The Costa Blanca continues to attract attention for a mixture of history, tourism and innovation, with Alicante province making headlines this week for a remarkable Roman archaeological discovery, major luxury marina plans and a recycling campaign designed to reward environmentally conscious residents.

From ancient Roman treasures uncovered beside the Mediterranean to modern redevelopment projects transforming Alicante’s waterfront, several new initiatives and discoveries are helping shape the future of the province while also revealing more about its past.

Ancient Roman marble head discovered on the Costa Blanca

A major archaeological discovery on the Costa Blanca is attracting international attention after excavation works at Almadraba Beach uncovered a Roman marble head believed to date from the 1st or 2nd century AD.

Experts believe the sculpture may represent the Roman goddess Venus and say it could become one of the most important Roman artistic discoveries ever made in Alicante province.

The marble head was found during precautionary excavations linked to redevelopment works in an area already known for its historical importance.

Archaeologists had previously uncovered remains of an ancient Roman villa at the site, believed to have been connected to Lucentum, the Roman city that once occupied part of modern-day Alicante.

The sculpture, carved from white marble and found in remarkable condition, measures just over 22 centimetres high.

Specialists say the hairstyle, featuring wavy hair parted in the centre and swept backwards, reflects strong Hellenistic influence commonly associated with depictions of Aphrodite or Venus in ancient Greek and Roman culture.

Experts believe the piece may once have stood on a pedestal inside an upper-class Roman residence overlooking the Mediterranean coast.

The wider archaeological site dates from between the 3rd century BC and the 4th century AD.

Previous excavations have uncovered ceramics, coins and other remains linked to Roman coastal life and maritime trade in the Alicante area.

Archaeologists say the exceptional state of preservation makes the latest discovery particularly significant and could provide valuable new insight into Roman life on the Costa Blanca.

Port of Alicante moves ahead with luxury marina project

The Port of Alicante is finally moving ahead with plans for a major new luxury marina after years of delays and legal problems.

The project will transform docks 10, 12 and 14 at the Levante quay into a high-end marina designed for superyachts and large leisure vessels.

Port authorities say the development will help position Alicante alongside some of the Mediterranean’s best-known luxury marina destinations, including Marbella, Mallorca and ports in southern France and Italy.

The plans include moorings for superyachts up to 50 metres long, alongside restaurants, leisure areas, commercial spaces and pedestrian-friendly waterfront zones.

The marina will be managed by concession company Puerta del Mar y Ocio under a 10-year agreement, with total investment expected to reach around €15 million.

The development had remained blocked since 2022 because of legal disputes linked to planning regulations affecting the port area.

However, after appeals and court proceedings, the legal challenge has now been formally closed, allowing the project to move forward again.

Authorities believe the marina could create new jobs, increase year-round tourism and strengthen Alicante’s position within the growing luxury nautical tourism sector on the Costa Blanca.

Alicante rewards residents for organic waste recycling

Alicante is also encouraging residents to recycle more organic waste through a campaign offering lower rubbish bills for people using the city’s smart brown recycling containers.

The initiative aims to increase participation in organic recycling while reminding residents they can reduce rubbish tax charges by up to 20 per cent through the smart system.

Unlike traditional bins, Alicante’s brown containers can only be opened using a personal access card or the mobile app “Tú haces Alicante”.

The system records individual use and links participation to possible discounts on waste charges.

More than 36,000 access cards have already been issued, while over 15,000 residents actively use the app. During 2025 alone, the system recorded more than one million container openings.

Organic waste collection also continues to increase steadily. Alicante collected more than 1,700 tonnes of organic material during 2025, while the first months of 2026 have already passed 410 tonnes.

Residents can request access cards or register through tuhacesalicante.com and link their rubbish tax account to the recycling system.

The brown containers currently operate daily between 8:00 pm and midnight.

Torrevieja is moving ahead with major transport and infrastructure improvements aimed at reducing congestion, improving accessibility and helping residents move around the municipality more easily ahead of another busy summer season.

New measures include a faster hospital bus connection from La Mata alongside plans for four large new park-and-ride car parks that will create almost 4,000 additional parking spaces across the city.

La Mata residents receive faster hospital bus connection

Residents in La Mata now have a much faster bus connection to Torrevieja Hospital after the council strengthened the interurban transport service between the two areas.

The new route cuts journey times from almost two hours to just over 20 minutes, solving a long-standing problem for many residents who previously had to travel into central Torrevieja and change buses to reach the hospital.

The improved service includes eight daily journeys from Monday to Friday and four services during weekends and public holidays.

The new stop is located beside the viaduct crossing the N-332 in La Mata.

Another advantage is the planned route itself, which avoids some of the worst traffic congestion usually affecting the N-332 through Torrevieja.

The service enters the city via Avenida Cortes Valencianas before continuing towards the hospital area.

The announcement comes ahead of the launch of Torrevieja’s new urban bus network operated by Avanza, expected to begin in mid-June, which will also include shuttle services to the hospital and improved connections with La Mata.

The bus schedule can be found on the Avanza website: avanzabus.com.

Torrevieja approves almost 4,000 new parking spaces

Torrevieja is also moving ahead with plans for four new large park-and-ride car parks aimed at reducing congestion and improving access around the city.

The project, approved by Torrevieja Town Hall, will create almost 4,000 new parking spaces across several parts of the municipality as pressure on traffic and parking continues growing, especially during the busy summer months.

The new parking areas will be built on municipal land at Avenida de la Estación, Avenida Ramón del Valle Inclán in Torreta, Calle Juan Valera near the CV-905 and Avenida Delfina Viudes beside Parque Antonio Soria.

In total, the project will provide 3,937 spaces, including 55 accessible bays for drivers with reduced mobility.

The largest site will be located near Parque Antonio Soria, where more than 2,700 spaces are planned.

The council says the works are expected to take around five months and will include drainage systems, road markings, LED lighting, pedestrian access areas and electrical installations.

Local officials say the aim is to create safer and more organised parking zones capable of easing pressure on the busiest parts of the city centre.

The total investment for the new parking network exceeds €3.6 million.

Villena has unveiled a striking new sculpture paying tribute to one of the town’s most celebrated artists, Antonio Navarro Santafé, the creator of Madrid’s world-famous Bear and the Strawberry Tree statue.

The new artwork, titled Raíces del Alma (“Roots of the Soul”), now stands proudly in Paseo Chapí and was created by local artist Anyel Martínez to mark the 120th anniversary of Navarro Santafé’s birth.

The sculpture offers a modern interpretation of the legendary bear statue that has become one of Madrid’s most recognisable symbols and a popular meeting point for both tourists and residents in the Spanish capital.

Massive steel sculpture becomes new Villena landmark

The enormous structure measures 4.5 metres high and reaches almost six metres including its pedestal, with a total weight of more than six tonnes.

One of the sculpture’s most eye-catching features is its oxidised steel finish, specially designed to naturally evolve in colour and texture over time as it reacts to the environment.

The bear itself weighs around 1,200 kilos and includes polished steel details on the eyes, claws and teeth, creating a strong contrast against the darker oxidised metal.

Visitors have also been impressed by the tree section of the sculpture, which contains 28 branches and an astonishing 4,444 individually handmade metal leaves.

Each leaf was carefully shaped and polished by hand, highlighting the scale of craftsmanship involved in the project.

Tribute celebrates Antonio Navarro Santafé’s artistic legacy

Local officials believe the installation will quickly become a new cultural landmark and tourist attraction for Villena while celebrating the artistic legacy of Antonio Navarro Santafé.

The original Bear and the Strawberry Tree statue in Madrid remains one of Spain’s most photographed public monuments, making this tribute especially significant for the artist’s hometown.

The Bear and the Strawberry Tree

The Bear and the Strawberry Tree (El Oso y el Madroño) statue in Madrid, inaugurated in 1967 in Puerta del Sol, is a 20-tonne bronze monument representing Madrid’s official coat of arms. It symbolises a 13th-century resolution over land rights between the church and council, representing the city’s control over forests, while the bear signifies the town itself.