Travel Guides Spain | Guide to Alicante
Alicante is one of the most surprising provinces in Spain. It is the 4th largest
in terms of GDP after Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. It is also a booming province,
partly due to the surge in tourist activity over recent years, especially along
the coastal areas which have the best climatic conditions in the whole of Spain.
Modernity runs alongside tradition and you can still find very traditional villages
tucked away in the mountains. You can also find some of the best gastronomy in
Spain here. The contrasts are immense. You can find British, German and Nordic
residents along the coast not to mention the areas of mass tourism such as Benidorm,
Torrevieja etc. Alicante city itself deserves more than just a short visit. Below
you will find a number of recommendations on the best, most important places to
visit and things to do.
Alicante city is small and is just a taster of what is on offer in the rest of the province.·
Walking: you can go for a very pleasant walk along the Explanada de España, Postiguet
beach and around the mode
rn Port area which has many bars and cafes. Just a few
kilometres away from the centre, connected by the new tram network which leaves
from Postiguet beach, you can enjoy a walk on San Juan Beach which is over 6 kilometres
long. ·
The Santa Bárbara Castle: it has magnificent panormamic views of Postiguet beach, the port and Alicante city. Also San Fernando Castle.
Cathedral and churches: The most important churches reflecting Alicante´s heritage can be found in Orihuela, a small town near Alicante. However, in Alicante city itself the following places are still worth a visit:
Museums in Alicante: The
Archeological Museum MARQ - this is one of the best of its kind in Europe,
the Nativity scenes museum, Asegurada Museum (contemporary art including works
by Sempere, Miró Dalí, Picasso…);, Picasso…); The University museum - located in a modern
building in the Alicante University Campus - it has very interesting exhibitions
and is the best university museum in Spain, with the:
The Lucentum Archeological Museum. These impressive Roman remains on Mount Tossal show some of Alicante´s earliest roots.
The
Alcudia Archeological Museum. Large site (see photo) with excavations
still going on. The Dama de Elche statue was discovered here.
Shopping in Alicante: We recommend typical products such as salted fish and meat, turrón from Jijona, chocolate from Villajoyosa or Elda, sweet wine from Fondillon. Also 'la coca de mollitas' and 'la coca amb toyna' which can be bought in patisseries.
Accommodation in Alicante - for reviews on what we think are the best price:quality options, see hotels in Alicante
Alicante Province: It is such a diverse place offering such a wide range of possibilities that we recommend more than just a weekend visit.
Villages and towns worth visiting in the province of Alicante (click on the links to see photos)
| Travelling to Alicante? The following links may also be useful | |
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| Guides to nearby provinces and places worth visiting in or near Alicante: | |
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