One of the city’s emblems is the EXPLANADA DE ESPAÑA. Thanks to the pleasant climate, locals and visitors alike can enjoy these areas all throughout the year. It runs parallel to one of the port wharfs and it is lined with rows of palm trees on both sides. The floor is decorated with 6,600,000 red, blue and white marble tiles forming a design with a characteristic wave effect mosaic. Predominantly aimed at children and families, there are workshops, entertainment, children’s theatre, puppet shows, and etc.
Other gardens and parks worth visiting are:
La Ereta Park: At the foot of the Santa Bárbara Castle opposite El Postiguet beach located on the slopes of Mount Benacantil is La Ereta Park. Here you can follow an interesting route from the summit down to the old quarter in the city and it is also where you can enjoy unbeatable views of the city.
El Palmeral Park: Formed by a wooded area containing ponds, lakes, artificial streams and palm trees is El Palmeral Park which is one of the most spectacular parks in the city. It has pavilion where a regular programme of events is scheduled including activities such as puppet shows and children's theatre and all others. It also has a cross-country cycling track and sports facilities.
Canalejas: Alicante's one of the most traditional open spaces is Canalejas which has a spectacular lush of vegetation including several hundred-year old rubber plants measuring 20 metres high.
Gabriel Miró Square: This square is just a few meters from the seafront promenade and the Explanada that honours the Alicante writer of the same name. It has a monument in the form of a fountain centenary trees with luxuriant foliage, creating a relaxed, pleasant atmosphere.
Santa Barbara Castle
A highly recommended thing to do when you visit Alicante is a visit to the Santa Bárbara Castle. It is one of the largest medieval fortresses in Spain located atop Mount Benacantil at a height of 166 metres. On clear days, you can see all the way to Tabarca Island and it has unbeatable views over the Bay of Alicante.
It was declared a Site of Cultural Interest and a Monument of Historic and Artistic Importance during the 20th century. Here we can also find one of the most characteristic images of the city such as the Moor’s Face which is a rock formation resembling a man’s profile on the south western slope and is best viewed from Postiguet Beach. Housing the housed in the Castle itself was the Museum of the city in Santa Barbara´s Castle “MUSA” which was include to its cultural offer and the history of the city of Alicante and their inhabitants are explained in its five theme rooms.
You can take the route through Parque de La Ereta to descend down from the Santa Bárbara Castle which is just along the mountainside. Its location and views transform it into a great meeting place as well as a great place of relaxation. On the way down to the old town quarter, you can find a spectacular restaurant. You can visit the quintessentially and picturesque district of Spanish Santa Cruz. Walking along the remains of the walls that surrounded the Castle is another attractive option between the castle and the Santa Cruz district which now end in the Santa Cruz district.
And most of all, there's a lift built within the rockface opposite El Postiguet beach where visitors can also access the castle.
Tabarca Island
A visit to Tabarca island is another great thing to do when you are in the city of Alicante. It's only around one hour trip from Alicante and the journey will give you the opportunity to enjoy the coastline. There are several boats from Kontiki that depart from Alicante's marina several times a day during the summer months but you may need to confirm the timetables beforehand during low seasons.
The island has little hotels where you can stay if you decide to spend overnight on the island and for a great food, you can try one of those traditional fish stews on the terrace of one of the restaurants. But of course, there are also nice little bays to swim in.
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