The coastal city of Alicante is located on Spain's eastern coast, about halfway down the Costa Blanca to the south of Valencia. Its population of around 300,000 people is less 'touristified' than the resort towns of the Costa del Sol west of Málaga, although the tourist trade is vital to the town's economy.

Alicante is one of Spain's older cities, tracing its history right back to the Romans more than 2,000 years ago. Its original name of 'Lucentum' translates as 'City of Light', a rather grand title by any standard.

The beaches around Alicante are a major attraction, and you'll find a number of tourist resorts along the coast in both directions, though not as many as along the Costa del Sol. Many visitors arrive through the El Altet airport, about 10km southwest of the city centre, which connects to Spanish and European destinations by both scheduled and charter services. You can also catch a train direct from Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia or Murcia.

The city itself is busy and pleasant during the day. The prime attraction is the Castillo de Santa Barbara, a huge medieval fortress overlooking Alicante from the north, although there are also a number of art galleries and museums of local interest.

More remarkable is Alicante's nightlife, which holds up well even by Spanish standards. Be sure to catch the annual Las Hogueras fiesta towards the end of June, where the town exceeds its own high standards.

Alicante has a range of hostales and pensiónes, plus excellent camping. There are also some high class hotels check out the Eurhotel Hesperia or the Hotel Mediterranea Plaza.

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