Cruise Holidays To Alicante

Overview

On the Costa Blanca, the city of Alicante has shrugged off its tacky tourism image. El Barrio de Santa Cruz offers a glimpse into this charismatic city's ancient past. This atmospheric Old Quarter centres around the Town Hall on the arcaded Plaza del Ayuntamento, where the Catédral de San Nicolas de Bar is dedicated to the patron saint of Alicante. Spreading uphill, the tiny neighbourhood of Santa Cruz is a charming enclave of whitewashed houses.

It's a short walk from where cruise ships dock to the Paseo Maritimo which stretches from the harbour, bristling with pleasure boats, to the expansive beach at Playa del Postuguet. The palm-lined Explanada de España is one of the most beautiful waterfront promenades in Spain and has a wealth of lively cafes; while the Rambla de Mendez Nunez leads to a bustling market.

Perched 350 feet above the city on Mount Benacantil, the 16th century Castillo de Santa Bárbera is a fascinating melange of architectural styles from Gothic to Renaissance. It is a medieval castle straight out of Don Quixote, with drawbridges, hidden passages, and a real dungeon.