Alicante City

Alicante is the capital of the Alicante province in the region of Valencia and Murcia, Spain.

It is definitely worth spending some time in Alicante (Alacant). With beaches, nightlife, a lovely renovated old town and, if you're there at the end of June,  a great fiesta, Las Hogueras.

Alicante,  in Valencia, is the main city of the Costa Blanca and has an airport.

As well as the town with its wide avenues and seafront Paseos full of cafés and bars there is the Castillo de Santa Barbara standing high above Alicante's beach. A shaft has been cut straight up the hill with a lift up to the Castillo.

Visit Alicante, Spain

The best part of Alicante is arguably its wonderful harbour-side promenade - the Explanada de Espagne. The pavement is a marvellous marble mosaic and it is lined with palm trees and runs the length of the harbour.  Along its length are lots of cafés where you can stop and soak up the sun and atmosphere.

Postiguet beach is the place to head for if you want to soak up some rays.

The Castillo de Santa Barbara, Alicante's medieval castle is at the top of Mount Benacantil and was the lookout against ships and pirates, once common in these waters. It is a medieval fortress but there are also Roman remains on the site. The views over the city and Postiguet beach are superb.       

After exploring the Castillo relax in the castle gardens, the Parque de la Ereta. The views of the city are not to be missed.

The Las Hogueras festival takes place every year in June.  The festival kicks off with the lighting of a large palm shaped firework from the Santa Barbara castle. After that a series of 'hogueras' are lit in a wonderful display. The Hogueras are large wood and papier maché  structures which are worked on for months and then burnt during the fiesta.

 Alicante    

Museums in Alicante

Alicante's Museo de Arte Siglo 2000 has works by Picasso, Miro, and Dali.

There is also a good archeological museum, MARQ. MARQ won the 'Best Museum in Europe' award in 2004.

Places to see near Alicante

Don't miss a boat trip to the island of Tabarca.  Explore the fishing village or do some snorkling in the waters full of marine fish and vegetation.