SPAIN SOUTHEAST part 1 – COSTA BLANCA: Alicante , Benidorm, Elche, Calpe and surroun

Nightsky · #1 Posted **Mar 7, 2016, 8:46 PM**

COSTA BLANCA:

http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Costa_Blanca.html

In February 2016, we made a trip to Costa Blanca, Murcia and Valencia. Alicante was the first and last city we visited, since the airport is situated right outside the city. At first we stayed for one afternoon and one hole day after leaving and passing by the outskirts at Playa de San Juan with our rental car. Alicante was the first city I drove in in Spain. After 10 days we returned from Valencia by train, in the late afternoon.

This part of the thread will focus on Costa Blanca:

Alicante (pop. 332 000)
Elche (pop. 229 000)
Benidorm (pop. 69 000)
Villajoyosa (pop. 34 000)*
Calpe (pop. 30 000)
El Campello (pop. 26 000)*
Altea (pop. 24 000)*
Cuevas Caves
Different roads

*only brief visit

Part 2 will focus on Murcia and roads, part 3 on Valencia. So much to look forward to!

ALICANTE:

http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Alicante.html

ABOUT Alicante:

Population: 332 000 000 (metro 757 000)
Other names: Alacant (Valencian)
Tallest building: Estudiotel Alicante (117 m, built 1962)
Language: Spanish, Valenciano
Founded: 324 BC
Province: Alicante
Autonomous community: Valencia
Area: 201 km²
Year visited: 2016

We explorered the historic Santa Barbara Castle on Mount Becantil, watched the views and a temporary exhibition about the Lord of the Rings. We also visited the Old Town, the port and most parts of the city center, and of course we walked on La Explanada several times, a very nice palm promenade. We looked around for Spanish food at the restaurants, but mostly found Italian restaurants. In general, Alicante is a very attractive city to visit with its beautiful fountains, historic buildings and boulevards. It feels surprisingly more like a normal Spanish city then a typical tourist destinaiton, except for the harbour promenade (La Explanada )and beaches. The majority of the city center is modern, just like most other Spanish cities the majority of the city consists modernist residential buildings and not historic churches.

We stayed in February so we didn't see many tourists, but a lot of English people who moved there. The weather was mild compared to Sweden, 15-18 degrees and mostly sunny, but the second day it started to blow a lot since Spain had somewhat of a cold period, there was even snow in other parts of southern Spain during our visit, so I guess we were lucky. About 2 days are recommended to see Alicante, no more or no less.
We stayed at two different hotels, Tryp Gran Sol and Estudiotel Alicante, you can read the views at the website.
Alicante is situated in southeastern Spain, along the Mediterranean coast of Costa Blanca, surrounded by mountains. Alicante (Spanish), or Alacant (Valencian) are both official names of this city, that might be mostly known as a tourist destination with large beaches. But Alicante, Spain's 8th largest city and Valencia's 2nd largest, is much more then that. Here you find stunning nature, great architecture (both historic buildings and modern ones), nice restaurants, beautiful promenades, interesting stores and museums. The city has a long history more then 2300 years old. Nice palm boulevards and plazas with fountains make it a typical grandiose mid sized Spanish city. The name Alicante comes from the Arabic name Al-Laqant. Alicante has a fairly high immigrant population and is a popular place for Northern Europeans to move to because of it's mild climat, so you will here much British accent in Alicant.

View from city center 08 by Nightsky, on Flickr

View from city center 05 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Estudiotel at sunset by Nightsky, on Flickr

Estudiotel Alicante, at 35 floors Alicante's tallest buildings, yet only 2 stars. by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante at sunset 18 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 15 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 12 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 05 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 04 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 02 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 01 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 20 by Nightsky, on Flickr

http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Ali...a_Barbara.html

http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Alicante.html

Nightsky · #2 Posted **Mar 7, 2016, 8:48 PM**

Castillo de Santa Barbara 93 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 90 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 85 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 84 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 83 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 69 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 63 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 62 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 60 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 59 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 58 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 57 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 55 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 54 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 53 by Nightsky, on Flickr

http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Ali...a_Barbara.html

Nightsky · #3 Posted **Mar 8, 2016, 3:22 PM**

Castillo de Santa Barbara 52 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 50 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 49 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 48 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 46 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 29 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Castillo de Santa Barbara 26 by Nightsky, on Flickr

http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Alicante.html
http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Ali...a_Barbara.html

Cro Burnham · #4 Posted **Mar 8, 2016, 7:44 PM**

I think Spain has the best cities in the world, hands down. Even the large towns blow the socks off of all but a handful of large North American cities.

How does Spain do it?

Nightsky · #5 Posted **Mar 8, 2016, 9:46 PM**

PLAYA DE SAN JUAN:

Playa de San Juan is Alicante's largest and most popular beach, and a large district on Cap de l'horta, East of central Alicante. Here you find tall apartments buildings and hotels, as well as some of the more exclusive private residences of Alicante. It has high quality sand and is much calmer then the more centrally located Postiguet Beach summertime, but since we visited in February the beach was almost abandoned anyway. The streets of Playa de San Juan and its bordering districts are filled with palms, wide roads and modern apartment blocks, most of them builtin pretty dull style. From afar though, the highrises create an impressive skyline of its own when seen from central Alicante. Playa de San Juan borders El Campello to the North, that shares the beach. From the beach you can see the beautiful surrounding mountains.

Alicante's modern trams drive right through this outer district, and it is easily accesible by car. You can drive along Avenida Villajoyosa along the coast to reach it. We drove through the district briefly when heading Northwards towards Benidorm.

Playa de San Juan 06 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Playa de San Juan 03 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Playa de San Juan 01 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Playa de San Juan 35 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Playa de San Juan 32 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Playa de San Juan 31 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Playa de San Juan 30 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Playa de San Juan 25 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Playa de San Juan 22 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Playa de San Juan 18 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Playa de San Juan 15 by Nightsky, on Flickr

http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Alicante_San_Juan.html

Nightsky · #6 Posted **Mar 8, 2016, 9:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cro Burnham

I think Spain has the best cities in the world, hands down. Even the large towns blow the socks off of all but a handful of large North American cities.

How does Spain do it?

Spanish cities are my favourites in Europe. I love the avenues, fountains, plazas, beaches, surrounding mountains and parks as well as the mix of old and modern architecture. I also like American cities a lot, at least the big ones. The only negative thing I have to say about Spanish cities is that there are too many dull modernist residential buildings, even in central parts, while the old towns are quite small. But there are also many examples of exciting modern architecure in Spain, like the City of Science in Valencia for example, that will be presented in a separate thread!

SHiRO · #7 Posted **Mar 10, 2016, 6:09 PM**

Great pics as always! Looking forward to Valencia!

Nightsky · #8 Posted **Mar 10, 2016, 10:39 PM**

ALICANTE OLD TOWN:

Alicante Old Town 28 by Nightsky, on Flickr
Santa Maria Church

Alicante Old Town 27 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Santa Maria Church

Alicante Old Town 25 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante Old Town 22 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Dali sculpture inside the Town Hall!

Alicante Old Town 20 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante Old Town 19 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante Old Town 18 by Nightsky, on Flickr
Town Hall
http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Alicante_Old_Town.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHiRO

Great pics as always! Looking forward to Valencia!

Thanks! Will make the Valencia thread after Murcia.
But first more Alicante and Benidorm!

ColDayMan · #9 Posted **Mar 11, 2016, 5:23 AM**

Spain is incredible.

Beedok · #10 Posted **Mar 11, 2016, 1:51 PM**

Very impressive cities.

Centropolis · #11 Posted **Mar 11, 2016, 5:06 PM**

this photo almost looks sort of euro-panamerican. like an arid, mountainous stretch of western coast in the new world like some alternate version of norte de baja california or something. funny stuff.

Nightsky · #12 Posted **Mar 12, 2016, 1:56 PM**

Thanks for comments!

More Old Town Alicante:

Alicante Old Town 17 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante Old Town 15 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante Old Town 13 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante Old Town 11 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante Old Town 09 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante Old Town 07 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante at sunset 14 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante at sunset 11 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante Old Town 38 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante Old Town 37 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante Old Town 36 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante Old Town 34 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante Old Town 33 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante Old Town 32 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante Old Town 30 by Nightsky, on Flickr

http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Alicante_Old_Town.html

Nightsky · #13 Posted **Mar 13, 2016, 11:15 PM**

ALICANTE BY NIGHT:

Alicante by night 09 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Odd tree in Canalejas Park

Alicante by night 08 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante by night 06 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante by night 05 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante by night 04 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante by night 02 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Tryp Gran Sol, our first hotel, one of the tallest buildings in Alicante

Alicante by night 01 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Casino in the port

Alicante by night 62 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Estudiotel Alicante, our second hotel, next to the department store El Corte Ingles, is Alicante's tallest building!

Alicante by night 61 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Explanada de España, the beautiful sea promenade.

Alicante by night 58 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Carrer de San Francisco, a strange pedestrian street filled with swamp sculptures

Alicante by night 56 by Nightsky, on Flickr

View from the top of our hotel, Tryp Gran Sol

Alicante by night 55 by Nightsky, on Flickr

View from the top of our hotel, Tryp Gran Sol

http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Alicante_by_night.html

Lipani · #14 Posted **Mar 14, 2016, 12:08 AM**

Great tour! Even though Alicante is very touristy and has a large expat community (my ex, who lives in Elx, referred to certain parts as "Guirilandia"), I love the city and the surrounding areas. The smaller cities/villages closer to the mountains are some of the best I've visited in Europe. Since Spanish and Valencian (Catalan) are both widely spoken, there's also an interesting mixture of cultures from throughout Spain.

Nightsky · #15 Posted **Mar 14, 2016, 7:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lipani

Great tour! Even though Alicante is very touristy and has a large expat community (my ex, who lives in Elx, referred to certain parts as "Guirilandia"), I love the city and the surrounding areas. The smaller cities/villages closer to the mountains are some of the best I've visited in Europe. Since Spanish and Valencian (Catalan) are both widely spoken, there's also an interesting mixture of cultures from throughout Spain.

Noticed that! And most of them are elderly people, 60+ (nothing bad about that) from the UK. Many Swedes also emmigrate to Alicante. Will present some smaller towns too, like Altea, Villajoyosa and Calpe but that will be after Benidorm. But first even more Alicante!

Nightsky · #16 Posted **Mar 14, 2016, 7:42 PM**

MORE ALICANTE BY NIGHT:

Alicante by night 54 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante by night 53 by Nightsky, on Flickr

View from the top of our Tryp hotel.

Alicante by night 52 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante by night 38 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante by night 35 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante by night 31 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante by night 30 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante by night 22 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante by night 20 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante by night 15 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante by night 46 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante by night 44 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante by night 43 by Nightsky, on Flickr

http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Alicante_by_night.html

So what do you think about the swamp sculpturs at the pedestrian street? :lol::nuts:

fern · #17 Posted **Mar 14, 2016, 9:28 PM**

Good stuff! looking forward to your Valencia thread I visited the city during the La Fallas festival and love the place not so much love for Benidorm, chav central

Nightsky · #18 Posted **Mar 15, 2016, 1:50 PM**

BACK TO DAYLIGHT AND THE PORT:

Alicante City Centre 090 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante City Centre 086 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante City Centre 085 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante City Centre 084 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante City Centre 082 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante City Centre 077 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante City Centre 071 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante City Centre 069 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante City Centre 068 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante City Centre 067 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante City Centre 065 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante City Centre 064 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante City Centre 059 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante City Centre 055 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante City Centre 053 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante City Centre 052 by Nightsky, on Flickr

Alicante City Centre 049 by Nightsky, on Flickr

http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Alicante_City.html

Nightsky · #19 Posted **Mar 15, 2016, 1:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by fern

Good stuff! looking forward to your Valencia thread I visited the city during the La Fallas festival and love the place not so much love for Benidorm, chav central

Thanks a lot! Valencia will be shown in a separate thread as soon as the pictures are edited and the page is created. It will be part 3 of my Southeast Spain series. But don't miss part 2, Murcia! I just posted it:

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...=1#post7371375