Five things to do in Alicante

There are many reasons to visit Alicante Town Hall, a building dating from the 18th century: an obscure sculpture by Salvador Dalí; the zero level used by several Spanish towns to measure height above sea level; a copy of the Lady of Elche (a 4th century sculpture); several old paintings; and council meeting rooms that hold even more secrets... 

If you can, then pay a visit to Jijona, a town about 25km from the city centre of Alicante. There you can visit the bakeries and museums dedicated to turrón (and discover the difference between the soft and hard varieties). Even in Alicante, it’s possible to try this sweet nougat in the traditional style or as an ice cream. Many of Jijona’s restaurants are used to making a wide range of dishes using sweet turrón. And the mixture of sweet and savoury... is divine!

Take a stroll through the historic city centre and discover Alicante’s monuments and museums. The 14th century Basilica of Santa Maria is the oldest church in the city and well worth a visit. The Concatedral de San Nicolás (which dates from the early 17th century) is another place that’s worth making the effort to see while strolling through the picturesque historic city centre.

Alicante is usually full of life, but during the festivals the city doesn’t sleep! The San Juan Bonfires in June are the most popular, with thousands of visitors filling the streets until dawn. There are others, including the very popular Holy Week and other Easter festivals. There are a whole load of reasons for visiting Alicante, whatever the time of the year!

The best place to begin your trip, it offers a panoramic view over the city and almost the entire coastline. This 9th century Moorish castle watches over Alicante, sitting on the top of Mount Benacantil, from where it used to protect the city. Free entry.