Alicante Spain is a beautiful resort spot located on the southeast coast of the country along the Mediterranean Sea. It is part of the area of Spain known as Costa Blanca and is famous for its shopping, long stretches of beach, and pleasant weather year-round. In addition to the beautiful Alicante beaches, there are various other attractions in the area to make your visit complete, such as the Santa Barbara Castle. All of these great features of the area have helped local tourism rise in the past few years, making the city one of the most popular spots along the Costa Blanca.

Alicante is relatively easy to travel to and is connected by major sources of public transportation in Spain. The closest airport is the El Altet international airport, about twelve miles north of the city. Most major European airlines fly to El Altet, but if you are coming in from outside of Europe, you will find you will most likely have to connect in a major airport somewhere on the continent before continuing on to Alicante. Visitors can either take a taxi or the Alicante bus service to get into the city proper. Once in Spain, visitors will find San Juan de Alicante well connected on the Spanish rail service. The most popular time of year to vacation in Alicante is during the summer months and during European holiday times but visitors will find that the temperature drops significantly at night.

Coupled with beautiful, dry weather, Alicante Spain also offers a glimpse into the region’s history. The Roman city of Lucentum was the predecessor of the city and the walls they built helped protect the city during later invasions. After the Moorish invasions of the eighth and ninth centuries, the modern day Alicante developed and it began to establish itself as a prominent city along the coast. The town began to flourish as a major sea trading center, and in 1821 the medieval walls of the city were pulled down so it could spread to the surrounding area. With more than 3,000 years of history there are numerous relics to be found about town, and the medieval castle is a must-see. The Provincial Archaeological Museum is home to thousands of relics from the area and showcases the history of Alicante and the Costa Blanca. The Santa Barbara Castle is also a popular spot as it allows tourists to explore one of Spain’s grandest fortresses from the medieval period and check out the Museum of Bonfires.

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After the medieval walls came down, Alicante truly established itself as a resort destination. It was one of the first cities to be linked to Madrid by train and became one of the most popular beach destinations in Spain. It still holds its stronghold today as more than 3 million tourists visit the area each year. The Alicante beaches are the main draw for those looking for some sun since this hot spot on the Costa Blanca boasts about four miles of lovely sand and sweeping views of the Mediterranean. With mild weather throughout most of the year, those going on vacation are attracted to the sun and relaxed atmosphere about the area.

A day at one of the gorgeous Alicante beaches is usually completed with a stroll down the famous seafront promenade, the Paseo de la Explanada. The promenade is lined with grand palm trees and is paved with marble inlays of red, cream and black tiles, adding to the elegance of the area. The promenade also plays home to various cafes and shops where people go to see and be seen. The people-watching here is unrivaled and it is the best place to show off your new purchases from one of the high-end shops. If you don’t fancy dropping a fortune at one of the boutiques, there are plenty of craft shops selling local goods such as ceramics, baskets and leather goods. Take in dinner or drinks at one of the numerous cafes, bars and restaurants along the promenade which stay open until all hours of the morning. San Juan de Alicante is the perfect spot for your next holiday if you are looking to get some sun, brush up on your history, and enjoy the vibrant local culture.