La Mata Bus Journey

The Torrevieja to La Mata bus journey is one of the city’s busiest, La Mata is a pleasant little town to visit. It has a fantastic long sandy beach that during the summer months offers beach facilities and lifeguards. Due to it’s length it is favoured by joggers. Many visitors to Torrevieja end up spending a fortune on taxi fares because they find the bus system too confusing. This is understandable as all the bus routes and information are in Spanish. As a resident of Torrevieja with passable Spanish, I hope in this article I can make the La Mata bus journey as easy as it actually is, and tell you a little bit about La Mata itself.

La Mata Bus Journey

Depending where you are staying in the city, there are several bus stops to choose from and all Torrevieja bus routes cost just 1,35€. Buses to La Mata are Route A (Linea A) and run from 07.30 to 22.00 Those staying close to the beach area can use the bus stop in the harbour area, just up the hill from the Tourist Information Centre. Most people staying in the centre of the city use the bus stop at the main Torrevieja bus terminus. This bus stop is directly across the road from the terminus and services all the bus routes. If you are staying near Los Locos beach there is a bus stop (with a sign) opposite La Ola restaurant.

The reason I put with a sign in brackets is because my first La Mata bus journey I waited a bit further down the beach, closer to the city where there is a yellow painted rectangle on the road with Bus written in it. I presumed this was the stop until, even flapping my arms like a demented tourist, the bus drove past with the driver pointing ahead. I still don’t have a clue what the yellow rectangle is for (maybe coaches).

A Bite To Eat Along The Way

I have set out to make this La Mata bus journey article as informative as possible. So whilst waiting at the ”correct” bus stop, I decided to check out La Ola restaurant. I have discovered on my travels that usually shops, bars and restaurants right on the beach charge quite a bit more than ones away from the beach area. I was pleasantly surprised at the very reasonable prices at La Ola. A combo of steak with egg, potatoes and salad 9.90€ 12 grilled prawns 9.90€ fish & chips 6.90€ and a choice of 6 different paellas all under 10.00€. Unlike many restaurants the paellas were not just for a minimum of 2 people, great for the solo traveller.

Beginning The La Mata Bus Journey

Finally on the bus, the journey begins, and very nice it is, travelling mainly along the coast. At the end of Los Locos beach is the interesting looking Supersol Disco/Karaoke bar before coming to Masa Hotel. This is perched on top of a cliff with fantastic sea views. The bus then passes Hotel Cabo Cervera which is on the beach, and by the amount of anglers on the rocks, looks like a popular fishing spot. There is also an old watch tower to explore if you wish to hop off the bus here.

As the bus enters La Mata there is the large and inviting My Life Irish pub on the left and a few restaurants on the right. Los Lomas was busy which is usually a good sign when looking for a restaurant. As you approach the centre of town there is Hostel Alba. This is handy if you are travelling on a budget. The bus then turns left at El Camerote Restaurant to the town bus stop.

La Mata Town

The beach is right across the road from El Camerote where there is a wooden boardwalk and a selection of restaurants. The first restaurant on the left as you approach the beach is Sea View restaurant. This was the most reasonably priced one I found on my wander around La Mata. Cleverly, they have considered everyone’s tastes and the menu reads like an old fashioned telephone directory. Full English breakfast 4.50€, tostada & coffee 1.60€, cod & chips with mushy peas and salad 6.90€, small beer 1.50€ and lassie 2.90€. Other dishes include baguettes, steak, ribs, pizza, pasta, fish, tex mex and a full Indian menu.

As you continue along the boardwalk with the sea on your right you come to a large plaza with a few small amusement rides, trampolines, seating areas and Toni’s sweetie kiosk surrounded by a few restaurants. By now, after the 20 minute La Mata bus journey and checking out the first menu, I had worked up a thirst. As if a sign from the gods, the first beach restaurant after the plaza, Mara Mar had a 1.40€ special offer on one of my favourite beers, Estrella Damm.

The Spanish like their strong beer so if the Damm 5.4 % is not to your liking, ask for an Estrella Levante. Sipping my beer and enjoying a complimentary bowl of olives I browsed their menu which was pretty basic and advertised a ”vegetarian” baguette with tuna and egg? Continuing along the boardwalk there are a couple of bars. Then a rather barren looking spur jutting into the sea was filled with motor homes. Presumably free camping as there is no building or official in sight. After this the beach continues into the sand dunes.

Not So Lively Main Road

I headed about 2 blocks into the town where I found Calle Mayor, the town’s main road. Other than a few sleepy tapas bars and the main supermarket Max Coop, this really didn’t have much to offer. I continued along until reaching my starting point at El Camarote restaurant. Here I stopped for further refreshment and was offered a choice of free tapas. The liver in a rich sauce was lovely and about the size of most restaurants starters.