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Alicante Tourist Information - Costa Blanca

 Alicante Holiday Rentals

 Alicante is the second largest city in the province of Valencia with a population of around 300,000, Alicante has the look and feel of a modern city, however its modern look hides a history that goes back to the 4th Century BC. The city sits neatly beside the Mediterranean sea, proudly guarded by mountains which explains its history as an important sea port and trading centre. Alicante today is a more peaceful place and thrives more on the modern industry of tourism, with its mild temperate climate and scarcity of rain it is the ideal location for tourists and holidaymakers from all over Europe and indeed the world. Alicante is graced by some of the best beaches in Spain and has some fine watersports venues such as Albufereta beach and Almadraba beach, one of the very best beaches is at Playa de San Juan.

                 

Alicante has a lively nightlife and has a huge choice of bars and restaurants with cuisines to suit all tastes although the speciality of the area is fish, being a thriving seaport it has created a number of local dishes comprising of fish. Depending on the time of year you decide to visit, there are a number of carnivals and religious festivals which you should not miss if you get the opportunity. The Spanish people love their fiestas which they enjoy with much vigour and gusto, some of the best known fiestas include the Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christians), held in late April and celebrating the defeat of the Moors by the Christians in the 13th Century, the Hogueras de Sant Joan (celebration of the bonfires), the Misteri D'Elx (Mystery of Elche) in August and the annual carnival held in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday.

As a city with a rich and ancient history there are of course plenty of sites of historical interest to visit, these include the Castle of Santa Barbara (situated on Mount Benacantil) one of the biggest medieval fortresses in Europe, the Iglesia de Santa Maria - the oldest church in Alicante, and the Museo Archaeologico - the city's famous archaeological museum. For those with shopping on their minds there is also a modern shopping area which includes the well know Corte Inglés department store. Alicante is easy to get to by most means of transport, the airport is at El Altet ( a 10 minute drive from the city centre), there is a main line railway station with trains running to Valencia, Barcelona, Madrid and Seville, the city is also easily reached by motorway from all surrounding areas and via the notorious N332 coastal road. Alicante is a lovely city and due to its compact nature much can be seen in just one day.