Alicante

Situated to the south of Valencia, Alicante is one of Spain’s oldest cities and can trace its history back to Roman times 2000 years ago. The original name of Alicante was Lucentum, which means the ‘City of Light’. The city is very popular with holiday-makers and has many attractions and activities.

At the heart of the city lies the Castillo de Santa Barbara, a huge medieval fortress accessible by cable car from Jovellanas avenue. Another popular destination for visitors is the harbour, which is filled with relaxing cafés and excellent shops.

The oldest church in Alicante, St Mary’s, is a 14^th century Gothic masterpiece built over the ruins of a Moorish mosque. Dotted around the city are several palatial homes dating from the 18^th century. The most notable of these are the Berenguer de Marquina and Maisonnave, which are situated along the Calle de Labradores. These stunning houses demonstrate the great wealth and style that permeates the region.

Even more of the city’s past can be seen by visiting the ruins of St Ferdinand Castle, which is one of Spain’s oldest such venues.

The beaches around Alicante are a major attraction and perhaps the main reason why the area sees so much tourism. The most popular of these beach areas is San Juan, which is just a 10-minute drive from the centre of Alicante.

There are many towns and villages around Alicante which are well worth a visit and are easily accessible by car. The Moraira area has a good beach and some great bars, while just around the bay you will find the beautiful golden sandy beach at El Portet. The area of Calpe is famous for its seafood restaurants and Altea has a great market stretching along the sea-front. The Jalon Valley, notable for its abundant orange and lemon groves, contains many bodegas where you can taste and purchase wine at reasonable prices.

Most visitors to Alicante pass through the El Altet Airport, which is about 6 miles southwest of the city centre. The airport services both domestic and international flights and contains all of the facilities found in most international airports. Getting around the area by car is very simple, and car hire is available from the airport. Trains and buses are alternative options to driving.