Must See Places For First Timers

While many tourists head straight out of Alicante Airport  to their resort, others stop off to enjoy the seaside city of  Alicante. Although it is a thriving business and commercial centre , Alicante retains a laidback, cosmopolitan feel. The castle looms over the bustling city. The Old Town is home to fine old buildings with plenty of good restaurants  and bars. The marina, w...

From Alicante port and Santa Pola resort, you can take a one-hour boat ride to the nearby Tabarca island for an interesting daytrip. It is a popular spot for snorkelling and swimming because of its clear waters. It is the only inhabited island in the Valencia region and is just 1,800 metres long by 400 metres at its widest point. The crystal-clear water around the island has been declared a Med...

  Benidorm is where the package holiday was invented more than 50 years ago. It is still a magnet for sunworshippers and families seeking a fun-filled holiday. Its iconic skyscrapers have been compared to Manhattan and Miami. It's big, it's beautiful and it has something for everyone – sandy beaches, water sports, family entertainment, restaurants, bars and hotels to suit every budget...

The Alicante region may be famous for its beaches and golf resorts but there is much more to the region than that. No visit would be complete without a day trip into the mountains and Guadalest is the perfect place. The winding road  up to Guadalest takes you through some stunning scenery with breathtaking views. Once you reach Guadalest, you will feel as though you are a million miles away fr...

Altea is one of the prettiest towns in the Alicante region and has a very Spanish feel to it, largely thanks to its interesting historic Old Town with its narrow, cobbled streets. It has been a haven for painters, poets, musicians and photographers for more than 40 years as the streets and beaches provide plenty of inspiration. Altea is between Calpe and Benidorm. The town can be divided...

Javea is a very popular holiday destination for those who are attracted by its fine, sandy beaches, promenade lined with bars, restaurants and shops, as well as its pretty old town. Javea is in an ideal location as it juts out to sea – making it one of the first places on the Spanish Mediterranean to catch the morning sun. As well as attracting families and sports love...

The Jalon Valley is traditional Spain at its most splendid. You can explore the countryside by foot or on bike and discover its rich history and natural beauty. The Jalon region is within a 30-minute drive from Benidorm, Javea and Denia, for instance. Good times to visit are in February or March when the valleys are blooming in pink and white from the orange, lemon and almond blossom. Take...

Torrevieja, tourism and a favourite haven for ex-pats from Northern Europe are intrinsically linked.  But there is another side of Torrevieja that is well-known to Spaniards but is more of a mystery to those who visit on holiday. It is salt and such is the value of this natural resource that the industry continues to expand and now it produces 700,000 tons a year, an increase of 15 per cent...

If you like to party, then Denia is the town for you. It is said to hold more festivals than any other town in Spain. Denia, midway between Alicante and Valencia, is an interesting mix of old and new. Its sandy beaches stretch further than the eye can see and the town is a magnet for yachties and sunbathers. It is famous for its castle which looms over the town and for its food. With more t...

Orihuela boasts 16 kilometres of some of the best beaches in the region. They have the coveted Blue Flag award for their cleanliness and safety. Each beach has its own distinct character with a variety of good hotels and restaurants just waiting to serve you. Orihuela city is about 20 kilometres inland from the beach resorts and so they provide a welcome change from the bustling city life. O...