Alicante Tourist Attractions

Alicante Airport is situated only 9 km, or 5.6 miles from Alicante, in the beautiful Region of Murcia, Spain. It is also only 10 km from Elche, another very popular holiday destination in the Costa Blanca area. Alicante lies along the country's eastern Mediterranean coastline, therefore boasting glorious stretches of golden beaches. Many tourists come to Alicante to soak up the sun alongside the sea, and also to enjoy the host of other attractions offered in the area, such as interesting museums and churches, entertainment venues and nightlife. Alicante Airport is the main gateway for these attractions, and handles over nine million passengers per year, making it the sixth busiest airport in Spain, and the 50th busiest in Europe.

Alicante's marina area is by far the most popular among locals and tourists alike, with plenty of entertainment for the whole family. Lively restaurants and bars offer magnificent seafood cuisine and other treats to be enjoyed in their party-like atmosphere, and boat trips and cruises can be taken from the harbor. There are also many high quality and modern high-rise hotels to be found in this area, right along the waterfront. This area is known as the El Puerto District, and offers numerous shopping opportunities and seasonal events. The main beach in Alicante is the Playa del Postiguet. This beach can be very busy during the high season, but is the perfect spot for swimming and sunbathing. Tourists also enjoy the slightly quieter beach of San Juan, located only 7 km to the south of Alicante. Fantastic sand dunes and more open spaces can be found at the Playa Arenales beach. Most of Alicante's coastline is lined by the Paseo Explanada Espana, from where day trips to the nearby island of Tabarca and regular boat trips are available.

One of the major entertainment venues in the city of Alicante is the Teatro Principal, or Main Theater. Throughout the year this theater comes alive with spectacular theatrical performances, musical concerts, operas, ballet dancers and jazz festivals. Many shows are scheduled at the Teatro Principal during the high summer season, and are well worth attending. Nightlife entertainment is in no short supply in Alicante, as there are numerous taverns, nightclubs and bars open till the early hours of the morning, particularly in the El Barrio area, located in central Alicante. One of the main night spots in this area is the La Zona, which is a great place to unwind from a hot day at the beach. Over the weekends the nightclubs are particularly busy, with large fiestas taking place throughout the area.

Tourists interested in a quieter sightseeing and a bit of history will find that Alicante contains a number of museums and art galleries well worth their time. Two of which are the Archaeological Museum of Alicante, or the MARC, and the Museum of Fine Arts, or the Museo Bellas Artes Gravina – MUBAG. The Archaeological Museum is located in Plaza del Doctor Gomez Ulla, in the former Hospital de San Juan de Dios. Many local artifacts can be viewed here, along with many fascinating archaeological treasures. It is an award-winning museum, open daily, and free of charge to visit. The Museum of Fine Arts displays all sorts of items ranging from paintings and sculptures to furniture and antiques. Certain items on display date back to the middle ages. This museum also offers free entry, and is open every day. It is located at Calle Gravina 13 – 15.

Alicante landmarks and monuments include numerous notable historic buildings. These buildings add wonderful charm and character to Alicante, and are visited by thousands of people each year. Dating back to the 9th century is Alicante's castle, the Castillo de Sante Bárbara. This spectacular building overlooks the city from Mount Benacantil, and has a particularly Moorish charm. The castle has been well looked after over the years, with some restorations and additional fortifications added. Tourists can admire the castle any day of the week, free of charge. Notable churches in the Alicante area include the Church of Santa Maria, or Iglesia de Sante Maria, and the Cathedral of St. Nicolas of Bari, or Catedral de San Nicolás de Bari. The Sante Maria is the older of the two, dating back to the 14th century, and is actually built on the remains of an ancient mosque building. It features Gothic-style architecture and is a favorite among locals and tourists. The Cathedral of St Nicolas of Bari is of Renaissance-style architecture, and considered to be one of the main landmarks of the city. A few of its features include a Communion Chapel, a magnificent altarpiece and Baroque doors. This church dates back to the 17th century, and can be viewed any day of the week. A third landmark in Alicante is its own Town Hall, or Ayuntamiento, at Plaza del Ayuntamiento 1. This building dates back to the 18th century, and still hosts a number of seasonal events.

Within Alicante, many luscious, green spaces are perfect for a picnic outing. There is the historic park of Parque de Canalejas, dating back to the 1880's, and featuring many fountains, stone statues and a monument to the local writer of Carlos Arniches, and El Palmeral Park, with a lovely playground area for younger visitors. This park also offers walking trails, a coffee shop and its well-known auditorium that hosts numerous events throughout the year. The Ereta Park is much-loved for its outdoor events and concerts, while the Lo Morant Park has some lovely picnic spots and playgrounds.

Areas to visit just nearby Alicante include Valencia, Ibiza, Calpe, Denia, Sante Pola and Tabarca Island. Valencia is around 110 miles from Alicante, and a busy university city, with attractions such as the Palace of Arts, Oceanographic Park and the Prince Felipe Science Museum. Ibiza has a wonderful party atmosphere and a range of night attractions, as well as historic city walls, illuminated caves and some lovely art galleries. Calpe is about 39 miles from Alicante, and Denia is approximately 55 miles away, with attractions such as the National Park and an excellent toy museum. Santa Pola is known for its large harbour and thriving fishing industry, as well as its lovely beaches.

Further information on attractions in Alicante is available from the Regional Tourist Information Office along the Rambla de Méndez Núnez, or at the airport itself, from the Valencia Tourism Agency.