Alicante (Spain) – Detailed City Guide with Photos. Main Sights with Descriptions, Travel Guides, and Maps.
Alicante (Spanish: Alicante) is a resort city in eastern Spain, the capital of the province of the same name. It is considered the capital of the eastern Spanish coast and the main resort of the Costa Blanca. Alicante is a place where you can find almost everything a tourist needs: the sea and pristine sandy beaches, a rich history and landmarks (from a medieval fortress to a classic Mediterranean old town with narrow cobbled streets). This is a dynamic and modern city, which is one of the best holiday destinations in Spain.
Alicante is located in the southeastern part of Spain, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The province borders Valencia to the north, Murcia to the south, Albacete to the west, and is bounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the east. There are mountains in the northern and western regions. The south is quite flat. The Segura River flows east through the entire province. The climate is a mild Mediterranean one. Summers are hot and dry, winters are very warm.
Alicante can be visited all year round. The ideal time to visit is from May to October.
The province is famous for its beaches, many of which have the “Blue Flag” (the sea water here meets the highest standards). The most famous and large beaches of Alicante:
During the time of the ancient Greeks, a fishing harbor was located on the site of modern Alicante. In the 3rd century BC, the Carthaginians founded a fortified settlement here called Akra Leuka, later captured by the Romans and named by them Lucentum. In the 12th century, the city was captured by the Arabs and named Al-Lakan, which transformed into the modern name.
In 1246, Alicante became part of the Kingdom of Castile. In 1308, the city became part of the Kingdom of Valencia. By the end of the 15th century, Alicante had become one of the largest commercial ports in Spain.
In the 19th century, the city began to expand and prosper intensively, facilitated by the presence of a port and a railway. Today, the province of Alicante is the second-largest region in the Valencian Community, and the city itself is one of the largest and most popular resorts in Spain.
The airport is located 11 km south of Alicante. A bus runs from the airport to the city every 20 minutes, departing from level +2 of the new terminal.
The main railway station is located in the city center. All major Spanish cities such as Madrid, Seville, Barcelona have daily train connections to Alicante. A high-speed train runs from Madrid and Valencia. The average travel time from Alicante to Madrid is 3 hours and 30 minutes.
One of the best ways to travel short and long distances from Alicante is by bus. The bus station is located on Calle Portugalia — near the harbor. Many bus carriers operate from this station and offer routes to other cities and regions of Spain.
Along Explanada de España you can find many places selling souvenirs. In general, Alicante has a lot to offer in terms of shopping. On the streets between La Rambla and Federico Soto to Alfonso El Sabio there are many shops. In El Barrio, the old quarter of Alicante, there are also many shops.
As everywhere in the region, dishes with seafood, tapas, and paella predominate. To save on food, we recommend ordering the “menu of the day.” Many restaurants do not serve dinner until 9 pm, so keep this in mind when planning your evening meal. Among drinks, the excellent wines are worth noting.
Alicante is known for its nightlife. The El Puerto district is known for its clubs and bars. In the summer, many parties take place on Postiguet and San Juan beaches. El Barrio is also famous for its nightlife, its narrow streets filled with numerous bars, while the Explanada square is more popular in the summer months.
The main landmarks and interesting places in Alicante.
Santa Bárbara Castle — one of the largest medieval fortresses in Spain and the most famous landmark of Alicante. Located on top of Mount Benacantil at an altitude of 166 meters with beautiful views of the city and the bay. The fortress has Moorish roots. The last reconstruction of the castle dates back to the 16th century. The best time to visit this place is morning or evening.
Church of Santa María — one of the main landmarks of Alicante. It was built in the Gothic style between the 14th and 16th centuries on the ruins of a Moorish mosque. The church has an elaborate Baroque facade, among which the image of the Virgin by the sculptor Juan Bautista Borja stands out. The main altar is made in the Rococo style.
The cathedral of St. Nicholas of Bari was built in the 17th century in the Renaissance and Baroque styles. It is located in the Old Town near the City Hall. The church has a beautiful blue dome and a lovely garden.
City Hall — a historic Baroque building. Interesting features of the town hall are the council chamber, the chapel, and the twin towers over 30 meters high.
Casco Antiguo — a charming district in the Old Town, more like a Spanish village. The locals take pride in their homes, decorating balconies and doorsteps with fresh flowers and painting their shutters.
Explanada de España – the elegant marble promenade of Alicante. It starts in the old town and continues to the pier.
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