Alicante
The city of Alicante on the Costa Blanca is one of the leading holiday resorts on the Spanish Mediterranean, just over 160 kilometres south of Valencia.
The striking silhouette of the Castle of Santa Bárbara overlooks the town and the coastline from its hill, with great views. Below the fortress is the old town centre, with lively streets full of restaurants and historic buildings such as the Town Hall, the central market, the co-cathedral of San Nicolás and the Basilica of Santa María. It has several museums, including the Archaeological Museum of Alicante (MARQ).
The sunny climate means you can enjoy the beaches most of the year, including the Postiguet, San Juan, and Albufereta beaches, and sample the local rice dishes in the Explanada de España, an area famous for its pavement cafés and restaurant terraces. You can also visit the island of Tabarca, the first marine nature reserve to be created in Spain.
landmarks THAT CANNOT BE MISSED
Shopping
This region is known for high-quality leather goods, decorative items such as rugs, wicker and pottery, and toys and dolls. The main shopping areas are around the Teatro Principal and central market, and Avenida Maisonnave. More information
With children
If travelling with children, as well as the Castle of Santa Bárbara, they will love the San Juan Bonfires on 24 June, or an excursion to any of the many theme parks in the Alicante area: Terra Mítica, Mundomar, Aqualandia, or Río Safari. See more at this link.
Mosques
The main mosque of Alicante is at 1, Calle Pino Santo.