Alicante Guide

Alicante Guide

General Introduction

Situated on the East coast roughly between modern Valencia and historical Cartagena, Alicante (Alacant in Valencian Catalan) is definitely the heart of Costa Blanca. This thoroughly Spanish city has a decidedly Mediterranean atmosphere and with its wide esplanades, such as the Rambla Méndez Núnez, and its seafront paseos offering an endless amount of terrace cafés with magnificent views, it is a perfect travel destination. Founded by the Romans, who named it “Lucentrum” (i.e. City of Light), and like most of the region dominated by Arabs in the second half of the eighth century, the city was finally conquered by Alfonso X in 1246 for the Castilian crown. In 1308 it was incorporated into the kingdom of Valencia by king Jamie III.

Today Alicante is the capital of the province Alicante and the Land of Valencia. It is the second largest city in this Land and is actually one of the fastest growing cities in Spain. Its development is owed mainly to the rapid growth of the tourism sector in the region. And Alicante, with its long sandy beaches, mild and pleasant climate, recently renovated old town and lively nocturnal offerings is definitely an attractive Spanish tourist destination.