car hire Alicante

The second-biggest city in Spain’s Valencia region, Alicante’s early claim to fame was as a premier Mediterranean trading post for wine, oranges, and olive oil in the 1400s. In the early 17th century, Alicante suffered a debilitating setback when King Felipe III chased out thousands of laborers and artisans who sustained the city’s economy. It wasn’t until the 1970s, when king Juan Carlos I came into power in Spain, that Alicante got back on its feet, bolstered by the increased independence given to regional governments by the new king.

Admission is free if you drive to the imposing Castillo de Santa Bárbara, so take your rental car to the top and take in the staggeringly beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea and the city below. On the grounds you’ll find all the classic castle trappings: moats, dungeons, drawbridges, and turrets. Festival enthusiasts should travel to Alicante in late June for the Festival de Sant Joan. This week-long fiesta reaches a crescendo on the last night with an electrifying fireworks show and the fiery destruction of the fogueres (oversized, satirical figures created by festival goers during the week).

You can view a venerable array of ceramics and Iberian art, at the MARQ (Museo Arqueológico Provincial). This museum earned a nomination for European Museum of the Year in 2004. Alicante’s Museu de Arte del Siglo XX Asegurada is housed in the city’s oldest building, but its collection is made up strictly of modern art – works by Miró, Kandinsky, and Picasso all grace its walls.

It is frequently observed that Alicante’s charm stems from its personality as a genuine town, rather than a tourist trap. But don’t worry, you’ll still find the typical fun-in-the-sun holiday offerings: The town’s bars and beaches will not disappoint, and the waters off the coast are amazingly warm (around 27 degrees Celsius in August). Alicante is a haven for shoppers, too. The area’s shops offer a cornucopia of handmade ceramics, woodcarvings, candleholders, and more. El Corte Inglés, Alicante’s largest department store, is a good place to find cheap deals.