Living in Spain we seem to receive more summer visitors than we ever did in England and, whilst we love having family and friends here, the pool and endless BBQs will only occupy them for so long but what else can we do with them without having to take out a second mortgage? 

• Alicante
• Altea
• Beaches
• Calpe
• Caves
• Churches
• Elche
• Fishmarkets
• Fonts de Algar
• Gata
• Guadelest
• Jalon
• Markets
• Museums

Alicante

Nativity Museum  “Museo de Belenes”
Calle San Agustin 3 (Behind the town hall)
This easily overlooked building houses an amazing display of figures and nativity scenes from all over the world.

Santa Bárbara Castle
When you arrive in Alicante you can’t help but notice the impressive castle looking out over Alicante from it’s vantage point on top of Mount Benacantil.  Originally built by the Moors in the 10th Century and expanded in the 16th and 18th Centuries, it is one of the largest fortresses in Europe and covers the entire top of the mountain.  Inside the series of gates you will find a 16th Century tavern, the troops quarters, the grain storeroom, a moat, lookout posts,  cannons, etc., in other words everything you would expect in a fortress of this size.

Museo de Aguas de Alicante
Situated in Plaza del Puente in the old quarter of Alicante at the base of Mount Benacantil this modern museum was set up around the Garrigós wells.  These huge wells were excavated in the rock during the 16th century to store water and alleviate the water management problems typical of towns in warm climates. 

For more information on Alicante why not read our article Alicante, the City of Light

Altea

Walk around the Town
From the Plaza del Convento follow the Pont de Moncau to the Vellaguarda. From here wend your way steadily upwards through the narrow medieval streets to the plaza in the old quarter heading for the blue-domed church of the Virgin del Consuelo. Take your time, partly to enjoy the character of the buildings but also because the climb to the top through these stepped and cobbled streets is quite demanding.   At the top you'll be rewarded with magnificent views so make sure you've got your camera with you!

Beaches

This obviously goes without saying.  There are many beautiful sandy and pebble beaches on the Costa Blanca – I’m sure you have several to choose from in your area.  If you fancy taking a picnic check our article "Pack up a Beach Picnic" for ideas and tips

Calpe

Step back in town and take a stroll around the old town taking in it's colourful past. Pop into one of the town's three tourist information centres and they'll give you a detailed itinerary with a proposed route to follow and details of places of interest along the way including:

Calpe Festivals Museum “museo fester”
Situated on Calle Jose Antoni, this building houses a colourful collection of elaborate fiesta costumes worn by the Principle Moors, Christians and their ladies. 

Calpe Rock “Peñon de Ifach”
For the energetic, a hike to the top of the Peñon de Ifach is a memorable experience - but should not be attempted by the elderly, disabled or those prone to vertigo! There are paths up to and through the cave which most people can manage, after that though it does become more of a climb.  At the bottom there is a visitors centre exhibiting the flora and fauna to be found on the Ifach. There is also a shaded picnic area.

Caves

There are quite a few caves on the Costa Blanca which, although not free, are normally very cheap to visit and give you a little respite from the blazing sun. Here are two to get you going: The Calaveres Cave - Benidoleig and the Caves of Canelobre - Busot

Churches

As Spain is predominantly and passionately Catholic there are many beautiful churches to visit.  They are normally open for visitors on weekday mornings.

Elche

Elche Municipal Park, a place of calm and beauty, created close to the centre of the town, it is the highlight of any tip to Elche.  It is a delightful place to relax or have a picnic amongst the palm trees that Elche is famous for. There are shady and sunny areas with ceramic tiled benches, a dovecote and a children`s play area with a little train. In one corner of the park is a visitors centre where you can watch an audio-visual presentation about the city

Palaenotology Museum  Various archaeological sites and presentations of scientific knowledge from centuries of research helps visitors take a journey through evolution.

Basilica of Saint Mary  Built on top of the old mosque and several Christian temples, the present layout dates back to the 17th century, but because of the time it took to complete, it combines Baroque and Neoclassical elements.  If you are fit enough, you can climb the stairs to the top of the tower for views over Elche.

Municipal Festa Museum – Not far from the Basilica in the Carrer Major de la Vila.  The Festa. or Mystery Play, of Elche is performed every year in Elche's Basilica of Saint Mary. It is performed in two acts on the afternoons of the 14th and 15th of August, with special performances on the 1st of November in years with an even number. The play, which is chanted, relates the last days of Mary`s life, her death, her ascension to heaven and her coronation as the Queen of creation. A multimedia presentation of this Mystery Play can be seen in the museum all year round.  

Fishmarkets “Lonjas”

If your local coastal town has a harbour it is likely to have a Lonja.  The fresh fish is delivered early in the morning and sold to local restaurants and households via the traditional fish auctions. If you want to witness this for yourself be sure to arrive early as they are normally all cleared away long before lunchtime. 

Fonts de Algar

Just a short drive from Callosa d’en Serria are the Fonts de Algar, a picturesque series of pools and waterfalls. The highest of these falls (some 80 feet high) were made famous in the Timotei adverts of the 1980s. You are allowed to swim and there is even a platform to jump off but be warned the falls are fed from moutain springs and can be very cold.  There is a small cafe near the largest fall but if you take your own food it makes a lovely picnic spot where you can sunbathe and paddle.

Gata –Guitar Factory

Opposite the train station.  Ring the bell and one of the guitar makers will show you around and explain each stage of the guitar construction. While in Gata take the opportunity to wander around the Toucan shop to see an extraordinary display of unusual, modern and traditional furniture.

Guadalest

This moorish settlement, built over 1200 years ago, can only be entered by foot through a tunnel excavated through 50 feet of solid rock.  Before you leave visit the Lladro shop near the car park to marvel at the fine china on display.

Jalon

Primarily a wine producing region, it has a number of local bodegas and wine cooperatives where you can taste the local wines and the speciality, Muscatel.  Your visitors can also stock up on their duty free booze ready for their return to the UK.

On Saturdays there is a weekly flea market which attracts visitors from miles around. When you have finished wandering through the stalls there are plenty of places to stop for a coffee and there is a local museum showing how Jalon has changed in the last 200 years.

Markets

There are weekly markets and flea markets “Rastros” in just about every town and village but you may want to visit the seafront promenade in Altea to pick up a bargain from the huge Tuesday market, one of the biggest of its kind on the Costa Blanca. 

Museums

There is many museums you can visit, for instance the Valor chocolate museum at Villajoyosa, the toy museum at Ibi, the fiesta museum in Calpe, the Mystery Museum in Elche, to name but a few.

We have concentrated on the Marina Alta region of the Costa Blanca but there are similar attractions throughout Spain - just pop in to your local Tourist Information Centre for details of what is available in your area.