Alicante is one of the most popular resorts in the Costa Blanca region of Spain, so if you want a break where you can lie back and soak up the Mediterranean sunshine, this is somewhere I definitely recommend.
You might be tempted to spend your entire holiday being a total beach bum, but I think you’ll be missing out if you do. Stunning landmarks are situated throughout the city and surrounding areas and you won’t regret making the effort to go and see them.
While it’s possible to get from place to place using public transport, it’s probably easier to use hire a car in Alicante, so you can travel around at your own pace. Driving through the region is a great experience that you really shouldn’t pass up and, while there are plenty of routes to travel along and things to see, I think that the following are some of the best.
Caves of Canelobre
Spain has hundreds of caves and many of these geological landmarks are popular tourist attractions. However, I think that the Caves of Canelobre are particularly fascinating.
Situated roughly 25 km from Alicante, this spacious network of underground caverns contains a wealth of stalactites, stalagmites and other rock formations, with quartz, opal and jade just some of the minerals that have been mined here. Going on a guided tour will take you through several of the caves, although I believe you’ll find the central vault to be most interesting, not least because of the fact it’s 70 m high! This cave is so beautiful that it’s often compared to a cathedral.
From here, you should travel on to the nearby village of Busot where you can take in the sight of the magnificent Cabeco d’Or (or Golden Hill in English) and wander around the remains of a 12th-century Moorish fort that was built to protect the region from invaders.
Aqualandia
You won’t struggle to find pristine beaches in Alicante where you can go swimming in the sea, but it is still well worth driving the 45 km along the AP-7 to get to Aqualandia.
Located in Benidorm, this is not only the oldest water park in Spain (it opened in 1985) but is one of the biggest in the entire world! Covering 150,000 sq m, there are lots of exciting rides to go and pools to splash about in, making it the ideal place for water-loving kids and adults.
However, if you don’t want to spend the entire day soaked, don’t worry. There is still plenty to do that doesn’t have to involve getting wet – you can go for a walk through the landscaped gardens, relax on a sunbed or grab a bite to eat at one of the many self-service restaurants.
Tibi Castle
Take the A7 north of the city and on to the CV-810 and you’ll be on one of the most scenic driving routes in the region, travelling to Tibi.
This quiet village is about an hour’s drive from Alicante and while you’re bound to love the traditional whitewashed houses, most tourists come here to see the historic Tibi Castle, or Castillo de Tibi to give its proper Spanish name.
Built in the tenth century while the region was under Moorish rule, this castle is surrounded by mountains and, although much of it is now ruins, you can still wander around large parts of the complex.
