Alicante Excursions

Alicante is the gateway to the 200km of beautiful coastline known as the Costa Blanca, which attracts millions of tourists each year. Use Car Hire 3000's car rental service to plan your trip. Here is a guide to the different towns and attractions you will find at your fingertips when arriving in Alicante:

Denia

Denia is the first of the major towns on the Costa Blanca to the north, lying 85km north-east of Alicante. This small city is characterised by a beautiful harbour, which has many boats offering cruises to various islands offshore including Ibiza and Mallorca.

Denia’s main tourist attraction is its 11th century castle, which sits majestically above the coast and city. Denia is a good place to do some shopping, with many outlets and boutiques to be found along the main Marques de Campo road with a clutch of wonderful restaurants and bars on hand as well. Denia is also a haven for golfers thanks to the excellent Club de Golf La Sella Denia owned by the world famous Spanish golfer Jose Maria Olazabal.

Javea

5km south-west of Denia on the N332 main road is the village of Javea. Again, you will find a beautiful harbour lined with a number of restaurants and bars. In terms of sightseeing, visit the Soler Blasco museum, which boasts an impressive collection of jewellery discovered in the area from as far back as the 12th century.

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Javea’s church (Iglesia de San Bartolome) sits high on a cliff top and offers a wonderful view of the Mediterranean, although the most impressive views of your surroundings can be found from the Cabo de Nao San Martin, reachable from walking up the hill leading from the harbour.

Calpe

For some of the nicest and not overcrowded beaches in a romantic setting head to Calpe just a little further along the N332 coastal road. This small town is gazed upon by the Penon de Ifach – a huge rock formation that sits in the Mediterranean that can be seen for miles around.

The only real points of interest in Calpe with regards sightseeing are the two 15th century churches – the Iglesia Antigua and Senora de las Nieves. Cape also has a small archaeological museum that shows various artefacts found locally dating back as far as the 4th century.

As mentioned, Calpe is in possession of some wonderful beaches, among the best on the Costa Blanca in fact. The Cantal Roig and the Playa Arenal are renowned for their fine sand and tranquil ambience. Also, it is worth taking a drive to Playa la Fossa and the beautiful bay of Gasparet where you will find excellent swimming and surfing opportunities.

Benidorm

Benidorm is arguably the most famous holiday destination amongst British people who have been frequenting the town, its attractions and its beaches for decades now. Although Benidorm is famous for its overcrowding, its collection of often garish accommodation options and over-hedonistic nightlife, there is also much beauty and fun to be had during a visit – especially if you have children with you.

The beaches for example are full of watersports activities, such as waterskiing, windsurfing, banana boat riding and more, with some beaches (including La Playa de Poniente and La Playa de Levante) stretching for as far as 5km. Despite what you may have heard about these popular beaches – there are plenty of quieter spots for visitors to relax in. Children are also well catered for by the amount of themed waterparks found in and around the town, such as Mitica, Mundomar and Aqualandia – fun for both children and adults.

Torrevieja

The small city of Torrevieja is the other side Alicante – lying 50km to the south-west. Again, the N332 will provide you with a scenic and straightforward journey along the Costa Blanca until you reach this beautiful seaside settlement.

The entire area around Torrevieja and the nearby Orihuela is famous for salt production, with salt lakes surrounding much of the land from Alicante southwards. As you travel along the N332, you will probably see huge salt mountains on both sides of the road until you reach the centre of Torrevieja itself.

Torrevieja – like Benidorm – is popular with Irish and British holidaymakers, although is considered a little more ‘refined’ than its larger counterpart to the north. Torrevieja is also a good option for those travelling with a family thanks to its large, safe beaches, number of watersports and also the Aqualandia waterpark that is within driveable distance from the centre of town.

Murcia

Murcia is one of Spain’s major cities, with 433,000 people calling it home. The city is a 75km drive from Alicante and is just 30km west of Torrevieja. If you are travelling to Murcia from Alicante, simply take the national E15 road.

Murcia is a must-do for anybody looking to travel to the Costa Blanca, particularly because of the amounts of things to see in the city. Begin at the impressive 15th century baroque Cathedral de Santa Maria. Once inside, you will be astonished by the splendour of the internal gold fittings, likewise the delicately constructed entrance doors to the north and the south of the building. Equally impressive is the Palacio del Almudi within walking distance, with it’s awesome marble columns and interior.

To the west of the town, make a visit to the Museo Salzillo – a beautiful 16th century baroque chapel which now houses a museum dedicated to the world-famous, Murcia-born Sculptor Francisco Salzillo.

The Moorish castle on top of the Monteagudo mountain shouldn’t be missed either. The castle can be seen from almost anywhere in Murcia and is of course famous for its giant ‘open arms’ statue of Jesus Christ which sits on top it. Whilst up there, stand beneath the magnificent statue and simply take in the awesome views of all that surrounds. Other great views of the city can be found at El Valle and La Fuensanta Sanctuary.

Murcia is also the gateway to some of the finest beaches in the country – with many of them literally uninhabited such as those found between Mazarron and Aguilas. Equally, there are also many populated beaches close-by, which are aimed more towards traditional holidaymakers and those seeking attractions and things to do, such as those found along the La Manga stretch of coastline.

Related links

• Car Hire Top Destinations
• Car Hire Alicante
• Travelling to and around Alicante
• Alicante Newsletter Archive
• Driving in Spain

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