Attractions at Alicante
Located in Spain in the southern part of the Valencian community, Alicante is a tourists’ delight. The area is rich with history going back over 7000 years. The five attractions listed below are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to sights to visit on your trip to Alicante.
Castle of Santa Barbara
Standing high on Mount Benacantil in the center of Alicante, the Castle of Santa Barbara was built in the ninth century by Muslims. The castle has changed hands many times over the years, beginning with its capture by Castilian forces led by Alfonso de Castila, later Alphonso X, in 1248. It was opened to the public in 1963 and remains a popular attraction for tourists.
Santa Maria Basilica
Built in the 14th century on the ruins of a mosque, the Santa Maria Basilica is the oldest church in the city. It was rebuilt in the 15th century due to a fire. This beautiful church offers many sights, including a Valencian baroque organ from the 17th century.
Alicante Theatre
Opened in 1847, the Alicante Theatre is a wonderful building that will delight both architecture and theatre buffs. The outside of the theatre is done in the neo-classical style, while the inside is divided into three sections – the vestibule, the horseshoe shaped auditorium and the stage – following Italian typology of the period.
Archaeological Museum of Alicante
Highlighting the history of Alicante, the Archaeological Museum of Alicante is sure to interest lovers of history. It was founded in 1932 to showcase the more than 80,000 pieces found in local archaeological sites. On your visit, be sure to watch some of the educational movies which teach the history of the area from the Stone Age to Medieval Times.
Town Hall
Erected on the site of the former town hall, this Baroque style Town Hall was designed by architect Lorenzo Chapuli in the 18th century. Be sure to check out the columns on the facade as well as the towers. Visitors will also enjoy rooms in Town Hall such as the Salon Azul, styled in the period of Queen Isabel of Spain.
Alicante is just two and a half hours from London and three hours from airports further north. Flights to Alicante are extremely regular due to the popularity of this region with holidaymakers.
