Housing
Ciudad Quesada was developed from the 1970s onwards by the entrepreneur Justo Quesada and is made up of a series of neighbourhoods, each with its own feel. Administratively, all of it belongs to the municipality of Rojales.
- Central Quesada: around the main road and Plaza Blanca, with flats, bungalows and older villas within walking distance of shops and restaurants
- Upper Quesada and Rojales Hills: higher up, larger villas and often views over the valley and the salt lakes
- La Marquesa, Altos de La Marquesa and Upper Golf: around the golf course, many villas and new builds
- Doña Pepa and Lo Marabú: lively areas with flats, quads and bungalows, and their own amenities
- Smaller urbanisations such as Pueblo Bravo, Pueblo Lucero, La Fiesta, Lo Pepín, Atalaya Park and the area around the old airstrip (Airstrip)
Many developments share a communal pool. New homes are still being built. The terrain is hilly, and away from the centre life without a car is difficult.
Work and economy
Quesada is first and foremost a residential area. Local work is mostly in services for residents: hospitality, shops, property, rentals, building and renovation, pool and garden maintenance, care and beauty. English gets you a long way here, and anyone starting a business serving foreign residents has a large customer base.
For jobs outside these sectors, you commute to Torrevieja, Orihuela, Elche or Alicante. Public transport is limited, so in practice you need a car. Many newcomers work remotely; check which internet connection is available at each address.
Bear in mind that some neighbourhoods are quieter out of season, and some bars and restaurants shorten their opening hours accordingly.
Population
Ciudad Quesada is not a municipality in its own right but a residential area of Rojales. The town hall is in the village of Rojales, and the padrón (registration), local taxes and permits are all handled by Rojales council. Quesada does have a municipal service centre on Plaza Blanca.
According to the INE, approximately 12,000 registered residents lived here on 1 January 2025, more than two thirds of the municipality. Around 2010 the figure was about 15,600; it then fell, partly because foreign residents deregistered, and since 2020 it has been rising slightly again. The real number of people living here is higher, and it rises sharply in summer and over the holidays.
The population is very international. The British are the largest group, alongside Scandinavians and other northern Europeans, as well as Spaniards. Many residents are retired, but more and more families are moving in.
Schools and education
There is no state primary school in Quesada itself. Children attend the state schools in the village of Rojales, approximately 4 km away.
- Nursery: the municipal Escuela Infantil Los Pasos in the village (ages 0 to 3)
- Primary: the state infant and primary school on Calle Aitana in Rojales (ages 3 to 12)
- Secondary: IES La Encantá in Rojales
- Norwegian school: Den Norske Skolen i Rojales-Ciudad Quesada, a private school open since 1993 that since 2023 has taught from primary through to Bachillerato
State schools teach in Spanish and Valencian, with English as a subject. If you want English-language schooling, international schools are further afield in the region, mainly towards the coast, so allow for a longer drive. Applications for state school places go through the Conselleria d'Educació's annual enrolment window, usually in spring.
Distances from the centre
| Supermarket | approx. 0.5 km |
| Consultorio Lo Marabú (public GP surgery) | approx. 2 km |
| Pharmacy | approx. 0.5 km |
| Primary school (Rojales village) | approx. 4 km, 7 min |
| Beach (Guardamar del Segura) | approx. 8 km, 12 min |
| Golf course (La Marquesa) | approx. 1.5 km |
| Hospital Universitario de Torrevieja | approx. 12 km, 15 min |
| Torrevieja (centre) | approx. 13 km, 18 min |
| Alicante (city) | approx. 50 km, 40 min |
| Alicante-Elche Airport | approx. 40 km, 30 min |
| Murcia Airport (Corvera) | approx. 65 km, 45 min |
Shops and markets
Quesada's commercial heart runs along the main road through the area and around Plaza Blanca. There, and in the shopping parades of Doña Pepa and Lo Marabú, you will find supermarkets, bakeries, pharmacies, banks, estate agents, hairdressers, vets and a large number of restaurants and bars. There are also shops aimed at British and Scandinavian customers, stocking products from home.
For a street market, head to the village of Rojales, which holds its market on Thursday mornings, or to one of the neighbouring villages, each of which has a fixed market day. Benijófar, right next to Quesada, has its market on Tuesday mornings.
For larger purchases such as furniture, electronics or clothing, drive to Torrevieja, Orihuela or the shopping centres near Elche and Alicante.
Culture and sights
Quesada is a fairly young development, so most historic heritage is in the village of Rojales, a few minutes' drive away: the Carlos III stone bridge over the Segura, the waterwheel, the Cuevas del Rodeo cave dwellings and the museums.
In Quesada itself, cultural life revolves around the community. The Centro Cultural with its library on Calle del Pino and the municipal centre on Plaza Blanca are the usual venues for courses, performances and meetings. There are also many associations run by and for international residents, from choirs, drama and dance groups to sports clubs and charities. These change over time, so ask at the municipal centre what is currently running.
From the higher streets you get fine views over the Segura valley and the pink salt lakes.
Local festivals
| Festival | When | What |
|---|---|---|
| Fiesta de las Naciones | early May, around Europe Day (9 May) | A three-day festival on Plaza Blanca with stalls, music and food from the residents' home countries. |
| Fiestas de San Justo | late July to early August | Quesada's festival week, with shows, a mass and procession, a giant paella, a summer carnival along the main road and closing fireworks. |
| Fiestas de San Pedro and Moros y Cristianos (Rojales village) | late June, around 29 June | The municipality's patron saint festivities, with Moors and Christians parades in the village. |
| Romería de San Isidro (Rojales) | around 15 May | A pilgrimage to El Recorral park with a mass, games and a shared paella. |
Healthcare
Quesada falls under the Torrevieja public health department, Rojales health zone. Within the area is the consultorio auxiliar Lo Marabú, a smaller public GP surgery. For a wider range of services you go to the centro de salud in the village of Rojales. To use public healthcare you need to be on the padrón and apply for a SIP card.
The nearest public hospital is Hospital Universitario de Torrevieja, about 15 minutes' drive away.
In 2023 Ribera opened the private clinic Ribera Ciudad Quesada in Doña Pepa (Calle Mallorca), with more than twenty specialities, a dental unit, X-ray facilities and an urgent care service on weekdays from 9am to 8pm. The clinic works with several insurers and staff speak a number of languages. Quesada also has pharmacies, dentists, physiotherapists and private GPs.
Outdoor leisure
- La Marquesa Golf: an 18-hole course designed by Justo Quesada, in the valley on the edge of the area, with clubhouse, restaurant and pool
- Aquapark Rojales: a water park of approximately 21,000 m² on Calle del Norte, open since 1986, with slides, rapids and pools for small children; open in the summer months only
- Lagunas de La Mata y Torrevieja: the natural park with its salt lakes and flamingos lies just south of Quesada, ideal for walking and cycling
- Beaches: Guardamar and La Mata are 10 to 15 minutes' drive away
- River Segura: walking and cycling paths through the farmland below Rojales village
Summers here are very hot, so plan outdoor activities for early morning or evening.
Indoor leisure
Indoor life in Quesada is mostly social. There are plenty of restaurants, cafés and bars serving international food, some with live music, quiz nights or televised sport. You will also find gyms, yoga and dance classes and clubs run by the international community.
The Centro Cultural on Calle del Pino has a library and runs courses and activities, and the municipal centre on Plaza Blanca is a second meeting place. For theatre and concerts, head to the Teatro Capitol in Rojales village, which hosts an autumn music series and the song festival in December. For cinemas and large indoor leisure centres, drive to Torrevieja, Orihuela or Alicante.
