Driving Guide in Alicante
Planning on visiting Alicante, Spain, for a holiday soon? This historic port is the capital of Alicante province and is one of the ten largest metropolitan areas in Spain. Its mild temperatures that last throughout the year make Alicante a perfect place for any type of holiday, be it a short weekend or a full week of rest. There is very little rain in Alicante as well, so the weather truly is perfect. The coolest months, and also the two months with the highest amount of rainfall, are September and October.
There are many different sights to take in during a trip to Alicante. In order to see them all, however, you may need to look into getting car hire alicante airport. This is because not all of these great sights are located within the city, and some aren’t located near a railway station, the major form of public transportation within the city. Some buses and taxies are available, of course, but these can get expensive if you plan on doing a lot of travelling around the nearby area. All in all, if you’re going to be doing a lot in and near Alicante, it’s simply easier to find a good car hire company and get a car for your holiday.
Once you have your transportation secured, it’s time to start driving around the area and visiting some great historic locations. If you arrived in Alicante by boat or are planning to take the ferry service to Algeria or the Balearic Islands, then you’ve probably already seen the spacious harbour. If not, that should be one of your first stops. The harbour is gorgeous and offers a great view of the waters surrounding Alicante. From some views, you can even see the Castle of Santa Barbara rising in the background.
The castle is another must-see on your driving tour of Alicante. It sits up on Mount Benacantil, a small mountain that rises up behind Alicante. The city dates back to the 9th century when Muslins controlled much of the Iberian Peninsula. It was later captured by Spanish forces in 1248 and named after Saint Barbara because the castle was captured on her feast day. The castle was damaged by the French in 1691, and it was bombarded again in 1873. It was mostly abandoned following the decline of the use of castles, but in 1963, it was opened to the public as a tourist site.
Another area to visit while on Mount Benacantil is El Ereta Park. This is one of the city’s most popular parks and features playgrounds, several lakes, a number of walking trails, and more. It actually is quite large, going from Santa Barbara castle to the older section of Alicante.
The Basilica of Santa Maria, built during the 14th century, is a great example of the Gothic style. It was built over what was the main mosque of the area. Inside, you’ll find a high altar done in the Rococo style and the portal, which is done in the Baroque style. This blending of three different styles creates a visually impressive scene.