Molino del Agua: a protected dune landscape beside La Mata.
Molino del Agua is worth adding if you want to understand La Mata as more than a beach. It preserves part of the much larger dune system that once characterised this stretch of the Alicante coast.
Why is the area special?
Turismo Torrevieja describes 17 hectares of mobile dunes near the sea and more stable inland areas with pine trees. The site has been protected since 2006 and feels very different from the open salt-lagoon landscape nearby.
Wildlife and protection
The official page highlights species including the endemic beetle Paratriodonta alicantina and the protected Kentish plover. That is why the dunes should not be treated as an unrestricted play area: stay on designated routes and respect closed sections.
Guided visits and combinations
The 2026 Molino del Agua guided dates published by Turismo Torrevieja ended on 5 July, so do not plan from that old schedule. Check the Ecorutas programme for future dates.
The easiest combination is a morning nature walk followed by La Mata beach.
Sources & transparency
For current information, we prefer official primary sources and clearly separate plans from changes that are already in place.