As an organization that sends thousands of students abroad each year, CEA has captured a list of local secrets - a collection of discoveries from our students, resident staff, as well as other locals - that make this city unique. We hope you will find the information helpful and, at the every least, an interesting read.
Santa Barbara Castle
You can get one of the best panoramic views of Alicante from the Santa Barbara Castle. It also holds in its many "salas," or rooms, the largest sculpture exhibition in our region. If you like to hike, you can take the back road that goes up the castle. There is also an elevator located in front of Playa del Postiguet that will take you to the top.
Museo Arqueologico Provincial (MARQ)
Not far from the CEA office you can visit Alicante’s Provincial Archaelogical Museum. It contains the province's archaelogical heritage, presenting pieces that range from Prehistory through the Medieval Ages in a new and practical way.
The Ibero-Roman City of Lucentum
Just a few miles from Alicante you can visit The Tossal de Manises. It is the site of the Roman city of Lvucentvm, the ancient Alicante, which grew out of an old Iberian settlement and, possibly, a Carthaginian colony. It is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Valencian Community, and was declared an Historic-Archaeological Monument in 1961.
Playa del Postiguet
Situated in the old quarter of Alicante, at the bottom of the Santa Barbara Castle, this is one of the most emblematic beaches in Alicante. It is characterized by its fine sand and its palmtree promenade.
Playa de San Juan
This is the most famous beach in Alicante. It is very large and is characterized by its fine sandy beach. You can reach this San Juan beach in 10 minutes by getting on the TRAM.
Playa del Saladar–Urbanova
If you get on the bus 27, you can visit Saladares-Urbanova Beach. It is located in a residential part of southernmost Alicante, in an environmentally significant area of marshlands that were formerly an important source of salt.
Explanada de España
This is the city's most representative walk, flanledbu, almost half a kilometre of autochthonous palm trees and tri-colored wavy marble mosaic pieces, composed of 6,600,000 tiles.
Parque de La Ereta
At the foot of the castle, you can find the Parque de La Ereta which is decorated with Mediterranean flora. This walk, which includes shady areas, as well as a cafeteria and a restaurant, will take you from the Santa Barbara Castle to the most colorful district in Alicante: Santa Cruz.
Parque de Canalejas
Just at the end of the Explanada de España you will find Canalejas Park facing the Port. It contains a monument to the Alicante writer Carlos Arniches. Of particular note are collections of the rubber plants, more than a hundred years old and impressive both for their height and size.
Tossal Park
Practice your favorite sport at one of the most prestigious sport facilities in Alicante. This park is located on the eastern side of the hill crowned by San Fernando Castle (an 18th century fortress that was never finished) just a few minutes away from the center of Alicante. In this park, you will find and an indoor sports centre (basketball, handball, volleyball); the Rico Perez Football Stadium; municipal swimming baths, two of which are covered and one is Olympic size; an athletics stadium; and the Centro de Tecnificación de Gimnasia (Gymnastics Modernization Centre). The same sports complex also features a series of other open-air courts and tracks.
Carnaval
Before starting the rigid rules of the Holy Week, with Lent, Carnival is a kind of license to break the social order with a party that is characterized by excess without chaos. The whole city dresses up and everyone transforms into what he/she has always wanted to be, and never said.
Semana Santa y Santa Faz
If you are here on the second Thursday after the Holy Thursday, you should not miss the Santa Faz Pilgrimage. Nearly 300,000 people make this one-day pilgrimage to the Monasterio de Santa Faz. It is the second largest pigrimage in Spain and dates back to 1489. Following tradition, the people stop to enjoy a meal consisting of anise rolls and wine before arriving at the monastery.
Barrio de Santa Cruz y Las Cruces de Mayo
Just a few streets away from our CEA office in Alicante, you can visit this traditional neighborhood in where the white houses are adorned with plants and colorful flowers which you can see from the streets. These pedestrian streets will take you up by means of a series of steps, to the square flanked by the 18th-century Hermitage of Santa Cruz. On the top of the Barrio, there’s a gate that enables you to enter the Ereta Park and gives you free access to the Santa Bárbara Castle. Enjoy the beautiful views both of Santa Barbara Castle and the town of Alicante.
During the first week of May, you can see the exhibition of the different Holy Crosses made with flowers which Santa Cruz locals exhibit every year in their streets.
Moros y Cristianos de San Blas
In June, you can see how San Blas district celebrates their popular Moors and Christians Festivals. The Festivities include a traditional parade with spectacular dresses for this occasion.
Hogueras de San Juan
From June 19 to June 24, Alicante celebrates its festivities to the fullest. Color, powder and fire are the mainstays of a celebration in which the music literally drowns you. Although everyday offers something memorable, the most outstanding events are the flower-offering to the Virgen del Remedio, the firecracker contests, known as "mascletàs," the street parades, the bull fights and, of course, the cardboard, wooden statues, and monuments which are to be burned on the night of 24th.
Museo de Fogueres
On La Rambla, we have a wonderful museum about the history of the Fallas or Fogueres. You should visit the museum and see a sample of some of the best paper match statutes that have been created in the history of this festivity.
Nativity Scene Museum
A collection of Christmas figures and original cribs from different parts of the world show how the people of Alicante follow the tradition of building and putting together Christmas cribs and mangers.
Maisonave
The traditional shopping part of the town is located around the Rambla de Méndez Núñez, but the area of Maisonnave and its surrounding streets, although newer, is an equally lively shopping area. There is also a multipurpose market that takes place in the Paseo del Doctor Gadea in winter and along the Explanada in summer, where you can buy anything from casual clothes to pottery, jewellery and decorative items.
Malls
If you like going to malls, in Alicante you will find different commercial areas where you can also do your shopping, such as in Plaza Mar, Panoramis, Gran Via or Puerta de Alicante. There is also an Outlet Mall next to the university, where you can walk to after your classes.
The Mercadillos or Open Markets
Locals in Alicante and the rest of the cities in Spain like to go to the "Mercadillos" (outdoor markets) to get all kinds of products. You can find lots of different things from fresh fruits and vegetables to clothes, shoes, bags, suitcases and small furniture. In Alicante the outdoor markets are open every Thursday and Saturday from 8am to 2pm. Different neighborhoods have their own Mercadillos. The most centrally located are in Benalúa and Campoamor. Besides, you can bargain at the mercadillo and get very nice things for cheap.
Grocery Shopping in Alicante
One of the favorite supermarkets for locals is mercadona. In this place you can find almost everything you will need during your stay in Alicante, such as fresh food, personal items or cleaning products. Mercadona has a high quality and it is not expensive. You will find Mercadonas all over the city. However, if you are willing to have some specific products, such as peanut butter or ranch sauce, you can also visit EL Corte Inglés; but remember that they will always charge a bit more than regular supermarkets.
TAM Office
Public transportation in Alicante is used frequently by all. You can take the bus to the university, San Juan beach or the near by town of El Campello. Go to the TAM office that is located at the head of La Rambla Avenue. This is where you get the bus passes and itineraries with the times and frequencies.
Estacion de Trenes ADIF
From the Main Train station you can travel comfortably by train to other cities such as Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid and many others.
Estacion de Autobuses
If you want to travel for cheap to other places in Spain, you can take direct buses to the main cities of Spain and closer cities near Alicante, too.
The Trenet
The Trenet is a local train that you can catch at the station located at the end of the Postiguet Beach in Alicante. A train leaves every hour on the hour. Catch the Trenet and visit the nearby towns along the Costa Blanca. You can visit such towns as San Juan and discover a wonderful 7km long beach, or experience the daily fish auctions at the Campello Lonja del Pescado or fish market. Enjoy a hot chocolate in Villajoyosa and taste one of the most famous chocolates in the region, or stroll around Altea´s old quarter. Catch a ferry from Denia to the Balearic Islands and be there in less than 3 hours.
Centro 14
In El Barrio, on calle Labradores you will find the Centro 14. You can take advantage and participate in the many workshops, seminars, and art exhibitions that are organized for young people for free. You can visit its webpage and register online for the courses.
Free Internet
Alicante has several places where you can benefit from their free internet services for all alicantinos. If you go to Centro 14, any of the Public Libraries or Centro Cultural Bancaja you can use free internet up to an hour every day. To benefit from these resources you only need to bring with a copy of your passport with you.
IVAJ Office
In front of the CEA office you will find the IVAJ. This is the Alicante institute for the youth where you can check for student airfares, daytrips in the province of Alicante, get your International Id´s and Carne Jove. If you get the Carnet Jove, you can also benefit from the discounts on public transportation, train tickets, movie theatres and other businesses in town. Besides, with this card you can get the BONO JOVEN that has an additional discount for your university rides.
FNAC
Thinking about getting a cell phone, music, books, or just a place to hang out? You can find some of the best deals at FNAC, located on Avenida de La Estacion. This store has all that, plus electronics, and more. In addition, EL CAFE FNAC organizes a wide range of cultural activities, picture exhibitions, presentations... all at not cost. Also in the CAFÉ FNAC you can enjoy a coffee and benefit from the wi-fi area.
Cyber Xplore Internet Cafe
A few streets down from the CEA office, you will find the Cyber Xplore Internet café. Here students will have an additional place in Alicante to check their email besides the university computer labs. This internet place will offer you the best rates for internet access in Alicante.
El Barrio
The Alicante Old Quarter is commonly known as El Barrio. It is a group of pedestrian streets where you will find different types of pubs, bars and restaurants for all tastes. In calle Labradores you will find two old mansions that have been turned into cultural places: Centro 14 and the Municipal Archives. In the Barrio you can also visit the Co-Cathedral of San Nicolás and the oldest church in Alicante: Santa Maria, that was built up over an old mosque in the 14-16th centuries.
El Puerto
The modern port of Alicante is divided in two different areas. The Levante Pier consists of a leisure center with all types of pubs, cafes and restaurants. The other side of the port is known as the Poniente Pier and is composed of a mall facing the water with restaurants, cafes, a few stores and a movie theater.
Elche's Palm Grove
A 25 minute ride by train will take you to Elche. This town is well known because of the Palm Grove, which is the largest in Europe and has been declared a World Heritage site.
Vineyards and Wineries in Alicante
Winemaking has been traditional across the Comunidad Valenciana region for hundreds of years. Not far from Alicante you can visit Bodegas "Valle del Carche" founded in 1867. There you will be able to see the whole process of wine making and visit the extensive vineyards outside the factory.
