City breaks on the Costa Blanca

Set against the backdrop of the imposing Mount Benacantil, Alicante is best-known as the gateway to popular package resorts on the Costa Blanca, such as Benidorm and Torrevieja. This old port which once had a reputation as a less than salubrious spot has transformed itself into an attractive tourist destination in its own right.

Alicante appeals to those interested in a more typical Spanish experience than that offered by the British pubs and discotheques which litter nearby Benidorm. The nightlife is no less frenetic however, with dozens of bars lining the narrow streets of the Old Town (El Barrio) and attracting large crowds of young Spaniards.

It’s worth noting that the Old Town doesn’t really get going until around midnight, when cheap drinks and free shots are offered by many bars, including Mulligans, Dos Gringos and Swing. In the early hours (around 04:00), many revellers migrate to Alicante’s other nightlife zone, the port (Puerto), where clubs remain open until 07:00 or 08:00. Otherwise, Swing is a good spot to end the night in the Old Town.

During the day, most holidaymakers recover on Alicante’s main beach, Postiguet, with many remaining here into the evening, when it is illuminated by street lighting. More adventurous beach-goers can even take a tram or bus to San Juan Beach, a seven-kilometre stretch of coastline which is considered to be one of the best in the country.

Those who take a little time away from their lazy days on the beach will find some delightful historic attractions in Alicante. The town’s premier tourist attraction is the Castle of Santa Barbara, built by Muslims during the 9th century. The medieval castle sits at the peak of Mount Benacantil, 166m above sea level.

The most dramatic way to reach the summit is by climbing from Plaza de Carmen, via several winding streets. However, the less fit and the less active can also take an elevator, which is accessible via a tunnel on Avenue de Juan Batista Lafora. The tunnel is not that easy to find, but there are some signposts on the pavement heading west from Postiguet Beach.

Alicante provides plenty of shopping distractions, especially for those keen on experiencing a traditional Spanish market. The main fresh market is located on Avenue de Alfonso El Sabio, where locals go to find seafood, meat and all manner of fruit and vegetables. Meanwhile, visitors looking for more traditional tourist souvenirs should try the stalls which line Explanada d’Espanya instead.

As in towns across much of Spain, lunch is Alicante’s most important meal of the day, taken just before the crucial afternoon ‘siesta’. In districts catering to tourists, many restaurants provide a ‘menu of the day’ (menu del dia) which includes three or four courses at an affordable set price ― great for anyone travelling on a budget.

Thanks to the huge numbers of package tourists heading to the Costa Blanca, there are plenty of cheap flights to Alicante from the UK, including flights operated by budget carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet. The airport is just 11kms south of the city centre, with plenty of taxis available from the new terminal’s Arrivals level. Alternatively, those coming from Madrid and Barcelona can find daily direct trains to Alicante.