Alicante — ”the playful little sister of Barcelona and Madrid” lies in the heart of the Costa Blanca on Spain’s east coast. Costa Blanca means the white coast and refers to the two hundred kilometres of beaches that stretch from north to south. There is everything here, from broad sandy beaches with sun loungers to little coves where the trees grow almost down to the water’s edge. Whether you are looking for crowds or seclusion, you can find it here.
The inland parts of the province of Alicante offer mountains to climb and caves to crawl into. A quieter activity is to walk and enjoy magnificent views, impressive vineyards or cherry trees in blossom.
But above all, Alicante offers far more than impressive scenery, beach life and sporting adventures.
Alicante is the eighth largest city in Spain, far smaller than its big siblings Madrid and Barcelona. Even though many tourists come here, the city feels genuine.
Its size makes Alicante a comfortable city; you can easily get around on foot between the sights. We begin one sunny morning by making our way to the Plaza del Carmen square in the medieval Santa Cruz quarter.
A walk through El Barrio
From the Plaza del Carmen we walk through El Barrio, the old quarter. The streets are more like narrow passages and are lined with small whitewashed houses decorated with colourful tiles and often masses of flowerpots. It is varied and beautiful.
We carry on up to the sacred building Ermita de Santa Cruz. Originally a mosque stood here; the present building was put up in the 19th century. From here there is a fine view, but to get the best view you should make your way to one of Alicante’s most popular sights — the medieval castle of Santa Bárbara, which stands on top of Mount Benacantil. From here you see practically the whole of Alicante and get a fine view over the bay.
You can walk all the way up to the castle, which stands 166 metres above sea level; otherwise there is a lift from Playa Postiguet beach. You can also drive up.
A guided tour to the dungeon
The castle consists of several levels built in different periods. The topmost and oldest part was built by the Arabs, who controlled the area in the 9th century. The castle has since been extended stage by stage.
The castle was last used during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s, when a small number of prisoners were held here. Do not miss their carved names on slabs in the ground at one of the viewing points. Do take a guided tour: you will see, for instance, the dungeon with its array of grisly instruments of torture.
On the way down from the hill you can take the chance to rest a while in the Ereta park. The park also has the La Ereta restaurant, which likewise has a magnificent view. Then you carry on down to the old quarter again. If you have not tired of grand historic buildings, both the San Nicolás cathedral and the town hall are only a few blocks away. Otherwise it is pleasant to end the day with sun and a swim at Playa Postiguet.
Mercado Central — a stately building
Day two is perfect for starting with a visit to Alicante’s market hall and food market, the Mercado Central. The stately building alone, erected in 1911-1912, is worth seeing, not least for its beautiful dome. But here you can also buy Spanish delicacies such as large olives, the cured ham Jamón Ibérico and turrón, the Spanish nougat made with almonds, egg white, sugar and honey.
In the middle of the day, when it is at its hottest, it can be pleasant to slip into one of the city’s museums. The archaeological museum MARQ was named museum of the year in 2004 and has collections stretching from the Stone Age to modern times.
The modern art museum MACA is housed in the city’s oldest surviving public building, in baroque style. Here there are works by Miró, Dalí and Picasso, among others.
End the day with a stroll along the Explanada de España harbour promenade. Here you can look at exclusive boats or simply admire the promenade itself, made of millions of small tiles in white, black and red, laid in an undulating pattern. Why not stop for a coffee or a drink at a café along the way? It makes the perfect break before you head to one of Alicante’s many tapas restaurants for a suitably late Spanish dinner.
source expressen.se