Castell de Santa Barbara
The impressive Santa Barbara Castle has its origins
in the Muslim rule of the 9th century, towering over Alicante on
top of the Benacantil Mountain. Most of the chambers that can be
explored today date from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The
fortress is massive, encompassing moats, drawbridges, tunnels,
cisterns, and dungeons, not to mention a stately tower and keep. It
has endured many attacks, rebuilds, and renovations during its long
history and was opened to the public in 1963. Today it houses the
Museum of the City of Alicante. From the top of the castle superb
views over the bay and the city can be enjoyed. The castle can be
accessed via elevator from the Explanada d'Espanya for a small fee,
but if you walk up to the castle you can take the lift back down to
the beachfront for free. The walk up from the beach is very steep
with a lot of steps, and is only suitable for the fit, but it is
possible to drive up the mountain as well.
Opening time:
Daily from 10am to 8pm (April to September); 9am to
7pm (October to March)
Castell de Santa Barbera
Blai Server
Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Alicante
In the Plaza de Santa Maria stands Alicante's oldest
building, a former granary dating from 1685. Ironically the city's
oldest building contains its most notable modern art collection,
donated by painter and sculptor Eusebio Sempere in 1977. The Museo
de Arte Contemporaneo de Alicante is commonly referred to simply as
MACA. Among the noteworthy paintings on display are those by Dali,
Picasso, Calder, and Miro, and one of the highlights is the section
dedicated to Sempere's own geometrical, moving sculptures. As other
famous modern art galleries have realised, the contrast between an
old building and a colourful modern art collection is striking and
interesting. The building is located in the historic city centre,
opposite the Basilica of Santa Mariaan, an area which most tourists
will pass through on their sightseeing jaunts in Alicante. The
museum is part of the project to revitalise the historic quarter.
The gallery is cool and inviting on a hot day, with good
air-conditioning, and seldom feels crowded. Guided tours of the
museum are available free of charge, but must be organised in
advance. It is a small but classy provincial gallery which is well
worth a visit for art lovers.
Address:
Plaza de Santa Maria, Alicante.
Opening time:
Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 8pm; Sundays and
public holidays 10am to 2pm; closed on Mondays.
Salvador Dali
Arniep
Elche
Just 12 miles (19km) inland west of Alicante is
Europe's only palm forest, forming a lush oasis around the city of
Elche (Elx). The city boasts several beautiful parks, public
gardens, and palm groves. The Palmeral of Elche, an orchard of more
than 200,000 palm trees, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The
Parque Municipal is one of the most popular places to enjoy the
trees, with the palms interspersed by grassy promenades and
children's playgrounds. The most beautiful palm garden is the
Huerto del Cura, filled with trees, water features, and bright
flowerbeds. Another attraction in the city, located right next to
the municipal park, is the Altamira Castle, which was built in
about the 12th century and was renovated in the 15th century. The
fortress has been used as a prison, a town hall and a fabric plant
but now houses the Elche Archaeology and History Museum. A wealth
of archaeological remains have been found in Elche, unsurprisingly
as the region was settled by the Greeks, Carthaginians, and Romans.
The most famous find is the stone bust called the Lady of Elche,
dating from about the 4th century BC.
Transport:
Elche can be reached by an hourly train service from
Alicante, or by regular bus connections.
Eleche
Olekrisa
Isla Tabarca
The tiny islet of Tabarca is becoming an increasingly
popular day trip destination from Alicante or Santa Pola, with its
quiet fishing village offering an old fort, several very reasonably
priced fresh seafood restaurants, a rocky beach with clear
turquoise water, and several coves and tidal pools ideal for
bathing. Tiny and picturesque, Tabarca is the smallest permanently
inhabited islet in Spain and can very easily be explored on foot.
The islet is part of a marine reserve (Reserva marina de la Isla de
Tabarca) and promises varied marine life, clear unpolluted waters,
and a healthy bird population. An artificial reef was planted near
the island to further cultivate marine life. Formerly called Saint
Paul's Island, in honour of the saint who is supposed to have made
a landing here, visitors can still visit the Church of St Peter and
St Paul, built in 1779. The island lies 10 miles (16km) south of
Alicante and can be reached in an hour by ferry from the dock on
Explanada d'Espanya in the city. The island becomes crowded in the
peak summer months but is still a charming destination.
Isla de Tabarca
Terra Mitica
Situated on the outskirts of Benidorm, Terra Mitica is Spain's
largest theme park and, with its rides, shows, restaurants, and
shops, can be a great day for the whole family. Rides like the
Tizona, an inverted roller coaster that reaches speeds of 62mph
(100kmh) and heights of more than 100ft (31m) with visitors
suspended beneath the track, and attractions like Warrior of the
Dawn (a simulated game) provide exhilarating entertainment for all
ages. The park is divided into five themed zones: Egypt, Greece,
Rome, Iberia, and the Mediterranean Islands. Recently the park has
been further divided into two separate zones: Iberia Park is a free
to enter area which operates on a token system, while Terra Mitica
is a pay to enter area where all rides are free once inside. There
isn't much shade and visitors should go prepared for the sun,
especially in summer. The queuing sections are almost all cooled
down by sprinkler systems and there are some great water rides to
cool down on. In the peak summer months the park is often open till
midnight and visiting at night is a wonderful option. Those who
have difficulty walking can hire scooters to get around.
Opening time:
Opening days and times are different every month -
check the calendar on the website for details.
Terra Mitica
Terra Mitica
Alicante Airport
Location: The airport is located seven miles (11km) south of
Alicante.
Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March
and the Saturday before the last Sunday in
October).
Getting to the city:
Regular buses leave every 30 minutes for the main bus station in
Alicante, and taxis are available outside Arrivals. Note that most
package tour operators arrange transport.
Car Rental:
Car hire companies represented at the airport include Alamo,
Avis, Budget, Hertz, Sol-Mar, Europcar and National. Before booking
it is worth finding out if it is possible to pickup and drop off
rental cars at the airport, rather than at an off-site
location.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis can be found outside the terminal building's lower level.
A surcharge is added to taxis caught late at night.
Facilities:
The airport has bars, restaurants, cafes and fast food outlets,
and several shops, including duty-free. ATMs and currency exchange
facilities are also available. There is a VIP lounge which offers
fax, photocopying and Internet capabilities for first- and
business-class passengers. Disabled facilities are good; those with
special needs are advised to inform their airline or travel agent
in advance.
Parking
Parking at Alicante Airport is available in the car park
opposite the terminal; those looking for long-term parking may want
to consider cheaper off-site options with shuttle services.
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The myriad attractions of the Costa Blanca's beach resorts
hardly need elaboration, as everybody can understand the appeal of
gorgeous beaches, turquoise Mediterranean waters, white sand and a
rollicking nightlife. Those intent on doing some actual sightseeing
in the region should explore some of the more authentic villages
just inland, some of which host weekly craft markets.
Of the famous resorts the charming Altea is the least commercial
and the best place to get a taste of real local culture. Altea has
a renowned craft market every Tuesday, between April and September,
and La Nuncia, just north of Altea, has a good Sunday market.
Tourists wanting some culture should also take advantage of
Alicante's historical attractions.
The formidable Moorish Castell de Santa Barbara looms over
Alicante and visitors can explore some of the tunnels, dungeons,
towers and chambers that make up the impressive fortress. The tiny,
picturesque Isla Tabarca, is a popular excursion from Alicante, and
the city of Elche, inland from Alicante, is also an interesting
excursion, containing Europe's only palm forest.
For amusement park thrills and spills, instead of culture, head
to Spain's largest theme park, Terra Mitica, just outside of
Benidorm.
Castell de Santa Barbera
Blai Server
Salvador Dali
Arniep
Eleche
Olekrisa
Isla de Tabarca
Terra Mitica
Terra Mitica
