Alicante Favorites

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Favorite thing: Cabo de las Huertas is a cape close to Alicante, to the north. There are small coves and rocky beaches still unspoiled. When I was a child, only a few houses were in this area. Now, housing development has dramatically changed this spot, but there are still some protected areas by the sea.

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Favorite thing: Fortunately there are still many houses built at the beginning of the 20th century that preserve the old style of the architecture in Alicante. The houses in the pictures are samples of this style. Notice the balconies, the miradores (closed balconies), the cornices, the color of the façades, the white doorframes…
After the civil war many houses had to be built again and also in the 60’s and 70’s modern houses were built that did not preserve the old style. The shape of the façades using modern materials become into fashion and the result was that the city lost part of its charm.

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Favorite thing: Altea old town is on a steep hill which is full of tiny stepped streets and small artisan shops, & small boutique restaurants. Its perfect for a nice romantic break, passing the hours on a terrae with a jug of sangria in the warmer months.
Altea la Vieja is outside of the main town, and not ideal for staying in if you want to walk to places, similarly there is a hotel Cap Negret quite close to the town (about1km outside)but on the main N332 road with no pavement to walk on.
The lower part of the town is by the Port, where are a couple of hotels on the seafront, Altaya Hotel and the San Miguel (cheaper family run one).The seafront has lots of restaurants and a passeo which is lively in the summer months.
Albir is very flat, and more modern with no old town (the inland part of Albir is Alfaz Del Pi which has the old town. Albir is more touristy and very few spanish live there.It is possible to walk from Altea to Albir along the seafront, nice flat walk.

With the economic crisis setting in there are loads of rentals possible now as people can't sell their properties and so rent them out instead.
Check online for Costa Blanca News which is the local paper for rentals as well as agencies.

Fondest memory: Do take in the view from the old town in Altea which looks across the bay to Albir and Benidorm in the distance.
We have fond memories of turning up at our fabourite restaurant (Strombolis) and sitting ontheir roof top terrace at mid night watching the stars whilst sipping our sangria.

Favorite thing: Simon,

Hi there, i have a house very near to hear literally 5 mins away. There is a beautiful beach very near, La Zenia - all the beaches are linked so you can walk from one to the other. Plenty of bars and restaurants to eat. If you head up to villamartin golf club just past this there is a big plaza numerous bars and restaurant heres. Also 10mins drive away is Torrvieja beach isn't that nice, very built up but a beautiful park there for the kids. In Torrvieja there is a big shopping centre the Habernas, just facing this there is KFC etc and bars and restaurants at night they have trampolines, bouncy castles etc for the kids.

If you have a car San Javier is lovely to drive to, Guardamer Beach is beautiful and also their is a water spa somewhere in the mountains which is meant to be gorgeous kids are made very welcome.

Benidorm is 1hr 10mins away and you have the usual atraction here if you need anything give me an email I will try my best to help you. It is nice where you are going

Favorite thing: Though I only spent 2 days in Alicante recently I have some recommendations.
First food... if you've checked the VT restaurant tips you'll maybe have noticed the 3 Lizarran tapas bars get a big thumbs up. My aunt and uncle live nearby and always head to a Lizarran when in the city. I found the city expensive so was glad to find a fantastic (but cheap) lunch menu at Mare Meua (see my Alicante page.) A general tip about tapas bars in Spain is DON'T be put off if there are loads of paper napkins all over the floor. It doesn't mean it's dirty just very popular! Staff are too busy to keep running out with a broom:)
The moorish Santa Barbara castle dominates the city and has great views. The marina area is pretty with lots of places to have a coffee or glass of wine but from what I saw being served the food looked a little average. The city beach looked fairly clean.
Tourist Info should give you details about the roman city being excavated at the end of the tram line. El Barrio is the small historic quarter with lots of bars and clubs. If you're looking for presents the Alicante region is the home of turron,a nougat traditionally eaten at Christmas.
One warning...I did see posters warning visitors about bagsnatchers and lack of police interest in the problem.

Favorite thing: The food quality and service in the various restaurants is generally excellent. English speakers were relatively low in this town though most bar staff spoke English. It is worth noting that I found very few foreigners here, the vast majority were Spanish and it was a busy working town, not particularly a laid-back holiday destination.

Fondest memory: The place is very beautiful. The main 'strip' can be compared to Ramblas in Barcelona in that it is a wide tree-lined avenue. The beach front is very busy, traffic is heavy but pedestrian crossings are frequent and they MUST be adhered to. Sand and water quality is good and the sunbed / shade had to be bought though it wasn't expensive. Make sure to visit the best Chinese restaurant in the world here, on the main strip just on your left as you walk up from the front!

Favorite thing: The true landmark of Alicante.

Amsing marble pavement, always cool even in hot summer days, rows of palm trees which give a saving shadow, fearless snow white pigeons play at your feet like kittens asking for bread, the sounds of traffic and fountain merged in a strange cacophony....

Feel Alicante, breathe Alicante...

Favorite thing: There are numerous places that offer spanish dancing lessons at a very low price.
I went to one bar in "El barrio" (pub/bar district) and got lessons for about one hour. We were taught the cha-cha-cha and the salsa (these are very difficult dances by the way)
The lesson was only 2 euros.
There are many posters around town advertising places that offer lessons