Need to Know About Alicante
Alicante is an exciting city located on Spain’s Costa Blanca. It truly embodies Mediterranean Spain with its laid-back lifestyle, gorgeous beaches, great food, history, and lively atmosphere. With a seaside location, Alicante is within reach of some of Spain’s top beaches as well as some scenic seaside cliffs. Alicante has an exciting culture to it, with a vibrant nightlife and an impressive food scene that could compete with the major cities of Spain. Alicante specialises in fresh seafood and also serves up some Spanish classics, such as tapas and paella. Local markets and a variety museums also contribute to the charm and excitement of Alicante. Throughout the city and the surrounding region, there is so much history to experience as well. Many landmarks date as far back as the Ancient Roman Empire and the Middle Ages. Alicante is an exciting place to start your road trip around Spain. From there, the options on where you can travel are endless. Head south to Murcia and the Costa del Sol, drive north to Valencia, or make the journey inland to Toledo and Madrid.
Things to Know About Hiring a Motorhome in Spain
In order to hire a motorhome in Spain, drivers must be at least 21 years old and have a full driving license. Another requirement is to have a clean driving record for the year prior to renting the campervan. In Spain, it is possible to rent a campervan with an English-language driving license, so you won’t need to worry about applying for a separate international driving permit.
Spain follows fairly standard road rules, but keep in mind that cars drive on the right side of the road there. When looking for somewhere to spend the night in your campervan, make sure you stop somewhere that is allowed. Campervans can stay the night in most campsites and designated campervan parking spaces. Some farms and vineyards also welcome campervans to stay overnight.
Reasons to Hire a Campervan in Alicante
• Have the freedom to explore Spain on your terms. See the places you want to see, when you want to see them. You don’t need to rely on the schedules of public transport. You can also alter your travel plans as much as you like without hotel and train bookings to restrict your options.
• Visit places that are off the beaten path which may not be accessible by public transport.
• Travelling in a campervan can help you save money versus staying in hotels and taking trains between places.
• Wake up to a new view of Spain every morning.
• Travelling in a campervan can be as basic or as luxurious as you like, depending on the campervan model and campgrounds you choose. This can be altered to fit your budget and travel preferences.
• Your journey around Spain will feel like a true adventure.
Things to Do Around Alicante
Castle of Santa Barbara
The Castle of Santa Barbara sits on a tall hill overlooking Alicante and the Mediterranean Sea. It was first constructed in the 9th century while Spain was under Arabic control. The architectural styles are a contrast to many of the other buildings you’ll see throughout Alicante and reflect the styles that were popular throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa during that time. In order to reach the castle, visitors can take a lift or hike up a winding trail. Once in the castle, you will notice it feels as if it could be a small city. Alongside the castle itself, there are several other things to see, including a governor’s house, a guardhouse, ruins of an old church, and a market where you can purchase local crafts. From the Castle of Santa Barbara, there is also an incredible view over Alicante and the surrounding region.
Tabarca
Tabarca is a scenic island located a short distance off the shores of Alicante. It has a quiet and secluded atmosphere, offering a different experience to bustling Alicante. The island has beautiful whitewashed houses that are typical of Mediterranean Spain. With the island’s small size, it is walkable and offers coastal paths that circle around its perimeter. Tabarca offers beautiful views of both the sea and the mainland of Costa Blanca. The island also has its own protected marine reserve. The reserve allows snorkelling where you can get an up-close look at its unique fish, coral, and sea creatures.
El Barrio
El Barrio is the Old Town in Alicante and is teeming with old-world charm. The neighbourhood consists of traditional Mediterranean architecture, cobblestone streets, brightly-coloured flowers, and lots of quaint local shops. El Barrio is also known as the foodie hub of Alicante. At night, the neighbourhood comes to life with some of the city’s most popular restaurants and bars serving up Spanish specialties, such as paella, tapas, and sangria.
