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 Alicante
is one of the most surprising provinces
in Spain. It is the 4th largest
in terms of GDP after Madrid, Barcelona
and Valencia. It is also a booming province,
partly due to the surge in tourist activity
over recent years, especially along the
coastal areas which have the best climatic
conditions in the whole of Spain. Modernity
runs alongside tradition and you can still
find very traditional villages tucked
away in the mountains. You can also find
some of the best gastronomy in Spain here.
The contrasts are immense. You can find
British, German and Nordic residents along
the coast not to mention the areas of
mass tourism such as Benidorm, Torrevieja
etc. Alicante city itself deserves more
than just a short visit. Below you will
find a number of recommendations on the
best, most important places to visit and
things to do…
What to see and visit in and around
Alicante
Alicante city is small and is just a
taster of what is on offer in the rest
of the province.·
 Walking:
you can go for a very pleasant walk along
the Explanada de España, Postiguet
beach and around the modern Port area
which has many bars and cafes. Just a
few kilometres away from the centre, connected
by the new tram network which leaves from
Postiguet beach, you can enjoy a walk
on San Juan Beach which is over 6 kilometres
long. ·
The Santa Bárbara Castle:
it has magnificent panormamic views of
Postiguet beach, the port and Alicante
city. Also San Fernando Castle·
Cathedral and churches: The most
important churches reflecting Alicante´s
heritage can be found in Orihuela, a small
town near Alicante. However, in Alicante
city itself the following places are still
worth a visit:
o San Nicholás cathedral (16th
century), chapel of communion
o Santa María church
o Santa Faz monastery.
Museums in Alicante: The
Archeological Museum MARQ - this
is one of the best of its kind in Europe,
the Nativity scenes museum, Asegurada
Museum (contemporary art including works
by Sempere, Miró Dalí, Picasso…);,
Picasso…); The
University
museum - located in a modern building
in the Alicante University Campus - it
has very interesting exhibitions and is
the best university museum in Spain. with
the
The
Lucentum Archeological Museum .
These impressive Roman remains on Mount
Tossal show some of Alicante´s earliest
roots.
 The
Alcudia Archeological Museum.
Large site (see photo) with excavations
still going on. The Dama de Elche statue
was discovered here.
Shopping in Alicante: We recommend
typical products such as salted fish and
meat, turron
from Jijona, chocolate from Villajoyosa
or Elda, sweet wine from Fondillon. Also
'la coca de mollitas' and 'la coca amb
toyna' which can be bought in patisseries.
Restaurants: Click on the names
for full description and recommendations:
Restaurant
El Bocaíto, Restaurant
La Finca, Restaurant
Casa Alfonso, Restaurant
Casa Pepa, Restaurant
Al Zaraq. See reviews of lots
more restaurants here: restaurants
in Alicante and restaurants
in the Costa Blanca.
Tapas: Nou Manolín and
Piripi restaurants offer a great selection
of the best tapas dishes made from fresh
local produce. If you want to try making
them for yourself, try out these tapas
recipes.
Alicante
cuisine: The unbeatable rice dishes
are the most typical dish from Alicante.
They are made with meat, seafood, fish,
chicken, rabbit, pork, vegetables and
pulses. Try this traditional paella
recipe. Apart from rice there
are a wide range of dishes to try from
(see cocina levantina). The fish and seafood
dishes are very good especially the Red
Prawns from Denia. Also the typical stews,
which can be found in the mountain areas
such as la olleta from Alcoy.
Other things to look out for are salted
meats, fresh vegetables from la Vega Baja
el Segura (the artichokes are excellent),
citric fruit, nísperos (loquats)
from La Marina Baja, cherries from La
Marina Alta,  pomegranates
from Albatera, fresh dates from Elche,
olive oil from Cocentaina, spices from
Novelda.
There are also excellent cakes and pastries,
Christmas sweets such as turron from Jijona
(turrones de Jijona) and other desserts
made from almonds (almendra), chocolate
from la Vila y de Paco Torreblanca in
Elda-Petrer, and superb ice creams also
from Jijona.
Accommodation in Alicante - for
reviews on what we think are the best
price:quality options, see hotels
in Alicante
Alicante Province: It is such
a diverse place offering such a wide range
of possibilities that we recommend more
than just a weekend visit.
Cities in Alicante Province:
- Elche:
famous for its palm
trees and dates. It is the second
largest town in the province, after
Alicante. Visit the beautiful park Huerta
del Cura with hundreds of species
of palms, cactus and other plants.
- Alcoy:
enjoyed its heyday during the industrial
revolution because of its important
textile industry. Famous these days
for the spectacular Moors and Christians
fiestas, held in
- Elda-Petrer: Small towns with
thriving shoe and leather industries.
Pretty castles. If you visit Elda try
to eat in La
Sirena restaurant and buy some cakes
(we recommend the chocolate panettoni)
in the shop just down the road belonging
to Spain's most famous chocolatier,
Paco Torreblanca
- Benidorm: the tourist mecca
of the Costa Blanca and the inspiration
to the famous logo "everything
under the sun". Theme parks Terra
Mítica and Terra Natura,
Mundomar and a big water park. Nearby
mountain villages Guadalest
and Callosa are also popular with tourists.
 Villages
and towns worth visiting in the province
of Alicante (click on the links to see
photos):
Costa
Blanca: Denia;
Javea
(see Parador
of Javea); Benissa;
Moraira; Villajoyosa;
Torrevieja;
Altea;
Santa
Pola;
Mountain villages: Concentaina,
Alcoy, Serra de Mariola, Benialí;
Guadalest;
Parcent;
Inland: Villena;
Orihuela;
Elche;
Sax;
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