Alicante Travel Guide
Travel guide to Alicante, Spain with comprehensive information about events, shopping, and major Alicante sporting events to help you enjoy your visit more.
Alicante Overview
About twenty years ago, Alicante was a sleazy, grubby port that stood out like a weeping sore on the stunning face of Spain's Costa Blanca. Most of the time, only people who wanted somewhere ugly to go for their holiday would actually visit. Since then though, all that has changed, and Alicante has improved beyond recognition into a pretty and welcoming city on the coast with plenty to offer travellers looking for a Spanish Holiday whether on their own or with family.
Close enough to the attractions of Benidorm and Valencia to make the other coastal resorts worthwhile as day trips, but retaining a pleasant, laid back pace of life, Alicante offers plenty of attractions for tourists, and has a great climate year round that makes it a lovely place to visit for a holiday.
Alicante's nightlife is excellent, with a variety of places to either get hammered and party, or alternatively, just to unwind and relax. The surrounding countryside is most picturesque, with little villages to explore if you take a self-drive tour of the region.
Because of the area's massive popularity getting cheap flights to Alicante and the Costa Blanca means looking for quieter days to travel. Often choosing to travel on a Tuesday or Thursday rather than the weekend means that you can get a discount airfare to Alicante.
Top Alicante Attractions
Alicante's main attraction for holidaymakers comes in the form of the great beaches along the Costa Blanca, and the lovely weather throughout the year. There are plenty of water parks and other fun family attractions to enjoy, and the nightlife in the many small and large Spanish beach resorts is renowned.
The area inland from the beaches has plenty of history, and there are many small villages and settlements to explore. Alicante itself boasts an impressive castle and basilica, while in nearby Elche, there is a forest reputed to contain a million palm trees along with a medieval castle.
Shopping in Alicante
Alicante itself has a few pleasant shopping areas, as do the Costa Blanca resorts where you can pick up all the essentials for a holiday in the region. Should you be staying on a self-catering basis in Alicante, there are a number of super markets where you can get everything you need.
If you head inland to some of the smaller villages, you are able to purchase beautifully made goods including leather carved by local craftsmen in time-honoured tradition.
Alicante Sporting Events
When you get tired of lying back and enjoying the sun, there are plenty of things to do in Alicante. The popularity of the region as a golfing destination means that there are plenty of courses available where you can turn up and play a round or two. Water sports are available all along the coast, and include sailing, jet skiing, and even Scuba diving in Alicante.
If you want to watch a football match during your visit to Alicante, then you can. The main local side are Valencia and Villareal, who maintain a healthy rivalry in the Primera Liga.