Alicante is one of the most picturesque cities in the whole of Spain, and it also happens to be the fastest growing.
Very few European destinations can match the alluring charm of the Costa Blanca beaches, and Alicante is blessed with some of the finest. Recent time has seen it grow as a tourism hot spot and the once struggling economy is now very well supported. The coastal resort makes a very healthy profit from the wine and olive industry, and fruits are also exported on a regular basis.
The harbour protecting Alicante is extremely large by Spanish terms and keen visitors can easily catch a quick ferry ride to one of the four popular Balearic Islands. Far from being a connecting point to other Spanish hot spots, Alicante has an incredible amount to offer its many visitors.
The city has a typically old fashioned feel with a mix of traditional Mediterranean scenery to give a real flavour to its beaches. You can tell that you’re in Spain.
The Castillo de Santa Barbara is a regular destination for tourists. Sitting at the top of a large hill, the centuries-old castle looks out on to Alicante with a formidable aura to it. Interested passers-by can get a tour up to the castle and enjoy one of the most breathtaking views in the whole of Spain.
One of the more unusual hallmarks of the city is its many prehistoric caves that you’ll find with a look around the surrounding regions. The towns of Busot and Benidoleig are the most famous for housing caves, and the popular Cueva de Calaveres has a roof of an incredible sixty feet. Visitors will find plenty to admire in them, and they have a real atmosphere of preserved history.
For those travelling with family, the safari parks make for a great day out. They can usually be found brimming with young children but the adults will enjoy them too.
Some of the attractions where you certainly won’t find young children are the many casinos dotted around the centre of the town. Alicante is renowned for serving up a wide variety of gambling games, and alongside a popular nightlife, it’s easy to see how the tourist factor has had such a positive effect on the economy!
Guadalest is another beautiful little town of historical significance. With mountains surrounding it and a quiet atmosphere, the more curious tourists should appreciate the untouched nature and less ferocious activity. Most of the visitors will generally stick to the main beaches of Alicante, but you can’t really blame them.
If you like to be in the thick of the action, and open to a variety of sporting activities, the beaches are very much the place to be in the seaside town. Water sports take place across the summer and the coastline becomes a magnet to sunbathers.
The heat can be choking at times, especially if you’re not adjusted to a healthy Mediterranean climate. Thankfully for those who aren’t, Alicante isn’t restricted to being a seasonal destination. Activities are ongoing throughout the year and you don’t have to be drowned out in sunshine to appreciate the history and tradition of this lively Spanish town!
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