Historical Sites in Alicante
No trip to Alicante, Spain, is complete without visiting some of the area’s most historical sites. These sights aren’t just for those who love history and visiting old locations—they’re for anyone who really wants to get a sense of what a location is all about. Plus, even if you don’t enjoy the history of a location, just seeing the buildings, ruins, and the view from some of these historical spots is worth the time it takes to get to them.
The first historical site that you absolutely have to see is Santa Barbara Castle, sometimes referred to as Alicante Castle. This ancient castle sits high atop Mount Benacantil and provides a great view of the city below and its harbour. Santa Barbara Castle is one of the largest medieval fortresses still standing in Europe, and its sprawling grounds cover the entire summit of the mountain. The castle was originally built in the 10th century by the Moors, but it wasn’t given its current name until it was conquered by King Alfonse on Saint Barbara’s feast day in 1248. Since then, it has been developed into a tourist attraction and historical landmark. A visit will reveal dungeons, the main palace, a moat, the ruins of a church, and a lookout tower that gives you the view of a lifetime. Two cafes give you the chance to take a break and enjoy a small meal.
There’s another, smaller castle in the area: the Castillo de San Fernando, or St. Ferdinand Castle. It’s much newer—it was built in the 19th century on Tossal Hill. It was originally constructed to help stop Napoleon’s advance into Spain; however, it was abandoned shortly after being built. Its ornate doorway is just one of its many points of interest.
The Cathedral of Stain Nicholas of Bari is located within Alicante itself, and it’s quite an imposing structure. Finished in 1662, the cathedral dominates the other builds nearby. It was built over the remains of a mosque and features a bright blue dome. Another great sight is Inglesia de Santa Maria, or St. Mary’s Church. It was likewise built over a mosque sometime between the 14th and 16th centuries. You’ll find many different pieces of art within the church, including a marble font that was created by the school of Michelangelo.
The old town hall, or Ayuntamiento, features two incredible towers that cast long shadows over the square in front of them. Inside the town hall, visitors will see a statue of Dali and can visit the famous blue room and a small chapel.
While you can walk to many of these locations or visit them using the local tram system, one of the best ways of getting around in Alicante is to make use of a car hire company. Car hire alicante airport is a very easy process and many of the companies offer great package deals or discounts. With a car, you have the freedom to see the historical sites located within Alicante without walking all day, plus you can visit nearby locations to see what they have to offer.