Alicante is the capital of
eastern Spain's Costa Blanca region. A
combination of white sand beaches, a classic
old-town, and modern tourist infrastructure make this city an
attractive, but often overlooked destination.
|
|
Ferries, cruise
ships and yachts access Alicante's busy harbour and
attractive marina.
|
A large plaza with
a fairground and numerous kiosks connects the marina and the
adjoining Postiquet Beach.
|
The palm-lined Explanada de España follows the seafront into the old town.
It is made of 6.5 million marble tiles that form a wavy pattern.
|
Mount Benacantil rises
above the city, upon which sits the Santa Barbara Castle, a
fortress with Arab origins.
|
The battlements of Santa Barbara
Castile provide a panoramic
view of Alicante, the Mediterranean, and the surrounding
mountains.
|
The views take
in the urban area of 330,000 people, and feature the sights of
apartment blocks, the church domes, and the bullfighting ring.
|
The Casco Antiguo
- Santa Cruz Barrio is an area of winding lanes lined with
white-washed buildings and former palaces.
|
The oldest church in
Alicante, the Basilica of Santa Maria with its baroque style
facade is juxtaposed with the adjacent Museum of
Modern Art.
|
basilica interior |
kiosko postiquet |
apartment doorway |
Architectural details
reflect different eras of design from gothic to baroque, from neoclassical
to Art Nouveau.
|
The Manolo Valdes Mariposa statue on Explanade
marks the intersection with the grid of downtown streets.
|
Alicante's central core has tree-lined streets, attractive
apartments and high-end shops and restaurants.
|
We had visited this area years before when
we drove the 200 kilometer Costa Blanca coastline viewing charming villages
and beach communities.
|
Torrevieja is typical
of the area, where the traditional fishing and salt-mining
community has been transformed for tourism with vacation
properties lining the beach-front promenade.
|
About 70 kilometers away lies Murcia, known for its
blend of architectural styles and its artistic gardens.
|
Shops' displays of gelato and macarons are
also very artistically presented.
|