Areas of Interest in Alicante

A visit to Calpe, one of the areas popular towns is a refreshing change from the chaotic bustle of Benidorm.  It has good shopping and wonderful white beaches to enjoy.  The old town is scattered with good restaurants and bars and here is at an altogether different pace from the surrounding hectic resorts.

The old town of Altea, is still famous for it’s narrow cobbled streets where artists sell their work and old buildings and frontages are adorned with the work of the local artists.  This is a good place to find great restaurants and friendly local bars.

Outside evening performances at the Parque de l’Aiguara in Benidorm are a wonderful change from the usual entertainment on offer in this lively resort.  The park has attractive landscaped gardens and many locals enjoy evening stroll along the park pathways.

Eating Out in Alicante

Benidorm has a wonderful tapas bar down in the old Town’s Plaza, called La Cava Aragonesa.  Seafood, especially crab and salmon are served here with a good wine to accompany them.

Riu-Rau ( 127 Carretara de la Guardia, Costa Nova, Javea.  Tel: 96 557 0230) If your looking for something extra special, then treat yourself to a night out dining at this exclusive restaurant.  Set in a restored drying house in an ancient vineyard, this restaurant is renowned for it’s excellent choice of wine.

Titos (Partida Paichi, Moraira.  Tel: 96 574 5281)
This restaurant is recommended for it’s special salt fish dishes and goose liver pates and terrines.  Although the restaurant is owned by a Portuguese family, the food is of Mediterranean origin and the homemade desserts are very popular.

La Morena (Old Benidorm Road, 150m north of Finestrat Pueblo. Tel: 96 587 8539) A great selection of wild meats are served here and the welcome is as hearty as the meals served. Reservations must be made in advance as this restaurant is very popular with locals and tourists alike.   The restaurant boasts a good wine cellar too.

Restaurante Rey Mar (46 Partida El Planet, Alfaz del Pi.   Tel: 96 688 0371).  This restaurant is popular with locals and visitors alike.  The menu has a fine selection of seafood dishes and also a good choice of poultry dishes on offer. This is a family run restaurant with home cooking and a friendly warm welcome.  You would do well to make a reservation before a visit.

Nightlife in Alicante

Plenty of nightlife ensues in Alicante.  Live music is play from most bars.

Dos Lunas Terrace Bar ( New Marina, Denia)
Groups and single vocalists sing here from 11pm and a very lively atmosphere is enjoyed.

La Tasca D’Albarda ( Polop de la Marina).  Plenty of jazz fills the midnight air at this late venue.  Jamming sessions are the norm and any musician who happens to have their guitar or sax on them will be invited to join in.

Paddy’s Point Irish Bar (Centro Commercial, La Zenia.) This bar is a favourite with the holidaymakers.  Melodious Irish folk songs ring out into the night from late to very late.

Local Information

If you looking for a refreshing boost to your skin after all the sun, sea, and sheer indulgence of food and wine, then try a relaxing in a mud bath at the salt lakes of Torrevieja just along the Costa Blanca.

Further Afield from Alicante

The village of Guadalest, high on a mountain above Benidorm, is certainly worth a visit.  The unique entrance via tunneled rock brings you to the edge of a stunning little village perched above a turquoise reservoir with a river gorge running just below it.  The village was built in the eight century and has a museum of miniatures, with tiny statuettes carved on items as tiny as a grain of rice.  There is an interesting animal rescue centre called El Arca de Noe. (Noah’s Ark) and a few historic houses to visit.  All in all a lovely day out for the family.