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Alicante is the gateway to the Costa Blanca’s popular holiday resorts such as Benidorm. A busy port, it offers the best of both worlds - classic Spanish heritage and modern culture. The city has a long history, even boasting Roman remains from the days when it was known as Lucentum. Today’s visitors will find plenty to keep them occupied – from golden beaches and lush parks to designer shops and street markets. Add a mountain-top castle, beautiful churches and palaces and a charming old quarter and it all makes for an alluring taste of typical Spain. As the entry point to the Costa Blanca, many visitors treat Alicante as no more than just that, and speed off to their villas and apartments without a backward glance. In fact, this is the perfect getaway if you’re looking for art, beaches, gastronomy, shopping, nightlife, architecture or history. And if you’re into the lot, you’re in for a treat. This is Valencia’s second city and offers the warmest and sunniest winters throughout Europe, hence the British demand for second homes here. With its beautiful, white-sand beaches, chic yachting marina and buzzing city centre, it attracts a moneyed crowd and provides some of the best shopping and nightlife in the region. The town is a riot of colour - elegant, palm-lined boulevards roll out along the seafront, adorned with brightly coloured azulejo tiles, lush gardens and leafy, green parks sit alongside red-marbled paseos. But one of its most unusual features is the blend of old and new. The old town, El Barrio, clings to the slopes of Mount Benacantil, in the shade of the mighty Santa Barbara Castle. This part of town dates back to Roman times and is an intricate web of medieval walls and modern lanes and, although it’s an important historic-artistic monument, contains Alicante’s liveliest nightlife. Head here if you really want to party. Come to Alicante, too, for the food. This is the home of paella, saffron-seasoned rice cooked with chicken and seafood - one restaurant, Dársena, can conjure up over a hundred rice-based dishes - and ultra-fresh seafood, grilled meat and tapas, all served in generous Valencian portions. And don’t forget the wine, it’s not all sweet whites, there are plenty of full-bodied reds and mellow rosès to discover.
Take the lift from Paseo Gomis, behind the tourist office, up to the Castillo de Santa Bárbara one of Europe’s largest medieval fortresses, the spectacular views over Alicante provide an excellent introduction to the city’s layout. Wander along the gardens and paths that wind across the hill, and enjoy the views. Then visit the old town, El Barrio, with its steep, narrow streets and colourful buildings, perhaps the most atmospheric part of Alicante. It’s wonderful to roam about, with lovely stone mansions and flower-filled balconies. Stop off for a tapas lunch at any of the lively bars and afterwards visit the Basílica de Santa María, the oldest and possibly the prettiest church in town. For a taste of great Spanish 20th century art, look in at the nearby Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Alicante (La Asegurada Museum) to view some Dalí, Picasso and Miró originals. (Temporarily closed) If you’ve got energy left, visit the Ayuntamiento (City Hall) for a tour of the splendid apartments or simply take a stroll along the dazzling marble-tiled Explanada de España. At dusk, head back towards the tiny Ermita de Sant Roque church, for a look at the revered painting of the Gipsy Christ over the altar. Continue along the stepped passages to the 18th century Ermita de Santa Cruz, to end the day with awesome views across the rooftops and out to sea.
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As a popular tourist spot, Alicante has no shortage of hotels, choose from converted old mansion houses to sybaritic four- and five-star opulence, offering spas, Jacuzzis, spectacular sea-views and every luxury imaginable at your fingertips. The most popular hotels are close to the Explanada, but if you’re after budget options, book a hotel room near the Santa Maria church, this area also has a buzzing nightlife. But whatever your plans, if you’re flying out in high season, make sure you book ahead. The four-star Eurostars Mediterranean Plaza is right beside the Postiguet Beach and offers tastefully decorated rooms plus a gym and sauna, while the four-star Tryp Gran Sol Hotel set on la Rambla Méndez Núñez offers beautiful harbour views and is also close to the beach and shops. Right on the seafront is the three-star Albahia Hotel (Albufereta Beach) or book the two-star Hotel Goya, ideally placed for exploring the city and beach. Reservations for all these hotels on +44 (0)871 900 8297 or visit www.flybehotels.com
By car: Explore the city and the countryside in comfort and style at great prices! Get the best deal by checking Flybe's partner Avis for the best available car hire rates at www.flybe.com/avis By road: The city centre is 12 kms (7 miles) from the airport. Contact Flybe’s car rental partner Avis for the best available car hire rates. By bus or coach: Bus C-6 runs from Alicante’s El Altet airport to city centre of Alicante every 40 minutes, daily between 7.30 and 22.20. It takes about 35 minutes and costs around €1. By taxi: Outside the terminal building. Journey time to the city centre is about 20 minutes, expect to pay between €15-20.
Central Alicante is small enough to walk around, but transport is useful for accessing the beaches and the Albufereta. Bus 21 runs along the seafront all the way to Playa de San Juan, roughly every 15 minutes and all night on summer weekends. The bus station is near the centre on Calle Portugal, where you can also pick up buses south towards Murcia. Alternatively a tram chugs along the coast, leaving from Playa del Postiguet and stopping at the FGV (Valencia regional railway) station. FGV also has a smaller line, El Trenet, which runs north along the coastline. El Postiguet station operates trains every hour to Altea and every two hours to Dénia. Theme park: The Terra Mitica theme park is home to the most thrilling rides in Spain! There are 30 rides to go on and over 80 shows to see everyday. There are tons of things to see and do in one of the park’s five ancient themed areas. Explorers can take a trip through time and visit one of four civilisations; Egypt, Rome, Greece and old Iberia as well as a zone themed on the Mediterranean islands. To complement the day out there are also a host of shops and restaurants in which you can buy all manner of souvenirs to remember the experience by. Tel: +34 902 02 02 20. Aqualandia: If you’re looking to get out of the heat then Aqualandia is perfect for you. The waterpark offers the best water rides and entertainment in Spain. Home to the highest water chute in Europe as well as rides like Zig Zag, Pistas Blandas and a multi-track water slide, there are plenty of things for thrill seekers to do. If you need a rest from all the attractions then head to the Amazonas where you can take a dip in the pool or relax under a palm. Golf: The Costa Blanca is renowned for its weather so golfers will be in for a treat when they tee off at one of Alicante’s many courses. All along the coast there are beautiful links and no less than four in and about Alicante itself. The Alicante Golf Club typifies the golf experience for those new to the area, with wide, flat fairways and water hazards. There is ample room at the course, which is only 10 minutes from Alicante. Cycling: Make the most of the weather while taking in the sights and sounds of Alicante at your own pace by renting a bike. El Palmeral Park, located on the southern outskirts of the city, has a cross-country bike circuit as well as a huge variety of plants and landforms to see. Those who want to stick to the city can find bicycle routes that take you around town just outside the city centre. If you are looking for a bike to hire try Rent and Go! on San Juan Beach. Hiking: Those looking to do more than enjoy the beaches of Alicante will be glad to hear that there ample opportunities to stretch their legs. There are various guided ours through the more mountainous regions of Alicante. With peaks to conquer and caves to explore, there is plenty to do. The effort put into a day’s hike will prove its worth when you get the chance to take in the amazing sight of the blue Mediterranean Sea from the top of Mount Maigmó. There are various guided excursions to choose from such as Grupo Montaña Evasion. Tel: +34 607 32 14 26
The weather on the Costa Blanca is considered the best in Spain - long, hot summers cooled by sea breezes, little rain and an average 320 sunny days a year. Little wonder, then, it’s long been a draw for second-home-owning Brits. With three championship golf-courses at La Manga, cycling, hiking and every possible water-sport, there’s plenty to attract active property owners. However, investing in Spanish soil is no longer only the domain of sun-loving retirees. Plenty of middle-income couples and families are spending holidays in their own homes here, thanks largely to knock-down airfares. A luxury two-bed apartment, close to Alicante, with shared pool and garden or solarium can be had for £60,000. A brand-new villa with private plunge pool and easy reach of the airport costs around £85,000. www.dreamspain.net And there’re plenty of business opportunities, too. Valencia is the fifth most populous province in Spain. Alicante’s population of 325,000 relies on agriculture, fishing, textiles, footwear, toys, harbour trade and tourism for its income. The Agency for Fomenting Commercial Activities can help with business schemes if you’re looking to invest, Email: comercio@alicante-ayto.es.
Castillo Santa Bábara: The town’s biggest monument is the Castillo Santa Bábara (tel: +34 965 263 131) an enormous castle looking down at the city from a clifftop. If you can’t face the climb, access by lift (tel: +34 965 152 969, € 2.40) from Paseo Gomis, behind the tourist office on Playa del Postiguet. It runs daily in summer, 9.00-20.00, winter daily 9.00-19.30. Santa Cruz: Below the castle is the zesty old quarter, Santa Cruz, where you’ll find Catedral San Nicolás de Bari, tel: +34 965 212 662, open daily 07.30-12.30 and 05.30-20.30. Built in 1662, it’s a rather dour building, restored after the Civil War and interesting for its history: Alicante was the last place in Spain held by the Republic at the end of the war in 1939, 15,000 refugees waited in vain at churches and alongside the docks to be rescued from fascist Franco-loyalists. Basilica de Santa Maria: Much more attractive is Basilica de Santa Maria, tel: +34 965 216 026, Plaza Santa Maria, open 10.30-14.00 and 18.00-19.30. It’s the oldest church in the town, building started in the 13th century, and features an incredibly ornate golden altar. Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Alicante: Nearby is the town’s best art museum, Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Alicante (Museo de la Asegurada), tel: +34 965 140 768, (This museum is temporarily closed). Museo de Belenes: Bizarrely, the tiny Museo de Belenes, tel: +34 965 202 232, is dedicated entirely to a world collection of nativity figures, some for sale. Museo Arqueológico Provincial de Alicante: For Alicantinian history, visit MARQ, Museo Arqueológico Provincial de Alicante, tel: +34 965 159 000, open Tuesday-Saturday 10.00-19.00, Sunday and holidays 10.00-14.00, a glossy new archaeology museum with hi-tech presentations of local history, including the Ibero-Roman city of Lucentum which is currently being excavated behind the Playa de la Albufereta. Fans of bullfighting might be interested in Museo Taurino, beside Alicante’s bullring, open Tuesday- Friday 10.30-13.30 and 17.00 -20.00. Saturday 10.30-13.30. Playa del Postiguet: The main town beach is Playa del Postiguet, which gets crowded in peak months. Next along is Playa de la Albufereta, with the Roman ruins of the Lucentum behind it. Rocky coves and a nudist beach is at Playa de la Almadraba and at Playa San Juan, you’ll find a huge, sandy beach packed with bars and discos. After dark revs up in three areas of Alicante El Barrio, in the old quarter, El Puerto the eastern wharf of the marina and San Juan Beach area, especially the golf course in this area. In summer, the beaches also open countless bars, clubs and discos, however many are only open from Thursday to Saturday. Live jazz, funk and soul is offered at 4 Gatos Jazz Bar, Calle García Morato 4, but for local sounds, get over to La Plata, Plaza Quijano, for Spanish and Latino pop. Classical concerts are performed at Aula Cultura Cam, tel: +34 965 90 56 39 and ballet, opera and theatre is staged at Teatro Principal, Plaza Ruperto Chapi, tel: +34 965 20 31 00.
Explanada de España: When they’re not on the beach, most visitors stroll down the shady harbourfront, Explanada de España, brilliantly coloured with its outlandish mosaics. But in summer, the town’s main beach, Playa del Postiguet at the end of the Explanada, gets packed and noisy. Larger and is the Playa de San Juan beach on the other side of the cape (the Cabo de las Huertas). But be aware, the smaller coves at the end are popular with nudists, the sweeping, sandy Playa de la Almadraba is more family-oriented. Any of these beaches can be accessed by bus, tram or FGV Trenet train (see Getting Around above). Altea: But if you’re after a picture-postcard Spanish village, take the train to Altea, 10 kilometres north of Benidorm. It became a mecca for artists and hippies in the ‘70s and still has a laid-back atmosphere, with arty shops and galleries hugging its narrow lanes. A pretty church topped with a blue-and-white tiled dome dominates the village and in front is a bustling square, crammed with tempting tapas bars. Although the beach is pebbly, it’s popular with families and on Tuesdays a craft market descends on the promenade. Benidorm: Easily reached from Alicante, just over an hour’s ride on the Trenet local train. Undoubtedly the tourist giant of the Costa Blanca, if you’re with friends looking for a good time, you’ve hit the jack-pot. Although its dense ensemble of skyscrapers may appear brash, it has energy unlike any other Spanish town, and certainly more bars, clubs and discos. Conscious of this image, the tourist authorities have made brave attempts to broaden the town’s appeal, a number of smart new restaurants have opened and the prom has been beautifully re-landscaped. Terra Mítica: An enormous theme park, Terra Mítica, opened in 2000 just north of Benidorm. Designed with a global theme, you can travel the “world”, enjoy a Cataracts of the Nile ride or cruise on the Barge of Luxor in Egypt, for example. In the Roman zone, the largest wooden roller-coaster in the world awaits, the Magnum Collosus. The park’s perfect for families or those wanting to leave with white knuckles. Terra Mítica has its own station on the Trenet line to Altea. For park information tel: +34 902 02 02 20. www.terramiticapark.com Two other popular family attractions are also nearby, a funfair and Aqualandia, a huge water-slide park and Terra Natura. Tel: +34 902 500 414. www.terranatura.com Spanish coastal areas went through a period of huge growth through the nineties and today there are a wide variety of properties to invest in. Alicante has a purpose-built residential area that is 10 minutes from the airport but not under the flight path and is also a short walk from the beach. Property prices range from £80,000 for a small terraced apartment to £170, 000 for detached and semi-detached villas. The climate and location makes Alicante a prime location for those looking to invest in a holiday home.
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Nowhere is dining at lunch-time taken more seriously than in Spain. A two-hour break is still traditional, as is the siesta - towns and villages seem to stand still between 2 and 4pm. But less well known is that the menu del dia, the cheap and cheerful three-course meal offered by restaurants, is a legal requirement and the reason Spaniards have a proper lunch. Valencia is famed as the birthplace of paella, a dish that is often made badly elsewhere much to the annoyance of Valencianos. When made authentically, bomba rice is used, grown in the Valencian plains, and real saffron (not yellow food colouring) simmers with the rice in a shallow pan with garlic and olive oil and a mixture of meat and/or seafood. A socarat, crunchy crust, is achieved by blasting the dish with heat to finish off before serving. The town of Alicante is credited with inventing montaditos, canapé-style, bite-sized pieces of bread heaped with local delicacies. They’re now served, usually with drinks, all over Spain. Photos © La Ciudad - Ayuntamiento de Alicante |
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