jean giants, Levis.

Zenia Boulevard, a shopper's paradise

And of course, no respectable avant-garde shopping centre would be complete without a Primark store, and fast-fashion gurus will be pleased to hear that Zenia Boulevard has one too.

In fact, the successful Irish and British clothing and accessories company has 45 stores located throughout Spain, and the Iberian peninsula is the second biggest market for the prominent retail giant.

You might be surprised to find a little blast from the past, as C&A have an outlet at Zenia Boulevard.

The prolific Belgian retailer was exceptionally beloved for their sensible-if-sober fashion clothing in the UK, but shops disappeared from the British high street more than two decades ago.

Your international shopping centre, a European retail heaven

Nestled alongside these familiar (and sometimes forgotten) names are a wealth of Spanish retailers such as Zara, Pull & Bear, Punt Roma, Cortefiel, Koala Bay, Massimo Dutti, Stradivarius and one of our personal favourite fashion brands, Desigual.

But it's not just the fashion stores which contribute to an international feel, and Zenia Boulevard offers a full complement of European shops including the Spanish hypermarket Al Campo, and a consumer electronics outlet from German corporate giant Media Markt (Europe's largest retailer of home electricals).

France is well represented, with a large sporting goods store from French retailer Decathlon, and Parisienne retailer Conforama also have a presence at the large open mall-style complex, offering a furnishings and homewares store.

Zenia Boulevard's upper floor offers a selection of eateries, and with nine cafes, coffee bars, and ice cream parlours, in addition to 16 fast food or international fine dining restaurants, there's plenty to choose from. Each one is an amazing place to stop, relax, and people watch.

Zenia Boulevard, relax and people watch

The international atmosphere continues with American food chains Subway and Burger King. For those looking for something a little more authentic, the Spanish tapas bars Lizarran and My Tapas are highly recommended.

Restaurants La Tagliatella and Muerde la Pasta present Italian dining choices for weary shoppers, the latter offering a fixed price entry fee in exchange for an all-you-can-eat unlimited buffet that includes unfettered access to a self-service bar – replete with a choice of beers and wines.

The upper food court offers a wide variety of informal take-away style dining choices, with venues surrounding a common courtyard for casual and family dining.

Of course, the Orihuela Costa's favourite shopping centre is more than just a high quality beautifully designed open-air mall, and Zenia Boulevard is a comprehensive entertainment hub that serves the local leisure needs at the centre of the community.

Entertainment 24-7, more than just shopping on offer

There's more on offer than just great shopping, and the Blue Ribbon facility boasts free Wifi for all visitors, the Casino Mediterráneo, a 5D cinema, a video arcade and a bowling alley.

Younger shoppers will enjoy Zenia Park, an open-air children's funfair with rides and an imaginatively designed playground.

A playroom for children aged 4 to 10 years old is provided free of charge, and with safety in mind at all times, the mall offers free identification bracelets for each child so that they can be located easily and returned to their parents.

Zenia Boulevard runs a perpetual calendar of social events throughout the year, including special events for children and families.

A wide variety of entertainment takes place annually, including Flamenco dancing in the central plaza, Spanish wine tasting sessions presented by local vineyards and urban wineries, and large charity events.

Zenia Boulevard, family-friendly and speciality events

The Christmas festivities are especially spectacular, and the stunning display of lights and a towering Christmas tree in the main plaza draws visitors from across Europe.

Catering to the needs of die-hard shoppers and open on Sundays during the summer season, the centre offers daily late night shopping until 22:00 with a seasonal summer tourist train that connects the mall with Playa Flamenca and Campoamor to the south.

Ample free car parking is available both over and underground, and Zenia Boulevard offers lift access throughout the shopping centre at all levels for parents with young children and those with limited mobility.

Definitely, a wonderful place to visit on a hot summer's day during your holiday and just as equally rewarding out of season too. Visit the Zenia Boulevard website and discover more about the Costa Blanca's favourite shopping mall. Alternatively, find out the shopping centre's opening hours today.

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