Alicante
The city of Alicante is a dynamic and buzzing centre for tourism and business that sits centrally amid all the other Costa Blanca towns along the Mediterranean coast. While it is a busy port and tourist hotspot, it is also a typical working and thriving Spanish city, one that has maintained its traditional charm and uniqueness and which hasn’t been taken over by mass tourism.
Alicante is the second largest city within the Region of Valencia and is also the capital of the Alicante province. It is a fascinating contrast to the towns that surround it and combines the liveliness of a tourist resort, the elegance of a city and the laziness of relaxing on the beach perfectly. One mustn’t forget, either, that the history of Alicante dates back thousands of years and you can just absorb the ambience of days gone by as you stroll through the old quarter, which is located at the foot of the magnificent Santa Bárbara Castle, the main focal point of the city.
Location
Alicante is probably the most accessible city on the Costa Blanca. Just 11km north of Alicante-Elche airport, you can easily travel to the city centre and arrive within 15 minutes of leaving the airport. There are regular buses that leave from the departures level that will deposit you right in the heart of the city.
There is a tram, but this cannot be picked up from the airport. Instead, it runs along the coastal road from Alicante centre up to Benidorm.
By car, just take the N332 and this will bring you to the Paseo Explanada de España, the main palm tree-lined avenue that runs along the coast and harbour at the bottom of the city. You can take this road if you are travelling from the north or south of Alicante. The A-7 motorway will also bring you to Alicante.
Alicante is also situated on the Renfe railway line. From Madrid it takes just 3 hours, and just 5 from Barcelona.
The city centre
The city centre is simply a hubbub of activity all day long. You won’t be short of things to do through the night, either, if you’re into partying until breakfast time. Alicante is great as it offers something to everyone. Whether it’s culture, history and architecture that float your boat, or trendy designer shops, classy restaurants and cool lounge bars and clubs, Alicante has plenty to keep you occupied throughout your stay. If you like to go out at night but can’t keep up with the late Spanish hours, there’s a new “tardeo” trend in Alicante that you may enjoy. This consists of going out drinking and eating in the afternoon instead of the evening. People start off in the market area and buy food and drink from the stalls then make their way down town to the bars. The area around Calle Castaños is really buzzing from around 6pm.
The Santa Bárbara Castle, which regally sits at the highest point of the city on the Benacantil Mountain, is definitely well worth a visit – as is the climb up to the site for the fittest of visitors. You can also reach the castle by driving up or taking the lift from the footbridge opposite the Postiguet beach.
From the Paseo Explanada de España, which sits just off the lovely sandy beach and is filled with palm trees offering shade, market stalls and cafés and restaurants, you can walk up through the maze of narrow cobbled streets that make up the old quarter. Here, you will find many of the city’s old and historic buildings, museums, churches and art galleries intermingled with hotels, restaurants, shops and bars.
Property
As you can expect from a major city, property in the centre itself is predominantly made up of apartments, flats and studios. You won’t find any detached villas or sprawling chalets in the heart of the city, although there are a good number of townhouses, some of which have been built into the surrounding mountains. Out in the residential parts of the city is a wider range of options, and in these areas you will find many villas, chalets and large houses with pool complexes and gardens. However, if you prefer the hustle and bustle of city life, yet also enjoy relaxing on the beach or in the mountains, you couldn’t really find a better location anywhere in Spain other than Alicante!
History
As with many towns and cities located along the eastern coast of Spain, Alicante has a history that dates back thousands of years and is one of the very first places that was inhabited on the peninsula. The Greeks were the first to establish a settlement here in about 1,000 BC, although hunter-gatherer tribes lived there from 7,000 BC, and they were followed by the Romans some 800 years later. The Moors conquered Eastern Spain during the 8th century and reigned in Alicante for 500 years until 1246 when it was recaptured by Christian King Alfonso X. From then on, Alicante was built up to become an important centre for trade, particularly around the port area, yet it was continually under attack, as were many other coastal locations, from the Berber pirates. Alicante’s prosperity declined in the 18th and 19th centuries, yet has been brought back to life through tourism in the last 50 decades or so.
Places to visit
• Castillo de Santa Bárbara
• Paseo Esplanada de España
• Port and harbour area
• 17th century San Nicolás de Bari Cathedral
• Museo Arqueológico Provincial
• Museo de la Asegurada
• 13th century Iglesia de Santa María
• Mueso de Bellas Artes Gravina
• Boat trip to the Island of Tabarca
• Postiguet and San Juan beaches
• Twin-towered 18th century town hall (ayuntamiento)
• Santa Cruz district
• Mercado Central (daily indoor market)
• Parque Tossal and El Palmeral (beautiful city parks)
• Monastery of Santa Faz (3km outside of Alicante)
• Convent of the Canónigas de San Agustín
• San Fernando Castle
• Museo de Arte Contemporáneo
• Panoramis shopping centre
Highlighted properties in Costa Blanca North:
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Apartment in Alicante
Costa Blanca North, Spain290,000 €
2
2
91m2
NEW BUILD RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX IN ALICANTE CITY New Build residential complex of 61 apartments and penthouses with 2, 3 and 4 bedrooms in the neighbourhood of La Florida, Alicante. Each property has its own parking space and storage...
Click for more about this property -
Apartment in Alicante
Costa Blanca North, Spain290,000 €
2
2
91m2
New build residential complex in alicante city new Build residential complex of 61 apartments and penthouses with 2, 3 and 4 bedrooms in the neighbourhood of La Florida, Alicante. Each property has its own parking space and storage room....
Click for more about this property -
Apartment in Alicante
Costa Blanca North, Spain265,000 €Click for more about this property
3
2
139m2
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