Located in Costa Blanca you have Alicante, a stunning city known for its historic patrimony and for having plenty of tourist activity. It is no wonder why the demand on this city is so high-levelled: it not only is a beach province, and therefore perfect to invest for living or for renting your property, but it is also a city that offers a lifestyle that will allow you to be totally relaxed all the time - lots of sunshine, plenty of places to take a walk, tons of activities during the week and a city with great infrastructures that can take you anywhere and to other important Spanish cities. The natural environment is an equally well-rooted component in Alicante, since, in addition to being considered a coastal city (beaches quite close to the city centre), the rest of the province is full of landscape diversity, with mountains and valleys making this territory so beautiful.
This site is probably the most used to promote the city, especially in travel postcards. Estimated to have been built around the XIV century, this fortification is located on the top of Mount Benacantil and allows you to have a panoramic view of the entire city of Alicante. It was occupied by Arab tribes and was reconquered successfully throughout the centuries by Catholic Spanish Kingdoms.
You must pay a ticket to enter this castle, although it is really not that expensive (2,50€) and we assure that you will not regret it!
Architectural fans love to visit this site due to its Roman Catholic style. This building was initially an ancient mosque and the construction works for turning it into a church were initiated in 1613 and finished around 1662, according to some specialists. As the name suggests, this cathedral honours the name of Saint Nicholas of Bari, a praised saint worshipped by the local villagers. The architecture of this building is truly remarkable, making it a flag of the so-called Spanish Baroque. In fact, it was due to its beauty that Pope John XXIII made sure that the title of this church was elevated to Cathedral in 1959.
Any Spanish city or village wouldn't be totally Spanish without a market - Spanish people love to shop at markets. Because of the product´s freshness, Mercado Central is a mandatory stop for people to acquire the best ingredients for their daily meals and it is mainly where chefs from the best restaurants acquire their products.
Ironically or not, it is in this old neighbourhood where you can find most of the city life. Whether for lunch, dinner, a cold drink or simply to socialize, this neighbourhood is the place where all these activities come together as one. There you can interact with the locals and learn about the history of the city, as well as to explore old but well-preserved housing. As a matter of fact, it is also where you can find the best properties in Alicante.
This beautiful promenade is made of more than 6 million tiles. You read it right - 6 million tiles! It serves as a meeting point for family and friends and because of its proximity to the shore, many sports fans gather to practice some jogging. It's also a great place to relax - you can have a seat in one of the many terraces and have a bite or something to drink or even both.
Airport The Alicante Airport was founded in 1967 and since then its traffic has risen into escalating numbers: more than 90% of its passengers are foreigners (mostly from the UK, Germany and Norway), contributing to the annual 15 million passengers that land in this airport. It is located in the municipality of Elche, where a considerable percentage of the city's economy is forged and it is located only 9 km southwest of the city centre.
Weather The weather in the province of Alicante is what you can expect from a Mediterranean climate: intense Summers with high temperatures, being August the hottest month, and sun all over the year. There can be rainy periods, especially in October where the precipitation is higher, and a few days in September, however, the absence of rain in this territory is pretty visible in most of the province´s green space, as it is characteristically dry. In fact, the Winter period is not necessarily cold because of these climate circumstances. Basically and on a general basis, Alicante is a wonderful city with wonderful weather that spreads all over the year and rest assured that will make your stay in this province worthwhile.
Shopping While in Alicante, you can spoil yourself in the many shopping malls available in the city. Gran Via is located in the friendly neighbourhood Garbinet and where you can find most of the more known brands. Alicante also has outlet stores, meaning it's a good way for you to get the best deals. Therefore, you should pay a visit to The Outlet Stores and just go crazy with the discounts! You also have an El Corte Inglés, a world-known brand which is the biggest in Europe and therefore possesses tons of stores of all types. Right next to the shore you can find Plaza Mar 2, a shopping mall located in a very relaxing area where you can actually go for a walk and enjoy the sea breeze. You will not regret this, as you can get clothing parts from really great brands.
Transportation Alicante is a walk-friendly city; its compactness allows visitors to go to the main attractions by foot without tiring too much. But because you want to fully enjoy Alicante and you want to relax during your stay, you can have at your full disposal Alicante´s public transportation. It has 5 train lines that can take you anywhere in the city. You also have the bus service that not only can take you to any part around the main areas of Alicante but also to other neighboring villages like Benimagrell and also to the nearest beaches. For the biking enthusiasts, you can rent a bike and explore the city to your heart´s content.
Beaches The proximity to beautiful beaches is one of the main reasons why Alicante is such a desirable place both for living and vacations. Some beaches are so close to the centre of the city that the only thing you have to do is walk a couple of meters and that's it! We´re talking about, for instance, Postiguet Beach, a big reference of the city that has Mount Benacantil as background - beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! Just along the shore, you have Albufereta beach, also pretty close to the centre of the city and an excellent place to enjoy the sun.
Walking up Northeast, you will find other gorgeous beaches such as San Juan and Playa de Las Huertas, both really close to each other. Like the North, the Southside of Alicante has amazing beaches filled with natural beauty. You can see for yourself by visiting the beaches of Saladares Urbanova and near Santa Pola.
Restaurants & Bars Needless to mention that like any Spanish city the tapas concept can be found in every street. Who doesn't like eating while enjoying a drink on a terrace with a view, right? But that's not only what Alicante´s cuisine has to offer - it has a wide selection of fancy cuisine, as well as great places where you can enjoy a delicious meal for a modest price and the marina is one of them, as well as near the beach. It is also a place where you can find lots of fusion restaurants that offer exotic plates from different countries but implementing traditional Spanish cooking. And regarding Alicante´s nightlife, the marina is where you can find the best choices. It is possible to find a cosy pub for a pint and relax with your friends or if you're in a mood for a rhythmic night enjoy yourself in the many clubs available just for you. Please feel free to feast on our suggestions:
