Alicante on the Costa Blanca, Spain.

Alicante on the Costa Blanca in Spain has 3000 years of history and is now one of the leading cities in the thriving commerce and tourism on the Costa Blanca.

During the Roman period it was called Lucentum and today’s Alicante was developed after the invasion of the Moors. However it was not until the 19th century that Alicante´s big expansion took off. Today’s Alicante on the Costa Blanca in Spain is the Valencia region’s second biggest town. Alicante´s expansion took off in 1821 when its medieval walls were teared down and the city was able to spread. Alicante became Madrid’s principal seaport in 1851 when it as the first coastal town was linked to Madrid by railway.

The tourism in Alicante on the Costa Blanca in Spain is now one of its biggest sources of income. Tourists that want to enjoy the sun and the beach as well as take part of the culture and entertainment of a cosmopolitan city with its museums, monuments, year-round and regular fiestas have made the perfect choice when they go to Alicante on Spain ´s Costa Blanca.

Alicante offers 7 km of golden sand beach, a beautiful seafront esplanade ( Paseo de la Explanada ) with superb shops and restaurants. All this together with wide possibilities for sports of any kind makes Spain’s Alicante on the Costa Blanca an important tourist magnet for foreign tourism as well as a perfect place for outgoing Spanish holidaymakers.

Alicante is within easy reach of the major European cities like London with just a 2,5 hour flight. The seafront esplanade was laid in 1957 and consists of intricate small marble tiles that represent the colors of Alicante. (Red, cream and black) The esplanade consists of more than 6 million tiny tiles! If you like us like to sip your café con leche watching people pass by there is no better place to do that than the Paseo de la Explanada in Alicante.

If shopping is on your mind you will find top quality stores with designer clothes and leather articles including the famous El Corte ingles department store in Alicante. As well a vast variety gift and handicrafts shops.

There is plenty to see and do in Alicante on the Costa Blanca in Spain all year around not just during the summer months. It is a city full of history and culture.In Alicante there is vast variety of restaurants and shops of any kind. Besides an unbeatable beach life. On the Paseo de la Explanada concerts are held in the afternoons and on bank holidays and Sunday mornings during the summer months.

Other sites to see are the municipal museum, the Casa de la Asegurada. It is a 17th century building worthwhile seeing in itself and it contains a 20th century art collection including by artists like Gris, Miro and Picasso. In the Palace of the Provincial Council you will be able to appreciate the Provincial Archeological Museum, with a big selection of archeological remains from the Bronze Age, Iberian and Roman ceramics and Roman statues.

Do not miss out on the Museo de les Fogueres if you go to the Santa Barbara Castle. Here you will see the magnificent papier Mache effigies which have been saved from the flames of the Fogueres fiestas. These works are true works of art and takes months to build to be burned to a cinder in one of the most spectacular fiestas every year. If you can come here in June to see the fiestas it is certainly worth wile. It all culminates on the 24th of June.

In Alicante on the Costa Blanca there are many parks, palmed gardens and walkways making it a nice place to visit.

Alicante Nightlife

The best place to go for nightlife in Alicante on the Costa Blanca in Spain is the old centre known as El Barrio. This area of Alicante is packed with bars beer cellars and pizza joints. The nice climate makes it comfortable to go out al year around in Alicante. Due to the enormous amount of bars and cafes this is the city that never sleeps. If elegant pubs and sophisticated restaurants is what you are looking for the area to choose is the modern zone between the Explanada and Alfonso El Sabio Street. During the summer months you will find lots of music entertainment on the San Juan beach as well.

To reduce drink driving the authorities has invested in a train service during the night hours between the coastal towns of Costa Blanca. The service operates from 9 pm to 7am. This makes it possible for visitors and residents to enjoy the nightlife outside the city boundaries without taking the car.

The train service goes from Alicante via Playa San Juan, El Campello, Villajoyosa,Benidorm and Altea.

The calendar of fiestas in Alicante on the Costa Blanca in Spain is packed with activities providing you with a true Spanish nightlife throughout the year. The big night however is the 24th of June when they set fire on the effigies and the following fireworks.

 

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