Province of Alicante

The excellent climate, its beaches and the wide cultural and leisure offer make the province of Alicante one of the main tourist destinations in Spain.

The Costa Blanca is the name by which the Alicante coastline is known. It comprises fine white sandy beaches with calm and very warm waters. Some of the most important towns on the Costa Blanca are Elche, home to the most significant palm grove in Europe, or Benidorm and Torrevieja, emblematic destinations of this Alicante coast. In the Marina Alta region, the municipalities of Denia and Jávea stand out, where you can enjoy beautiful coves. Alcoy, in the interior of the province, is famous for its Moors and Christians festivals. In the Vega Baja del Segura region is Orihuela, which also has a coastal part. The island of Tabarca is located a few miles from Alicante and features crystal-clear waters and beautiful streets and houses.

The provincial capital is the city of Alicante, where you can visit the Santa Bárbara castle. This fortress is located on Mount Benacantil, is of Arab origin, and held great strategic value in ancient times. Other important sites in Alicante include the Casa Carbonell, a landmark civil building of the Alicante capital, and the Central Market of Alicante, built according to eclectic architectural standards. The Alicante Town Hall is housed in a baroque palace whose unique construction is worth a visit. The city's most interesting religious monuments are the Co-Cathedral of San Nicolás, the Santa Faz Monastery and the Basilica of Santa María.

The archaeological site of Lucentum helps us discover the origins of Alicante. It is located on the Tossal de Manises, where many remains from the Ibero-Roman period of ancient Alicante can be observed.

Various famous festivals are held in the province, attracting thousands of people each year. During the Bonfires of San Juan, celebrated in June, wooden and papier-mâché structures, similar to those in Valencia during the Fallas, are burned. In Torrevieja, the International Contest of Habaneras and Polyphonies takes place; the Moors and Christians festival in Villajoyosa is also well-known. In the city of Elche, a liturgical celebration over 500 years old takes place each summer in honour of its patron saint, known as the Mystery. This festival was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Also famous in Elche is the Palm Sunday procession, where beautiful and handcrafted white palms are displayed.

There are also many varied natural parks in Alicante. Among them are the Lagunas de la Mata y Torrevieja, famous for their pink salt flats, and the Montgó Massif and Cabo la Nao.

The leisure offer in Alicante is very extensive. Theme parks such as Terra Mítica, Aqualandia, or Mundomar are perfect for a day of fun. There are also numerous museums throughout the province: the Hogueras Museum, where, among many other things, you can see the ninots pardoned from burning; the Provincial Archaeological Museum houses pieces and remains that tell the history of the province of Alicante; the Chocolate Museum in Villajoyosa; the Toy Museum, etc.  

In Alicante, you can also taste rice cooked in various ways, the pericana and sweets such as the Alicante toña and nougat.