Official Language:
Spanish
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Currency:
EUR
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Population:
Approximately 275,000 people call Alicante home.
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Weather:
Climate and current weather information for Alicante Spain: Average temperatures mild climate, with an annual average temperature of 68°F/20°C, and the warm Mediterranean sea, permit swimming almost throughout the year. Climate Summers here are warm along the coast, yet much warmer in the inland areas. The coast can occasionally be cloudy while inland areas are generally clear.
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Alicante, located on Spain’s Costa Blanca is situated along the country’s southeastern coast of the Levant region. Alicante, capital of the Costa Blanca, is popular in both summer and winter. Many consider it the best all-around city in Spain. As you amble about its esplanades, you almost feel as if you were in Africa: Women in caftans and peddlers hawking carvings from Senegal or elsewhere often populate the waterfront.
Cruiser will find this tourist resort and commercial port marked by beautiful mountain ranges. Alicante offers expansive views of the sea and offers natural beauty. During the 15th through 16th centuries, art and architecture blossomed in Alicante as well as the remainder of the Levant Region. The Moors ruled from 718 to 1249 when it was called al-Akant. Then later becoming part of the kingdom of Aragon and suffered the sieges by the French in 1709 and Cartagena in 1873.
Alicante has an annual party in which they burn its leaders in effigy. Taking place during the end of June, the fiesta of Les Fogueres de Sant Joan, is an event that the Spanish have claimed as a national tourist Interest. Large wooden and papier-mâché caricatures lampooning the public figures and the situations of the day are paraded around for quite a few days. There is dancing in the streets, with an end consisting of a huge bonfire. Alicante has much going on during the summer months including the Moors and Christians Festival, a traditional costume fiesta held in the Alicante province. Taking place at different times within different districts of the city. The patron saint of Alicante, the Virgen de Remedio, is celebrated during August. Saints are celebrated at many other events.
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Attractions |
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Take a stroll through the city, through which you can reach the Santa Cruz district (old town) by way of the Calle de San Rafael, where you will find cafes and bars abound. Visit the old town's narrow, steep streets with it's whitewashed houses and see the Cathedral Church of San Nicolas of Bari, the Church of Santa Maria, and the Town Hall. Be sure to see the Casa de la Asegurada, home to the the private collection of local sculptor/painter Eusebio Sempere. The collection includes modern art, and showcases pieces by Calder, Miró, Picasso, and Kandinski. A must see is the Archeological Museum with exhibits of the best finds in the entire district.
Museo de la Asegurada:
Built in the 17th century, this formidable building was once used as a prison and a munitions store. Today it houses an impressive collection of 20th-century art, with works by Gris, Miro, Picasso and Dali, as well as lesser-known Spanish painters such as Chillida, Mompo and Zobel.
Moorish Castillo de Santa Bárbara:
A castle located at the top of the hill. You will have to travel 600 feet through to a tunnel before reaching the elevators that then transport visitors up to the castle. This first settled area of the region offers the most spectacular views.
Shopping:
The Calles Mayor, Castanős, Gerona, and San Francisco are where the most well known shopping areas are. Specialties include macrame and ceramics.
WalkingThe Paseo de la Explanada:
A walk between the palm trees and the oceanm with an impressive 6 1/2 million red, blue and green tiles. At one end stands the old Lonja del Pescado, the fish market that was converted to an exhibition hall. A favorite and quite popular walkway of tourists and locals alike. A great place to people watch.
Beaches:
There are miles of white sand beaches in every direction with miles of stretches of white sand. These beaches will lead you to believe that you have stepped into a paradise that exists only on the pages of a brochure. San Juan, the largest beach in Alicante, is a short distance from the capital. It's lined with villas, hotels, and restaurants. The bay of Alicante has two capes, and on the bay is Postiguet Beach. The bay stretches all the way to the Cape of Santa Pola, a town with two good beaches, a 14th-century castle, and several seafood restaurants.
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More Information |
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Useful Links About Alicante, Spain:
Alicante, Spain Travel Information
A virtual trip
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