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Alicante Travel Guide

About Alicante

Renowned for its long sandy beaches, vibrant festivals and lively nightlife, Alicante is one of Spain’s and Europe’s main holiday hubs with good reason.

This thoroughly Spanish city has a true Mediterranean air. Its wide esplanades, like Rambla de Mendez Nuñez and Avenida Alfonso el Sabio, are perfect places to relax, while its seafront promenades are full of café terraces.

The historical centre is filled with baroque buildings, bearing testimony to Alicante’s past as a major seaport. The city also has a distinct African flavour, with women in caftans and hawkers selling carvings along the seafront.

Situated on the popular Costa Blanca, Alicante’s beaches are packed every summer, and there are plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained: from surfing, swimming and sailing to scuba diving, snorkelling and paragliding.

Nearby Tabarca is an island seemingly frozen in time: mostly a protected wilderness, no cars are allowed here, and human civilisation is represented only by a small walled town featuring a beautiful church.

You can also make a day trip to Canalobre Caves, where a collection of impressive stalagmites and stalactites appear to resemble a multitude of forms. Most striking of all is the Castle of Santa Barbara, perched atop Mount Benacantil. One of the largest medieval fortresses in Spain, it affords panoramic views of the city and the coast.

Alicante also boasts some of the best nightlife in the region. El Puerto and El Barrio are among some of the liveliest spots come evening, although Esplanada is more popular in summer, as are the kiosks behind Postiguet and San Juan beaches.

Then there are the festivals. The largest is Las Hogueras de San Juan, celebrated every June with spectacular fireworks. Carnival (February or March) brings colourful parades onto the streets, while the Moros y Cristianos Festival in October has costumed processions that include elephants and camels.

Alicante is both a regional gateway and a destination in its right. But whatever your reason for visiting, you’re bound find a vibrant city in full-on party mood.

Key facts

Population:
334678
Latitude:
38.348156
Longitude:
-0.489361
A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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NH Alicante

Modern design and comfort are combined in the NH Alicante, located just 10 minutes from the centre of Alicante. There is a smart, elegant air to the 100 spacious guest rooms, as well as a free spa, gym, cocktail bar, roof terrace and restaurant.

Hostal Les Monges Palace

This charmingly renovated budget hotel features brickwork, balconies, pillars and quirky interior touches in its 18 rooms, some furnished with antiques and wonderful paintings. Expect plenty of historical glamour despite the price – the building is more than a century old.

Hostal La Milagrosa

Set on a side street in the old town, this family-run hotel offers small, simply decorated rooms (some with shared bathrooms), plus complimentary breakfast served on a roof terrace with views of the town. There's also a shared kitchen and self-service laundry facilities.

Eurostars Lucentum

Named after the ancient name for Alicante when the Iberians and Romans lived there, 'Lucentum', this hotel is a good choice in terms of location. It's close to the central market, port and old quarter, and close to a new tram spot, great for sight-seers. The hotel has 169 rooms and free Wi-Fi connection.

Hotel Rambla

The location of this small budget hotel is unbeatable - a few minutes walk to the Esplanade and the Marina, and only a few minutes more to the beach. Although rooms are on the small side, they're air-conditioned and have minibars and high-speed Wi-Fi. Breakfast can be taken in a nearby restaurant.

Sercotel Spa Porta Maris Hotel

This hotel boasts 114 modern, spacious rooms with balconies overlooking Postiguet beach and the marina. There is free Wi-Fi plus an urban spa featuring a swimming pool, Jacuzzi and sauna. The rooms are quite functional-looking but you can't beat the location.