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Sightseeing Overview
With its compact city center, Alicante is an easy city to get around on foot. Most of the main attractions are located within the historical quarter. From the cathedral, the labyrinth of narrow walkways in the Old Quarter are just a few steps away, where the Church of Santa María, the MUBAG and the town hall are side by side with the liveliest bars and terraces of el Barrio.

The most prominent symbol of Alicante is the Castle of Santa Barbara, which looks out over the city and the sea, from the summit of Mount Benacantil.

The Explanada de España is one of the most appealing promenades of the city. With palm trees and flower beds, the romantic setting is completed by the occasional cafe.

There is a beach for everyone in Alicante, and any one of them would be the perfect setting for an afternoon’s sunbathing. The first, running north to south, is San Juan, long, broad and busy. It is a resort in itself, with hotels, restaurants, icecream bars, even a golf course. It really comes into its own as a top summer clubbing destination.

The scene changes completely with a series of small coves to the south, Palmeral, Cantalares and Judíos. Next, you come to small, sandy Almadraba, and watersports-friendly Albufereta. This is linked by tram to the city beach Playa del Postiguet. After crossing the city and port, the last beach is the wide, sandy Saladar or Urbanova beach, with panoramic views across the bay.

Tourist Information
Tourist Info RENFE
Avenida de Salamanca
Tel: (96) 520 0000.
Website: www.alicanteturismo.com

Tourist Info La Rambla
Rambla de Méndez Núñez 23
Tel: (96) 520 0000.

Tourist Info Playa de San Juan
Avenida de Niza s/n, Playa de San Juan
Tel: (96) 520 0000.
Opens only in summer.

Passes
There are currently no tourist passes in Alicante.

Key Attractions:

Castillo de Santa Bárbara (Castle of St Barbara)
Dating from the ninth century and Moorish in origin, the Castillo de Santa Bárbara is the most emblematic construction in the city. Located on the summit of Mount Benacantil at 166m (544ft) above sea level, the castle is built in several fortified levels.

Monte Benacantil
Tel: (96) 516 2128.

Iglesia de Santa María (Church of Santa María)
This is the oldest church in the city and was built in the gothic style between the 14th and 16th centuries over the ruins of what was once the main mosque during the Moorish occupation.

Plaza de Santa María
Tel: (96) 521 6026.

MARQ (Archaelogical Museum of Alicante)
Situated in the former Hospital de San Juan de Dios, this museum contains an important collection comprising pieces from Palaeolithic times to the Middle Ages, offering an educational experience. Voted Best European Museum in 2004.

Plaza del Doctor Gomez Ulla
Tel: (96) 514 9000.
Website: www.marqalicante.com

Concatedral de San Nicolás de Bari (Cathedral of St Nicholas of Bari)
Built in the Renaissance style of the Spanish architect Juan de Herrera, this is one of the most important buildings in the Old Town. Of special interest are the cloister, adorned with baroque doors, the altar, the communion chapel and the 45m- (147ft-) high dome.

Plaza Abad Penalva
Tel: (96) 521 2662.

Ayuntamiento (Town Hall)
A fine example of baroque civic architecture finished in 1760, it is flanked by twin towers. Of interest inside are the Blue Room, the Plenary Room and the chapel. On the first step of the stairway on the first floor is a small metal disc indicating sea level, which is used as a reference point for measuring the height above sea level in all other parts of Spain.

Plaza del Ayuntamiento 1
Tel: (96) 514 9100.
Website: www.alicante-ayto.es

Further Distractions:

MUBAG (Fine Arts)
An 18th-century building, located in the Calle Gravina, MUBAG houses the main artforms from the Alicante area, from the Middle Ages up to 1920. The collection is put into context using period furniture and textiles.

Calle Gravina 13-14
Tel: (96) 514 6780.
Website: www.mubag.com

San Juan Beach
The most beautiful beach in the province, only 20 minutes’ drive from the city center, San Juan beach boasts over 7km (4.5 miles) of spacious, wide beach with fine sand. Facilities include watersports areas, leisure areas and a tourist information point. Every main beach offers a free training circuit for a wide variety of exercise routines. During the holiday season, a team of physiotherapists offer advice.

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