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Spring is the perfect time to visit Alicante. The chance of rain is small, and the summer heat hasn’t started yet. The days are warm and sunny, which is great if you want to spend time on one of the many beaches, or simply stroll around and enjoy the sights and sounds of this great city.
Alicante is, of course, located on the strip of Spanish coastline known as the Costa Blanca – the White Coast. It forms part of the province of Valencia.
Getting to Alicante
Numerous mainstream airlines, such as Iberia, as well as budget airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet fly to Alicante from various European destinations. Scout the Internet for last minute travel bargains.
Arriving
Alicante has a neat, modern international airport. To get to the city centre, take the airport bus or one of the many taxis that ply the route. There is no train connection between the airport and the city.
At least nine car rental companies have offices at the airport. You will find internationally known brands such as Hertz and Europcar, as well as some lesser known local companies. To get the best price it’s best to reserve in advance.
Accommodation
Alicante offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit virtually every pocket. Along the coastline you will find a large number of upmarket hotels with sea views and prices to match. If your budget is limited, head for the city centre – especially the area around Plaza del Ayuntamiento. There are also a number of budget options in the Old Quarter – called El Barrio by the locals.
Sights and Sounds of Alicante
Many visitors never venture far from the beaches and the nearby esplanades, where there is enough to see and do to fill a holiday. If you like exploring, you will no doubt enjoy Alicante’s 9th century castle (the Castillo de Santa Barbara), the Cathedral of San Nicolas de Bari, the city’s oldest church (the Church of Santa Maria) and the Ayuntamiento, the city hall.
The Old Quarter (El Barrio) is packed with historical buildings, and makes for an interesting couple of hours just wandering around and enjoying the ambiance.
Having Fun
If restaurants and nightlife is your scene, you should head straight for the El Zona region after dark. Here you will find an array of restaurants catering to all culinary tastes, and nightlife that will keep you awake until the early hours of the morning.
Nearby El Puerto is an equally lively district, filled with bars, restaurants, shopping centres and entertainment venues.
The Weather
If you complain about Alicante’s weather, you are hard to please. True, it does sometimes get very hot in summer – 40 degrees Celsius in July or August is nothing strange – but the average is a much more acceptable 32 degrees.
Winters are clear and crisp. Alicante’s main rainfall season is October/November, but even then it does not rain an awful lot. In December and January, daytime temperatures hover in the upper teens and you will still have a lot of sunshine to enjoy.
