Alicante is one of the largest cities on the Costa Blanca. It's not only a tourist destination, perfect for holidaymakers, but a real Spanish town with a vibrant community.
With stunning landmarks such as Santa Barbara Castle, which appears illuminated at night, it's a place that's steeped in history as well as having a rich and varied nightlife.
The city boasts the reputation of being one of the sunniest on the entire Spanish coast and there are beautiful beaches and promenades to walk along. Finding somewhere to stay is simplicity itself. Hotels in Alicante are varied, plentiful and can meet many different requirements. There is a good range of accommodation, from comfortable B&Bs right through to luxurious five-star hotels. Alicante hotels are well known for offering good value for money. Wherever visitors choose to stay within the city, they will always be well positioned to visit some of the best sights and attractions on offer.
For those wishing to have a holiday that takes in artistic, historical or cultural attractions, Alicante is ideal. The best hotels if you want to go sightseeing are in the city centre, near to the attractions themselves, on streets such as Rambla de Mendez Nunez or Plaza Del Ayuntamiento.
You could take a trip to San Fernando Castle, a tenth-century fortress built by the Moors. It is completely free to visit and has everything you would expect from a traditional castle. It's set amongst some of the finest views Alicante has to offer. Similarly, Alicante Cathedral is well worth a visit on Calle de San Nicolas. Recently renovated but originally completed in 1662, it offers a sober and atmospheric view of Alicante. It's peaceful, quiet and perfect for moments of solitude.
Other attractions include the Bullfighting Museum, which is situated on Plaza de Toros and the Bonfire Festivities Museum (Museo de Fogueres) on Rambla de Mendez Nunez, where you will find an explanation of the traditions behind the Festival of San Juan, in which intricately made papier-mâché heads are sacrificed to the flames. This festival is held in June to coincide with the summer solstice. It's one of the best times to visit the city for a short break or holiday. However, visitors are best advised to book their flights and accommodation early for this to avoid disappointment.
Any holidaymakers who have more than a passing interest in art might want to pay a visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art on Plaza de Santa Maria 3. Hotels near this destination are plentiful and can be found in places such as the Plaza del Puerto. This museum was established in 1976 and houses some of the best examples of twentieth-century art by Spanish artists.
However, if a beach holiday for rest and recuperation is what you are looking for then one of the nicest areas to stay is on the Explanada de Espana, which offers a wealth of different hotels that have unrivalled access to the promenade. Areas such as Calle De San Francisco or Calle San Fernanda are perfect for the holidaymaker who wants to be able to enjoy the best in shopping and nightlife but have easy access to the beaches too. For those travellers who are interested in boating or aquatic pursuits, there is a marina, harbour and esplanade that are all within walking distance of the city centre.
Eating out is a rich and varied experience as the local cuisine relies on the most delicious fresh foods. Regional specialities include fish stews and grilled fish with olive oil. Cured sausages are a delicacy, as is a local soup called oleta. The other main feature of Alicante's food heritage is rice. There are whole restaurants dedicated to producing meals that include this ingredient. The Marina Complex within the city offers some of the best places to eat out. Visitors might want to take note of the blackboards outside the restaurants that offer the deals and dishes of the day. Of course, visiting anywhere in Spain means that tapas should be sampled at some point and the best places are on the Town Hall Square and the Plaza de Montaceta.
Holidaymakers coming for a full two-week holiday or a short break should compare the price of hotels in Alicante using Travelsupermarket's tool and save money by booking in advance.
