Over the past 50 years, Alicante has undergone a remarkable development in tourism thanks to the mild and dry climate, its beaches and its historical heritage. The beaches are undoubtedly one of the major attractions of the city. Very lively nightlife in the many pubs of the old town (Casco Antiguo), and around the port and in particular in the so-called Explanada de Espaňa (Paseo de la Explanada) a beautiful promenade with palm trees leading from the foot of the castle hill to the main pier of the port, one of the best waterfront in Spain.
The old town (Casco Antiguo), is well preserved, with homes and streets in the Andalusian style, with flowers on balconies and many local pubs where you can spend your time. Among the main historical buildings are: the imposing castle (Castillo de Santa Bárbara) on top of the mountain Benacantil, 166 meters high, of Arab origin, it was rebuilt by Christian kings in the centuries 14th, 16th and 18th, which built also three fortified walls. The Town Hall (Ayuntamiento de Alicante) in baroque style of the eighteenth century. La Casa de La Asegurada, one of the oldest civil building in the city, built in 1685 in Baroque style and today houses the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo of Alicante. The Palacio Gravina, built between 1748 and 1808 today houses the Museo de Bellas Artes Gravina, dedicated to regional painting and sculpture from centuries 16th and 20th. |
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Among the religious buildings: the Concatedral de San Nicolás de Bari, Renaissance-style building from the 17th century, it has a cloister of the 15th century. The Basílica de Santa María, in Gothic style (14th-16th century), but largely remodeled in the eighteenth century, to see the high altar in Rococo style, and the portal in Baroque style, both from the eighteenth century. The Convento Canónigas de San Agustín started in the eighteenth century, its construction was completed in the nineteenth century. Among the museums include: El Museo de Arte Contemporáneo (MACA), Museo de Bellas Artes Gravina (MUBAG), Provincial Archaeological Museum (MARQ).
About 5 km north of the town is the Monasterio de la Santa Faz, baroque-style building dating from the fifteenth century. In the district of Albufereta are the archaeological remains of the Roman city of Lucentum dating to the period between the fourth century BC and the third century D.C. From a historical and military interest are the Torres de Defensa de la Huerta de Alicante, defensive towers built between the 15th and 17th century in the Huerta de Alicante in defense of pirates from Barbaria. Today about 20 towers still remain of this type scattered in the area around Alicante, the most interesting: the Torre de la Verónica, la de la Torre Reixes, and the Torre de les Paulines.
Only 20 km west of Alicante lies the town of Elche, where the Palmeral (date palms planted in the tenth century by the Arabs) was declared in 2000, a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Continuing along the Costa Blanca to the north-east, we reach the important tourist destinations of Benidorm and Denia. | 
