Disclosure: This put up (in all probability) incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. When you click on on one, I’ll make a small fee. After all, it will come at no further price to you and helps hold this web site operating.
There was an actual theme to my final journey to Spain, means again in 2019. My locations weren’t related by area or historical past, however as a substitute by a shoreline. With out that means to I’d organized for many of my travels there to observe Spain’s east coast. What’s attention-grabbing is that even at my final cease within the metropolis of Alicante, I’d not grown bored with the seaside views.
These very views are in all probability what draw lots of people to plan an Alicante vacation. Very similar to different seaside locations alongside the Costa Blanca comparable to Altea and Benidorm, Alicante is common predominantly amongst Brits searching for sea and solar. What’s nice is that even visiting in December, there have been solely the faintest indicators that winter was approaching. The time of yr did imply I wasn’t there for Alicante’s seashores, so I crammed my temporary time there with a number of of the extra common locations to go to in Alicante.
Barrio Santa Cruz
When it comes to color and attraction, the historic neighbourhood of Barrio Santa Cruz is a should see in Alicante. Sitting to the east of town centre towards the steep hillside slopes of the Parc de l’Ereta, it’s principally the Outdated City of Alicante.
Solely, a really small a part of Barrio Santa Cruz seems to be like these photographs. That’s to not say the remainder of the neighbourhood lacks attraction, however these image postcard lanes actually solely make a small a part of it. To seek out these beautiful streets and staircases, head to the northern a part of the Outdated Quarter up from Plaza del Carmen.
The world additionally options a number of good viewing terraces if you need some metropolis views with out climbing as much as the subsequent Alicante spotlight. One draw back to exploring the world solo is that I by no means discovered a lot about Barrio Santa Cruz’s historical past, which appears a disgrace. That downside is definitely fastened by taking a strolling tour by way of the world.
Santa Bárbara Fort
When you’d been questioning what to do in Alicante earlier than arriving, it received’t take lengthy to see one reply when you’re there. Towering over a lot of town is Santa Bárbara Fort, a monumental fortress atop Mount Benacantil simply exterior town centre.
Visiting this fort constructed by the Moors within the ninth century is clearly one of the common issues to do in Alicante amongst holidaymakers. Throughout the fortress partitions you may see the stays of buildings and church buildings, in addition to displays inside a small museum. And there are the varied ranges of its fortifications, every with a distinct view out over Alicante and the encircling coast.
Seeing the fort means up the highest of a mountain begs the query; how do you rise up there? I opted for the toughest alternative, strolling up, however I like to recommend doing it in the event you can as there’s a lot to see alongside the way in which. In any other case, you may all the time take the particular elevate or a bus to save lots of your self the vitality.
Esplanada d’Espanya
In contrast to Valencia the place the seaside is miles from town centre, Alicante’s waterfront sits proper off town centre. Following the waterfront alongside town’s marina is the palm-lined Esplanada d’Espanya. It’s a pleasant little promenade decked out with mosaic tiles, bordered by outside seating for cafes and gelaterias.
Additional up from the Esplanada d’Espanya lies Alicante’s seaside, the Playa del Postiguet. It sits straight beneath Santa Bárbara Fort, and whereas it isn’t big, it’s undoubtedly large enough for guests on vacation in Alicante searching for sand beneath their ft. The Playa del Postiguet is the primary of many seashores you’ll discover in the event you proceed north alongside the coast to Cap de l’Horta and past.
Wander the Metropolis Centre
It could appear to be a broad suggestion for sightseeing in Alicante, however I actually favored simply wandering across the metropolis centre of Alicante. The fashionable components of some European cities will be fairly unremarkable, however I favored Alicante for some purpose.
Spots just like the Plaza de los Luceros with its fountain and palm bushes seen above assist with that I believe. Parque Portal de Elche is one other inexperienced area that catches your eye, wanting prefer it belongs extra in Australia than Spain. Then there’s town’s Mercat Central that lives as much as the excessive customary of Spanish markets.
The opposite profit of constructing time to see town centre is its overwhelming vary of locations to eat and drink. For a simple route previous a number of choices, I’d counsel strolling down the pedestrian road Calle Periodista Pirula Arderius to begin. After all, a tour is one other nice method to discover town’s meals scene.
Mushroom Avenue
One last quirky place that vacationers may wish to see is El Carrer dels Bolets or “Mushroom Avenue”. With a reputation like that, you may assume that that is the place all of Alicante’s mushroom distributors are based mostly. However no, it’s weirder than that. This internal metropolis road obtained a fantastical face elevate with a sequence of cartoonish mushroom statues planted alongside it.
Journey Ideas for an Alicante Vacation
Clearly, the above isn’t an exhaustive record of every thing Alicante has to supply. That stated, you may simply fill a day or extra simply visiting these locations. Different Alicante points of interest to take a look at embody Castell de Sant Ferran, MACA Up to date Artwork Museum of Alicante, and the Basilica of St Mary of Alicante.
However you must have a greater thought of what to do in Alicante now, so let’s transfer on to a couple Alicante suggestions to assist together with your go to.
Firstly, Alicante is a particularly helpful entry level and base to discover this a part of Spain. You may fly into its airport, get a bus into town after which proceed by way of to Benidorm, Murcia, Cartagena, and so on. When you’re touring from nearer locations in Spain, practice and bus choices are straightforward to return by. For example, it’s lower than two hours by practice from Valencia to Alicante. There’s even a particular tram/gentle rail hybrid that connects Alicante with Benidorm, Altea, and Denia.
Then there’s the place to remain. I stayed in an Airbnb non-public room simply north of the practice station in a reasonably unremarkable residential space. You received’t have any downside discovering accommodations, guesthouses and residences in Alicante, simply be ready to pay a little bit extra to remain within the metropolis centre. Maybe strive the Mercado space in the event you’re after someplace extra reasonably priced.
When you’ve had the possibility to journey to Alicante on vacation earlier than, what would you advocate different guests do? What did you want or not like concerning the metropolis? Please share your ideas within the feedback under.