Alicante is one of the main European holiday hubs, renowned for its
long sandy beaches, mild and
pleasant climate,
vibrant festivals and
lively nightlife.
This thoroughly Spanish city has a truly
Mediterranean air; its wide
esplanades, such as the Rambla de Mendez Nuñez and the Avenida Alfonso el Sabio, and its
seafront promenades, full of
terrace cafes, are perfect for relaxation.
Alicante also has a distinctly
African flavor, with women clad in caftans and hawkers selling African carvings along the waterfront
and esplanades. The
historical central quarter, though, is filled with
baroque buildings, bearing testimony to the city’s past when it was a major seaport.
Alicante’s past is that of any other corner of the Mediterranean Sea. Founded by the
Greeks who named it
Akra Leuke (White Peak), it was later captured by the
Romans who renamed it
Lucentum (City of Light). In the second half of the eighth century it was conquered by the
Moors, and the city was finally retaken in 1246 for the
Castilian crown. In 1308 it was incorporated into the Kingdom of Valencia.
Today Alicante is the second largest city in the Valencian Country and receives millions of visitors each year.
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Related Spain Content
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
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