Hello. We are planning 7-10d in Alicante in early November; already spent lots of time in Andalusia. Looking for suggestions of things to do or see. We like it all historical, natural and cultural. RS apparently doesn’t think this part of Spain exists! Many thanks. Btw. Probably stay on the water to the NE of Alicante…
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7162 posts
The only places I have saved off to see in that part of Spain are El Palmerar and the castle of Biar. Benidorm is a popular location. A friend of mine recently spent three days in Alicante city and enjoyed it. If you are going to have a car, researching the small towns in the region will often turn up some interesting sights to see. That part of Spain, especially the inland areas, isn’t on most U.S. tourists’ radar.
Posted by
Barcelona + Sweden
4180 posts
Yes, quite off the American tourist radar, but the coast of Alicante is well known to the British. Alicante is arguably the capital of rice dishes in Spain (but don't tell that to the Valencia guys lol).
Outside the obvious beaches, I'd recommend the Palmeral de Elche, one the largest historic palm grove in the world, dating back to the Moorish times, designated a UNESCO Site. To the south Cartagena's Roman ruins are noteworthy and to the north you have La Albufera Wetlands National Park.
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
2589 posts
I had a cruise stop there but n 2018. I found it interesting. Didn’t go to the castle because the elevator was out of order.
Thete are two sidewalks that are optical illusions that appear to be 3-D to me ( but not my wife ! )
Posted by
Parma, Italy
92 posts
If you have a car, you can get to la Muralla Roja in less than an hour.
I'm fairly certain that, in order to get in, someone must have a reservation for an apartament there (I think there are a few options on airbnb/booking). Personally I would very much enjoy a night there.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8073 posts
We are planning a couple nights in Valencia, not quite Alicante, but I do believe that the Alicante gets a bad rap for being a Brit Expat dominated community, to the point that all local culture has been drowned out. There is still a lot of culture still there, but a bit more struggle to immerse yourself without evenings in pubs and fish and chip joints.
I also am not one of those that faults the Rick Steves group for not covering an area. It does not mean it does not exist or worthy of visiting...but as you yourself said...you did Andalusia...a lot...and only now getting to Alicante. RS covers what they do well, just not a cost/benefit argument to do lots of areas not very well.
There are guides that cover the area, not as personal as RS, but I bought the Rough Guide Spain on Kindle, an edition earlier this year, that has a section on Valencia and Murcia, including Alicante...for a whole $12, very much worth it.