Alicante City Break - Design Lover's Travel Guide
Alicante is nestled on Spain's picturesque Costa Blanca and I've visited many times since 2002 when my family bought a holiday home nearby. It's one of my favourite Spanish cities with a rich history, beautiful beaches, a thriving cultural scene and fantastic architecture. Like Porto, it's relatively small so there's plenty to see without it feeling daunting. It's the perfect place if you're planning a day trip, and the proximity of the city centre to the airport also makes it a great city break destination.
There are three main areas to explore in the heart of Alicante - the city centre; the old town; and the beach and waterfront. I've listed below places to visit in each area, together with my recommendations of the best cafes, restaurants and bars - there are many!
City Centre
Many of Alicante's buildings were damaged or destroyed during the civil war so the post-war period saw a mix of restoration and new construction. Some buildings were restored to their former glory, while others were demolished and replaced with new ones. This has led to an interesting blend of old and new architectural styles which can be found throughout the city centre.
Wander along La Explanada de España
The mosaic promenade was created with over 6.5 million marble tiles in a wave-like pattern. Lined with palm trees, it has beautiful historic buildings on one side and a pretty marina on the other. The perfect area for a stroll.
Casa Carbonell
Built between 1922 and 1925, Casa Carbonell is located at the end of the Explanada de España and is one of the most iconic buildings in Alicante city. It's a great example of early 20th century modernist architecture with its intricate decorative elements, wrought iron balconies and large windows. Today, it houses residential apartments and commercial spaces.
Visit the Mercado Central
One of the most heavily bombed buildings during the civil war, this stunning modernist structure was restored in the early 21st century. Today, the bustling central market sells a fantastic range of fresh produce including meat, seafood, cheese and baked goods. It's also a great place to enjoy a coffee or a glass of local wine. It shuts at 2pm and some of the market stalls start to close at lunchtime so visit in the morning if you can.
The Old Town
Get lost in Barrio de Santa Cruz
With its winding narrow streets and whitewashed houses, the Santa Cruz neighbourhood is the Spain of old. Many of the quaint homes have brightly painted front doors with colourful pot plants outside. This area leads up to the castle and has a really peaceful feel with fantastic views of the city. Definitely the highlight for me.
Walk or take the elevator up to Castillo de Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara castle is a medieval fortress with fantastic panoramic views of Alicante and the Mediterranean sea. It was originally built in the 9th century during the Islamic period and has been added to over the years, with much of the work done during the 13th century and 16th century. It has remained largely intact despite the war and is one of Alicante's most impressive historic buildings.
It can get very hot here in the summer months but it's open until 11pm so an evening visit to watch the sun set would be lovely and much cooler!
Visit the Alicante Museum of Contemporary Art
Located in the Casa de La Asegurada - Alicante's oldest civil building - the MACA museum is a fantastic art gallery showcasing artwork and sculptures by many 20th century artists, including Miro and Dali. My 9 year old loved it here!
Basilica of Santa Maria
As the oldest active church in Alicante, this gothic building with its baroque facade was originally built in the 14th century and added to in the 18th century. It's located just opposite the MACA art gallery.
Concatedral de San Nicolas
The city's cathedral combines Renaissance and Baroque architecture, including a beautiful blue dome and an ornate interior.
Town hall
Another baroque building, the town hall is located in the town square with lots of shops, bars and restaurants, it’s a great spot for people watching.
The Waterfront and Beach
The public transport system in Alicante is great, with a tram line running from the city centre to the beachfront, making all of the main attractions easily accessible.
Relax on Playa del Postiguet
With its beachside cafes, white sand and an array of watersports, Postiguet beach has it all. Across the road from the beach, there's an elevator that can take you up to the castle. Another of the city's beaches, Playa de San Juan, is a few kilometres away.
Stroll alongside Alicante Marina
A great place to sit and watch the world go by, the Marina features a picturesque harbour with bars, restaurants and shops.
Eat and Drink
Manero - One of the best things about Alicante is its food. Definitely my favourite restaurant, we treat ourselves to tapas at Manero every time we visit (without children!). It's not the cheapest place but the food and wine are delicious - I particularly love the oysters!
The interior isn't bad either - look at the skirt light shades and cork ceiling tiles.
Cafe Tres Texturas - A lovely place for breakfast or brunch serving yoghurt bowls, sandwiches and croissants.
Bar Cento - One of the best places for traditional Spanish dishes which they cook in front of you. This tapas cafe has an informal feel and is full of rustic charm.
Santa Gloria - A cafe and bakery, also serving lovely wine and cocktails.
26 Cocktail Room - Located next to Santa Gloria, you'll find fantastic cocktails with a twist here.
So that’s my review of Alicante! A beautiful city for a day trip or short break if you want to experience a vibrant local culture, fantastic architecture and great cuisine. I hope you’ve found it useful. Let me know in the comments if you have any of your own tips or recommendations for the next time I visit!
