Alfresco

Best alfresco entertainment:

Parque El Palmeral

Escape from the crowds and head to Parque El Palmeral – a lush public park on the southern outskirts of Alicante. Picnic beneath gently swaying palm trees or navigate the lakes and waterfalls by boat, all the while serenaded by exotic birds and a cool sea breeze. A children’s theatre springs to life at the centre of the park every Sunday during the summer months, with the park staying lively until 11pm even in the winter.
Where: Parque El Palmeral, Bus 1 to San Gabriel from Juan XXIII 1st Sector, Alicante (opens 9am).
Website: www.subus.es

Romance

Best romantic cocktail:

Senzone Rooftop Lounge

Even if you’ve not got a room at Alicante’s first and only five-star hotel, Hospes Amérigo, you’re always welcome to sample the highlife on its lavish rooftop terrace. The crowning glory of this former Dominican Convent, the stylish lounge boasts a pool, a sublime selection of cocktails and light snacks, and an unparalleled view of the iconic Santa Barbara Castle. While the pool may be closed during the chilly months to save a few blushes, the high-altitude hospitality remains five-star throughout the year, allowing you to kick back and savour the experience whenever you feel like it.

Where: Senzone Rooftop Lounge, Hospes Amérigo, 7 Rafael Altamira

Website: www.Hospes.com/Amerigo

View

Best way to explore the region:

Mountain walks

Get your walking boots on and discover some of Spain’s most dramatically rugged and largely undiscovered landscapes, spreading out around the city. Dominated by mountains, sweeping valleys and dotted with small pueblos (villages), the interior region found northwest of the city is popular with seasoned walkers and hikers, and a number of less taxing walks can be launched from the towns of Alcoy, Ibi and Xijona. Local bus lines run by Subus connect you to these towns if you don’t have a car, and specialist guides can be found through the tourist office or at Mountainwalks.com. There is also a book giving a more detailed account of walks and routes called Costa Blanca Mountain Walks by Bob Stansfield if you’re feeling adventurous!

Website: www.mountainwalks.com and www.alicanteturismo.com

Best for explorers:

Castell de la Santa Bàrbara 

As it has since the time of the Carthaginians in 400BC, the majestic Castell de la Santa Bàrbara sits high above the town, bestowing wonderful views to those who make the trip up to visit. In many ways it embodies the town and serves as its custodian. This ancient structure (although several times damaged and reconstructed) has seen many owners over the years. In addition to its original constructors, it has passed through Greek, Roman and Arab hands to the Spanish ownership of today. To get there you can walk, drive or even take the elevator from the Esplanada d’Espanya (but if you take the walking option, do remember to take water and sunscreen). For those who make the trip, there are also some great modern art exhibitions and right next door to the castle is a fantastic park with great views over the Mediterranean. The castle is open 10am-8pm in the summer and 9am-7pm in the winter. Admission free.

Day trip

Best island escape:

Tabarca Island

Outside of the summer months the inhabitants of Tabarca – the largest inhabited island belonging to the Valencia Region – breathe a sigh of relief as visitor numbers drop dramatically and life returns to normality. Without doubt this is the best time to pay a visit. Regular boats leave the Alicante port area (around €17 return) and the journey takes 60 minutes each way. But if you’re not much of a seafarer and fancy an extra bit of tourism en route, head to historic Santa Pola, 20km south of the city. From here the boat takes half the time. But however you get to the island you’ll be rewarded on arrival with a protected natural and architectural landscape and a bevy of popular fish restaurants serving speciality caldero, a delicious fish stew.

Where: Cruceros Kontiki (Alicante port – Tabarca) and Barcos Baeza-Parodi (Santa Pola port – Tabarca)

Website: www.cruceroskontiki.com

Best for sun worshippers:

Playa de San Juan

With an average 360 days of sunshine every year, Alicante certainly attracts those who can’t wait to get their clothes off to soak up the warming rays of the Mediterranean sun. The town has an abundance of beaches, all slightly different in appeal. For those who want to stay close to the town, your best bet is Playa del Postiguet, which offers 1km of fine, golden sand and which sits directly under the castle. Be aware though that in summer this beach will be extremely crowded. Most people agree that the Playa de San Juan is a better beach. It’s situated a few kilometres to the north of the city and is three times the size of the town’s beach. Lifeguards, first aid, bars and restaurants are of course easily accessible from both. For those who prefer their bathing sin ropas (without clothes), then Playa de la Almadraba is the one for you: for that all-over tan, get there on bus #22.

Best for culture vultures:

Teatro Principal

Alicante can be rightly proud of its artistic side. For those who like to sample concerts, theatre, ballet and opera, head to Teatro Principal. This 19th century building claims that all of the most important Spanish performers of the last 200 years have performed here, and for that reason alone a visit should be well up on your agenda of things to do. Complementing this high-end experience is the Aula Cultura Camí. Classical music performances and jazz concerts are the staple here and when this is combined with regular puppet shows for the kids and a cinema where movies are shown in their original language, you can't go wrong.  

Where: Teatro Principal, Plaza Ruperto Chapí. Aula de cultura CAM de Alicante, Avenida Doctor Gadea, 1

Website: www.teatroprincipaldealicante.com; www.alacalle.com/listadoscomp.aspx?canal=alacalle&entidad=75