subject: Day Excursions from Alicante [print this page] The area around Alicante has been inhabited for over 7000 years. By 1000 BC Greek and Phoenician traders had begun to visit the eastern coast of Spain, establishing small trading ports and introducing the native Iberian tribes to the alphabet, iron and the pottery wheel. By the sixth century, the rival armies of Carthage and Rome began to invade and fight for control of the Iberian Peninsula. During the early twentieth century, Alicante was a minor capital which enjoyed the benefit of Spain.
Alicante is the largest city in the Costa Blanca region of Spain and is one of the most beautiful places you could wish to travel to if you take the time and the effort to explore the region and some of it's sheer beauty. It is the 4th largest in terms of GDP after Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. It is also a booming province, partly due to the surge in tourist activity over recent years, especially along the coastal areas which have the best climatic conditions in the whole of Spain. Modernity runs alongside tradition and you can still find very traditional villages tucked away in the mountains. You can also find some of the best gastronomy in Spain.
Alicante City has a regular ferry service to the Balearic Islands and a growing International airport is nearby. Alicante also boasts a spacious harbour and amongst other historical features of the city, it has the Castle of Santa Barbara (Castillo de Santa Barbara), a huge medieval fortress overlooking Alicante from the north.
Alicante has many attractions. It has stunning beaches, great weather, well-priced real estate property, cheap flights and nice hotels and also a great nightlife if you can handle the late hours. Apart from quaint Spanish towns like Benitachell and Aspe and popular tourist/expat destinations such as Altea, Javea, Calpe and Denia, there is the very popular Benidorm which lies 45 minutes drive north of Alicante.
Benidorm is very popular due to its many bars, restaurants and fun attractions for kids and adults, such as Terra Mitica, Terra Natura, Mundomar and Aqualandia amongst the many options. Alicante is a truly amazing place and if you take the time to discover its hidden secrets, you will come back for many years to come. See for yourself the breath-taking sceneries and tourist attractions waiting for you to enjoy. All-in-all the Alicante region of Spain is a great place to either unwind or to have an adventure, depending on what you are looking for and with a large exact community, it is no wonder many British people choose to live or work here.
Alicante is one of the most popular resorts to stay at along the Costa Blanca. Whether you are interested in shopping, eating, sunbathing or simply people-watching beside the wonderful harbor, it has something to offer most tourists.
But for those who want to spend their time exploring life outside of the town, the surrounding area offers some fantastic places to visit in just a day. Although there are local tour companies offering trips to various sites and tourist attractions, the best option is car hire. Having a car for your excursions from Alicante gives you the ability to see as much, or as little, as you want. This is the largest collection in Europe and the grove was declared a World Heritage Site in 2000. Altamira Castle, which is located within the grove and built in the thirteenth century, is also worth a look. The grove is only 22 km south of Alicante, which makes it only a short drive away.
