Things to do in Alicante
-
A
Piripi
This highly regarded restaurant is strong on rice, seafood and fish, which arrives fresh and daily from the wholesale markets of Denia and Santa Pola. There's a huge variety of tapas (we counted 10 different cylinders of salami and sausage arraigned on the bar and one of the jovial team of waiters is engaged constantly in cutting near-transparent slices of prime quality ham). There's a valenciano speciality that changes daily.
reviewed
-
B
One One
It's easier if you speak a little Spanish at this wonderfully eccentric place (pronounced 'on-eh, on-eh') with its faithful following of regulars but a touch of bravado will get you by (just ask your ebullient host about his travels to Peru). It's a true bistro, the walls scarcely visible for photos and posters, and there's no menu. Just listen carefully as Bartólome intones…
reviewed
-
C
Museo de Arte Contémporaneo de Alicante (MACA)
Closed for many years while its premises, the splendid 17th-century Casa de la Asegurada, was renovated and enlarged, this splendid museum was about to reopen at the time of writing. It has an excellent collection of 20th-century Spanish art, including works by Dalí, Miró, Chillida, Sempere, Tàpies and Picasso.
reviewed
-
D
El Trellat
Beside the covered market, this small, friendly place does exceptionally creative, flexible menús: first course a serve-yourself buffet, then an ample choice of inventive mains. For dessert, trust Manuel, the chef/owner; he previously worked in Alicante's premier cake shop.
reviewed
-
E
La Bohemia
At La Bohemia, both cafe and cocktail bar, you’ll be made welcome from breakfast until late. Penetrate to the chillout zone at the rear, where candles flicker in niches hacked into the rough-textured natural rock. There’s live music each Friday and Saturday.
reviewed
-
F
Cantina Villahelmy
One wall's rough stone, another bright orange and navy blue, painted with skeletons, creepy-crawlies and a frieze of classical figures. Intimate, funky and popular, the Villahelmy has lots of snacks, excellent salads and a menu that features dishes from couscous to octopus.
reviewed
-
G
Museo de Bellas Artes Gravina (MUBAG)
Alicante's fine-arts museum, with canvases from the Middle Ages to the 1920s, is within the Palacio de Gravina, a stalwart 18th-century mansion. The setting and presentation are terrific – perhaps more so than the paintings themselves.
reviewed
-
H
Museu de Fogueres
In addition to a wealth of photographs, costumes and ninots (small effigies saved from the flames) it has a great audiovisual presentation of what the Fiesta de Sant Joan, all fire and partying, means to alicantinos.
reviewed
-
I
MARQ (Museo Arqueológico Provincial)
The Museo Arqueológico Provincial, or MARQ, has a strong collection of ceramics and Iberian art. Exhibits are displayed to give the visitor a very visual, high tech experience. The only drawback is the lack of information in English.
reviewed
-
J
Pintxo Kalea
Basque music wails and jigs in the background at this modern, stylish bar and restaurant, which does a wonderful selection of juicy pinchos (canapés), salads, steaks and, being Basque, cod prepared in four different ways.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Color de Especías
Eat in the sensual surroundings of this restaurant with its deep red decor and intimate lighting. Dishes, such as confit of duck in a mango and pear coulis, are truly creative, blending in harmony sweet and sour, salt and vinegar.
reviewed
-
L
Tabulé
Service is swift and friendly at this vegetarian restaurant, where you take what's on offer on the day's menú, which includes a drink and coffee. You won't repeat yourself; it's original, inventive and changes weekly.
reviewed
-
M
Castillo de Santa Bárbara
There are sweeping views over the city from this 16th-century castle, which will soon house Museo de la Ciudad de Alicante (MUSA), a new museum recounting the history of the city. A lift/elevator, reached by a footbridge opposite Playa del Postiguet, rises through the bowels of the mountain. To return, it's a pleasant walk through Parque de la Ereta via Calle San Rafael to Plaza del Carmen.
reviewed
-
N
Lucentum
The Roman town of Lucentum,a forerunner of Alicante, is where excavations have revealed a rich wealth of pottery. You can make out its clearly defined streets and town plan.
reviewed
-
Pozos de Garrigós
The Pozos de Garrigós are three vast water cisterns, built to collect run-off from Monte Benacantil and nowadays used as a venue for temporary exhibitions.
reviewed
-
O
Iglesia de Santa María
The Iglesia de Santa María has a flamboyant, 18th-century facade and an ornate, gilded altarpiece, both contrasting with the nave's Gothic simplicity.
reviewed
-
P
Bíomenú
This ultracheap option is both vegetarian restaurant (load your plate from its varied pay-by-weight salad bar) and shop specialising in organic produce.
reviewed
-
Q
Celestial Copas
Celestial Copas is heavenly and decidedly weird, with a kitsch collection of religious art/junk and great music.
reviewed
-
R
MARQ
MARQ, very visual and hi-tech, well merits a visit even though there's little information in English.
reviewed
-
S
Basílica de Santa María
The flamboyant, 18th-century facade and ornate, gilded altarpiece both contrast with the nave's Gothic simplicity.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Covered Market
Self-caterers will enjoy browsing around Alicante’s huge, art nouveau twin-storey covered market.
reviewed
-
T
Z Club
Z Club is a smart discoteca. Don’t turn up before 3am unless you want to dance alone.
reviewed
-
U
MUBAG
MUBAG, Alicante's stimulating fine-arts museum, is within an 18th-century mansion.
reviewed
-
V
La Llum
La Llum is a tiny sweatbox dance-bar that goes wild late into the night.
reviewed
-
W
Desafinado
Desafinado is a heaving dance bar with DJs that also offer good jazz.
reviewed
