TOURIST INFORMATION ALICANTE

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES IN ALICANTE.

The Spanish municipality (city), as opposed to the Province (county) of Alicante, covers an area of 200 square kilometers, with a population of 322,000 - the area which this page will cover - we have tried to supply as much (touristic) info about Alicante city as is possible at this time, and will add to this info as time permits.

NOTE : The Alicante Tourist Information Office on Rambla de Méndez is the only Tourist Information Centre open on the weekend - Sat 10.00 - 20.00 and Sun 10.00 - 14.00. Probably in the HIGH season (July & Aug) you will find ALL open at weekend .. but outside of these months use the Rambla Méndez Tourist Information on Saturday & Sunday.

Alicante Parque Deportivo El Tossal ... a fabulous complex of sports facilities ... the site of the old Alicante racecourse offers ... The Estadio José Rico Pérez is a 29,500 seater multi functional sports stadium, most usually used for football (home to Alicante CF and Hercules CF football teams), around which there are another three football pitches.

Pabellon Municipal de Deportes - (The Municipal Pavilion of Sport) Ciudad Deportiva - (Sport City) Pista Municipal de Atletismo - (Alicante Municipal track of Athletics) Pista Hipodromo - (Race Track Course) - photo above. Piscinas Municipales - (Alicante Municipal Swimming Pools) Centro de alta Tecnificacion - (Sports Technology Centre) The Alicante multi-sports complex covers football, athletics, basketball, paddle-tennis (padel), fronton and swimming pools.

The University of Alicante (Universitat d'Alacant) is deemed one of the largest in Spain and boasts a massive sports complex - around 30,000 students pass through the university every year.

QM Sport Club has 4 artificial grass, 1 clay and 2 paddle courts with access directly from the hotel garden. [edit] Montepiedra Sports Centre.The centre is home to some of the top Padel [edit] Pelota [edit] tennis players in Spain. Club de Tennis Alacant Font de Sala, s/n , 03016 Alicante/Alacant (Alicante) Tel: 965 662 252 [edit]

ARENA ?? - Sports Centre [edit]

If swimming in the sea is not your thing, then Alicante does provide other options ... There are indoor pools at the Parque Deportivo Tossal (mentioned above) and also another Municipal swimming pool on Avenida Fernando Madronál.

Golfing Information Alicante ...

Alicante has four golf courses (all 18 hole) within the city (municipality) itself ...

ALICANTE GOLF COURSE (SAN JUAN) information ...
Located Av Locutor Vicente Hipólito 37 - sometimes referred to as San Juan Beach Golf is an 18 hole course designed by the one and only Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros. information www.alicantegolf.com.

GOLF & SPA BONALBA information ...
Located Partida de Bonalba in Mutxamel www.golfbonalba.com.

EL PLANTÍO CLUB DE GOLF information ...
south-west of Alicante on the A79 - www.elplantio.com.

ALENDA GOLF information ...
Located in Monforte El Cid www.alendagolf.com

Mount Benacantil (upon which the Santa Barbara Castle of Alicante stands) is 169m above sea level providing some spectacular views of the whole Alicante city and is obviously the most prominent feature of the city .. lying, as it does, right on the coast.

We devote a whole information page to the Alicante Castle ...
Alicante Castle Santa Barbara - information about the Alicante Santa Barbara castle.

The highest point above sea level in the Alicante municipality (county) is the Cabezón de Oro which is 1.208m high and only 8.5km inland at the highest point.

The Cabezón de Oro stands close to the town of Busot, a peak (on which occasion) snow can be seen so we are talking a real high point in the south of Spain.

Here at the Cabezón de Oro are the Coves Del Canelobre.
For information the Alicante Tourist Attraction - Busot Caves.

In no way as visually spectacular as the main Alicante castle, the San Fernando castle is further inland ... and one place in Alicante to avoid.

For your information ...
In truth the castle San Fernando is not worth a visit, even if you have the time - there is graffiti everywhere, dog crap all over the place, deadbeats hanging around drinking, and not a lot else to see when you get up there.
A great pity, but that's the sad truth ...
Until the San Fernando monument sees a large injection of cash for renovation and sustained upkeep it should be ignored ...
there are far better places in the city of Alicante to enjoy.

Although the Alicante climate is one of predominant sunshine most of the year round - Alicante beach life is somewhat restricted to the high summer months, a stroll and a short sea paddle in the months of November to April is all that the temperature recommends, although it is not unusual to see people on the beach at Alicante - and swimming in the sea during these months.

all the beaches of Alicante from north to south are ...

SAN JUAN BEACH information ... a 6km stretch with a long promenade & great views of the coastline further north of Alicante ... (thus known locally as Muchavista [much to see] beach) ... where in the peak season there is also a tourist information office open.

CABO DE LA HUERTA COVES information ... stretch with rocks and sand.

LA ALMADRABA BEACH information ... (a 0.7km stretch).

LA ALBUFERETA BEACH information ... (0.5km stretch) at the side of the Albufereta marina.

EL POSTIGUET BEACH information ... wide & long - with a promenade (the main beach in Alicante 0.66km).

SALADAR URBANOVA BEACH information ... 5km south of the city centre a 1.6km stretch of sand.

PARK LA ERETA (ON MOUNT BENACANTIL) - a hard stiff climb, but well worth the effort.
Nestled on the side of the benacantil mountain which supports Alicante castle.
There are some great things to see on the way up there, but the park can only be reached on foot. The park lies just above the old town of Alicante - the El Barrio Santa Cruz district (until not so long ago regarded as a slum area - but which has seen massive improvements), well worth exploring in itself.

MONTE TOSSAL PARK - situated on the side of the Castillo de San Fernando a 63,000 square metre area of gardens & play areas ... the park is due to be upgraded ... until it is ... I'm afraid its the same as the San Fernando Castle ... not worth the time of day.

Along with the castle and beaches, Alicante's marina is the focal point of the whole city, without which the city of Alicante's coastline would not have the same effervescence. After a walk around the city or a visit to the Santa Barbara Castle, what better way to relax ...
in one of the many bar/restaurants which surround this very classy marina.

Alongside the marina (to the south) is the working port of Alicante (which kind of spoils some of the fine views on offer further along the coast) with its cranes and cargo containers, but the fact is that Alicante port is still today an important outlet for fishing and import & export activities (daily life must go on even in a tourist haven). The marina is the second largest (the Torrevieja marina has more available moorings) in the Alicante Province, boasting around 700 mooring berths. But the location of the Alicante marina and the rather superb yachts and boats which use it, more than makes up the difference of a few extra slots. Regatta's, yachting events, related boating activities and trips are organized from the Alicante marina, including visits to Tabarca Island. The Alicante port is also a stop off point for various cruise ships.

The Volvo Ocean Yachting Race 2008 - 2009 chose Alicante Marina as the opening leg in a race that took in 10 countries and 11 ports around the world. The 39,000 mile race was hosted in the city of Alicante for the first time ... construction of the race village (a 40,000 sq metre compound within the Alicante Marina) will only heighten the Alicante Marina's growing reputation as one of the major marinas in the Spain. The village will be used to host many further upcoming events in the future.

A small marina (with around 230 moorings) situated in between the beaches of Almadraba and La Albufereta supplying the basic services.

The famed Alicante street market held along the main walkway (passeo) esplanade running parallel to the N332 road (which splits the city from the beach and marina), is probably one of the first things you will see and remember about an Alicante day out ...
This is not to say that the Alicante street market outshines any, or all other markets.
But its location on this walkway (opposite the Alicante marina) which is always quite busy (but not overly push & shove) and the unique (and wide) tiled walkway (almost an optical illusion in itself) ... and where other things are always going on, tends to make the Alicante street market stay in the memory longer than any other such market experiences.
The Alicante street market is open all year round (day & night), maybe some stalls close for afternoon siesta, but whenever you visit Alicante ... something will be going on along this street market esplanade.

In the summer months it is not unusual to see concerts and shows held at the entrance to the Alicante marina - its a great setting ... beneath the Santa Barbara Castle and by the side of the splendid marina. There is also a bandstand on the esplanade de España where bands hold concerts at times.

There are two theatres in Alicante the Teatro Principal - and Arniches Theatre.

Festivals are a part of the Spanish culture and these spectacular processions are held all over the Costa Blanca Alicante Province, in different towns, on different festival days. Some festivals lasting a week or more. These festival "shows" are now part and parcel of the tourist calendar, a spectacle geared towards the Spanish tourist industry. With the amount of people involved in (for instance) the Guardamar del Segura festivities (the only one I have personally witnessed), one can only come to the assumption that (some of) the persons actually involved in the processions must be drafted in from town to town. The festivals tend to be focused on the main street of the town and go on for hours with parade after parade. It is a great first time visual display ... although one which tends to drag and be a little repetitive, all credit to those who take part in the processions, but ...
I guess what I'm trying to say here (kindly) is that the Spanish festivals are a sight to behold ... but ... once you've seen one ... you've (kind of) seen them all (IMHO).
For those with a little more enthusiasm (and time to spare) ... correct details of all Alicante fiestas and festivals can be obtained by E Mail from any of the Alicante Tourist Information Offices (listed above).


Special days in the Alicante Festival calendar are as follows ...

Hogueras de Sant Juan

held towards the last week of June 20th - 24th ... this is the Alicante city main fiesta - an ancient tradition of burning items that serve no purpose (usually cardboard effigies). Streets in Alicante are closed and there is a massive procession, culminating in a great fireworks displays (on the castle and on the main beach) and a bull fighting exhibition ...
The Hogueras de Sant Juan is definitely not to be missed if you are around, so I'm told.
Language NOTE - "Hogueras de Sant Juan" is "Fogueras de Sant Joan" in the Valencian language.

Others ...
Porrate de San Antón (mid Jan)
Carnivals (February)
Holy Week Romería de Santa Faz - Thursday after Easter
Cruces de Mayo - First three days of May Moors and Christians
Virgin del Carmen - 16th July
Virgen del Remedio - 5th Aug
Virgen del Socorro - early Sept
San Nicolas - 6th Dec

ALICANTE BANK HOLIDAYS INFO : Jan 1 New Years Day : Jan 6 Three Kings (Epiphany) 19th March : Good Friday & Easter Monday (Mar/Apr) : May 1 Labour Day : 24th June San Juan August 15 Assumption : October 12 Columbus (National) Day : December 6 Constitution Day December 8 Immaculate Conception : December 25 Christmas Day.
Some dates approx & may change with the yearly calendar.

These are some of the most important religious places in Alicante (there are more) ...
Some of which can be visited by the public (opening details at any Alicante Tourist information centre's).

Santa Faz - 6.6km (heading toward Benidorm on the N332 - the CV821 exit) from the point where Alicante marina and beach adjoin - this is the location of one of Alicante's most fervent fiestas. On the second Thursday after Easter Sunday a pilgrimage is held from the city of Alicante to the Santa Faz monastery.

Inglesia de San Pedro y San Pablo - Situated on the Island of Tabarca (part of Alicante) and undergoing a restoration project costing over a million euro - which when finished should be an outstanding monument for the Island of Tabarca.

Basílica de Santa María - The oldest of Alicante's religious monuments, a 16th century gothic style church - the front of which was decorated around the 18th century in the Spanish baroque style. This church is open to the public - check with any of the Alicante Tourist Info offices as to the times.

Concatedral de San Nicolás de Bari - The patron saint of Alicante is San Nicolás - thus this is one of the most important religious churches in the city of Alicante. The cathedral was built somewhere around 1645 in the Spanish baroque style, the outside of the church is very plain, but historically this is one of Alicante's most important religious establishments. The San Nicolás Cathedral is open to the public - check with any of the Alicante Tourist Info offices as to the times. [edit - when been]

THE ALICANTE TOWN HALL (AYUNTAMIENTO)
This eighteenth century "Baroque" style building is open to the public on Monday to Friday ...
entrance is free. Those partial to architectural studies are highly recommended to visit the Alicante town hall.

Alicante Diputación Provincial - photo right,
the Alicante Provincial Government Headquarters.
Take a look at the rear of this building.

Alicante Bullring - Plaza de Toros -
open every day and dating back to 1849 ...
there is a Bullfighting school and museum (where more can be learned about this ancient but dying Spanish tradition).
Bullfighting may one day (and it cannot come soon enough) be banned all over Spain ... but you can bet your bottom dollar that these monuments will remain as an historical reminder for many years to come.
Photo of the Alicante Bull Ring, The Plaza de Toros below.

Casa Carbonell - perhaps Alicante's most seen and admired building, is the magnificent structure at the northern end of the Alicante esplanade (opposite where the Marina walkway begins), dating back to 1925 is now used as apartments. Its the building with two large and two smaller domes - with the fountain (on the roundabout) just to the right.

Teatro Principal - one of two theatres in Alicante (the other being Arniches Theatre).

Other historical buildings are scattered around the city, which will be discovered whilst walking around Alicante.

MARQ - Museo Provincial Arqueológico - as the name suggests, archaeological artifacts.

Museo de Fogueres - a museum paying homage to the Hogueras Festival the main Alicante fiesta.

AGUAS DE ALICANTE MUSEUM ... a new three floor museum focusing on the water problems Alicante faced with the great drought of the 19th century and the solutions to that crisis. Open daily with free entrance and located Plazza Arquitecto Miguel López [edit] location]

A city blessed with an ideal transport infrastructure - airport, marina, train and tram ... and a quality deserving it to be one of Spain's best & most accessible holiday destinations.

Alicante Airport built in 1967 has at the moment (early 2011) just seen a large expansion, the airport saw nine million passengers come & go in 2007. The airport is 12km from Alicante city centre, but linked by bus (the C6 bus service) and taxi, also there are many car hire companies operating from the airport. The new expansion sees the closure of the previous Terminal one and two. There is a Tourist Information Desk in the airport arrivals - but this is not open 24 hours a day.[edit]

Alicante Train Station
(RENFE Tel : 902 240 202) is located opposite the corner top of Avenida Oscar Esplá and Avenida de la Estación.
The Renfe website gives information on Alicante train times and destinations in English. Trains run to most of the major Spanish cities. There is a Tourist Information Desk in the railway station - but this is not always open.

The new (2008) Alicante Metropolitan Tram run from the start of the main beach (postiguet) to San Juan.
And from the Alicante Central Market (Avenida Alfonso X El Sabio) all the way to Benidorm or Denia. [edit]
The tram line is currently (Mar 2008) being extended to reach the main Alicante train station - improving Alicante's transport infrastructure even more.
Information about the Alicante tram times can be obtained from any of the tram terminals ...
or their information website www.fgvalicante.com : or by Telephone 900 720 472.
The Alicante tram network is known locally as the "Trenet".

T.A.M. (Transporte Alicante Metropolitano)
Bus Station C/ Portugal 17
(in between Pintor Lorenzo Casanova & Calle Italia).
Alicante Bus Station info Tel 965 130 700 TAM Buses info Tel : 965 140 936.
The buses run from Alicante to and from all the main coastal and inland towns of Spain. There is a Tourist Information Desk in the bus station - but this is not open 24 hours a day.
I read on the Alicante airport website that the Subus now runs from Alicante Bus Station to Alicante Airport every 20 min's (line C6) - info www.subus.es but on the subus website the timetable still says every hour. [edit - re check]

Subus also operate the Alicante TuriBus - a tour of Alicante by bus ... info can be obtained from their website www.subus.es or any of the Alicante Tourist Information Centre's
Tel 965 140 936.
The TuriBus is 10€ (2009) for adults and stops at 10 places around the Alicante city.
The Alicante Bus tour starts at the Plaza del Mar (in between the beach and the marina).
The Alicante tour bus operates mainly in high season June - Sept ...
please check the subus website or with any of the Alicante Tourist Information Offices for full details.

ALICANTE TRANSPORT MARINA INFORMATION

Alicante, although not the largest marina in the Costa Blanca (Torrevieja lays claim to this) ... must be the most attractive marina in the Costa Blanca ... we include information & photo's of the marina above ... in the Alicante attractions information section.

Parking a car in Alicante city centre is at the best of times very difficult ... especially if you are looking for free parking ... the best advice is to bite the bullet & pay the price ... it is possible to drop lucky at times ... but at busier times you could be driving around in circles for quite some time.

There are numerous underground (pay) parking lots, which are almost always the best option, and the good thing is, there are several around the main Alicante tourist sights (marina & beachfront), which from experience .. are not quite as expensive as the precious time wasted in attempting to park for free.

Info - Our tip on where to park in Alicante City centre - click for map.

The Spanish way of life traditionally revolves around evenings out whether that be walking & talking ... up and down the Alicante esplanade & the marina walkway or enjoying a meal with friends in one the many restaurants in the city ... Its amazing how Alicante seems to come alive at night ... and not with youngsters touring from bar to bar ... but families out to enjoy the evening with a little exercise and fun.

Shopping information Alicante ...

Most of the major European chains have shopping stores in the city of Alicante .. the possibilities (if shopping is your thing) are endless.

Alicante Information estimates [edit] hotel beds in the city of Alicante (2007) with Hotels and Pensions (B&B) to cater for all preferences.

Camping information Alicante

Around the city of Alicante [edit - check]

Camping and Bungalows El Jardin Av. Severo Ochoa 39 Playa Muchavista 03560 El Campello Alicante

Camping El Molino Av. De Elda, 35 3550 Playa de San Juan San Juan de Alicante Alicante Tel. +34 965 652 480

Camping and Bungalows Bon Sol Camino Real de Villajoyosa, 35 03560 El Campello Alicante Tel. +34 965 941383

Alicante Information - Useful Phone Numbers ...

A few Alicante telephone numbers - some of which ...
may hopefully - not - come in handy.

ALICANTE TAXIS : 965 910 123 | 965 910 444 | 965 101 611
965 910 591 | 965 252 511

Port of Alicante : 965 130 095
Alicante Coast Guard Emergency : 900 202 202
Alicante Airport : 966 919 400 or 965 919 100
Town Hall Alicante (Ayuntamiento) : 965 149 290

EMERGENCY
Ambulance Fire Police : 112 | National Police 091 | Alicante Police 092 | Fire 080
Medical Emergency 966 144 000