Alicante |
| Wednesday, 25 February 2009 00:00 |
 The most prominent sight in Alicante is the Castillo de Santa Bárbara, a fortress on Monte Benacantíl, a 544ft. hill. This is the best point from which you can view the city and get a good idea of its layout, other sights, and the Mediterranean Sea. At night the fortress is lit up and makes for a great holiday snapshot. The maze of narrow, winding alleys in the city center poses a serious challenge even the people with built-in GPS. Tourists have almost no chance of remembering the layout of the streets, but the friendly local residents of El Barrio, as the Old Town is called, are glad to help out with directions. And should you get lost along the way, there are plenty of tavernas, and cafes where you can stop for a refreshment and recharge your batteries before continuing the search for the way out of the district. The place where tourists and locals mingle the most is the seafront promenade Esplanada de España, half a mile of palm tree lined marble walkway which is always buzzing with people kicking back and enjoying a cold drink. At the end of the Esplanada you can dip your toes in the water on the city beach Playa del Postiguet, a popular way of fighting the noon heat. The beach is covered in fine white sand and can get a little crowded during high season. If you like a little more space on the beach, head out to San Juan, a suburb north of Alicante, where you will find 4 miles of sand and less tourists. Though quieter than in town, this beach still offers entertainment, as you can rent water sports equipment and take surfing lessons. If you wish to go on a day trip, we recommend Isla de Tabarca, eleven nautic miles south of Alicante. The tiny, inhabited island is quite easy to get to: take a rental car to Santa Pola, from where you can simply jump on a ferry. The island is located in a natural reserve, protecting the phenomenal underwater world. Though it is very small, you can spend a whole day on the island, enjoying the view of the Alicante province coastline over a dish of fresh seafood. |
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