Door opening in Ciudad Quesada in Rojales

Ciudad Quesada: the international enclave of the Costa Blanca

Ciudad Quesada is a large urbanisation located in the province of Alicante, in the south of the Comunidad Valenciana, within the Vega Baja del Segura district. Set on gently rolling terrain about 6 km from the Mediterranean sea, it has become one of the best-known and most cosmopolitan residential enclaves of the southern Costa Blanca. In this guide we go over its most relevant facts: population, economy, festivals, tourism and gastronomy.

General information

According to the INE data, Ciudad Quesada has a population of around 11,600 registered inhabitants (2024 figure), although the real population is considerably higher if one takes into account the high proportion of second homes and non-registered residents. The urbanisation brings together around 30,000 dwellings and stretches over an approximate area of 4.5 km², which gives rise to a very high density. It sits at about 100 metres of altitude, which offers panoramic views of the Mediterranean, the salt flats and the surrounding orange groves.

Demographics and nationalities

The great hallmark of Ciudad Quesada is its markedly international character: more than 70% of its residents are of foreign nationality. The split by sex is balanced, with an approximate percentage of 50% men and 50% women. Among the most present nationalities, the following stand out:

• Britons, by far the largest group.
• Norwegians and Scandinavians (the urbanisation even has a Norwegian school).
• Belgians, Dutch and Germans, among other Europeans.

This multicultural atmosphere means that English is one of the most heard languages in its streets, shops and leisure venues.

Economy

The economy of Ciudad Quesada revolves around three great pillars:

• Residential tourism: it is the enclave's true driving force, with a very active property market geared towards European buyers.
• Hospitality and retail: a very wide offer of bars, restaurants, cafés and shops, a large part of it aimed at the international community.
• Services and leisure: golf courses, shopping centres and local services that bring life all year round.

Emergency and home security services

With nearly 30,000 dwellings and a very high proportion of second homes, Ciudad Quesada is one of the enclaves where reliable locksmith services are most needed in the whole district. It is very common for owners who spend long periods away to return and find the door jammed, or for incidents to arise with keys inside the house after arriving on holiday.

Our emergency door opening service covers Ciudad Quesada and the whole of the Vega Baja, with on-call locksmiths available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. By day or in the early hours, at the weekend or on a public holiday, there is always a professional ready to act quickly on openings of homes, lock changes, storeroom openings and armoured doors, something especially valued by the large community of foreign residents who need an immediate and trustworthy response.

Festivals and traditions

Being a young and very international enclave, Ciudad Quesada combines Spanish traditions with celebrations typical of its foreign community:

• The festivals and open-air dances throughout the year, with music and outdoor activities.
• Notable celebrations from the international calendar, keenly experienced by the British and northern European community.
• Street markets and events that bring together residents and visitors.

Tourism: what to visit and what to do

Ciudad Quesada offers sun, leisure and golf tourism all year round:

• The golf courses in the area, one of the great sporting attractions of the zone.
• Its closeness to the beaches of Guardamar del Segura, La Mata and Torrevieja, a few minutes away by car.
• The nearby salt flats and natural spaces, ideal for walks and birdwatching.
• An intense leisure life: shopping centres, international-cuisine restaurants and bar areas.

Gastronomy

The gastronomic offer of Ciudad Quesada is as varied and international as its population. Here coexist:

• The traditional cuisine of the Vega Baja, with arroz con costra and the stews of the market garden.
• The Mediterranean rice dishes and fish.
• A wide presence of international cuisine (British, Italian, Asian), a reflection of the diversity of its residents.

Other points of interest

Ciudad Quesada was born at the start of the 1970s at the hand of the businessman Justo Quesada Samper, who transformed some dry-farmed agricultural land into a modern urbanisation planned around leisure and tourism. Over time it has established itself as a small city with its own identity, and it even has a decentralised municipal office. Its privileged location —between the sea, the salt flats and the market garden, and with excellent links to Alicante-Elche airport— makes it a first-rate residential destination. A place where having trustworthy 24-hour locksmiths brings the peace of mind that residents and second-home owners deserve all year round.