# Living in Guardamar del Segura: natural hazards, housing and amenities Guardamar del Segura is a municipality in the province of Alicante, Comunitat Valenciana, Spain, with 18,564 registered residents (1 January 2025). The centre lies outside mapped flood areas. Resale homes pay 9 % transfer tax (ITP). This overview covers 8 topics from official open data, measured at the centre; values at a specific address can differ. As of: 9 November 2026 · Source: https://www.place-check.com/places/spain/guardamar-del-segura ## About Guardamar del Segura ### Guardamar del Segura: Living between the dunes and the Segura river Guardamar del Segura sits on the Mediterranean coast of southern Alicante province, in the Valencian Community, where the Segura river reaches the sea. Its defining landscape is not simply the beach: a belt of dunes and pine woodland separates much of the town from the shoreline, giving everyday walks a different setting from the more heavily built-up stretches of the Costa Blanca. With around **18,600 residents** at the start of 2025, Guardamar has a substantial permanent population as well as a summer visitor economy. Its population has grown by **17.1% over five years**, so anyone considering moving here should think of it as a growing coastal town, rather than a small resort that exists only during the holiday season. ### Living in Guardamar: dunes, woodland and a working town Guardamar’s pine forest has a practical history: planting helped stabilise moving dunes that threatened the settlement. Today, that landscape is central to the town’s appeal, offering shade and walking space close to the coast. The river mouth adds another distinctive feature, although the beach, woodland and river are different environments rather than one continuous urban promenade. The town also bears the legacy of a destructive earthquake and subsequent rebuilding, while its castle remains a reminder of the earlier settlement. This gives Guardamar a historical identity beyond its modern role as a beach destination. Summer brings a busier rhythm around the coast and hospitality businesses. For a permanent move, a visit outside the holiday season is useful: the beach remains, but the atmosphere and level of activity change. ### Shops, healthcare and families in Guardamar The service picture suggests a town capable of supporting daily life without relying entirely on neighbouring municipalities. Within 2 km of the report’s central point, OpenStreetMap records 16 supermarkets and groceries, six pharmacies, four doctors’ practices and three schools. It also lists 56 restaurants, 30 cafés and 20 bars, reflecting the importance of eating out and tourism. Those totals need interpreting carefully. The nearest mapped supermarket and pharmacy are each about 1.3 km from the reference point, with a doctor or health centre about 1.4 km away. A broad choice across town does not necessarily mean essentials are just outside a particular front door. For families, the presence of schools is a starting point, not evidence of available places or a particular curriculum. In the Valencian Community, both Spanish and Valencian form part of the educational context; the language arrangements and admissions position need checking with the relevant school. Likewise, mapped medical practices do not establish the range of specialist care available locally. ### Commuting from Guardamar and reaching the airport Guardamar is more naturally suited to road-based travel than rail commuting. The N-332 runs about 1 km from the centre, the CV-91 is about 1.6 km away, and the nearest motorway junction, exit 745, is around 7 km away. There is **no railway line within 12 km** of the centre. Public transport therefore deserves close attention if living without a car is important. The mapping lists 31 public transport stops within 2 km, but the nearest to the reference point is about 950 metres away; neither figure establishes route frequency or evening services. Alicante-Elche Airport is about 24 km away in a straight line. That is useful geographical context for international residents, but it is not a road distance or a journey-time estimate. For remote workers who travel regularly, the actual airport route matters more than proximity on a map. ### Sunshine, noise and the Segura setting The centre receives almost six hours of terrain-based direct sun on the winter solstice and almost fourteen on the summer solstice. These figures exclude buildings and trees, an important limitation in a town where woodland and neighbouring buildings can change the light reaching a home. The central reference point lies outside the river and coastal flood areas mapped by Spain’s national system for the supplied return periods. That finding should not be extended to every property in a municipality shaped by a river mouth and low coastal land. Similarly, the centre falls outside the strategic noise contours supplied, but those maps cover major transport infrastructure and large urban areas. They do not establish whether a home is quiet beside a busy café or during the summer season. ### Moving to Guardamar: who it suits and what to check Guardamar suits people seeking a permanent coastal town with beaches, distinctive woodland and everyday services, including retirees and remote workers who do not require a rail connection. Its seasonal changes and road-oriented connections may be less suitable for those wanting consistently quiet surroundings or car-free commuting. At the specific address, check the walking route to groceries and healthcare, bus timetables, school arrangements if relevant, and actual sunlight inside the property. Assess flood mapping for that location rather than relying on the centre’s result, and visit at different times to understand traffic and hospitality noise. In Guardamar, the relationship between the home, the dunes, the beach and daily services matters more than the coastal label alone. ## Where Guardamar del Segura is Guardamar del Segura is a municipality in the province of Alicante, Comunitat Valenciana, Spain (INE municipality code 03076). The centre lies at about 40 m above sea level, on a slope. - Province: Alicante - Autonomous community: Comunitat Valenciana - INE code: 03076 - Elevation of the centre: 40 m ## Population Guardamar del Segura had 18,564 registered residents on 1 January 2025 (+17.1 % over five years), according to the municipal register (padrón). The mean age is 45.6 years; 23.5 % of residents are 65 or older; 15.7 % are under 18 (2024). The average household has 2.3 people. Average net income is €13,086 per person and €31,399 per household a year (2024, INE household income atlas, based on tax records). - Residents (1 Jan 2025): 18,564 - Change over five years: +17.1 % - Mean age: 45.6 years - Net income per person (2024): €13,086 ## Housing: prices, rents and purchase taxes In Comunitat Valenciana, house prices changed by +13.0 % over the last year (resale homes: +13.8 %) and by +54.5 % over five years, according to the INE house price index (IPV) for 2026Q2. The index is only published per autonomous community and does not give prices per square metre. Rents in Guardamar del Segura changed by +4.4 % year on year in 2024 (INE rental price index, IPVA). Buying a resale home in Comunitat Valenciana costs transfer tax (ITP) of 9 % of the price, rising on a scale to 11 % above €1,000,000. A new home bought from a developer pays 10 % VAT (IVA) plus stamp duty (AJD, 0.5 to 1.5 % depending on the region) instead. Reduced rates exist, for example for young buyers, large families or a main residence. Guardamar del Segura is not a declared stressed rental market area under Spain's 2023 Housing Act (declarations published up to 3 November 2026), so the rent caps for such areas do not apply. - House prices, year on year (Comunitat Valenciana): +13.0 % - House prices, five years: +54.5 % - Rents, year on year (2024): +4.4 % - Transfer tax (ITP), resale: 9 % - Stressed rental area: no ## Everyday life and amenities Within 2 km of the centre, OpenStreetMap lists 16 supermarkets and groceries, 56 restaurants, 30 cafés, 20 bars, 3 schools, 4 doctors' practices, 6 pharmacies and 31 public transport stops. Nearest to the centre, in a straight line: supermarket, about 1.3 km; pharmacy, about 1.3 km; doctor or health centre, about 1.4 km; public transport stop, about 950 m. ## Noise and traffic The N-332 runs about 1.0 km from the centre. The nearest main road (CV-91) is about 1.6 km away. No railway line runs within 12.0 km. The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Alicante-Elche (ALC), about 24 km in a straight line. The centre is not inside any noise contour of the strategic noise maps (European Environment Agency, 2022); the maps only cover major roads, railways, airports and large urban areas, so this is no guarantee of quiet. ## Natural hazards The centre lies outside the river and coastal flood areas mapped by Spain's national flood mapping system (SNCZI) for 10-, 100- and 500-year return periods. Small streams and dry riverbeds (ramblas), flash floods after torrential rain (DANA) and urban runoff are largely not mapped: "not mapped" does not mean "no risk". Under Spain's seismic building code (NCSE-02), Guardamar del Segura has a basic seismic acceleration of 0.15 g, so buildings must be designed to resist earthquakes. Since 2000, the European seismic catalogue (EMSC) lists 55 earthquakes of magnitude 3 or more within 50 km, the strongest of magnitude 4.5 (2003). Radon: the radon potential map of Spain's Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) puts the area at 101-200 Bq/m³ (P90, class 2 of 5), below the 300 Bq/m³ reference level. Actual indoor levels depend on the building; only a measurement gives certainty. No landslides or other ground movements are documented within 2 km of the centre (IGME BDMoves inventory). - Flood area at the centre: none mapped - Seismic acceleration (NCSE-02): 0.15 g - Radon potential (P90): 101-200 Bq/m³ ## Connections and internet The nearest motorway junction (exit 745) is about 7.0 km from the centre. 99 % of households in Guardamar del Segura can get fibre to the home (FTTH) and 99 % at least 1 Gbit/s; 5G reaches 100 % (operator data, 2025). Coverage can differ from street to street. ## Climate and sun On 21 December the centre gets about 5:54 h of direct sun, on 21 June about 13:54 h (terrain only; buildings and trees not included). A solar PV system at the optimal tilt yields about 1,570 kWh per kWp a year here (PVGIS). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a flood risk in Guardamar del Segura? The centre lies outside the river and coastal flood areas mapped by Spain's national flood mapping system (SNCZI) for 10-, 100- and 500-year return periods. Small streams and dry riverbeds (ramblas), flash floods after torrential rain (DANA) and urban runoff are largely not mapped: "not mapped" does not mean "no risk". For an exact address, Place Check creates a separate report with the values at that point. ### What purchase tax do you pay when buying a home in Guardamar del Segura? Buying a resale home in Comunitat Valenciana costs transfer tax (ITP) of 9 % of the price, rising on a scale to 11 % above €1,000,000. A new home bought from a developer pays 10 % VAT (IVA) plus stamp duty (AJD, 0.5 to 1.5 % depending on the region) instead. Reduced rates exist, for example for young buyers, large families or a main residence. For an exact address, Place Check creates a separate report with the values at that point. ### Is Guardamar del Segura a stressed rental market area? Guardamar del Segura is not a declared stressed rental market area under Spain's 2023 Housing Act (declarations published up to 3 November 2026), so the rent caps for such areas do not apply. For an exact address, Place Check creates a separate report with the values at that point. ### Is Guardamar del Segura in an earthquake zone? Under Spain's seismic building code (NCSE-02), Guardamar del Segura has a basic seismic acceleration of 0.15 g, so buildings must be designed to resist earthquakes. Since 2000, the European seismic catalogue (EMSC) lists 55 earthquakes of magnitude 3 or more within 50 km, the strongest of magnitude 4.5 (2003). For an exact address, Place Check creates a separate report with the values at that point. ### How many people live in Guardamar del Segura? Guardamar del Segura had 18,564 registered residents on 1 January 2025 (INE). For an exact address, Place Check creates a separate report with the values at that point. ### Are there schools and shops in Guardamar del Segura? Within 2 km of the centre, OpenStreetMap lists 16 supermarkets and groceries, 56 restaurants, 30 cafés, 20 bars, 3 schools, 4 doctors' practices, 6 pharmacies and 31 public transport stops. For an exact address, Place Check creates a separate report with the values at that point. ## Sources - Photon geocoder (OpenStreetMap data) (komoot / OpenStreetMap contributors; ODbL 1.0): https://photon.komoot.io - CartoCiudad reverse geocoding (municipio, provincia, comunidad autónoma) (Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) / CNIG, CartoCiudad; CC BY 4.0; data 2025-02): https://www.cartociudad.es/geocoder/api/geocoder - INE: Padrón municipal (population), Atlas de distribución de renta de los hogares (ADRH: demographics, income) (Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE); INE terms of use (free reuse incl. commercial, citing the source); data padrón 1 Jan 2025; ADRH 2024): https://www.ine.es/dyngs/INEbase/es/operacion.htm?c=Estadistica_C&cid=1254736177088&menu=ultiDatos&idp=1254735976608 - INE Índice de Precios de Vivienda (IPV, base 2025, by comunidad autónoma) and Índice de Precios de Vivienda en Alquiler (IPVA, by municipality) (Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE); INE terms of use (free reuse incl. commercial, citing the source); data 2020Q3-2026Q2): https://www.ine.es/dyngs/INEbase/es/operacion.htm?c=Estadistica_C&cid=1254736152838&menu=ultiDatos&idp=1254735976607 - OpenStreetMap via OpenFreeMap vector tiles (OpenMapTiles schema) (OpenStreetMap contributors; tiles: OpenFreeMap (fallback VersaTiles); ODbL 1.0 (OpenStreetMap data); OpenMapTiles schema CC BY 4.0; data 2026-11-01): https://openfreemap.org/ - Transitous stop index (MOTIS 2 map/stops) (Transitous (community service); timetable data per transitous.org/sources; Transitous usage policy: non-commercial only (fallback, replace before launch); data per source licences; data 2026-11-09): https://transitous.org/sources/ - Transitous public transport routing (MOTIS 2) (Transitous (community service); timetable data per transitous.org/sources; Transitous usage policy: non-commercial only (fallback, replace before launch); data per source licences, OSM ODbL; data 2026-11-10): https://transitous.org/sources/ - Strategic noise maps (Environmental Noise Directive, round 2022), EEA noise contours (European Environment Agency (EEA), data reported by the member states; EEA standard re-use policy (CC BY 4.0); data 2022): https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/topics/in-depth/noise - Purchase taxes (ITP by comunidad autónoma; IVA / AJD) and stressed rental zones (Ley 12/2023), static tables (Regional tax laws (BOE / regional gazettes); Ministerio de Vivienda y Agenda Urbana, quarterly BOE resolutions; Official legal texts (BOE: free reuse, Real Decreto 1495/2011); data 2026-11-04): https://www.boe.es/ - SNCZI flood hazard maps T10/T100/T500 (fluvial) and T500 (coastal), INSPIRE WMS (Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico (MITECO), served by the IDEE / IGN; CC BY 4.0): https://sig.miteco.gob.es/snczi/ - BDMoves landslide inventory and Mapa de Movimientos del Terreno 1:1,000,000 (Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME-CSIC); CC BY 4.0): https://mapas.igme.es/gis/rest/services/BasesDatos/IGME_BDMoves_ES/MapServer - NCSE-02 seismic code, Annex 1 (basic acceleration per municipality); EMSC earthquake catalogue (FDSN event service) (Ministerio de Fomento / IGN (NCSE-02, BOE); European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC); BOE: free reuse; EMSC data policy (free use with attribution); data 2000-2026): https://www.seismicportal.eu/ - Mapa del potencial de radón de España (P90 classes), republished in the SIU (Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear (CSN); service: Ministerio de Vivienda y Agenda Urbana (SIU); CSN / MIVAU open data (reuse with attribution)): https://www.csn.es/mapa-del-potencial-de-radon-en-espana - Cobertura de banda ancha en España, by municipality (FTTH, ≥ 100 Mbit/s, ≥ 1 Gbit/s, 4G, 5G) (Ministerio para la Transformación Digital y de la Función Pública, Secretaría de Estado de Telecomunicaciones e Infraestructuras Digitales; Public sector information, free reuse with attribution (Ley 37/2007, RD 1495/2011; datos.gob.es); data 2025-06-30): https://digital.gob.es/telecomunicaciones-infraestructuras-digitales/areas-interes/banda-ancha/informacion-cobertura - Copernicus DEM GLO-30 (30 m surface model, read live) (European Space Agency (ESA) / Copernicus, served by AWS Open Data; Copernicus DEM licence (free use with attribution); data 2021): https://copernicus-dem-30m.s3.amazonaws.com/ - Terrain horizon + sun path, computed from Copernicus DEM GLO-30 (radius 20 km) (European Space Agency (ESA) / Copernicus, served by AWS Open Data; Copernicus DEM licence (free use with attribution); data 2021): https://copernicus-dem-30m.s3.amazonaws.com/ - PVGIS 5.3 PVcalc (1 kWp, crystalline Si, 14 % losses, optimal angles) (European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC); EC reuse notice (Decision 2011/833/EU), reuse incl. commercial with acknowledgement; data PVGIS-SARAH3 2005-2023): https://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvg_tools/en/ --- What is it like at your address? Create a report for your exact address: https://www.place-check.com/es?address=Guardamar%20del%20Segura