Most visitors start their holiday in Alicante and this is a logical base from which to explore the area. Nicknamed “City of Light” by the Romans, Alicante lures visitors with its lovely year-round climate and sandy beaches which bask under clear blue skies. This city also enjoys an expansive choice of bars and restaurants, serving a delicious array of tapas. This is an attractive city with plenty of walkways and parks, dotted with palm trees that waft in the breeze and offer shade from the scorching midday sun. This is also a fairly cosmopolitan city and nowhere is this more evident than the Paseo de la Explanada, reputedly the most beautiful waterfront promenade in Spain. Here, locals and holidaymakers alike stroll to the sounds of the band, stopping to chat under the tall palms or admire the boats in the harbour. Bearing right from the Explanada is the lively Rambla de Mendez Nunez, packed with shops and home to a colourful market. Follow the street to the 17th century Catedral de San Nicolas de Bari, considered one of Spain’s finest examples of High Baroque architecture. The city is also rightly proud of its Town Hall (Ayuntamiento) with its beautiful Baroque facade. At the foot of the main stairwell is the “cota cero”, a small metal disc from which the height above sea level is measured across Spain. Alicante’s most recognised landmark is the Castle of Santa Barbara, perched high above the city and offering spectacular sea views. Although most of the construction dates back to the 16th century, its foundations are believed to date back as far as the 11th century and archaeological excavations have found traces of previous Roman and Arabic occupations. Approximately 24km north of Alicante are the impressive Cuevas de Canalobre - a huge underground chamber with gigantic stalagmites and stalactites which hosts spectacular concerts each summer. Alicante celebrates one of its most important fiestas from the 19-24 June each year. The Hogueras de San Juan (Bonfires of St John) begins with a traditional evening meal of tuna pie and figs, followed by street parties, bullfights and parades before culminating with an impressive firework display. Popular Spanish Destinations:
Car Hire Spain | Car Hire Murcia | Car Hire Tenerife | Car Hire Lanzarote | Car Hire Mallorca | Car Hire Salou | Car Hire Gran Canaria | Car Hire Alicante | Car Hire Malaga To read more about Alicante, please follow this link | 
The Moors believed they had discovered paradise when they reached the Costa Blanca - sundrenched beaches, surrounded by olive and eucalyptus trees and backed by misty mountains. But it wasn’t until the 1960s that the rest of the world caught up and realised exactly what this stretch of Spanish coastline could offer the holidaymaker. 
