The province’s capital city Alicante is accessed by the Mediterranean Highway which runs southwards from the French border through the main Spanish Mediterranean coastal cities. Alicante’s airport is truly international with flights to and from many international destinations. There is more to the area than the sun, the delightful beaches and the warm sea. Valencia in the north offers historic and modern cultural interest. Alcoy inland offering great historic interest set in a beautiful mountainous landscape. To the south, adjacent Murcia is very artistic and is certainly a worthwhile day trip. Also of special interest are the various wine routes, the wines of Alicante and surrounds are rapidly increasing in popularity and are being recognised for their excellent quality.
The city of Alicante offers great historic and cultural interest including wonderful gastronomy as well as numerous beaches. Tourists should consider visiting Santa Barbara Castle, Cathedral of Saint Nicholas of Bari, Chapel of Santa Cruz, Town Hall, Central Market, Monastery of Santa Faz, the Archaeological Museum, Church of Santa Maria, the Modern Art Museum and the Plaza de Toros (bullring).
The central area of Alicante province extends inland towards the industrial area with the towns of Elche with its palm oasis, salt pans and wetlands, Aspe, Novelda and Elda. The southern area with the maritime towns of Guadamar, Torrevieja and Orihuela with extensive plains of market gardens which extend inland. The mountain area which includes the foothills of Aitana, Mariola and Carrasqueta Sierras. Especially important is the route of the castles, made up of the fortresses of Villena, Bañeres, Biar, Castalla, Sax and Benejama.
The Costa Blanca coastline is dotted with many seaside towns providing many attractions. The area is very popular for walking in the mountains as well as cycling. The Costa Blanca North in the province of Alicante extends from Denia to the city of Alicante. The Upper Marina encompasses Denia, Jávea, Teulada, Benitachell and Calpe. The Lower Marina encompasses Altea, Benidorm and Villajoyosa including the foothills of the Aitana Sierra (1,580m). Inland from Benidorm is the village of Guadalest which has a beautiful location and is definitely worth a visit.
There are numerous golf courses on the Costa Blanca and some are even ranked amongst the top courses in the world. The courses are all reached within a 2-hour drive of Alicante. Some of the courses were designed by Seve Ballesteros and regularly play host to Spanish national championships. There are a variety of styles and terrains to choose, from stunning coastline to rugged mountains and varying degrees of difficulty to cater for all standards. Tuition and golf academies will help you fine-tune your swing, whilst plenty of driving ranges and practice greens will build up your confidence before you even set foot on the course.
