Our grand tour of Southern Spain January 24th Day Ten What is there to do in Alicante?

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Tuesday 24^th January Day ten

What is there to do in Alicante?

1030 tram into Alicante getting off at Mercado. We are late onto the tram because we had a heating error code again. This time for some unfathomable reason we lost power during the night and so the boiler refused to kick in. A cold start then but soon sorted by switching off the EC 700 and switching it back on again. Maggie doesn’t like to emerge from bed unless the temperature is well north of 17C.

The tram is simple and efficient. Pay onboard and bring plenty of coins although it does accept cards. Sit on left for views of the sea. Bring masks as it seems most are still wearing them on public transport in Spain and we saw an elderly British couple berated for not wearing them.

The MACA museum proves 'interesting'. We struggle with contemporary art but at least we try to embrace it.

Culture for the day done, we stroll through Santa Cruz barrio and down to the Ocean Race Museum. Maggie goes and finds a coffee place. I wander the museum admiring the will of Ocean racing sailors and the technology involved in the race. It is good to see fellow old school alumni Tracey Edwards celebrated in the Hall of Legends. She was truly amazing and inspiring and along with Clare Francis, did so much for women and sailing in general.

A bite to eat and then off to find the lift that will take us to the top and the castle on the cliffs. Ah, its winter and the closed season, so the lift is …… closed. Can we be bothered to walk 3 km up the steep slopes to the top? No! So, we catch the tram to go explore El Campello!

To which there is zero anything of interest. Nada. A closed resort! Ten minutes and we catch the tram back. Only we've caught the wrong one. I blame that teenager! When travelling anywhere and unsure about our location, I have always sought out teenagers. They have invariably wanted to improve their English and are always helpful. Many cultures have a great respect for grey haired short wizened people like me! I spot a likely contender; twinkly eyes behind gold rim glasses, smart fashionable bomber jacket, smiley face. Is this the tram for Line three I ask? Yes, comes the reply accompanied by smiles and hand waves. Treacherous rat! After five years, it is clear I have lost my touch! She puts us on Line 1 - the nonstop tram …. back to ….. Alicante. My faith in Spanish teenagers is dented! Dented I tell you!

Oh, what giggles we had as our station stop whisked by! Still the scenery is nice if you like long golden sandy beaches and it's an insight into how 1960 - 1990's tourism can go badly wrong sustainability wise, if you are sat on the landward side.

So, what is there to do in Alicante?

Surprisingly rather a lot as it happens!

An attractive port city full of history, culture, nightlife and more. Great beaches with cafes, bars, seats and greenery behind – stroll the lovely promenades such as the Explanada de Espana, Alicante’s tiled promenade.

Over by our area where we are camped, miles of golden sandy beaches, good for surfing, kite surfing and kite flying!

Whilst Alicantian food revolves around the sea, out in the eastern side, where we are staying, it is the main vegetable and rice growing area as well. From Arroz con costra (cold cuts of meat and beaten egg cooked in clay pots) to Paella Alicantina (the sautéed seafood and rabbit variation of the popular Spanish rice) and then of course Tapas! Don’t forget Turrón, a distinctive sweet nougat snack that is a traditional Spanish Christmas food (textured by grinding almonds with honey). Alicante is the birthplace of Turrón which is so important to the town from which it originates, Jijona, located 30 kilometers north of Alicante city, that turrón production is protected by the Spanish Council and Geographical Indication of Jijona.

Alicante’s history spans thousands of years and it is one of the longest inhabited cities in Spain. Iberian tribes built the first settlements in around 5000 BC before Alicante was officially founded by Phocaean Greeks in 325 BC. First crowned “Akra Leuke”, meaning “White Summit”, Alicante later became “Lucentum” when it was captured by the Romans in 201 BC. Successively inhabited by Arabic Muslims and then Christians, this eclectic mix of cultural influences still lingers in the city and is reflected in the architecture. The Castillo de Santa Barbara on Mount Benacantil is an undoubted highlight (if only the lifts had been working!!!). There’s also the Basilica de Santa Maria, located in a beautiful square in the old town. Built between the 14th and 16th centuries with a Valencian Gothic facade, it’s the oldest active church in the region and sits on the site of the Great Mosque from Muslim rule.

Don’t forget to visit the interactive Archaeological Museum of Alicante which documents all digs completed in the surrounding regions and the fascinating Roman artifacts uncovered. We called in there after our unintentional return to Alicante earlier in the day. This is an amazing museum – well worth a visit!