The Castle of Santa Barbara boasts panoramic sea views from its vantage point at the summit of Mount Benacantil.  Reached via lift from Postiguet Beach or by car, the castle is one of the city’s most important monuments.  Although most of the construction dates from the 16th century, its foundations are believed to date back as far as the 11th century and archaeological digs have found Iberian, Roman and Arabic remains here. Make sure you see the Torre de Homenaje, El Salon de Felipe II and the Baluarte de los Ingleses.

Alicante is also rightly proud of its Town Hall (Ayumiento) with its Baroque architecture from the early 18th century.  At the foot of the main stairway is the “cota cero”, a small metal disc from which the height above sea level is measured across Spain.

The Co Cathedral of St Nicholas of Bari is considered one of Spain’s examples of high baroque architecture. Again built on the site of an ancient mosque, most of the cathedral dates back to the 17th century but the 15th century cloisters are of particular interest.

The Monasterio de la Santa Faz can be found just 8km from the City towards Valencia.  One of the chapels contains a holy relic brought from Rome in the 15th century, said to be the linen used by Veronica to wipe Christ’s brow during the Calvary.

The fortified Island of Tabarca, once a military lookout for pirates, is now a listed historical monument just 11 miles from Alicante. A 60 minute boat trip brings visitors to the island where they will find the 18th century Church of St Peter and Paul and the Castle of San Jose.