Alicante
Alicante is a dynamic city due to its status as the capital of Spain’s fourth province in terms of population and gross domestic product. The city with more than three hundred thousand inhabitants is the second largest city on the Costa Blanca after Valencia.
If you want to celebrate a sunny holiday in Alicante, the summer is the best time to do so. Although the weather can be nice all year round in Alicante, the best time to travel is June to August. It is then almost guaranteed to be warm and extremely sunny and the chance of rain is minimal. Alicante also offers a mild climate with many hours of sunshine during the winter months. Therefore very suitable also for a winter stay.
Alicante is a beautiful city with many sights of history, nature, culture, beautiful beaches and a great nightlife. We recommend:
- Castle of Santa Bárbara, The Castle of Santa Bárbara stands on top of the 166m high hill of Monte Benacantil. The castle complex is made up of elements that date back to different years. Of the remains that still stand, the oldest date from the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries. Much of the castle was added after the Middle Ages. Castillo de Santa Bárbara is freely accessible. It has been since 1966. Before that, the castle had military purposes for a long time. Parts of the castle have also been used as a prison from time to time.
- The marina, An area of great charm, with an extraordinary atmosphere. Here you will find several restaurants, bars, ice cream shops, bingo halls, shops, aquarium and a miniature museum. The marina is lively at any time of the day. During July and August, international festivals take place in the Plaza del Puerto Viejo with first-class artistic performances (concerts, jazz, theater, dance, etc.)
- The boulevard, It was built on the old promenade, during the first half of the 20th century. It consists of 6,000,000 tiles that draw a wavy mosaic of red, black and white colors. In addition, the boulevard has four rows of palm trees that are more than 500 meters long. It is a sign of identity for the residents of Alicante and a symbol of tourism in the city. Renovated and restored in the 1990s, it is still considered one of the city's main attractions. You will find many restaurants and in the summer there are stalls with typical regional products, crafts, clothing. The promenade is a cultural epicenter next to the marina and a stone's throw from Postiguet beach.
- The Old Town, more known as “El Barrio” is a favorite place for holiday makers. If you walk through El Barrio you will encounter most of the sights that Alicante has to offer. Here you will find, among other things, the Basílica de Santa María, the beautiful square Placa del Ajuntament with a breathtakingly beautiful town hall and various squares with nice tapas, bars and restaurants of high quality. Mostly at night it is very alive here and there is a cozy and carefree atmosphere with live music by street musicians. Casco Antiguo is a must-do when in Alicante.
- Basílica de Santa María , is the oldest church in the city of Alicante. Originally there was a mosque on this spot. The current Gothic-style basilica was built on the remains of the mosque between the 14th and 16th centuries. The church consists of one nave flanked by six chapels. In 2007 the church was promoted to basilica status.
- Canalejas Park, is located next to the Explanada de España. It is characterized by a series of beautiful and tall centennial trees (Ficus). Its proximity to the sea makes this park an ideal place to rest and read. At the two ends you will find two decorative fountains and stone sculptures depicting lions and dogs, which serve as entrance to the park. Another interesting element is a large map of Spain and a monument to the Alicante writer Carlos Arniches.
- El Palmeral Park, This park is located at the southern entrance of Alicante. It has hundreds of palm trees and an abundance of native vegetation, as well as a lake and waterfalls that can be visited in small boats available for hire.
