Where to Eat in Alicante?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nStart the day the Spanish way. Head to a small breakfast bar around 11 a.m. for a coffee and some tostada (freshly baked bread rubbed with olive oil and vine-ripened tomatoes). You\u2019ll find plenty of bakeries and cafes throughout the city offering this typical Spanish dish but Bardin Bakery, just off the Explanada d\u2019Espanya, is a special oasis. Sporting mismatched furniture in pastel colors and floor-to-ceiling windows, Bardin is the place to get comfortably ensconced with a good book and great food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a leisurely lunch, make your way to the harbor and over to D\u00e1rsena. Since 1961, this unique restaurant has sported a strong nautical theme that embraces its seaside location. Polished wood and lantern lights abound as do circular windows that overlook the marina. D\u00e1rsena boasts fresh seafood, most of which is caught that very morning, so treat yourself to steamed mussels with laurel or salted cod croquettes. Before you leave, savor one of its rice dishes\u2014rice is an essential part of the Alicantese diet\u2014and with 25 different choices on the menu, it\u2019s hard to pick just one. We are partial to the carnaroli, which is made with plankton and squid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A visit to Spain wouldn\u2019t be complete without a tapas bar and La Taberna Del Gourmet will certainly sate your cravings. With leather chairs, industrial fittings and local produce proudly on display behind glass walls, the restaurant is a celebration of Spanish food and culture. Offering a large menu of tapas classics, La Taberna\u2019s black rice paella is the showstopper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019d like a sweet treat before bedtime, make a pitstop at Horchateria Azul, a local favorite near Pante\u00f3 de Quijano. It\u2019s the local hotpot for a late-night gelato or a freshly made Horchata.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nStart the day the Spanish way with Tostada. <\/em>Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSit portside and enjoy great views and food at D\u00e1rsena. Credit: D\u00e1rsena<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\nGo crackers for the sweet treats at Bardin Bakery. Credit: Bardin Bakery<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nBe as shellfish as you like with the black paella at La Taberna Del Gourmet. Credit: La Taberna Del Gourmet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat to do in Alicante?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nFrom historic sites to modern art museums to glorious beaches plus a few good bars, you\u2019ll find plenty to keep you busy in this Mediterranean city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Castle of Santa B\u00e1rbara, built in the 9th century and located more than 500 feet above sea level, is one of Spain\u2019s largest medieval fortresses. Access is available via a lift near El Postiguet beach within the rockface. If small spaces aren\u2019t your thing then you can also get to the castle via foot or car. The castle is a fascinating cultural site that offers vistas of aqua-colored seas and endless blue skies.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSan Juan beach is two miles long so you\u2019re sure to find your perfect tanning spot. Credit Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Alicante Museum of Contemporary Art (MACA) boasts a plethora of local and Spanish artists. Reopened in 2011 after extensive renovations, the stone building houses three permanent exhibitions that include the works of Joan Mir\u00f3, Salvador Dal\u00ed and Juana Frances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After a day of pounding the pavement, it\u2019s time to hit the beach for some sun, sand and surf. San Juan Beach, stretching along the coast for nearly two miles, is one of the most popular plays in town and with white sand and calm, shallow waters, it\u2019s not hard to see why! For a more relaxed beach experience\u2014i.e. without the crowds\u2014take a detour to La Almadraba, just four miles up the coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alicantese nightlife is a singular attraction. The bar scene is vibrant and bustling, no matter the season. Locals start the party at 3 p.m. on Saturday so you should, too. Head to El Barrio and you\u2019ll find plenty of bars ranging from dark and dingy dives to sleek, upmarket cocktail boites. Our favorite? The stylish and innovative Nic Combinados Y Cocteles, where cocktails are an art form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nLookout\u2026for great views from The Castle of Santa B\u00e1rbara. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHave a surreally good time at the MACA Contemporary Art Museum of Alicante Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhere to Stay in Alicante?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHotel Les Monges Palace<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Hotel Les Monges Palace, in the middle of the old town, it’s just minutes away from Alicante\u2019s main attractions and the beach. The hotel itself has an old-time decadence\u2014think dark, heavy wooden doors that guard the entrance flanked by opulent glass porch lights. Once you step inside you\u2019ll notice the tiled floors that run throughout the establishment and that change style on every floor. Each bedroom is unique, with tiles in different colors or and a variety of wallpapers cascading from the ceiling. All rooms come with an ensuite bathroom and have beds that are simple but comfy. With a small but perfectly formed terrace, Les Monges is one of those spots that allows you to fully relax and take a breather after a long day of sightseeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nA mix of traditional and modern, Les Monges Palace is the perfect retreat for a Spanish getaway. Credit: Hotel Les Monges Palace<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWith an entrance this grand, Les Monges Palace will make you feel like royalty. Credit: Hotel Les Monges Palace<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n