Alicante - in Valencian: Alacant - is a city and municipality in the Spanish autonomous community of Valencia, and is the capital of the province of Alicante. The city is located on the Costa Blanca and is the second largest city in the Valencian Community, with, according to INE data from 1 January 2021, 337,304 inhabitants.

Be sure to read to the end, here we give you some tips on where to eat & drink!

Most visitors to the Costa Blanca often only get to know Alicante from the air. And that's a shame, because this fascinating and centrally located city on the 'White Coast' has so much to offer!

The reason? Most of you land at the 'Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández' airport, which is its full name, located 9 kilometres southwest of Alicante.

The history of Alicante goes back to before our era. The city was founded in 230 BC. Founded by the Carthaginian general Hamilcar Barkas as Akra Leuke - 'White Headland'.

After that it was part of the Roman Empire and the city was called Lucentum - 'City of Light'.

From the 8th to the 13th century the city was in the hands of the Moors. They gave the city the name Al-Laqant, and you guessed it, that eventually became the Spanish name Alicante.

In 1298 the city was transferred to the Kingdom of Valencia of James II of Aragon and has remained in Spanish hands ever since.

The sights are so numerous that we had to make a choice!

The literal highlight is the castle of 'Santa Barbara' - Castillo de Santa Bárbara. It owes its name to the conquest of the fortress on 4 December 1248 - the Catholic name day of Saint Barbara - by the later King Alfonso X of Castile. It is a complex of buildings and defensive walls on a 166-metre-high hill, Monte Benacantil, which towers over the city. This very strategic location was already used in prehistoric times. Remains from the Bronze Age, Celtiberian culture and Roman times have been found there. The predecessor of the current fortress was built by the Moors at the end of the 9th century. The oldest parts of the current fortress date from the 11th to the 13th century. It is one of the largest castle complexes in the Mediterranean.

Also very famous is the ‘Explanada de España’, built on the old promenade in the 1950s. It consists of some 6,000,000 tiles that form an undulating mosaic of red, black and white colours. In addition, this promenade has four rows of palm trees that line the more than 500-metre-long boulevard. It was renovated in the nineties and from this impressive promenade you can enjoy a fantastic view of the large marina and is still considered one of the most important sights of the city.

A visit to the ‘Old Town’ - Casco Antiguo - is of course a must. It is relatively small and is wedged between the aforementioned promenade and the hill on which the castle of ‘Santa Barbara’ is located. The vast majority of monuments can be found in the ‘Old Town’. Walk straight through to the old district of Santa

Cruz. This is a complex of narrow streets with steps, built against the slopes of Monte Benacantil. The streets are surrounded by white houses with flowers and decorated tiles.

Also do not miss the ‘Church of Our Lady’ - Iglesia de Santa María. This is a Gothic church originally built on the foundations of a Moorish mosque. The remains of this mosque can still be seen through glass in the floor. The church was later given a baroque façade.

Are you interested in culture and art? Alicante also offers more than enough diversity in this respect. For example, we mention the ‘Museum of Fine Arts’ in the Gravina Palace - Museo Bellas Artes Gravina - abbreviated to Mubag.

The ‘Museum of Modern Art’ - Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Alicante - MACA for short. This museum is located in La Asegurada, a 17th century building built in Valencian baroque style.

The ‘Museum of Nativity Scenes’ - Museo de Belenes. This small museum in the Old Town highlights the Spanish tradition of making nativity scenes that goes back to the year 1300. And for boat lovers, there is the Volvo Ocean Race Museum located in the harbour.

You will notice that Alicante is certainly not just for flying over, but deserves a closer and fascinating introduction on foot…

EAT & DRINK TIPS

El Portal

Stylish interior, sublime food / www.elportaltaberna.es

Soho Parc

Unique place in the city centre for a drink

Miss Sushi

For the sushi lover! / www.misssushi.es

Syrah Wine Bar

Wine, cava, special beers and tapas / www.syrahwinebar.com

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