Located on Spain’s Costa Blanca, Alicante is a popular holiday resort. It’s not just the beaches and nightlife which attract people though, Alicante is full of history and will give you a real sense of Spanish culture.

Here’s our run-down of the top ten things to see and do on trip to Alicante :

1. Visit the Castell de Santa Barbara

Located on the hill which overlooks the bay and the provincial capital, Castell de Santa Barbara was originally built by the Carthaginians in 400 B.C, although it was later also used by the Romans and the Arabs. At a towering height of 166m, Santa Barbara is one of Europe’s largest medieval fortresses, and inside, visitors can see drawbridges, guardrooms, a bakery, hospitals, dungeons and barracks. Visitors can walk up, or pay a couple of Euro to take the lift.

2. Take a look around the Museo Colecci Art del Segle XX

This art museum is housed in one of the city’s oldest buildings. It was created from an old granary built in 1685, and contains works by some of Spain’s greatest artists, including Picasso, Miro and Dali.

Admission is free of charge.

3. Stroll around the Artmarket

This fantastic art market is held every evening on the Paseo Gadeo. It’s the place where all of Alicante’s local artists display their work, with everything from traditional paintings to modern sculptures.

4. Take a trip to Isla de Tabarca

The Isla de Tabarca is located only 10km off the coast of Alicante, and is definitely worth a day trip- ideally on a glass-bottomed boat. The island itself doesn’t have many inhabitants, and in fact only has a few shops and restaurants, but that’s the main appeal. Visitors can spend hours enjoying the nice beaches and crystal-clear waters, which are full of flora and fauna. Tabarca is actually a protected marine reserve, which explains its clear and unpolluted waters.

5. Have lunch and watch the world go by at Alicante Marina

Alicante Marina is full of up-market bars and restaurants where you can indulge in a spot of people-watching! The restaurants offer some fantastic fresh fish especially, and the prices won’t break the bank either…

6. Spend an afternoon on one of Alicante’s sandy beaches

Alicante is home to some lovely, sandy beaches that are perfect for whiling away those sunny afternoons. Some of the best in the Alicante area are:

Postiguet beach - by far the most accessible option for tourists, given its central location alongside the main city.

San Juan beach – a white-sand beach located 7km from the main town with a smattering of bars and restaurants alongside it.

7. Sample Alicante’s famous nightlife in the Old Town

Alicante Old Town – known as El Barrio – is definitely the best place for a good night out during the summer. The area is full of bars, pubs and clubs, and is much more diverse than other Spanish resort towns. You’ll be partying late into the night, and are guaranteed a good time!

8. Discover the Caves of Canalobre

Located in the village of Busot in the north foothills of Cabezon de Oro Mountain (23 km from Alicante) are some of Spain’s most impressive prehistoric caves. Within the cave itself there are stalactites, stalagmites and peculiar limestone formations, including one that resembles a candelabra, which explains the name! Once you’ve had a look at the caves, it’s also worth making your way to the top of the Cabezon de Oro – you can see some stunning sunsets from here.

9. Visit the Bullfighting Museum

Although bull-fighting has become somewhat controversial these days, there’s no denying that it’s a huge part of Spanish history and culture. Bull-fighting still takes place every summer in Alicante – during the festival of San Juan every June – and a museum dedicated to the sport is located next to the bullring in the Plaza de Espana. Love it or hate it, the museum will give you an interesting insight into bullfighting, and the history of what has become Spain’s most iconic sport.

10. Take a walk around the Basilica de Santa Maria

The Gothic-style Basílica de Santa Maria is Alicante’s oldest church. Standing over the ruins of an old mosque, the basilica is instantly recognisable - it has two asymmetrical towers and a sculpture of the Virgin Mary over the doorway. The inside the Church is hugely opulent, and can’t fail to impress.

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