Alicante Things to do

Museums and Monuments
Alicante has a rich history of art and culture and many buildings can be visited that display amazing artefacts and treasures including Roman and Moorish sculptures, medieval tapestries and more contemporary works of art from artists such as Dali and Picasso. Museums are found throughout the city and are extremely informative and inspiring to walk around and provide an educational day for visitors. The major highlight is the hillside castle of Santa Barbara which commands stunning panoramic views of the city and coastline and houses several permanent exhibitions of Arabic and medieval art.

Parks and Gardens
Spain holidays in Alicante present a green and spacious city and visitors have access to many open spaces and gardens for relaxation, nature and for watching or taking part in sporting activities. Flower gardens, woodland and natural beach front parkland can be explored on foot or by bicycle and offers an oasis of calm and tranquillity. Simply relax with a picnic or discover the wonderful flora and fauna including a wide variety of birdlife. For visitors looking for something a little more energetic, there is a leisure park located by the Tossal Mountain where a range of sports can be practiced such as mini-golf, bowling, skating and mountain biking.

Beaches
There are soft sandy beaches located right by the city and provide respite and relaxation for Alicante's inhabitants. Playa del Postiguet is a picturesque stretch of fine sand that is ideal for swimming or al fresco lunches in the many beach front cafes and offers a wonderful setting for evening strolls in the sand. Other more isolated beaches can be found a short bus ride away and provide peaceful sunbathing and pretty coastal scenery to enjoy.

Festivals
Festivals, fiestas and carnivals take place all year round in Alicante and throughout the Costa Blanca and offer visitors a uniquely colourful image of the local religious and cultural traditions of this part of Spain. Many commemorate famous battles between the Moors and Christians or dates of religious importance and often involve days of celebrations with street markets, fireworks displays, bonfires and noisy street parades. This is an ideal opportunity to witness traditional local dancing and music and to sample delicious local snacks in a genuinely friendly and festive atmosphere.

Walking
The surrounding countryside provides rewarding opportunities for nature walks or more strenuous trekking with marshlands, forests and mountain paths to be explored. Carrascal de La Font Roja nature reserve has pristine pine forests that provide the habitat for a multitude of birds and mammals such as golden eagles, wild boar and badgers. Organised guided walks can be arranged and a day spent enjoying these pretty natural surroundings offers a welcome escape from crowded beaches and city streets.

Shopping
The streets of Alicante provide a wide range of shopping facilities from traditional craft shops, market stalls and designer outlets and the relaxed pace of the city centre makes bargain hunting a pleasure for holidaymakers. The vast central market is an essential stop for any shopaholic where just about everything is sold and upmarket department stores and boutiques can be found throughout the centre. Alicante is renowned for its production of shoes, bags and leather goods and visitors will be impressed by the quality and range on offer. Chocolates, almonds and fruit liqueurs are always popular purchases and make ideal souvenirs of an Alicante holiday.

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