AlicanteAlicante - Costa Blanca - Alicante and Valencia
AlicanteAlicante is located on Costa Blanca, south of Valencia, between Cabo de Huertas and Santa Pola. The airport El Atlet is only 20 kilometres away from Alicante.The city of Alicante, located right on the heart of the Mediterranean coast, is one of the favourite Spanish destinations. It is the capital of a rapid commercial and industrial development province, conference seat, tourist, university city. The privileged weather, the excellence of the seven beaches, the beautiful promenades, the diverse commerce and the wide cultural, leisure and sports offer perfect for golf and sea sports. All these factors makes Alicante a destination with its own personal essence, perfect for leisure and for business meetings.
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Alicante is located on the east Mediterranean coast of Spain, bathed by the waves of the Mediterranean Sea. The coastline in Alicante and the area of Valencia is known as Costa Blanca. Many internationally renowned tourist destinations as Benidorm, Calpe, Jávea and Altea are located in the surroundings. As a Mediterranean city, it has its own distinct personality and a characteristic climate which, together with its beaches and areas of outstanding natural beauty, have made Alicante one of the leading tourist destinations in Spain and Europe. The average yearly temperature in Alicante is over 18º C and the city enjoys nearly 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. The mild winters and hot summers in Alicante attracts tourists all around the year. The weather in Alicante offers sunshine, beaches and nice bathes and swims in the Mediterranean Sea almost all year, even in autumn and winter. No comments about the summer in Alicante: Everyone knows that summer on Costa Blanca means sunshine, beaches, nightlife and fun. The city Alicante is open to the rest of the world by way of its port and modern infrastructures such as its international airport, train station and network of roads and motorways, which furnish the city with a constant stream of visitors. Alicante has always known how to adapt to changing times, as demonstrated by its having become the headquarters of the European Union's Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (OHIM). It also boasts a comprehensive and varied range of hotels and accommodation that is constantly being renewed and updated, plus modern facilities for hosting conferences. Not to mention a great university tradition. A healthy present and a promising future meld seamlessly with its intense history, which has seen Iberian, Roman and other cultures welcomed to its lands over the centuries: cultures which have left their mark visibly in the area's numerous archaeological sites and in the museums dedicated to keeping their memory alive. The city of Alicante is accessible by land, sea and air. Motorways, highways and other minor roads enable visitors to reach Alicante by car or coach from the major Spanish and European cities. The international airport of El Altet is located just 10 minutes from the city centre and is one of the main entry points for visitors to Alicante. Travelling by train is a comfortable way to get to the Costa Blanca capital, but if you prefer you can also sail in by boat, as there are crossings between Alicante and a number of Mediterranean cities. In fact, from the ports in Alicante and Denia (a town 90 kilometres to the north), a direct route is run to the Balearic Islands. The city of Alicante is home to a large selection of museums capable of satisfying the most curious and demanding of intellects. The leading institutions include the MARQ Archaeological Museum, one of Spain's most avant-garde museums due to the innovative way in which archaeology is presented using the most hi-tech audiovisual techniques, earning it the European Museum of the Year Award in 2004. Meanwhile, the MUBAG Museum of Fine Arts has an outstanding collection by Alicante artists from the 16th to the early 20th century. Both museums are housed in traditional Alicante buildings, which have been refurbished for use as cultural spaces. Other museums in Alicante include the Nativity Scene Museum (Museo de Belenes), which explores Alicante's great nativity scene tradition, the Bullfighting Museum (Museo Taurino) devoted to the world of bulls and bullfighters; the MUA University of Alicante Museum dedicated to contemporary art and the Fogueres Museum, which focuses on the city's biggest and most popular festival, the Hogueras de San Juan. Most of these museums are located in the old town of Alicante; therefore visiting them is really easy and accessible. As well as museums, Alicante also has a great monumental heritage. Examples include: Santa Bárbara Castle overlooking the Mediterranean atop Mount Benacantil and providing unrivalled sea views; the Santa María Church, a 14th century Gothic temple that houses a priceless documental and artistic collection whose oldest piece is an incunable dating back to the 13th century; the San Nicolás Co-cathedral in the city's historic quarter, which is a church used as a cathedral and a clear example of Spanish Enlightment from the first half of the 18th century; the Town Hall, an 18th century baroque-style palace interesting in that it houses the reference point for measuring the height above sea level of any place in Spain which is known as “cota cero”, and can be found on the first step of the building's main staircase; and the Santa Faz Monastery just 5 kilometres outside the city centre, which is home to a relic brought from the Vatican in the 15th century, which, according to popular tradition, is part of a veil that Veronica used to wipe the bloodied face of Christ on his way to Calvary. From Santa Bárbara Castle, visitors can walk down to the historic quarter, where most of these buildings are to be found along the route that runs through the Ereta Park, on the same side of the mountain, via the typical picturesque neighbourhood of Santa Cruz. To avoid the steep path that links Santa Bárbara Castle to the bottom of Mount Benacantil, another option is to walk along the remains of the walls that used to surround the castle and now end at the hermitage in the Santa Cruz neighbourhood. Eleven nautical miles from the city of Alicante lies the island known as La Isla de Tabarca, the only inhabited island in the whole Region of Valencia. The excellent quality of its waters and the biodiversity of its fauna have led to its official designation as a Mediterranean Marine Reserve. The island's most striking feature is its fine-sand beaches and rocky coves, with their crystal-clear waters. Another major attraction is its delicious cuisine based on a combination of rice and freshly caught seafood. The Nature has blessed Alicante with a large number of beaches, which constitute the province's major tourist attraction. Their popularity is owed to the quality of the waters and sand as well as the beauty of the surrounding landscapes. Year after year they are awarded the European Union's blue flag status, whose merited international prestige is evidenced by the thousands of bathers who visit all year round. Summer is naturally the height of tourist activity, with visitors enjoying not only the beaches' natural charms but also the many services on offer (lifeguards, medical services, bars, public transport and such like). From the busiest to the most quiet and remote, Alicante's beaches are undoubtedly the most photographed feature in postcards sent from this city. The best Alicante beaches include El Postiguet, San Juan, El Saladar-Urbanova, La Albufereta, El Cocó, La Almadraba and the beaches at El Cabo de Las Huertas.Visitors to the city of Alicante have many an opportunity to make their trip coincide with one of the many Spanish fiestas dotting the calendar throughout the year. The Hogueras de San Juan bonfire celebrations, the Moors and Christians parades, Carnival, Holy Week, the pilgrimage to the Santa Faz Monastery and Christmas are just some of the occasions to remember on the Alicante fiestas calendar. Alicante's most important celebrations are the Hogueras de San Juan, which kick off on 20th June and last to 29th June. These fiestas are devoted entirely to fire, and their crowning glory takes place on 24th June, the day of Saint John the Baptist, when flames tear through wood and paper mâché figures built in satirical vein. Officially declared Of International Tourist Interest, these fiestas also include one of Spain's greatest bullfighting celebrations. And no less popular than the Hogueras de San Juan is the Moors and Christians fiestas held in various quarters of the city throughout the year. These fiestas are celebratory commemorations of the struggle for control between the Christians and the Muslims of 13th century Spain. Some of the city's most popular neighbourhoods devote several days to these fiestas, offering a great chance to discover one of the most widespread traditions throughout the Spanish Levant. Internationally renowned for its health-benefits, the Mediterranean diet is particularly prominent in Alicante thanks to the produce cultivated in its fertile soil and to the fresh fish and seafood caught in its waters. Rice is undoubtedly the main ingredient in most dishes, accompanied by fish and shellfish on some occasions and by meat or vegetables on others. Furthermore, the renowned and highly prestigious local wines complement this exquisite cuisine. Specialities such as “coca amb tonyina”, a succulent tuna pasty, the “coca boba” (sweet) and “coca de molletes” (savoury) are just a few examples of Alicante's culinary richness: a richness that extends to a range of “montaditos” (small sandwiches combining meats and salted fish with vegetables) and, of course, the typically Spanish “tapas”. Alicante's shop windows offer a blend of modernity and tradition, from the most fashionable and cutting-edge labels to typical local products with a great cultural heritage. All of this is available in luxury boutiques, modern shopping centres and an extensive network of small and medium-sized shops where you will find such local products as “turrón” (nougat), chocolates, sugared almonds, dates, regional wines and spirits, fruit and vegetables and canned fish. Other economic sectors from around the province are also represented here, offering products such as toys and games, footwear, leather goods, rugs, ceramics and wicker goods. The sunshine, beaches and other marvels that keep visitors flocking to the Costa Blanca are perfectly complemented by a wide and varied range of sporting activities that visitors can enjoy all year round thanks to Alicante's privileged climate. Water sports and golf are among the most popular pastimes, with Alicante's great many marinas and interesting coastlines providing for such activities as diving, boat hire, windsurfing and jet biking, whilst the city and its surrounding areas offer no less than four 18-hole golf courses. Elche Elche is the Region of Valencia's third largest city in terms of population and is the Spanish footwear capital. The mere mention of Elche immediately evokes images of its spectacular palm tree grove, El Palmeral, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and of the Misteri, one of Spain's most important cultural events, which has also been acknowledged by UNESCO as an Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity and involves the staging of a sung two-part mediaeval drama held on 14th and 15th August. Altea Altea is one of the prettiest towns on the whole of the Mediterranean, and is blessed with over 6 kilometres of coastline: long, sandy beaches alternate with secluded coves where sea-lovers can quietly enjoy the views. Altea's old quarter is perfect for ambling through the narrow streets, popping into arts and crafts shops and trying out some of the most charming restaurants in the whole of the province. Benidorm Benidorm's raison d'être is tourism which is the focus of daily activity in this fishing village turned cosmopolitan hotspot on the shores of the Mediterranean. Lively by day, at night its beaches are places for heady entertainment, while the Terra Mítica theme park epitomises Benidorm's tourist attractions. Young, old and anywhere in between, Benidorm has a time and a place for everyone. El Castell de Guadalest Officially declared a Historical and Artistic Site in 1974, this town boasts a huge number and variety of museums, spectacular views of one of the most stunning valleys on the Costa Blanca and fantastic cuisine so typical of the Alicante mountain areas. It is also home to the popular and iconic San José Castle, accessed through a crack in the mountainside that functions as the gateway to this unique spot.
Bathed by the Mediterranean, there is a land so full of light that its climate is exceptional any time of year: the province of Alicante. From Dénia to the tourist resort of Benidorm and Pilar de la Horadada; from Elche, with its universal heritage, to the island of Tabarca; from Orihuela to the valleys of La Marina, passing through Villena and Alcoy, until you reach its seafaring capital, Alicante. The Costa Blanca, where the land and the extraordinary hospitality of its people will surprise you. Its excellent tourist infrastructure, spectacular landscape, a rich and varied gastronomy, local festivities, sport, culture and the fact that it is so full of life make the Costa Blanca one of the most cosmopolitan places in Europe, where the different cultures of its visitors exist in perfect harmony with that of the local people. Alicante’s strategic location, in the centre of the Spanish Mediterranean Arch, make it a world class destination for both business and pleasure due to its excellent infrastructures, its dynamic industrial network and its full range of services. Alicante is not a city that only grew up during the tourist boom in Spain, despite the fact that not many people consider the place as a cultural destination. The city has much history behind it. The fact is that Alicante is one of Spain's oldest cities. Alicante became "Madrid's port" when the first train service to Madrid started.
Today Alicante is a typical tourist destination on the Mediterranean coast, but Alicante is also a big city and an interesting place to get closer to Spanish culture. The University offers several courses for foreigners during the summer months.  The city of Alicante is located on the east coast of Spain and is bathed by the Mediterranean Sea. The coastline in this region is known as the Costa Blanca
and is home to many internationally renowned tourist destinations as Benidorm, Calpe, Jávea and Altea. As a Mediterranean city, it has its own distinct personality and a characteristic climate which, together with its beaches and areas of outstanding natural beauty, have made Alicante one of the leading tourist destinations in Spain and Europe.The average yearly temperature is over 18ºC and the city enjoys nearly 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, with mild winters and hot summers that invite visitors to bathe in the enticing waters of its beaches. Alicante is open to the rest of the world by way of its port and modern infrastructures such as its international airport, train station and network of roads and motorways, which furnish the city with a constant stream of visitors. Alicante has always known how to adapt to changing times, as demonstrated by its having become the headquarters of the European Union's Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (OHIM). It also boasts a comprehensive and varied range of hotels and accommodation that is constantly being renewed and updated, plus modern facilities for hosting conferences. Not to mention a great university tradition. A healthy present and a promising future meld seamlessly with its intense history, which has seen Iberian, Roman and other cultures welcomed to its lands over the centuries: cultures which have left their mark visibly in the area's numerous archaeological sites and in the museums dedicated to keeping their memory alive. Alicante is the second largest city in the Valencia region on Costa Blanca in Spain. The climate in Alicante is typically Mediterranean, with mild temperatures in winter and sunny warm weather in summer, autumn and spring. Alicante is a popular vacation destination in Spain all around the year. Rainy days in Alicante is not very frequent, on average it only rains in Alicante 38 days per year, but when it rains in Alicante, it can rain very, very much. Most of the rain that falls in Alicante comes in autumn, and flooding is not unusual in September, October and November. Already tired of rain and longing for some sunshine? Ok. Now the good news! The average number of sunshine hours in the Province of Alicante are nearly 3000 per year. Take that!
Located in the south of the Region of Valencia, the city of Alicante lies in the centre of the bay of the same name, flanked by the capes Cabo La Huerta to the north and Santa Pola to the south. With around 315,000 inhabitants and a municipal area of 201.3 km2 , Alicante is the second largest city in the Region of Valencia and the capital of the province of Alicante. The city's economy is based on industry, business and the service sectors. Lapped by the Mediterranean Sea, it has an exceptional climate that is characterised by mild winters and hot summers, with an average annual temperature of over 18ºC and around 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. Alicante is undoubtedly a prime example of a Mediterranean city, with a zest for life that is reflected in the personality of its inhabitants who always make visitors feel welcome and completely at home. The first signs of Alicante's existence were found in the Cova del Fum in Fontcalent and date back to the 3rd millennium B.C. These settlements sprung up due to the geography of the area where the city would later be built, with natural pathways converging by the sea and the protection of afforded by several hills, which was particularly useful for defence. As an urban centre in the strictest sense, we must travel back to 4 B.C. at Tossal de Manises to locate the Iberian colony that would later become the Roman city known as Lucentum. After the Roman period came Arab domination, with the urban settlement moving to the slopes of Mount Benacantil for defensive purposes. Here the Vila Vella was created, which later became a maritime supply point where major trading would be carried out Located 11 nautical miles away from Alicante this is the only inhabited island in the Region of Valencia. This is not just an island; it is in fact a small archipelago made up of the islets La Cantera, La Galera and La Nao. It measures approximately 1,800 m long and 400 m wide. Its coasts were once home to a Berber pirate camp and in the 18th century, King Carlos III ordered a town to be built there to house several Genoese families who had been rescued from the Tunisian port of Tabarka. Its town centre is surrounded by walls that form an ensemble which has been declared a Property of Cultural Interest. Its waters have been declared a Mediterranean Marine Reserve due to their excellent quality and the biodiversity of their fauna and flora, and because they are a clear example of Mediterranean marine communities. The island can be accessed by the boats that leave from the wharfs in the port of Alicante opposite the Explanada. Once they have arrived on the island, visitors can spend time at the coves and beaches with transparent waters and a picturesque seaside town where they can taste the best produce from the sea, including fish and seafood based rice dishes, as well as the famous “caldero”, a fish and rice dish served with stock. A path that runs around the island invites visitors to take a leisurely stroll to appreciate the scenery and try to spot the variety of marine birds that inhabit this island. For those who wish to stay, accommodation is available on the island. The city of Alicante provides varied and rich cultural and leisure activities all year round, which are accompanied and enhanced by its mild climate. Its museums and monuments provide all kinds of options to suit the most varied tastes, with a wide range of alternatives in all areas. During the day, Alicante's shops and shopping centres sell a varied range of traditional products from the city, the region and the province as well as from many places all over Spain. These are complemented with speciality shops that market specific goods to suit and satisfy all tastes. Alicante's parks, gardens, avenues, museums, monuments, cinemas and theatres offer all kinds of varied leisure alternatives, and there are also a host of bars and restaurants to satisfy even the most demanding tastes, as well as cafés and pubs with a quiet, pleasant atmosphere located on the Explanada, the Rambla and in the old quarter, amongst others. At night, the most popular areas for going out are undoubtedly “El Barrio” (the city's old quarter), “El Puerto” the eastern wharf of the marina and the Panoramis shopping and leisure centre (on the western wharf). The pubs, bars and restaurants in the San Juan Beach area and especially at the San Juan golf course, a large entertainment and residential area on the outskirts of the city, provide a popular alternative to nightlife in the city centre.
Alicante Getting There and Away: Arriving at Alicante Airport and transport downtown and vice versa!From and to the Airport El Atlet in Alicante there is a frequent bus service starting in Downtown Alicante, and of course also a quite more expensive taxi service from the airport that covers all the locations in the province. The public buss service between the Alicante Airport and the Alicante City Centre is very cheap and works fine, but it takes a little time.
Alicante - Airport Bus Line (C6) Airport Bus Itinerary Alicante – Downtown / Alicante Downtown - Airport: From Alicante to the airport: Plaza de Puerta del Mar - Rambla Méndez Nuñez,12 - Rambla Méndez Nuñez,40 - Avenida Alfonso X El Sabio,12 - Plaza de los Luceros,8 - Avenida Federico Soto,5 - Calle Pintor Lorenzo Casanova,26 - Calle Oscar Espla,3 - Avenida Elche/Calle Federico Mayo - Avenida Elche/Parque San Gabriel - Avenida Elche,92 - Avenida Elche/Patents Office - Avenida Elche, 109/Alcoa - Crossroad N-332/N340/Aguamarga - Airport. From the airport to Alicante: Crossroad N-332/N340/Aguamarga -Avenida Elche/Patents Office - Avenida Elche/Train station - Avenida Elche/Calle Federico Mayo - Calle Óscar Esplá,10 - Calle Reyes Católicos,23 - Avenida Federico Soto,10 - Plaza de los Luceros,4 - Avenida Alfonso X El Sabio,17 - Rambla Méndez Núñez,35 - Rambla Méndez Núñez,7 - Plaza Perta del Mar. Timetable: 6:20 to 23:10, every 20 minutes. Price: Ordinary ticket: €2.60; 10-trip ticket: €10.50
Alicante is a booming but pleasant city during the day, and offers fantastic nightlife in evenings and nights. Alicante is a place where you really can combine city - beach - and a great night out.
Within the city limits of Alicante you find seven kilometres of fine sandy beach and great beach walks, but the area's best beach is Playa de San Juan about ten minutes outside the city of Alicante. The beach promenade called Paseo de la Explanada is the center of the life in Alicante.
Shopping and sport possibilities in Alicante are endless, just like the number of restaurants. British tourists are invading the city all year round. A 2,5 hour flight with cheap charter flights or low cost companies are very difficult to resist.
One of the attractions in Alicante is the castle of Santa Barbara that rise north of the city. The huge medieval castle can easily be visited as there is a ropeway from the center up to the mountain. The gothic church of Santa Maria from the 13 - century is also well worth a visit along with many other historical monuments.
The port in Alicante is a nice walking area with many small cafes. From the port in Alicante it is also possible to take a boat trip to the island La Tabarca. La Tabarca is an island just off the Alicante coast, only 12 sea miles from Alicante and 8 sea miles from Santa Pola. The island La Tabarca was once the home to the region's pirates, and is now the Valencia region's only inhabited island
On the island La Tabarca you will find nice beaches, restaurants and hotels. The waters surrounding the La Tabarca Island are marine nature reserves and perfect diving areas.
Festivals in Alicante Trough the year there are many festivals in Alicante. Some of the are; Hogueras de San Juan Festival - San Juan Fires One of the most important festivals in Alicante. This festival has been officially declared to be of International Tourist Interest and its origins lie in the tradition of burning useless objects with the arrival of the summer solstice. Date: 20th - 24th June. Moros y Cristianos - Moors and Christians Festivals The Province's most important festivals, celebrated in five different areas around the city of Alicante on various dates. It is a spectacular reenactment of the Province's recapture from Moorish rule. Semana Santa - Holy Week Starting on Palm Sunday, this festival sees a week of religious processions by some 30 guilds and brotherhoods. Date: Variable. From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday The Santa Faz Festival A popular traditional pilgrimage also known as La Peregrina involving worship of the relics of Santa Faz that are housed in the Santa Faz monastery. Date: Variable. The second Thursday after Easter. Las Cruces de mayo - The May Crosses Festival For this beautiful spring celebration, the residents of the Santa Cruz neighbourhood on the slopes of Mount Benacantil decorate the streets with crosses made of flowers as part of a competition to see which street is judged to be the best. Date: 1st - 3rd May Mercado Medieval - The Mediaeval Market A market selling food, arts and crafts, set up behind the town hall in the Old Quarter during the last week of June or the first week in July. Date: Variable. The last week in June or the first week in July. Virgen del carmen - Virgen del Carmen Festival A maritime procession held at the "Club de Regatas" yacht club in Alicante and on Tabarca Island in honour of the patron saint of sailors and fishermen. Date: 16th July Virgen del Remedio - Virgen del Remedio Summer Festival These celebrations starts in Alicante on 3rd August with the La Alborada choir concert and culminate on 5th August with the procession of the image of Virgen del Remedio, the patron saint of Alicante. Date: 3rd - 5th August
City Centre Tourist Information Offices in Alicante Tourist Info Alicante Centro C/ Portugal, 17 bajo Bus Station Tlf. (+34) 965 929 802 Fax (+34) 965 920 112 EXPLANADA DE ESPAÑA Tourist Information Explanada de España, 1, Edificio Carbonell Tlf. (+34) 965 147 038 Fax (+34) 965 215 694 RENFE Train Company Tourist Information Avda. de Salamanca, s/n RENFE Train Station Tlf.: (+34) 965 125 633 Tourist Info Alicante Rambla Méndez Núñez, 23 Tlf. (+34) 965 200 000 Fax (+34) 965 200 243 Tourist Info Playa San Juan, on San Juan beach OPEN DURING SUMMER Playa de San Juan Avda. de Niza, s/n Tourist Info Alicante Universidad Sociedad de Relaciones Internacionales Universidad de Alicante Campus San Vicente del Raspeig Alicante Tourist Information - Tourist Information in the City Centre of Alicante Alicante tourist information official website: www.alicanteturismo.com Alicante official tourist information E-mail address: turismo@alicanteturismo.com and alicantecentro@touristinfo.net Addresses to local tourist offices in Alicante Calle Portugal number 17 at the Bus Station Phone: (+34) 965 929 802 Fax: (+34) 965 920 112 E-mail: Explanada de España number 1, Edificio Carbonell Phone: (+34) 965 147 038 Fax: (+34) 965 215 694 Tourist information at the Train Station / Railway Station in Alicante RENFE Central Train Station Alicante Address: Central Train Station Alicante. Avda. de Salamanca, s/n Phone: (+34) 965 125 633 Website: www.alicanteturismo.com E-mail: turismo@alicanteturismo.com Other tourist information offices in Alicante Tourist Information Office Alicante Centre Rambla Méndez Núñez, 23 Phone: (+34) 965 200 000 Fax (+34) 965 200 243 Tourist Information office Playa San Juan, on San Juan beach in Alicante Please note: The Tourist Information Office at Playa San Juan is open only in high season, through the summer months. Address to the Tourist information office in Playa de San Juan in Alicante Avda. de Niza, s/n turismo@alicanteturismo.com www.alicanteturismo.com Read more about Alicante: Alicante - Visit Alicante - Alicante Travel and Tours >>
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