Posted by Alicante (in Catalan Alacant) is the largest and most important city on the Costa Blanca and something like its unofficial capital. Alicante itself has only a little more than 300,000 inhabitants, but the city is the metropolis of the populous province Alicante with approximately 1.8 million inhabitants. For the visitor, Alicante has some interesting sightseeings and a perfect city beach to offer. Most tourists are day-trippers who spend their holidays in the huge holiday resorts of the Costa Blanca. In spite of the many visitors, the centre is not very touristy and still very authentic Spanish.
Our tip: Catamaran trip off the coast of Alicante. Short cruise (duration 2 hours) with snacks, drinks etc. for only 32 euros. Great experience, we really liked it: More information and booking
What is Alicante known for?
Alicante is known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife and rich cultural heritage. Here are some of the things Alicante is known for:
Beaches: Alicante is on the east coast of Spain and is known for its beautiful beaches. Among the most popular beaches in Alicante are Postiguet Beach, San Juan Beach and Albufereta Beach.
The Castle: Alicante is home to Santa Barbara Castle, a 16th-century castle perched atop Mount Benacantil. From the castle there is a magnificent view of the city and the Mediterranean Sea.
Festivals: Alicante is known for its festivals, including the Hogueras de San Juan festival in June, which celebrates the summer solstice with fireworks, bonfires and parades.
Food: Alicante is known for its cuisine, which includes fresh seafood, rice dishes and a variety of meats. Some of the most popular dishes in Alicante include paella, arroz a banda and gazpacho.
Nightlife: Alicante has a vibrant nightlife, with many bars and clubs open until the early hours. The area around the Explanada de España is a popular place for nightlife, with many bars and clubs in the area.
History and Culture: Alicante has a rich cultural heritage with a history dating back to the Bronze Age. The city has many historical sights, including the Cathedral of San Nicolas, the Archaeological Museum MARQ and the Monastery of Santa Faz.
Overall, Alicante is known for its beautiful beaches, rich cultural heritage and lively nightlife.
Places of interest Alicante
In order to get an overview over Alicante, it is best to go to the big mountain right in the city centre on which the Castello de Santa Barbara is located. The big castle, the most important sight of Alicante, was already built by the Moors more than 1000 years ago, but later in the 7th century it was enlarged considerably. In the Franco period, the castle with its thick walls served as a prison for a time. From up here (almost 200 meters high) you have a great view over Alicante (see picture above), the marina (see picture below) and the sea. The best is: you don’t even have to walk up there. You walk from the city centre into a 200 meter long tunnel. At the end of the tunnel there is an elevator that takes the visitors to the top in less than a minute. The Castillo de Santa Barbara does not cost any entrance fee. The ride with the 3 metres per second fast lift costs 2,40€ in summer, in winter the ride is often free.
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Alicante Top 10
Alicante is a beautiful city on the east coast of Spain, in the Valencia region. It is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife and rich cultural heritage. Here are 10 things to do in Alicante.
Visit Santa Barbara Castle:
This 16th-century castle is located on Mount Benacantil and offers spectacular views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea. The castle is free to visit and is a must-see for any Alicante visitor.
Our tip: Catamaran trip off the coast of Alicante. Short cruise (duration 2 hours) with snacks, drinks etc. for only 32 euros. Great experience, we really liked it: More information and booking
Walk along the Explanada de España:
Lined with palm trees and mosaic tiles, this beautiful promenade is ideal for a leisurely stroll. There are also many cafes, bars and restaurants along the promenade.
Visit the Archaeological Museum of Alicante.
The museum has an extensive collection of artifacts from the Bronze Age, Iberian and Roman periods. The museum is housed in a beautiful 17th-century building.
Explore the historic center:
The historic center of Alicante is a maze of narrow streets and alleys lined with brightly colored houses and buildings. There are numerous restaurants, bars and shops in the old town – an ideal place to lose yourself for a few hours.
Relax on Postiguet beach:
This beautiful sandy beach in the heart of Alicante is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sun. There are also many cafes and bars on the beach.
Visit the Archaeological Museum MARQ.
The museum houses a collection of artifacts from prehistoric times to the 19th century. Century. Housed in a modern building, the museum is a great place to learn more about the history of Alicante and the surrounding area.
Take a boat trip to Tabarka Island with us:
Tabarca Island is a small island off the coast of Alicante. The island has many beautiful beaches and bays and is a popular spot for snorkeling and diving.
Visit the Cathedral of St. Nicholas.
This beautiful cathedral dates back to the 17th century and is located in the heart of Alicante’s old town. The cathedral is free to visit and is a great place to admire the city’s architecture.
Explore the Santa Faz Monastery.
Located just outside of Alicante, this monastery is the perfect place to escape the city and enjoy the tranquility. The monastery has many beautiful gardens and the chapel is said to contain the cloth used to wipe Jesus’ face.
Enjoy the night life
Alicante is known for its lively nightlife, with many bars and clubs open until the early hours. The area around the Explanada de España is a popular nightlife area with many bars and nightclubs.
Alicante has a great city beach. The wide Playa de Postiguet starts right in the center and is one kilometer long. In summer, the beach is quite crowded, much more than in the picture above in November.
Ferries Venice: Murano water bus, Burano water bus, Lido water bus, Torcello water bus
In the large marina of Alicante, directly opposite the city centre, there are yachts with a total value of several hundred million Euros. Yacht fans like to come to Alicante to take pictures of the yachts, as here, one gets quite close to the dream ships. In Alicante, one finds a lot of boats of the upper class.
Our tip: Catamaran trip off the coast of Alicante. Short cruise (duration 2 hours) with snacks, drinks etc. for only 32 euros. Great experience, we really liked it: More information and booking
The old town of Alicante still looks very Spanish despite the many tourists. The prices in the restaurants, tapas bars and pubs are still low. The main boulevard (called Rambla in Spain) is the Explanada de Espana, which runs parallel to the port of Alicante. Unfortunately, this street is meanwhile characterized by international fast food chains and the like. Immediately behind it in the old town there is the chic city hall (see picture above) and the famous cathedral San Nicolas de Bari.
Every fan of the Spanish way of life should definitely go to the large central market hall (Mercado) of Alicante. Only food is offered here. Especially the fish section in the cellar and the meat section on the ground floor are popular with tourists. The selection of fruits and vegetables is large, the quality is high and the prices low.
Getting to Alicante
Picture: © Gerhard Egger – Fotolia.com
The city centre of Alicante, including all the sights described above, can be easily explored on foot and with the lift described above. Nothing is more than one kilometre apart.
Travelling from the resorts on the Costa Blanca, the tram (narrow-gauge railway) of Benidorm, Altea, Calpe and Denia is ideal. The fares are very cheap (from Benidorm there and back 5,60€ in 2009). The route is currently under construction. The final stop is recently in Alicante at the market hall (Mercado) and no longer at the sea. In a few years the train will continue underground to the main station. The journey takes quite a long time, from Denia one has to reckon with more than 2 hours, from Benidorm about 1 hour and 10 minutes. After the extension of the route, the journey time should be further shortened. Further tram and underground lines in Alicante are currently under construction or planned. A train is also to be built to the airport of Alicante. A new high-speed line to Madrid has been in operation for some years now. The modern AVE trains need only 2.5 hours between Alicante and Madrid.
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Our tip: Catamaran trip off the coast of Alicante. Short cruise (duration 2 hours) with snacks, drinks etc. for only 32 euros. Great experience, we really liked it: More information and booking
Alicante Airport
Alicante Airport, officially known as Alicante-Elche Airport, is the sixth busiest airport in Spain, located in the city of Elche, about 9 kilometers southwest of Alicante. It is a popular destination for both domestic and international travelers, with millions of passengers passing through the airport each year. Here is some more information about Alicante Airport:
History: Alicante Airport opened in 1967, and it was originally a small regional airport. Over the years, the airport has undergone several expansions and renovations to accommodate the growing number of passengers.
Terminals: Alicante Airport has two passenger terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Terminal 1 handles most of the airport’s domestic and international flights, while Terminal 2 is used primarily by low-cost airlines.
Airlines: Alicante Airport serves a variety of airlines, including major international airlines like Ryanair, EasyJet, and British Airways, as well as several Spanish airlines such as Iberia, Vueling, and Air Europa.
Facilities: Alicante Airport has a variety of facilities for travelers, including shops, restaurants, cafes, and duty-free stores. The airport also has several lounges, including the Sala Ifach and Sala Mediterraneo, which offer amenities such as comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and refreshments.
Transportation: There are several transportation options available from Alicante Airport, including taxis, buses, and rental cars. The airport is also connected to the city of Alicante and other nearby towns by a train service, the C-6 line, which runs every 20 minutes.
Future developments: Alicante Airport has plans for future expansion and renovation projects, including a new terminal building and additional parking facilities. These developments are intended to further increase the airport’s capacity and improve the travel experience for passengers.
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