Alicante Step by step - Universidad de Sevilla

Alicante step by step

Alicante
step by step

CONTENTS
Introduction
Monuments and Museums
Churches and Temples
Other Churches and Temples
Museums
Civic Monuments and Buildings of Interest
Other Civic Monuments and Buildings of Interest
University
Parks, Promenades and Plazas
Beaches and Coves
Discovering the City and its Environs
The Ibero-Roman City of Lucentum
The Island of Tabarca
The Old Quarter
The Harbour
Surrounding Towns
Culture and Art
Festivities and Cultural Activities
Business City
Sports
Nightlife
Fiestas
Mediterranean Cuisine
Crafts and Shopping
Excursions
Along the Coast
Inland
Accommodation
Practical Tips
Tourist Info
Links
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4
If variety is the spice of life, Alicante takes the cake, however
you look at it. This city with a population of over 300,000
combines both classic and modern, it offers business and
pleasure, entertainment and educational opportunities, and
manages to fit mountains and beaches within its city limits.
It even has an island off the coast – the only inhabited island
in the Land of Valencia.
Alicante has a long history reaching back to prehistoric times,
with archaeological remains having been found here from the
third millennium before Christ. This is the site of an ancient
Iberian urban settlement dating from the late 5th century BC.
The city later became a Roman municipium, Lucentum, at the
behest of the Emperor Augustus at the beginning of the Christian
era. It has been a Spanish city for over 500 years, with a charter
granted to it by Ferdinand the Catholic in 1490. Its title includes
the praiseworthy epithets of “illustrious, eminent, noble, loyal
and always faithful”, bearing a golden fleece on its coat of
arms since 1524 by permission of Carlos V. Today it is a first-
rate tourist area thanks to its splendid beaches and its excellent
climate, offering charm, tradition, monuments and tourist
attractions, and an exciting festivities and cultural calendar
throughout the entire year.
Alicante’s provincial economy is strong, ranking as Spain's
fourth largest province in terms of its Gross Domestic Product
and number of inhabitants, plus its highly active University
with 40,000 students distributed amongst the Alicante and
Miguel Hernández faculties. This strength has given rise to a
well-consolidated tradition in the field of organising congresses,
conventions and professional encounters of all kinds.
The 21st century and the new millennium will usher in a
prosperous city in ongoing evolution, with the added dynamics
of being one of the offices of the European Union. It will shortly
become the site of a unique theme park project called “The
City of Light”. Apart from this, there is lots of local warmth,
with local hospitality and cordiality rating highly, plus a
multifaceted entertainment and cultural lineup – described on
the pages that follow – that attracts people to this city at any
time of the year.

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MONUMENTS AND MUSEUMS
In Alicante we can see the Ibero-Roman city with remains
dating from the 5th century BC to the 2nd century AD, or
choose to see some of the displays of the finest contemporary
artists; one of the most advanced archaeological museums in
Spain; or the largest collection of 20th-century Spanish sculpture
in the world; or an imposing mountaintop castle, Gothic churches
and many extraordinary examples of civic and religious buildings
in the baroque style.
As a new addition to Alicante's fine selection of monuments and museums, the city is
soon to open a Provincial Fine Arts Gallery intended to contain and preserve 19th-century
paintings and other works of art now in the holdings of the provincial council.
The city’s 18th-century manor houses, the typical Santa Cruz quarter with its quaint
chapels, and many other monuments scattered around the urban area where travelling
exhibitions are often held, are other attractions in the tourist lineup this city has to offer,
ensuring that visitors will be pleasantly surprised.
CHURCHES AND TEMPLES
Iglesia de Santa María (St Mary's Church) tel. 96 521 60 26
This is the oldest church in the city and was built in the Gothic style between the 14th
and 16th centuries over the ruins of what was once the main mosque during the Moorish
domination. The solid-looking towers flanking the façade are similar in appearance, but
are in fact different in that the right tower has an original “L” shape and dates from the
14th century whereas the other is rectangular and was erected in 1713. The portal is a
beautiful example of sculpted baroque stonework and is attributed to Juan Bautista Borja.
Of note inside is the high alter in golden rococo (18th C), the choir in a very pure 14th-
century Gothic style, the 16th-century Immaculate Conception chapel, with an image
by Esteve Bonet (18th C), the antechoir, with a handsome baroque stone doorway, and
the baptism chapel whose font in white Carrara marble is of Italian workmanship from
the 16th century, attributed to the school of Michelangelo.
There are many works of art kept inside this church, of which two valuable pieces from
the 15th century can be highlighted: a Gothic image in stone representing St Mary and
a sculpture of the Santos Juanes by Rodrigo de Osona. There are also incunabula dating
from the 13th century onwards.

Concatedral de San Nicolás de Bari (Concathedral of Saint Nicholas of Bari) tel. 96 521 26 62
The outside of this cathedral looks highly restrained and can be stylistically placed within the
framework of the later Renaissance and the early non-ornamented baroque styles. Built between
1616 and 1662 following plans by Agustín Bernardino, a disciple of Herrera, it still preserves traces
of the cloister dating from the 15th century, showing a smaller former temple that was built over
the ancient mosque. Inside, the cathedral is spaciously proportioned, with a delicate dome soaring
to 45m above the floor. There is a fine Communion chapel, considered one of the most beautiful
examples of the high Spanish baroque. Within the same style are the doors of the cloister and the
chapel of San Nicolás (1676), patron of the city, with an image of the saint, located in the centre
of the apse and made by Juan de Villanueva. On the lower side is the reliquary bust of the Alicante
St Felicitas (15th C) and on both sides are the co-patrons, St Rocco and San Francisco Javier.
Of note among the cathedral’s artistic heritage are the Retablo de las Animas (Nicolás Borrás, 1574),
the Cristo de la Buena Muerte (Nicolás de Bussi, 17th C) and an Italian baldachin in marble and
jade from 1688.
Monasterio de la Santa Faz (Monastery of the Holy Visage) tel. 96 526 49 12
This is now a nunnery of the order of St Clare located in a nearby town at 5km from the city centre.
It dates from the early 16th century although the church in its current style was built between 1752
and 1766. Of the former fortified edifice only the defence tower (1582) is still preserved, on the
right side of the building. The monastery has a fine, stylised, triple-panel baroque door, and inside,
behind the high altar, is a finely-wrought hexagonal chamber (1677-1680) decorated with paintings
by Juan Conchillos and containing a reliquary of the Holy Visage, inside of which, according to
tradition, is one of the folds of the linen that Veronica used to wash the face of Christ on His way
to Calvary, brought from the Vatican in the last third of the 15th century.
Since 1489 popular pilgrimages have been made to this site each year, demonstrating the enormous
devotion that Alicanteans have for the Holy Visage. Buried at the monastery are two of the city's
illustrious sons: the composer Oscar Esplá and the painter and sculpture Eusebio Sempere.
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OTHER CHURCHES AND TEMPLES
Within the old part of town is a nunnery known as the Monjas de la Sangre. This was
originally a Jesuit school dating from 1732 but since 1790 it belongs to the order of
the Augustine Mothers. In the chapel is an image of the Virgin of Solitude (16th-17th
C) considered to be the most ancient effigy taking part in the Holy Week procession. Just
up the street is the chapel of St Rocco, co-patron of Alicante, erected in 1559, reconstructed
in 1875 and recently restored. In the high altar is the figure of the Gypsy Christ, held
in great devotion.
At the highest point of the quarter is the chapel of Santa Cruz, from the last third of the
18th century, built over the tower of the Ampolla, a cylindrical outpost along the old
town walls, to which one can arrive through narrow, winding streets boasting typical
architecture.
Returning to the traditional urban centre, there are two religious buildings located next
to each other: the interesting Capuchin convent has a superb “pietà” by the ingenious
image-maker Francisco Salzillo located on the right side of the chapel and known as Our
Lady of Anguish. This enclosed convent contains (in a miraculous state of preservation)
the body of the abbess and founding mother Sor Ursula Micaela Morata Garibaldo
(1628-1703), writer and nun of Italian ascendance who was very popular in her day.
On the other side is the church of Nuestra Señora de Gracia, a large, imposing prototype
of contemporary religious architecture. Built between 1945 and 1951 by the architect
Antonio Serrano Bru, this building was clearly inspired by the concathedral of San Nicolás
and possesses elements of Herreran and neoclassical influences, with an octagonal
belltower that is practically freestanding.
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MUSEUMS
MARQ Museo Arqueológico Provincial (Provincial Archaeology Museum) tel. 96 514 90 00
This museum was created in 1932, located in the basement of what was then called
the Provincial Council building. It first contained findings from archaeological sites
in Torremanzanas, El Campello and Alicante. It is currently located in the ancient
hospital of San Juan de Dios, and became known, both for its layout and content, as
one of the major museums in Spain in its class. It has valuable displays reaching from
the Palaeolithic down to the modern age, with special emphasis on Iberian art, displaying
a bust of Our Lady of Cabezo Lucero, reminiscent of the famed Lady of Elche, plus
diverse Roman utensils, Islamic treasures and an extensive collection of ceramics from
a number of different periods.
Colección Capa (Capa Collection) tel. 96 526 31 31
This collection is distributed among the halls and open-air spaces of the castle of Santa Barbara
overlooking the city. It is the largest contemporary Spanish sculpture collection in the world,
dating from the late 19th and 20th centuries. It was granted to the city by its founder, the
collector and Professor Eduardo Capa, being inaugurated in 1998. The holdings consist of
some 700 works, of which 250 are displayed on a permanent basis. The symbol of this
magnificent collection is Salvador Dali's “Newton”, but it is always difficult to choose a favourite
among this selection of works from the finest sculptors over the last 100 years: Benlliure, Blay,
Capuz, Pérez Comendador, Torre Isunza, Serrano, Los Oteiza, Manolo Hugué, Cristino Mallo,
Orduna, the world's largest collection by Alberto Sánchez and many others. There is also a
representation of foreign sculptors such as James Knowles, Kahlid and Leandro Mbomio.
Pozos de Garrigós (Garrigós Wells) tel. 96 520 21 23
These are a set of large-scale water wells (807,000 litres) excavated in the Benacantil
mountain, of ancient origin, and believed to date from the Islamic period. There were
records of their existence in the 16th century, although they were restored in the 19th
century by Antonio Garrigós López, and named after him. They were intended to store
rainwater from the catchment area of the mountain so as to supply the town.
Inside the restored wells is a selection of objects and typical pottery pieces such as
vases, earthenware bottles, jugs etc. which have been used by man down the ages for
storing water.
La Asegurada (La Asegurada Museum) tel. 96 514 09 59
This is one of the most important contemporary art collections existing in Spain, derived
from a donation made by the Alicante painter and sculptor Eusebio Sempere to the
city in 1977. The exhibition is divided into three aesthetic departments: Geometries,
Other Abstract Works and Figurative Works, all exhibited on a rotating basis. Of note
are masterworks by Juan Gris, Julio González, Pablo Gargallo, Eduardo Chillida, etc.
Among the paintings, sculptures, mixed techniques and graphic works there are samples
from some of the most important national and foreign creators from the 20th century:
Picasso, Miró, Dalí, Tàpies, Kandinsky, Vasarely, Agam, Max Ernst and many others.
Museo de Belenes (Nativity Museum) tel. 96 520 22 32
This Museum is located in a typical house in the old quarter constructed in the first
half of the 19th century and preserving an original water well. It contains a collection
of nativity scenes showing episodes from the life of Christ made by some of the finest
Spanish nativity artists. There is also a life-sized nativity scene, and other nativities
from diverse parts of the world.
Mubag Gravina Fine Arts Museum tel. 96 514 67 80
Palace that belonged to the Earl of Lumiares and was once seat of the Provincial
Archives. It currently holds the Provincial Fine Arts Gallery, mainly exhibiting the
holdings of the Provincial Council, with collections from the 16th to the 20th centuries.
It also provides space for numerous travelling exhibitions.
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CIVIC MONUMENTS AND BUILDINGS OF INTEREST
Castillo de Santa Bárbara (Santa Barbara Castle) tel. 96 516 21 28
In view of its size, this is one of the largest medieval fortresses existing in Europe. It
occupies the entire summit and a large proportion of the slopes of the Benacantil
mountain, a peak rising up from the beach to a height of 166m. This provided a privileged
look-out point over the sea, the bay of Alicante, and the surrounding farmland, propitiating
human settlement on the crest of the mountain since time immemorial. Remains from
the Bronze Age, the Iberian period and the Roman age have all been found here, as well
as from the Islamic period, dating from the end of the 9th century. Between 1562 and
1580, under the reign of Felipe II, major reform work was carried out under the direction
of the architects Antonelli and Palearo, further enhancing this monument’s rich history.
The Castle has three differentiated enclosures. The highest part preserves the oldest
remains (9th-13th C) and the English Bulwark, the Noble Room and Governor's House;
the intermediate area has some of the most important works erected in the 16th century:
Felipe II’s Rooms, the Guard's Room, the Bulwark of the Queen and the Forecourt, and
the remains of the ancient Santa Barbara chapel; the last of the enclosures finished in
the 18th century contains the so-called Bon Repós Reveille and monuments to the
illustrious Alicante militaryman Félix Berenguer de Marquina, Captain General of the
Philippines and Viceroy of New Mexico. The Castle can be accessed by a road leading
up the western slope of the mountain amongst pine trees, or by a lift through part of
the mountain going up 144m, which can be reached through a 205m-tunnel entered
from Jovellanos Avenue, along the Postiguet beach.
Ayuntamiento (City Hall) tel. 96 514 91 00
This is a marvellous example of baroque civic architecture designed towards the end
of the 17th century and started in 1701 according to plans by Lorenzo Chápuli, with
work continuing until 1780. The façade is 50m long and is flanked by two twin towers
of original design with tiled central domes erected over a portico through which the
building is accessed. From the central doorway, with two pairs of twisted columns, there
is a smaller back door opening onto the Plaza de la Santísima Faz, which contains some
magnificent stone sculptures.
At the foot of the main stairway is the so-called “cota cero” (zero sea level), the reference
point which is used to measure the height above sea level of all Spanish towns. Inside
the sumptuous interior is a gigantic triptych by Gastón Castelló, allegorising the
construction of this building, the so-called Blue Room, with a side chapel presided over
by an Immaculate Conception painting by Lucas Espinós, and the Plenary Hall.
Palacios (Palaces)
The 18th century brought about enormous economic development in Alicante, in view
of increased portuary activities following the authorization of commerce with the Americas
and the creation of a Royal Maritime Tribunal. This was reflected in the architecture of
the city, as numerous palaces and manor houses were built.
The ancient Casa de Misericordia (House of Mercy), from 1752, was built under the
patronage of the Bishop Gómez de Terán and has been used as an episcopalian seat and
poorhouse, becoming a tobacco factory in 1801, still in operation today. It has fine porticoes
and vaulted ceilings in the basement, which are of notable architectural interest.
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Along the narrow street called Calle de Labradores stands one of the finest 18th-century
palatial homes pertaining to the local nobility: Berenguer de Marquina, the oldest, located
next to the Communion chapel of the concathedral; Maisonnave, also known as the Llorca
home, seat of the Municipal Archive preserving remains of a Late Roman necropolis;
Centro 14, currently part of the municipal buildings given over to the Youth Department
and an exhibition room; O’Gorman, situated at number 18 and currently up for restoration;
and the Marqués del Surco palace, number 19, where the Alicante chronicler, Rafael
Viravens, spent his last days.
Also in the old quarter of town, on the corner of Calle Miguel Soler and Calle San Nicolás,
is the Díe manor house and winecellar. At the higher end of the street, facing the Calle
Jorge Juan, stands the sober Marqués del Bosch palace, built in the early 19th century,
and containing a valuable library and furniture display.
Worthy of mention from the 20th century is the large neoclassical Provincial Council
building, Palacio de la Diputación Provincial, with ornamentation reflecting the influence
of the Levantine Baroque, and constructed by the architect Juan Vidal in 1931.
Behind this building is the so-called “Garden of the Celebrities of Alicante”, with tiled
friezes and monuments erected to some of the more notable personalities from the province
of Alicante.
OTHER CIVIC MONUMENTS AND
BUILDINGS OF INTEREST
Castillo de San Fernando (St Ferdinand Castle) tel. 96 514 32 90
This castle was built on the Tossal hill at the beginning of the 19th
century in response to Napoleon's approach. It was soon rendered
strategically useless, however, and became a local recreation site. It
still preserves parts of its walls and a doorway that make a stopover
worthwhile.
Panteón de Quijano (Garden)
This is one of the last typically romantic gardens in the entire city.
It was built between 1855 and 1857 and preserves a funerary mound
in its centre, crowned with an obelisk designed by the architect
Francisco Morell, which contains the remains of the civil governor
Trino González de Quijano, who died heroically in the exercise of his
duties as a victim of the cholera epidemic of 1854, which took a
severe toll on the local population.
Casa de la Asegurada (Ancient city granary) tel. 96 514 09 59
This is the oldest civic building preserved in the city. It dates from
1685 and was first conceived as a granary, later becoming a school,
and now being used as a Contemporary Art Museum.
Teatro Principal (Main theatre) tel. 96 520 23 80
Finished in 1847, the main theatre stands as a fine example of a
classical construction. Inside, it reflects notable architectural audacity
for its day, as it was built without supporting columns. It contains good
examples of decoration and ornamentation.
Plaza de Toros (Bullring) tel. 96 521 68 88
This is one of the oldest bullrings still in use, built in 1849, although it
has been restored and enlarged since then, with its current design dating
from 1888. It is currently the headquarters of the Bullfighting Museum.
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Pasaje de Amérigo (Amérigo Arcade)
This arcade is doubly curious in that it serves as an access to the largest building complex in
Alicante, built in 1853, and that it is the only example of a typical 19th-century city landscape
with notable Parisian influences.
Casa Alberola (Alberola House)
This was the first large-scale housing block in the city, built in 1894, with an interesting maritime
façade, built according to plans drawn up by the architect Guardiola. Of note are the corner
tower and dome.
Buildings along the Avenida de la Constitución are well worth viewing, as they are all traditional
in style: the cinema building Cine Ideal (1926), Gobierno Militar (1927) or the military headquarters,
Casa de Socorro (1927) or the poorhouse, and towards the end, just before Avenida Alfonso X
El Sabio, stands the central market, or Mercado Central (1921) – all but the first were the work
of the prolific architect Juan Vidal. By the same man are the Lamaignere (1918) and the Carbonell
(1925) buildings along the Explanada – the latter showing spectacular designs with a profusion
of neo-baroque decorations.
The ancient Hospital Provincial, now a flamboyant Archaeological Museum, was completed in
1926 and stands out as a perfect example of hospital architecture of the period, very modern
for its time, built, once again, by the architect Juan Vidal, with a long central body and five
perpendicular wings on each side, making a kind of herringbone-shaped building.
Casa de las Brujas
Pure modernism can be
seen here, in the so-called
“Witches House”, cons-
tructed by Enrique Sánchez
Sedeño, the architect who
designed practically all the
buildings in Alicante in this
particular style. Completed
in 1911, although it was
originally designed in the
late 19th century, this house
has a façade decorated with
Art Nouveau plant motifs.
It is now the seat of the
regional government in the
province of Alicante.
The University of Alicante was founded in 1979. It
originated as an extension of the university of Orihuela,
which closed down in 1834, and in more modern
times grew out of the Centre for University Studies
created in 1968. At present it has over 30,000
students on a magnificent campus covering over one
million square metres, of which about 70% are green
zones. Despite its relative youth, this is a very dynamic
and innovative university, occupying a notable position
in Spain in the field of research.
The university has a higher school and faculty, five
colleges and eight university institutes, and offers 26
bachelor degrees, 17 diploma courses and six special
degrees. It has extensions in Havana (Cuba), Orihuela,
Cocentaina and Benissa.
The province also has an ultra-modern university called
Universidad Miguel Hernández, founded in 1997, with
its seat in Elx, although campuses are sited in the
towns of San Juan, Altea and Orihuela, where students
can study towards eight bachelor and five higher
engineering degrees, five assistant engineering degrees
and four diplomas.
UNIVERSITY
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PARKS, PROMENADES AND PLAZAS
Alicante, with its arms open to the Mediterranean, has a number of areas intended for recreation
and enjoyment where visitors command wonderful panoramas of the sea.
Canalejas Park is the oldest park in the city. It was designed in 1886 by the architect
González Altés. The entranceway is guarded by stone sculptures of lions and dogs, and
inside is a spectacular hundred-year-old ficus of enormous proportions, a small monument
by Daniel Bañuls as an allegory to the Alicante writer Carlos Arniches, a map of Spain
carved in wood and various fountains.
On the southern outskirts of the city, next to the sea, there is a palm tree plantation
which has been used as a natural film location. Today it is one of the most delightful
green zones of Alicante, called the El Palmeral park. It has waterfalls, ponds, flowerbeds
showing a range of local flower and plant varieties, a children’s playground, a cross-
country biking circuit, an auditorium, promenades, a café, etc.
On the eastern slope of San Fernando Castle is the so-called Monte Tossal Theme Park,
a large leisure area covering 63,000m 2 distributed over the terraced slopes of the
mountain, and named after local districts of the Land of Valencia. It has installations
for minigolf, bowls, skating, giant chess, a biking track, a rock climbing practice wall,
etc., all set on a spectacular lookout point over the sea and the city.
On the northwestern fringe of the city, far from the centre, is the largest green zone for
leisure and recreation in Alicante, called Parque de Lo Morant, with promenades,
playgrounds, an open-air auditorium, etc.
The city’s green lung, however, is undoubtedly the hill called Monte Benacantil, carpeted
in pine trees in a large proportion although populated with eucalyptuses as well. The
area is located next to the new Jaime II Avenue and Vázquez de Mella Street. Using the
access road to Santa Bárbara Castle, visitors can stop at various lookout points for fine
views of the town through the pine trees.
On one of the slopes running down to the old quarter of town towards the southwest, an
innovative area to be called Parque de La Ereta is soon to be completed. Designed by the
French architects Marc Bigarnet and Frédéric Bonnet, winners of the European architecture
competition EUROPAN, this park will be a natural kind of recreation area to be kept as
rough and wild as possible, with terraced slopes, and populated with native plant species
in keeping with the colours of the local terrain. There will be plants, shrubs and trees,
stone pathways flanked by shady trees, fountains with drinking water, a kiosk with a
pergola, a café on the flat central area of the park (a former threshing ground), which
will be used for open-air shows, and a multifunctional classroom, with all buildings fitting
in appropriately with the natural surroundings.
The most popular of Alicante promenades is without doubt La Explanada de España. Built
over the ancient port quay, this promenade was conceived in 1867 by the municipal
architect José Guardiola Picó.
The current three-colour pavoirs dating from 1958
show the varieties of marble found in the area:
Alicante red, Ivory cream and Marquina black. There
are 6.6 million 4x4cm tiles tessellated together to
form a gigantic mosaic measuring over half a
kilometre in length, flanked by four rows of palm
trees forming one central and two side walkways,
ending in a monumental fountain (1960) by Carlos
Buigas, who also designed the Montjuich fountains
in Barcelona. And a monument to the assassinated
turn-of-the-century liberal party leader Canalejas
(1914) by the Alicante sculptor Vicente Bañuls.
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There are other promenades around the quay area, also flanked by palm trees, although
smaller in size: the seafront promenade Conde de Vallellano runs parallel to La Explanada;
the Francisco Tomás y Valiente dock contains the so-called Queen’s Staircase, in front
of which is a sculpture by Esperanza d’Ors set in the water and entitled Icharus Returns
with a Surfboard (1999); Almirante Julio Guillén Tato Avenue and the adjacent Pedro Herrero
Gardens, containng a bust of this revered pediatrician now in the process of beatification,
parallel to Canalejas Park; and Plaza del Puerto Viejo (Old Port Square), between the
marina and Postiguet Beach, whose pavoirs are replicas of the Explanada tiles, preserving
neoclassical columns from the ancient Maritime Captaincy and a curious sundial.
Dotted around the town are countless plazas, some old and narrow, others modern and
spacious. One typical square worth visiting is Plaza de la Santísima Faz, located behind the
Ayuntamiento (City Hall), as it housed public buildings in the 16th century. It is irregular in
shape and the majority of its buildings date from the 19th century, as it is the product of a
series of demolitions carried out in the mid-20th century. From former epochs it still preserves
a small fountain depicting an allegory of Veronica carrying the Holy Visage of Christ, with a
curious reproduction of the ancient coat of arms of the city and not the official arms which
were approved in 1941.
Another ancient square is Plaza de Gabriel Miró, which dates from the 16th century, also being
called Plaza de las Barcas (Boats Square) because of its proximity to the old port. In 1918
the monumental fountain now occupying the plaza was erected, a creation by Vicente Bañuls,
and in 1935 the bust of this illustrious Alicante-born prose writer lending his name to the
square, sculpted by José Sempere, was added to the ensemble. The hundred-year-old ficuses
are spectacular in size, meriting botanical study.
Equally traditional is Plaza de Calvo Sotelo, constructed in the 16th century. It was lansdcaped
with gardens in 1874 and ten years later received the bust of Governor Barrejón, a heroic
successor to a former governor who successfully combated the cholera epidemic of 1854.
20
In the centre of the plaza is a monument to Eleuterio Maisonnave made by Vicente Bañuls
in 1895 and built in memory of this illustrious Alicante mayor, founder of the savings bank
Caja de Ahorros y Monte de Piedad, Minister of State and Governor during the First Republic.
Despite its name, the so-called Plaza Nueva, or New Square, dates from the early 19th century,
although it has been extensively refurbished during the 20th century. At the beginning of the
1980s the gardens built in 1932 were uprooted, and were then remodelled in 1998 for the
installation of the Mediterranean Aquarium where a number of local marine species can be
seen in their natural habitats.
The prototype of the modern, circular plaza of the new quarter of town, designed in 1915,
is the so-called Plaza de Los Luceros. In its centre is the largest monumental fountain in the
city, formally called “Levante” although it is popularly known as the fountain of “Los Caballos”
(The Horses). It is the largest work ever produced by Daniel Bañuls, concluded in 1930.
At the confluence of four large avenues (Maisonnave, Aguilera, Salamanca and Oscar Esplá)
there is a spacious circus more recently called Glorieta de la Estrella (Star Circus), which is
interesting in that the centre is occupied by a mobile sculpture by the native Alicante artist
Eusebio Sempere called “Como una estrella” (Like a Star), surrounded by a fountain.
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BEACHES AND COVES
From north to south the first beach (playa) we come to
is San Juan, broad, 5 km long and considered to be one
of the finest in all of Spain due to its size, services and
upkeep, equipped with a complete range of tourist
facilities, from hotels, restaurants, bars and ice cream
parlours all the way through to an 18-hole golf course.
This beach comes to an end at the cape of Las Huertas,
south of which are a series of smaller coves – Palmera,
Cantalares, Judíos – which are difficult to access and
therefore appropriate as nudist beaches.
Following these comes the small, sandy Almadraba Beach,
and then the well-hidden Albufereta Beach, ideal for
watersports in safe surroundings. This was the ancient
port serving the Ibero-Roman colony located at Tossal de
Manises.
Following the coast southwards in front of the ancient
quarry in the San Julián sierra, we arrive at Playa del
Cocó, next to the regional railway station (Ferrocarrils de
la Generalitat Valenciana) called La Marina running from
Alicante to Dénia. Here we can see the sculpture called
Mirando al mar (1999) (Looking to the Sea), by Vicente
Ferrero. This beach connects to Playa del Postiguet,
located close to the city centre, with an attractive
promenade flanked by palm trees. Of note here is that
since 1999 a tramway connects Postiguet Beach with
Albufereta Beach, up to the ruins of the Roman site of
Lucentum, making a very scenic trip along the seafront.
After traversing the city and port facilities and heading
south, we come to the last of the beaches within the city
limits called Saladar, better known as Urbanova, broad,
sandy and open, with a pedestrian walkway and offering
splendid panoramic views of the bay of Alicante.
Few cities can boast such a wide selection of fine,
sandy beaches and interesting rocky coves within its
municipal limits, and practically all of these have been
granted blue flags by the European Union for the quality
of their water, their cleanliness and beach facilities.
22 23

DISCOVERING THE CITY AND ITS ENVIRONS
The Ibero-Roman City of Lucentum
There’s nothing like going back to the origins of a city to understand its present-day features,
so a visit to the hill known as Tossal de Manises facing Albufereta Beach is a must, especially
if you are interested in archaeology. Here, hemmed in by tall apartment buildings, are the
remains of Lucentum, listed as a National Historical and Artistic Monument since 1961.
This Ibero-Roman municipium covers 30,000m 2 , of which only 6,500 have been excavated.
Its network of streets totals 1.3km, but only 200m of these have actually been studied to
date. This archaeological site was first investigated by Antonio Valcárcel Pío de Saboya,
Earl of Lumiares, in the second half of the 18th century. The finds here include ceramic
materials dating from the late 5th to the early 4th centuries BC, and sections of the ancient
city walls (3rd-2nd centuries BC). Lucentum was at its height in the first century of the
Christian era. Viewable here are remains of its streets, pavoirs, typical homes and thermal baths.
The Island of Tabarca
Located eleven miles south of Alicante, this guitar-shaped island is actually a geographical
prolongation of Cape Santa Pola with a total area of 30 hectares, a length of 1800m and
a maximum width of 450m.
The island has a curious history, having been mentioned by the Greek historians Strabo
and Ptolemy, and believed to be the island that St Paul disembarked on, giving his name
to the settlement established here before it became a refuge for Berber pirates in the
Middle Ages. In 1760, King Carlos III ordered a fortification to be built here and it was
later colonised with 600 Genoan fishermen released from the Tunisian port of “Tabarka”
near Algeria, giving a new name to the island, hitherto called simply “Isla Plana” (Flat
Island) or “Planesia” due to its flatness. The Genoans were released following an agreement
made by the monarch on 8 December 1768. They settled the island with their families,
and for this reason people on the island of Tabarca today still preserve surnames of Italian
origin (Parodi, Ruso, Chacopino...).
The fortified enclosure, listed as a National Historic Artistic Complex in 1964, is an
interesting example of a fortified city following 18th-century urban designs. Still viewable
are its gateways, the governor’s house – now converted into a hotel –, the Church of St
Peter and St Paul, concluded in 1779, as well as St Joseph’s Tower, located outside the
urban perimeter and dating from the second half of the 19th century. The absence of
automobiles, its clear transparent water, and the traditional fishermen’s cuisine all make
Tabarca a delightful place to visit, with boats leaving daily from Alicante Harbour, the
fastest of which only take 45 minutes to reach the island.
The Old Quarter
Now it is time to get acquainted with the older part of Alicante, the part of the city that
really inspires visitors because of its traditions and heritage, far removed from the modern,
dynamic area looking out to the sea.
Behind the concathedral and the city hall, there are small streets climbing the hill, such
as San Nicolás and San Agustín, where we can discover old squares such as Plaza de
Quijano or Plaza del Carmen, see beautiful polychrome façades on many buildings, with
their peculiar balconies and bay windows. If we keep climbing, we enter a section of the
city where the human voice seems to dominate over mechanical sounds in the Santa Cruz
quarter, with typically narrow streets – San Roque, Diputado Auset, San Rafael –, with ceramic
tiles showing images of the saints and the Holy Visage, its whitewashed houses, its wrought
iron window grilles and flower-covered balconies, and crowning the hill is a chapel whose
balconies provide us with a panorama of the bustling city lying at our feet.
24 25

The Harbour
What would this city be without its harbour? The harbour has been the strength of its
economy for centuries, sending native products abroad and bringing in merchandise
from other countries. It was once the port of Madrid, being easily accessible across the
flat meseta of La Mancha, with a railway service that connected the capital of Spain to
the sea in 1858. Today we can enjoy this rehabilitated harbour in a different way, with
its handsome, hundred-year-old customs building contrasting with an ultramodern
pedestrian port area dedicated to leisure and entertainment.
Walkways, cafés, restaurants and entertainment centres decorate this splendid Sports
Marina where sailboats and recreational craft seek safe haven. On the Levante quay is the
maritime station, controlling passenger boat and pleasure craft access. On the Poniente
quay is the Royal Regatta Club, founded in the late 19th century, the port authority building
conserving beautiful stained-glass windows in the ancient Marine Captaincy building, the
Fishing and Nautical School and the merchandise and fishing docks, plus a modern
shopping and leisure area.
Surrounding Towns
Flanking the city limits, and in many places fusing into the city, there are a series of
residential areas and satellite towns, the largest of which is an industrial area called
San Vicente del Raspeig, where the university is located, followed by San Juan de
Alicante, populated with residential areas and shopping centres. A town called Mutxamel
shares Alicante’s fertile orchard, as do the villages of Villafranqueza and Tángel, still
preserving the rural taste of former days despite their new residential complexes.
El Campello is notably tourist-oriented due to its coastal location and its many kilometres
of beaches and cliff faces.
26 27

28
CULTURE AND ART
Alicante’s cultural and artistic activities are very frequent
throughout the year, and are usually staged at the places
or institutions shown here.
Main Theatre. Tel. 96 520 23 80
Teatre Arniches. Tel. 96 593 40 00
Lonja del Pescado (Fishermen’s Exchange). Tel. 96 592 23 06
Centro 14. Tel. 96 514 04 33
Salas de Exposiciones CAM (Gallery). Tel. 96 590 56 44
Centro Cultural Bancaixa (Gallery). Tel. 96 520 06 33
Sala de Exposiciones Juana Francés (Gallery). Tel. 96 593 40 00
Sala Jove (Gallery). Tel. 96 593 40 00
Alicante Casino. Tel. 96 520 56 11
Scientific, Literary and Artistic Athenium. Tel. 96 520 82 55
Concert Society. Tel. 96 521 38 09
Eduardo Capa Foundation, collection of sculptures in the
Santa Bárbara castle. Tel. 96 526 31 31
Public Library. Tel. 96 514 34 75
CAM (Savings Bank) Tel. 96 590 56 59
BANCAIXA (Savings Bank) Tel. 96 520 06 33
FESTIVITIES AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Medieval Market
At the end of June, a traditional arts and crafts market is staged in Plaza de la Santísima
Faz and adjacent streets, selling merchandise and offering music and shows, reflecting
life in the Middle Ages.
Summer Festival
During the months of July and August the new Esplanade in front of the port is the
setting for practically uninterrupted performances involving theatre, zarzuela, ballet,
dance, jazz, concerts and recitals with leading national and foreign billings.
Castle Evenings
A weekend dinner out under the stars in the patio of Santa Bárbara Castle in July and August,
to the music of leading singers and songwriters or groups, presenting traditional and folk
music from Spain and abroad, is an enchanting attraction offered by this spectacular city.
Alicante a Escena
This is an amateur theatre festival held during the first fortnight of September in which
selected projects are brought to the stage in order to promote creativity and innovation
in the theatrical arts and enable the public to enjoy recent creations.
International Contemporary Music Festival
For a whole week during the second fortnight of September a series of some 20 concerts
and musical shows are held around the city, including national premiers and special
performances providing a showcase for new trends and ideas in music, with the fame
of this festival having crossed Spain’s frontiers to attract international audiences.
Contemporary Spanish Theatre Festival
In mid-November a week is given over to contemporary Spanish theatre in a festival in which
not only new avant-garde plays are staged, many of which win awards, but other activities are
also scheduled, such as seminars, meetings, homages, presentations, drama workshops, etc.
International Puppet Festival
Known by the name of Festitíteres, this puppet festival has acquired enormous prestige
because of its unique approach and the quality level of participants from Spain, Europe
and America. Running parallel to the festival are activities such as conferences, workshops
and exhibitions. It is held within the first ten days of December each year.

BUSINESS CITY
Thanks to the dynamic business, commercial and university life of this city, in recent
years there has been a remarkable increase in the organisation of congress and conference
activities and trade events, and Alicante has acquired merited prestige in this field due
to its professional approach, its experience and the infrastructure now available for
meetings of all kinds.
Alicante Convention Bureau
Portugal, 17. 03003 Alicante. Tel. 96 514 92 50 Fax 96 514 92 51
Palacio de Congresos de Alicante (Alicante Congress Centre)
This is located in the Official Doctors’ Association headquarters and is currently being
expanded. It has an auditorium seating 536 people, 11 rooms seating from 24 to 140
people, plus two larger areas for exhibitions.
Institución Ferial Alicantina (Alicante Trade Fair Institution)
This venue can host trade fairs as well as congresses and shows. It has two pavilions
totalling above 40,000m 2 convertible into auditoriums seating 2,000 people, 4 halls
up to 1,400m 2 in size, an assembly hall for 300 people, and conference and authorities
rooms. There are parking facilities for 5,000 vehicles. The fairgrounds are located on
the road to Elx next to Torrellano.
Alicante University
The university assembly hall is located next to the law faculty and has a capacity for
1,000 people, with a 200m 2 stage. In addition to this, the campus has two other large
auditoriums and many other smaller meeting rooms.
Aula de Cultura CAM (CAM Savings Bank Culture Hall)
The main congress facility belonging to the Caja de Ahorros del Mediterráneo (CAM)
savings bank seats up to 408 people, complemented by a conference room for 150
people, a seminar room and a committee room.
Colegio de Farmacéuticos (Pharmacists’ Association Headquarters)
The assembly hall at these headquarters has a capacity for 200 people.
Hotel Meliá Alicante. Congress Centre
This hotel has been especially designed for congress activities, with 10
halls with capacities ranging from 60 to 1,200 people. There is an indoor
public car park for 600 vehicles.
Hotel Sidi San Juan
This five-star luxury hotel has 7 conference rooms, two of which seat up
to 200 people. It is located along the coast on Playa de San Juan.
New Congress Centre
The slopes of the Benacantil mountain facing Avenida de Jaime II (James
II Avenue) have been chosen as the site for the construction of a brand-
new congress centre for the city. It will have a main auditorium seating
2,000 people, a smaller one for 500, conference rooms with capacities for
80, 100 and 160 people, a 700m 2 exhibition hall, a café seating 400
people, a restaurant seating 300, a banquet salon for up to 1,200 guests,
underground parking and a full range of modern congress services.
30 31
OHIM
Overall business in this services city increased in 1993 when Alicante was
chosen as the site for the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market
(OHIM), the exclusive European Community body for trademarks and
designs. This office is now located in a spectacular building in the locality
called Agua Amarga, a privileged site looking out over the sea, close to the
airport and located just off the roads to Murcia and Cartagena. The building
was officially opened in June 1999.

SPORTS With the obvious exception of winter sports, practically
all other types of sports can be indulged in here, from
horse riding to aerial sports, from tennis to shooting.
There is one excellent location in Alicante for sports,
which is the so-called “Parque Deportivo Tossal”,
concentrating in one single perimeter the finest public
installations in town, such as the Central Pavilion, the
Athletics Stadium, the swimming pool complex, the
gymnasium centre, the José Rico Pérez football stadium,
the Sports City and the sports grounds of the hippodrome.
In some of these facilities world championships as well
as European and Spanish events have been held.
The inner area of the harbour is the site of the Alicante
Sports Marina and the Royal Regatta Club. The latter
has a smaller port area near the skeet shooting range.
Along Albufereta Beach is the Costa Blanca Yacht Club.
There are plenty of golf courses to choose from. The Alicante
Golf Club, designed by Seve Ballesteros, is located on
Playa de San Juan, and there are three other options in the
environs: “El Plantío” in Bacarot, a satellite town outside
Alicante, “Club Bonalba” in Mutxamel, and “Alenda” on
the Madrid road in the town of Montforte del Cid.
32 33

34
NIGHTLIFE
There are many areas in town where
visitors are sure to find entertaining
night spots, and where fun and
excitement are guaranteed.
El Barrio is the name given to the
old quarter of town, with a profusion
of action-packed pubs, bars and
cafés. Some offer live music, mostly
jazz. The youth scene is usually in
the area called simply La Zona (The
Area), just off La Esplanada, the
seafront promenade well stocked
with pavement cafés where one can
have a meal, a drink or an ice cream.
Another choice is La Ruta de la
Madera (The Wood Route), just
behind Avenida Alfonso el Sabio,
which receives this name because
most of the spots in this area are
decorated in wood, much like
America’s western saloons. El Port,
or the harbour, is the most modern
area for leisure and entertainment
sites, with a wide range of night
spots for all tastes. More night clubs
can be found in nearby San Juan
during the summer.

FIESTAS
Porrat de San Antón (St Anthony’s Market)
Traditional fair with street stalls selling typical products such as dried fruits and nuts,
sugared fruits, quince jelly and turrón de novia (bride’s nougat). Animal show and
traditional blessing of the animals in the bullring. This feast is held on St Anthony’s
Day, 17 January, in the quarter of Alicante named after the saint.
Carnival
Even the street benches are especially decorated for the Alicante Carnival. On Saturday,
called Sábado Ramblero, there are parades down Rambla Avenue featuring carnival
costumes, ending with a festivity called the “Funeral Wake and Burial of the Sardine”.
Held on the weekend and days leading up to Ash Wednesday.
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
From Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sunday a total of 27 brotherhoods take part in
processions carrying floats or effigies called pasos, some of which are authentic
masterworks by famous artists such as Salzillo, Bussi, Avalos or Castillo Lastrucci.
Of note among the processions are that of the Holy Cross because it goes up the steep
streets in the old quarter, the Procession of Silence, and the “Two Encounters” between
Jesus and the Virgin Mary. The Santa Cena (Holy Supper) float is the largest in Spain
and is carried by 208 porters. This is a movable feast falling in either March or April.
The Pilgrimage of the Holy Visage (Santa Faz)
This is a very popular pilgrimage, considered to be the second most important in
Spain after the Andalusian Rocío, during which in one single day some 200,000
people holding pilgrim’s canes and wearing typical orchard-workers blousons walk to
the monastery of the Santa Faz to worship at the shrine. They have picnic lunches,
and an arts and crafts market and fair are held. Thursday following Easter week
continuing to the next weekend.
Cruces de Mayo (May Crosses)
The Santa Cruz quarter of town dresses up for May with sweet-smelling crosses made
of flowers lining its streets. The finest win awards, and dances and children’s games
are staged. Held from 1 to 3 May.
Hogueras de San Juan (St John’s Bonfires)
This is the most outstanding festivity held in Alicante, declared to be of International
Tourist Interest. It is based on the ancient custom of burning useless objects to
celebrate the summer solstice, connecting with the feast day of St John the Baptist.
It was first held in 1928, with lots of colour, gunpowder and bonfires. Of note are
the Flower Offerings to Our Lady of Remedy (22 June), the International Folklore
Parade (23 June) and the mascletás or fireworks competitions (20-24 June). There
are also processions with marching bands, outdoor dances and sports competitions.
The feast coincides with a bullfighting festival bringing in leading matadors, on foot
and on horseback. At midnight on St John’s Night (from 24 to 25 June) a huge
fireworks display is set off from the top of Mount Benacantil, and all the bonfires,
and monumental floats made in papier-mâché and wood are burnt to ashes. The
holidays continue until 29 June, St Peter’s Day. During the second half, a Medieval
market is held in the old quarter of town, and from 25 to 29 June there is a fireworks
competition, with displays being set off from Postiguet Beach.
Moors and Christians
This age-old festivity, commemorating former Christian battles for the reconquest of
these lands from the Moors, is held in various quarters of Alicante and all include
entry processions, called entradas – with groups from each side parading into the
town in filaes all arrayed in splendid costume. They take place in Villafranqueza
(March), San Blas (June) and in the quarters of Altozano and José Antonio in August.
Virgen del Carmen (The Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt Carmel)
This maritime city decorates its fishing boats and other vessels on the day sailors
venerate their patroness. The biggest celebration, however, is held on the island of
Tabarca, where an image of the Virgin is carried on a boat in a sailor’s procession.
Held on 16 July.
Virgen del Remedio (Our Lady of Remedy)
This is a feast to honour the patron saint and perpetual mayoress of the city. Two days
before the feast day (3 August) an ancient choral concert is held called the Alborada
On 5 August a procession is held with the image of the Virgin. The Port Summer
Festival is also held at this time in the Patron Saint’s honour.
Virgen del Socorro (Our Lady of Succour)
The Raval quarter, once populated with fishermen, organises a feast in honour of its
patron saint, the virgin after whom the chapel and the main street, overlooking
Postiguet Beach, were named. The festivity includes cooking contests, a procession,
games, dances, etc. From 5 to 8 September.
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38
MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE
Fish and seafood from the bay, with fresh vegetables and fresh
fruit from nearby orchards, and a wide selection of rice dishes,
accompanied by prestigious wines from the region, form the
basis of a healthy and natural gastronomic tradition in this area.
Standing out among the many rice dishes prepared here (over
300) are the specialities known as arroz a la alicantina (combining
meat, fish and shellfish), arroz a banda (cooked in fish broth
and served straight, without fish) caldero (a rice stew, with the
fish served first) and olleta (with vegetables and sausages).
Typical appetizers include Alicante’s well-known salted fish
(salazones), such as mojama, bonito and marrajo, and roe
(hueva) as well as the small, pizza-like cocas with sardines or
tunny (tonyina) on top, or the sweet coca variety much like
sponge cake and known as coca boba. Tapas in Alicante include
montaditos, or little slices of bread with different toppings.
Popular desserts include the nougat-like turrón made in nearby
Jijona (soft) or in Alicante (hard), accompanied by the local
Fondillón dessert wine, an enological treasure first made in the
16th century according to written records.
CRAFTS AND SHOPPING
Although there are lots of places to go shopping while on a visit to
Alicante – department stores, shopping centres, designer shops, traditional
retailers and open-air markets (Thursdays and Saturdays along Paseo
Campoamor and a daily crafts market along Paseo de la Explanada),
the best idea is to always look for typical, locally-made products.
If you want to purchase some typical food products, try the
canned vegetables from the Vega Baja, stuffed olives from
Alcoy, turrón from Jijona, chocolate from La Vila Joiosa, dates
from Elx and raisins from Dénia. There are wines from the
Alicante denomination of origin (D.O.), anisettes from Monforte
and moscatel wines from Teulada or Jalón.
There is an important leather goods tradition here, including
shoes, handbags, clothing and accessories from the Medio
and Alto Vinalopó districts, plus textiles from Alcoy and rugs
from Crevillente.
For the delight of children, toys are made in the nearby town
of Ibi, and dolls are produced in Onil. For adults, there are
ceramic products from Biar and Agost and decorative objects
in rushwork and cane from Gata de Gorgos.
39

EXCURSIONS
ALONG THE COAST:
A resort called Benidorm 42 km north of Alicante.
The top tourist resort along the Spanish Mediterranean. Everything here spells leisure, fun,
entertainment. Superb beaches called Levante and Poniente, plus an island in the bay that
looks like a sunken ship and is a must for all visitors to this bustling fun-and-sun capital.
Youngsters and adults, from home and abroad, all enjoy the limitless holiday possibilities
in this city, now even more attractive thanks to the new theme park called “Terra Mítica”.
Along the way, don’t forget to stop in the town of La Vila Joiosa and see its pretty, polychrome
houses facing the Amadorio riverbed and the beach.
La Marina 100 km north of Alicante.
The northernmost district in the province of Alicante, called La Marina, has a charm all of
it own, with towns such as Calpe, nestling under the sturdy Rock of Ifach, which has become
a symbol of the Costa Blanca; or Benissa, Javea and Dénia, combining the beauty of their
old town centres, their monuments and history, with a range of excellent sandy beaches
plus impressive cliffs and coves around the capes Cabo de La Nao and Cabo de San Antonio.
The coast here is interesting and changeable, as visitors will notice on their way through
the Mascarat tunnel and the town of Altea, with its whitewashed house-fronts and wrought
iron windows.
Sun and sand, dunes and salt flats 48 km south of Alicante.
The southern coast has a series of attractions that make it highly appealing: it is generally
flat, with broad sandy beaches and extensive marsh areas. Santa Pola is famous for its broad
beaches and its salt flats that host thousands of water fowl and especially flamingos that
take refuge here from colder continental climes. Guardamar offers the charm of its sand
dunes flanked by a thriving pine forest. The coastal lagoon of La Mata leads to another first-
rate tourist resort area called Torrevieja, which is home to beach-lovers and sun-seekers who
enjoy its beaches and flock to local property estates in and around the area.
INLAND:
The charm of Guadalest 70 km from Alicante.
Can a town with less than 200 inhabitants beat all tourist records in becoming the second most visited place
in Spain, hard on the heels of the Prado Museum in Madrid? Does Guadalest rank in first place in the number
of museums per inhabitant – one for every 20 persons? The answer is “yes” on both counts. This small
village, carved out of the rock, offers charming scenery, typical streets that cars have never driven on, and
a recommended visit to the home of Los Orduña. There is a scenic route to get to Guadalest, too, through
La Nucía, Polop with its fountain of the 221 spouts, and Callosa d’En Sarrià, offering a view of its waterfalls
and swimming holes on the river: Río Algar.
The route of the Castles 82 km from Alicante.
Come and visit an admirable succession of medieval fortresses located on strategic hilltops throughout the
region, overlooking historical towns and mountain passes, in the districts known as El Medio and Alto Vinalopó
and the Hoya de Castalla. First, stop at Castillo de La Mola in Novelda, with its unique triangular tower, then
continue with the restored Castillo de Petrer, the Sax castle on a beautiful rocky spire, then the superior
Atalaya (watchtower) in Villena, and farthest inland, Castillo de Bañeres, the top of which commands a view
over four different provinces. On your return journey, Castillo de Biar has a double wall around it, and Castillo
de Castalla offers a curious pentagonal floor plan capped with two towers, one semicircular in shape.
Elx and Orihuela: art and palm trees 59 km from Alicante.
The province of Alicante exerts an attraction on all who come
here – because of its fun and sun, its sea and mountains,
its irrigated fields and dry lands, its peace and quiet and
the bustling razzmatazz available in and around the city.
Travel round the largest palm tree plantation in Europe, now listed as World Heritage. The town of Elx has
practically one million specimens arrayed in parks that will delight the senses, such as the Hort de Baix and
the Huerto del Cura with its “Imperial Palm Tree”. Here one can visit the archaeological site of La Alcudia,
where the Iberian bust known as La Dama de Elche was found, or the Altamira Palace, the Calahorra fort,
and the Basilica de Santa María, where the famous medieval “Mystery Play” is held every year.
Orihuela, with its San Antón palm tree plantation, also has a monumental town centre to offer the visitor.
The Gothic cathedral of El Salvador, with its diocese museum of sacred art, its Gothic churches of Santiago
and Santas Justina and Rufina, its Santo Domingo College – an ancient university in Renaissance and baroque
style –, the Holy Week and Archaeological Museums, and the Home-Museum of the poet Miguel Hernández.
41

H
42
ACCOMMODATION
As a tourist city, Alicante has a broad selection of hotels, capable of satisfying the
needs of all customers, from the family traveller to the executive and congress
attendee.
SIDI SAN JUAN
Pda. Cabo de la Huerta,
03540 Alicante (Playa San Juan)
Tel. 96 516 13 00 . Fax 96 516 33 46
H
MEDITERRANEA PLAZA
Plaza del Ayuntamiento, 6, 03002 Alicante
Tel. 96 521 01 88 . Fax 96 520 67 50
MELIA ALICANTE
Playa Postiguet, s/n, 03001 Alicante
Tel. 96 520 50 00 . Fax 96 520 47 56
TRYP GRAN SOL
Rambla Méndez Núñez, 3, 03002 Alicante
Tel. 96 520 30 00 . Fax 96 521 14 39
H
ALBAHIA
Sol naciente, 6, 03016 Alicante (la Albufera)
Tel. 96 515 59 79 . Fax 96 515 53 73
ALMIRANTE
Avda. Niza, 38, 03540 Alicante (Playa de San Juan)
Tel. 96 565 01 12 . Fax 96 565 71 69
CASTILLA
Avda. Países Escandinavos, 7, 03540 Alicante (Playa de San Juan)
Tel. 96 516 20 33 . Fax 96 516 20 61
EURHOTEL HESPERIA
Pintor Lorenzo Casanova, 33, 03003 Alicante
Tel. 96 513 04 40 . Fax 96 592 83 23
H
EUROPA
Avda. de Dénia, 133
03015 Alicante
Tel. 96 515 03 09 . Fax 96 515 05 93
HOLIDAY INN
Avda. Cataluña, 20
03540 Alicante (Playa de San Juan)
Tel. 96 515 61 85 . Fax 96 515 39 36
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS
Plan Parcial Agua Amarga, Parcela 15G
03008 Alicante
Tel. 96 601 10 00 . Fax 96 601 10 01
MIO CID
Avda. Costa Blanca, 22 A
03540 Alicante
Tel. 96 515 27 00 . Fax 96 526 52 26
HR
LEUKA
Segura, 23
03004 Alicante
Tel. 96 520 27 44 . Fax 96 514 12 22
MAYA
Canónigo Manuel Penalva, s/n
03002 Alicante
Tel. 96 526 12 11 . Fax 96 526 19 76
N.H. CRISTAL
López Torregrossa, 9
03002 Alicante
Tel. 96 514 36 59 . Fax 96 520 66 96
SOL ALICANTE
Gravina, 9
03002 Alicante
Tel. 96 521 07 00 . Fax 96 521 09 76
HA
ESTUDIOTEL ALICANTE
Poeta Vila y Blanco, 4
03003 Alicante
Tel. 96 521 20 11 . Fax 96 521 84 14
H
GOYA
Maestro Bretón, 19
03004 Alicante
Tel. 96 514 16 59 . Fax 96 520 01 30
HR
ALFONSO EL SABIO
Alfonso el Sabio, 18
03004 Alicante
Tel. 96 520 31 44 . Fax 96 520 32 57
BAHÍA
Gravina, 14
03002 Alicante
Tel. 96 520 65 22 . Fax 96 520 66 02
CASA DEL GOBERNADOR
Arzola, s/n
03138 Isla de Tabarca
Tel. 96 596 08 86
CERVANTES
Pascual Pérez, 19
03001 Alicante
Tel. 96 520 98 22 . Fax 96 520 97 65
COVADONGA
Pza. Luceros, 17
03004 Alicante
Tel. 96 520 28 44 . Fax 96 521 43 97
LA REFORMA
Reyes Católicos, 7
03003 Alicante
Tel. 96 592 81 47 . Fax 96 592 39 50
RAMBLA 9
Rambla de Méndez Nuñez, 9
03002 Alicante
Tel. 96 514 45 80 . Fax 96 514 46 84
HR
EL ÁLAMO
San Fernando, 56
03001 Alicante
Tel. 96 521 83 55
MARÍTIMO
Valdés, 13
03001 Alicante
Tel. y Fax 96 521 99 85
PLAYA
Jovellanos, 1
03002 Alicante
Tel. 96 526 07 07
RIALTO
Castaños, 30
03001 Alicante
Tel. 96 520 64 33 . Fax. 96 514 13 67
SAN REMO
Las navas, 30
03001 Alicante
Tel. 96 520 95 00 . Fax. 96 520 96 68
43

CLIMATE. Alicante has an average temperature of 26.5° C
in July and 13° C in January, with mild winters and hot
summers.
OPENING TIMES. Normal opening times for shops are from
10.00am to 2.00pm and from 5.00pm to 8.00pm, Monday
to Saturday, although there are slight variations, and
department stores open from 10.00am 10.00pm without
closing for lunch.
BANKS. Banks open from Monday to Friday from 8.30 or
9.00am to 2.00pm or 2.30pm and some branches have
afternoon opening times.
VAT Refund. Visitors from outside the European Union can
ask for a refund on all VAT paid on products purchased
during their stay as long as they have invoices covering
such purchases. For further information ask the Customs
Service by dialling 96 520 76 46.
HOLIDAYS. Local holidays in the city of Alicante include
San Juan (24 June), the second Thursday after Holy
Thursday (Pilgrimage to the Holy Visage) and 9 October,
the Day of the Autonomous Community.
TOURIST INFO
Rambla Méndez Núñez, 23
03002 Alicante
Tel. 96 520 00 00
Fax. 96 520 02 43
touristinfo.alicante@turisme.m400.gva.es
Alicante Airport
Arrivals Terminal
03071 Aeropuerto del Altet
Tel. 96 691 93 67
touristinfo.elaltet@turisme.m400.gva.es
44
PRACTICAL TIPS

www.comunitat-valenciana.com
Estación de autobuses
Portugal, 17, 03003 Alicante
Tel. 96 592 98 02
Fax. 96 592 01 12
touristinfo.alicantec@turisme.m400.gva.es
Plaza del Ayuntamiento, 1
03002 Alicante
Tel. 900 21 10 27
Fax 96 514 91 31
touristinfo.alicanteayto@turisme.m400.gva.es
USEFUL TELEPHONES
City Hall Tel. 96 514 91 00
Emergencies Tel. 112
Consular Information Tel. 96 521 83 00
Customs Office Tel. 96 520 76 46
PROP phone (administrative information) Tel. 012
LINKS
El Altet Airport 12 km from the city
Tel. 96 691 90 00
RENFE (Spanish Railways) Tel. 902 24 02 02
Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana (Regional Railways) Tel. 96 526 27 31
Bus Station Tel. 96 513 07 00
Sea Links
Alicante-Tabarca: Tel. 96 521 63 96
Denia-Balearics: Balearia Tel. 902 16 01 80
Alicante-Oran: Romeu Tel. 96 514 15 09
Port of Alicante Tel. 96 513 00 95
TAM (Alicante Metropolitan Transport) Urban and suburban bus lines:
Tel. 96 514 09 36
Aumar A-7 Motorway
Tel. 96 681 02 02
Ausur A-37 Motorway
Tel. 96 673 01 17
Taxis. Radio Taxi Tel. 96 525 25 11 Tele Taxi Tel. 96 510 16 11
Traffic Information Centre Tel. 900 123 505
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