Alicante At It’s Best
August 5, 2009
Alicante is an ideal location as your base when touring the Costa Blanc. It has a vast amount of attractions in the city and surrounding area to suit every need, including the island of Tabarca just off the coast. Why not add some of the following to your list of things to see and do.
Beaches and Marinas:
San Juan Beach (La Playa de San Juan)
Awarded the Blue Flag of the European Union. You will find a wide variety of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants as well as water sports.
The Alicante Marina
Offers the best in shopping, top restaurants and water sports.
Museums and Historic Buildings:
Castle of Santa Barbara
Located in the centre of Alicante, The Castle of Santa Barbara stands on top of Mount Benacantil. The Moor’s Head, a part of the castle which resembles a human face, can be seen from El Postiguet beach.
Castillo de San Fernando (St Ferdinand Castle)
Built on Tossal Hill at the start of the 19th century.
St Mary’s Church (Iglesia de Santa Maria)
Dating between the 14th and 16th centuries.
Ayuntamiento (Town hall)
Housing a statue of Dali, this boroque building has twin towers rising to 35m. Also visit the chapel, the plenary room and the blue room.
The Co-Cathedral of San Nicolas:
Built during the 17th century in renaissance and baroque styles, this cathedral has a marvellous blue dome.
Provincial Archaeological Museum (MARQ)
Built in 1930 with additional rooms and a conference centre added in 2002. Exhibits vary from the Stone Age to Medieval times. It’s most treasured exhibit is the Lady of Guardamar from the Iberian settlement of Cabezo Lucero.
Address: Plaza Dr. Gómez Ulla, s/n, Alicante Tel: +34 96 514 9006
Museo De La Asegurada
Next to Santa María church, the exhibits include paintings, sculptures, mixed technique and lithographs by Juan Gris, Joan Miro, Dali, Picasso, Zobel, Tapies, Chillida, Gargallo and non-Spanish artists such as Agam, Calder, Chagall, Kandinsky, Vasarely, as well as local artistes.
Address: Plaza Santa María 3, Alicante Tel: +34 96 514 0768
Gravina Fine Arts Museum – (MUBAG)
Found in the Gravina Palace, which was built in the 17th and 18th centuries, it exhibits works from the Middle Ages to 1920 including items from Rodrigo de Osona, Salzillo, Vicente Lopez, Antonio Gisbert, Joaquin Agrasot, Xavier Soler, Eusebio Sempere and Emilio Varela. Musical concert are held in the Old Quarter auditorium. No entrance fee.
Address: C./ Gravina 13-15, 03002, Alicante Tel: +34 965 146 780
Municipal Archives
Dating from the 18th century, the remains of a late-Roman necropolis dating from the 6th to 8th centuries A.D, a manuscripts from the 12th century and documents granting a town charter to Alicante by Ferdinand II in 1490 are some of the exhibits.
Address: Palacio Maisonnave, Calle Labradores, Alicante 03001 Tel: +34 965 140 927
Nativity Scene Museum
Christmas nativity scenes from Spain and all over the world as well as a life-sized nativity scene.
Address: Calle San Augustin, 3 03002 Alicante Tel: +34 965 202 232
Alicante Bullfighting Museum (Museo Taurino)
A permanent display of local bullfighters such as Vicente Blau, Francisco Anton, Jose Maria Manzanares and Luis Francisco Espla.Offers a library, conference room, exhibition lounge and an audiovisual room.
Address: Plaza de Toros, Alicante Tel: +34 965 217 678, +34 965 219 930
Museum, University of Alicante (MUA)
Contemporary Art, research activities, production, conservation, documentation, diffusion and teaching of this art complement the museums particular focus on the most modernist forms of expression.
Address: 03690 Sant Vicent del Raspeig, Alicante Tel: +34 965 909 466, +34 965 903 865
Fax: +34 965 903 464
The Alicante ‘Hogueras’ Museum
Exhibits the most popular festivals: the Hogueras de San Juan.
Tel: +34 965 146 828
Miguel Hernández House-Museum
The home of famous poet Miguel Hernández exhibits objects that played a major part in his life. Free entrance
Address: Calle Miguel Hernández, 73 03300 Orihuela (Alicante – Alacant) Tel: +34 965306327
This spacious 20th Century building hosting many festivals, charity events and art exhibitions in it’s three exhibition rooms. Entrance may be free.
Address: Paseo Almirante Julio Guillén Tato, s/n 03001 Alicante Tel: +34 96 592 20 18
Archaeology and History of Elche – Palacio de Altamira
Interactive exhibitions, cultural workshops, audiovisual shows and replicas of ancient civilisations, make this worth a visit. Three Euros entrance fee but free on Sundays.
Address: Diagonal del Palau, s/n 03202 Elche (Alicante – Alacant) Tel: +34 966615382
Water Sports:
Diving and Scuba-Diving
Address: G.I.S.E.D. Edifico Rocafell, bloque 19, 1-6 Albufera, Alicante Tel: +34 965 21 19 55
Jet-Skiing
Address: Isla Marina Avda. Villayoiosa, s/n Tel: +34 965 26 57 28
Boat Rental
Address: Arrendamientos Náuticos, Marina Deportiva de Alicante, Muelle Levante, 8
Windsurfing, Sailing and Canoeing
Address: The Mediterranean Sailing School, Marina Deportiva de Alicante, Muelle 8
Tel: +34 965 21 19 55
Activities:
Hiking and Trekking in the Sierra de Aitana Mountain in the northern region. Guided tours available.
Address: Explore Avda. Marina Baixa, 60 Cala de Finestrat/Benidorm, Alicante
Tel: +34 966 80 42 66
Skydiving and Paragliding.
Address: c/ Alfonso Guixot Guixot, 1 ESC. 1 2 E, Alicante Tel: +34 965 25 84 26
Jogging in Lo Morant and the Explanada.
Basketball The home team is Etosa Alicante Baloncesto. The season runs from October till May.
Address: Basketball Stadium, Centro de Tecnificación de Alicante, c/ Foguerer Gilabert Dávo, s/n
Balonmano The local team is BM Alicante Costa Blanca.
Address: c/ Foguerer J. Roméu Zarandieta, s/n Tel: +34 965 25 41 52
Golf at El Plantío and Alicante Golf
Address: Avda. del Parque, s/n. La Condomina Playa de San Juan, Alicante Tel: +34 965 15 37 94
Football Watch in one of the local sports bars.
Bullfighting. Alicante’s oldest bullring is Plaza de Toros.
Address: Plaza de Toros de Alicante, Plaza de España, 7-8 Tel: +34 965 21 72 13
Alicante Theatre
Built in an Italian style in 1847 with a six-column entrance. Offers ballet and opera.
Narrow Gauge Railway:
Ferrocarils de la Generalitat Valenciana, Delegación de Alicante, Avda. Villajoyosa 2, 03016 – Alicante Tel: +34 965 262 233 Fax: +34 965 262 930
Parks:
Canalejas Park
Alicante’s oldest park, the entrance is adorned with stone sculptures of dogs and lions. It has superb fountains and has a stone carved map of Spain.
El Palmeral
On the outskirts of the city, El Palmeral has some spectacular waterfalls and lake.
Mount Tossal Theme Park
Panoramic views of the city and coastline. A giant chessboard and rock climbing.
Parque del Morant
The large open-air auditorium is used by performers in the summer.
Parque de la Ereta
A modern French park with a marvellous walkway from Santa Barbara Castle to the old town.
Monte Benacantil
Said to supply the oxygen needs of Alicante with it’s pine and eucalyptus trees.
Terra Natura Park
Over 1,500 animals of different species. The water park has a variety of rides and a large pool area.
Mundomar Marine Park
View dolphins in their natural habitat and see colourful aquatic and tropical birds.
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