It's not just the most popular cities in the world that are exciting. Sure, Paris has a lot of romance to it. When it comes to history, there's no better place than Rome. And if you want to do something fun, there are lots to do in New York. But still, there are cities like Alicante. From the outside, it seems like your typical rural Spanish city along the Mediterranean where the only fun thing to do is to swim, get a tan, and relax on the beach. But Alicante is more than that! Here are what you can do in this beautiful city!
See Alicante's Castles and Towers
Spain is a country packed with so much history that you wouldn't know where to start. Here in Alicante, the city has its own relics and artifacts that give a peek of what the country was like in the past. Many of them in this city are castles and towers. For instance, atop Benacantil mountain stands the Castle of Santa Barbara, a beautiful fortress that was heavily renovated during the 1500s. In this castle alone, you can see Arab and Moorish influences, proving that Spain wasn't always the Roman Catholic White European country it is now. And there are more similar places in Alicante!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Visit The Basilica of Santa María
Speaking of Spain's Catholicism, one of the best places for it in Alicante is undoubtedly the Basilica of Santa María. Though it's evidently a place of worship for the Catholic faith, it used to be a mosque, believe or not! It wasn't until the 13th century that Catholic Spaniards got it back to becoming a basilica once again. From the outside, it seems simple, especially the twin towers at the front. Weirdly enough, they actually weren't built at the same time. The one on the right was constructed in the 1300s while the one on the left was built in the 1800s.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Explore Casco Antiguo
One of the most fascinating
neighborhoods in Alicante, Casco Antiguo is definitely worth exploring! A sea of white with pops of brightly-hued flora await the romantics who want to fall in love with the nostalgic charm of Alicante. The narrow streets and pathways harken back to more intimate times, allowing visitors to come up with their own narratives on what life here must have been in the past. And if you get tired, the district has a slew of relaxing cafes and
excellent restaurants to get your energy going again! Who wouldn't love such a place?
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Shop at Mercado Central
Speaking of food, if you want to enjoy the most authentic Spanish and Valencian cuisines, go to Mercado Central. As its name already suggests, this is the central market in all of Alicante. People here shop for food, eat snacks, enjoy delicacies, and more. It's a particularly popular place among tourists, serving up some unique and exciting delicacies that bring out the true flavors of Alicante. The seafood here, in particular, are worth trying out. You've lively never tasted crab, lobster, and prawn quite like the ones from here. They're so fresh and sumptuous, it's like you took a bite out of the Mediterranean sea yourself!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Play Golf
You didn't expect something as seemingly mundane as playing golf to be on this list, did you? You can play golf back at home or practically anywhere else in the world, what makes playing the sport in Alicante so special? Well, for one thing, the Mediterranea air you get in this city is unlike any other. There aren't a lot of golf courses in this part of the world. Alicante region probably has the biggest number of them in all of the region. So combining the charming atmosphere of the Mediterranean with the relaxing sport makes for a truly memorable game indeed!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Enjoy Some Seaside Fun
Of course, since Alicante is in the Mediterranean and a coastal city at that, going to the beach will be part of this list. And yes, as already mentioned, it's probably the most expected activity to do in this city. But that's not such a bad thing. Most especially since Alicante's most beautiful beaches are out of this world. Whether it's the famous San Juan de Alicante shoreline or the more white sandy Albir beach, you won't find any paradises quite like the ones in this city. Do remember that many of them tend to get crowded so make sure you go there early to get a good spot!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Join A Bonfire Fiesta
You've probably had a bonfire or two already but have you ever joined a bonfire fiesta? Celebrating St. John’s Eve every June 23, one of the lesser-known
holidays in Spain, Alicante has a huge bonfire. It's so huge and amazing that it almost looks like an inferno, which is ironic since it's a saint's feast day. Nevertheless, this unique holiday tradition consists of locals taking out their old wooden furniture and burning them to the ground. There are even cultures, called
Cremà that make the scene even more riveting. If you don't have anything to burn yourself, it's better just watch it from the wings!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Alicante may not be the most popular city in Spain, let alone in the entire world, but that doesn't mean the place is boring. It's anything but! There are lots to see and do in this beautiful coastal town that you wouldn't want to miss out on!
