Aquopolis Torrevieja

In Aquopolis Torrevieja, you will find attractions for everyone: if you want an adrenaline rush, slide down in High Emotion. Moderate are designed for lovers of fun, which will appeal to both adults and children. All children under 10 years will have fun in the Kids Zone, MiniPark and Charmed Lake. Have a relaxing time with your family in our Sand Beach or at The VIP Area.

• Web:

  torrevieja.aquopolis.es

• Address:

  Avenida Delfina Viudes, Torrevieja

• Phone:

  +34 96 571 58 90

• Opening hours:

  Open from June to early September

Archaeological Museum of Alicante — MARQ Museum

Created in 1932, MARQ Museum was originally located on the ground floor of the Provincial Council building on Avenida de la Estación in Alicante. In 2002 it was transferred to the former site of the San Juan de Dios Provincial Hospital. Visitors to this highly innovative and visual museum can enjoy an avant-garde approach to archaeology supported by modern audiovisual techniques. Its exhibits stretch from the Palaeolithic through to the Contemporary Modern Culture, tracing our history.

• Web:

  www.marqalicante.com

• Address:

  Museo Arqueológico Provincial de Alicante, Plaza Doctor Gómez Ulla S/N, Alicante

• Phone:

  +34 965 14 90 00

Beaches

Alicante has a wide variety of beaches, from fine sand to rocky ones. Most of them are proud to hold the Blue Flag award. El Postiguet is the Alicante beach par excellence! Located in the very heart of the city. It’s a long sandy beach and is close to all types of services. The San Juan beach is the most famous beach, not only because it is the longest, but also because of the quality and cleanliness of its waters.

Civil War Anti-aircraft Shelters

The objects and text explanations displayed in the different rooms intend to show visitors the historical and social context that surrounded the construction and use of these bomb shelters in Alicante during the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). You can find several preserved shelters throughout Alicante: 1. Plaza de Séneca; 2. Plaza Dr. Balmis; 3. Les Cigarreres cultural centre (former Fábrica de Tabacos); 4. Castillo de San Fernando (from Calle Padre Mariana); 5. Marqués de Molins; 6. Plaza Músico Óscar Tordera Iñesta; 7. Santa Faz monastery.

• Web:

  alicanteout.com/agenda-turismo-y-aire-libre/visita-a-los-refugios-antiaereos-de-alicante

• E-mail:

  cmemoriahdalicante@gmail.com

• Address:

  Centro de Interpretación sobre los Refugios Antiaéreos, Calle Italia, 19, Alicante

• Phone:

  +34 690 004 431

El Castell de Guadalest

El Castell de Guadalest is one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. Having a stroll through the streets of the village is a real pleasure. San José Castle, Orduña house, the bell tower and the unusual museums will attract your attention. If you like walking in the mountains, El Castell de Guadalest is the perfect place to be in contact with nature and if you are a gastronomy lover, our restaurants offer a combination of traditional dishes and the latest innovations.

• Web:

  guadalest.es

• Phone:

  +34 965 885 298

Gravina Museum of Fine Arts — MUBAG

The Gravina Museum of Fine Arts occupies the 18th century Gravina Palace, which once belonged to the Count of Lumiares and housed the Provincial Archives. It exhibits works owned by the Provincial Council of Alicante, with collections comprising works of art created in Alicante from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century.

• Web:

  www.mubag.es

• Address:

  Museo de Bellas Artes Gravina MUBAG, Calle Gravina, 13-15, Alicante

• Phone:

  +34 965 146 780

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sat 10am–8pm, Sun 10am–2pm, Mon closed

Central Market

This building contains some modernist features and was built between 1911 and 1912 under the management of Juan Vidal Ramos over Balmes Square, over which there was still a part of the 18th century wall. With its rectangular shape, the Market mimics the layout of a basilica, with a circular appendix on the South-west side covered by a semispherical dome called La Rotonda (the roundabout). The building is split into two floors, one of which is a semi-basement due to the irregular surrounding streets. The front of the building was designed by Enrique Sánchez Sedeño and is presided by an impressive staircase surrounded by two emerging figures with decorative features. On 25th May 1938, the Mercado Central was hit during the worst bombing suffered by the city of Alicante during the Spanish Civil War, which resulted in 300 civilian victims. The Italian air force was responsible for that tragedy. All kinds of high-quality products can be bought at the Market, especially local fish and seafood, vegetables and fruit, as well as other typical local products. That is why the city’s top restaurants source their food from the Mercado Central.

• Web:

  mercado-central-alicante.negocio.site

• Address:

  Mercado Central de Alicante (Mercat Central d'Alacant), Avenida Alfonso El Sabio, 10, Alicante

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 7am–2:30pm

Explanada de España

Explanada de España is one of the city’s emblems. It runs parallel to one of the port wharfs and is lined on both sides with rows of palm trees. The floor is decorated with 6,600,000 tricolour marble tiles forming a design with a characteristic wave effect mosaic. Visitors and locals alike can enjoy these areas at any time of the year, thanks to the pleasant climate. Throughout the year there are workshops, entertainment, children’s theatre, puppet shows, etc. predominantly aimed at children and families. Other parks and gardens worth visiting are: La Ereta park: located on the slopes of Mount Benacantil at the foot of the Santa Bárbara Castle, opposite El Postiguet beach. From here you can enjoy unbeatable views of the city and follow an interesting route from the summit down to the city’s old quarter. El Palmeral park: is one of the most spectacular parks in the city, formed by a wooded area containing palm trees, ponds, lakes and artificial streams. It contains sports facilities and a cross-country cycling track, as well as a pavilion where a regular programme of events is scheduled including activities, children's theatre, puppet shows, etc. Canalejas: It is one of the most traditional open spaces in Alicante. It has spectacular lush vegetation including several hundred-year old rubber plants measuring 20 metres high. Gabriel Miró Square: This square honours the Alicante writer of the same name. Just a few metres from the Explanada and the seafront promenade, it has a monument in the form of a fountain and centenary trees with luxuriant foliage, creating a relaxed, pleasant atmosphere.

MACA Museum

The Contemporary Art Museum “MACA”, housed in the city’s oldest surviving civil building. In the baroque style, it dates back to 1685 and is located next to the Santa María basilica. The museum has recently been re-opened after a year of an extension work in order to improve and enlarge its facilities in 4,700 m2, with the aim to house an important collection of 20th century art mostly comprised of works donated by Eusebio Sempere. Many different types of events also take place in this Museum.

• Web:

  maca-alicante.es

• E-mail:

  educacion@maca-alicante.es

• Address:

  Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Alicante MACA, Plaza de Santa María, 3, Alicante

• Phone:

  +34 965 213 156

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sat 10am–8pm, Sun 10am–2pm, Mon closed

Santa Bárbara Castle

A visit to the Santa Bárbara Castle is highly recommended. Located atop Mount Benacantil, at a height of 166 metres, it is one of the largest medieval fortresses in Spain, with unbeatable views over the Bay of Alicante and on clear days you can see all the way to Tabarca Island. Such is its relevance that during the 20th century it was declared a Monument of Historic and Artistic Importance and a Site of Cultural Interest. Here we can also find one of the most characteristic images of the city, a rock formation resembling a man’s profile on the southwestern slope, known as the Moor’s Face, which is best viewed from Postiguet Beach. The Museum of the city in Santa Bárbara's Castle “MUSA”, housed in the Castle itself, was included in its cultural offer and it explains in five theme rooms the history of the city of Alicante and their inhabitants. To descend down from the Santa Bárbara Castle, take the route through Parque de La Ereta, along the mountainside. Its location and views transform it into a place of relaxation as well as a great meeting place. It also has a spectacular restaurant and, on the way down to the old town quarter, you can visit the picturesque, quintessentially Spanish Santa Cruz district. Another attractive option between the castle and the Santa Cruz district is walking along the remains of the walls that surrounded the Castle, which now end in the Santa Cruz district. Visitors can also access the castle via a lift built within the rock face opposite El Postiguet beach.

• Web:

  castillodesantabarbara.com

• Address:

  Castillo de Santa Bárbara, Benacantil, Alicante

• Phone:

  +34 673 84 98 90

• Opening hours:

  Open daily from 10am. Closing hours change seasonally

Tabarca Island

A visit to Tabarca island is an absolute must for visitors. Boats from the company Kontiki depart from the marina in Alicante several times a day during the summer months. In low seasons confirm timetables beforehand. The journey takes around one hour from Alicante. The route will give you the opportunity to enjoy the coastline. Try one of the traditional fish stews on the terrace of one of the restaurants. Also, on the island, you will find nice little bays to swim in, as well as a beach offering different facilities. If you decide to stay overnight on the island, there are also little hotels peppered along it.

• Address:

  Nueva Tabarca

• Phone:

  Kontiki:+34 686 994 538 /686 994 539

• Tickets:

  Return ticket from Alicante around €20.