Located in the middle of the Costa Blanca, Alicante is one of the most important tourist destinations on the Spanish east coast. The many golf courses, along with the tranquil waters of the Mediterranean Sea, are part of the appeal of this beautiful harbour city, which sits at the foot of the Castle of Santa Barbara, a silent witness to the numerous civilisations that have settled here.
The coastline is, without a doubt, the favourite recreational spot for the people of Alicante. The Explanada de España promenade, located across from the port, is a lively boulevard dotted with terraces and pavement cafés. A more modern leisure area extends along the port’s breakwater, where there are also many bars and restaurants. Next to both of these is the urban beach of El Postiguet, a privileged spot for enjoying the sea and the sun.
The liveliness of Alicante continues all year round; this city is a great tourist centre. Part of the reason for this is certainly its proximity to the beaches of San Juan, located only a few kilometres away, and the charming towns of Santa Pola, Torrevieja, Altea, Denia, etc. It is possible to find a wide range of accommodation in any of them. However, the visit would not be complete without trying the delicious rice dishes, cooked in many different, original ways around these parts: Arroz a banda (rice with fish), Arroz negro (black rice, with cuttlefish), Arroz al Horno (baked rice), etc. Seafood is also incomparable. For dessert, nothing beats pan de higo (fig bread, a paste made of dried figs), turrón (a sweet similar to nougat, made of toasted almonds, honey, and sugar), and Jijona ice cream. These dishes go very well with wines with Designation of Origin-Alicante, the prestigious seal of quality and origin, given in Spain to select wines and products, among which Fondillón stands out, an old fruit liqueur, excellent for dessert.