Alicante

Old Town (El Barrio)

There's a lot to see in Alicante's Old Town which is a hub for culture as well as restaurants and nightlife throughout the year. For those seeking cultural attractions the Museum of Fine Arts and the Archaeological Museum of Alicante are a must. Spain is a religious country and this is also reflected here with the Cathedral, a monastery and other churches too. And for those after some nightlife this is the place to head in the evenings when the narrow streets get packed with those after top DJs, live music or even art exhibitions. There's plenty of accommodation here too if you want to be close to the action.

Beaches

Alicante is well known for the quality of its beaches. San Juan Beach is huge; with over seven km of sand there's space to spare, and many trams and buses run there from all over Alicante. Postiguet Beach is central making it easy to get to and the palm trees around it make it very popular. Playa del Salvador is just outside town, and has excellent views of Alicante, but it tends to be quieter because of the distance. Other smaller beaches may be nudist beaches, although these tend to be the rocky places leaving the sand for family holidays!

Marina

Alicante's marina has restaurants aplenty, and for the best fish restaurants in town this is the place to be. Places here range from relaxed cafes for an afternoon drink to upmarket eateries designed for those who park their boats in the marina and come ashore for dinner. You'll find lots of modern bars and a party atmosphere at the Panoramis Centre. Accommodation at the Plaza Puerto del Mer has great views over this area and is one of the most popular places to stay in Alicante as it's close to the beaches and the Old Town.

Further Out

Santa Cruz is another great area to head for some excellent nightlife amongst traditional-looking houses. The highlight in this area is the Jazz festival, held throughout July and August. For the cheapest accommodation head inland a little to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento region, Alicante is small enough that you'll still be able to get to everywhere without any trouble. In the summer the Plaza del Puerto Viejo comes alive with free festivals and music events so check what's happening to get the most out of your holiday in Alicante!