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Distances / Travel
Alicante Airport - 31km
Alicante Airport is located about 11 kilometres from the city of Alicante at El Altet and is easy to get to from the main A7 motorway. The airport provides a modern and convenient gateway to the Mediterranean coast, serving passengers arriving mainly from the UK, Netherlands and Germany. Accessibility ranks high because anyone is sure to find the airports location. Car parking is right outside the arrivals and departures lounges.
Alicante Airport boasts a friendly and helpful staff always ready to render service to travellers. It is not a big airport, making it easier to give efficient service to its clients. Inside the airport it is modern and spacious. It comprises several floors, each with all the expected facilities. The airport handles 8 million passengers each year, and the service is still efficient.
There are plenty of cafés, food stalls, bars and restaurants to choose from. A duty-free outlet is also available, with products ranging from cosmetics, toys, electronics, home items, school supplies and the like. A delicatessen also whips up snacks for some quick bites.
Elche / ELX - 24km
Set in the heart of the Costa Blanca, surrounded by palm trees yet looking to the Mediterranean, Elx offers a variety of pleasant surprises for the visitor. Its mild Mediterranean climate enjoying fresh sea breezes, its valuable cultural and ecological heritage, its fiestas and popular traditions contrasting with the industrial infrastructure of the town, with its broad avenues and modern services, all form part of the principal attractions of the town. In the historical, old section of the city amongst the most interesting sights are the Altamira Palace, the Basilica of Santa Maria, the Moorish fortress and the Moorish Baths.
The municipal park in Elche is a wonderful place to enjoy both the sun and the shade. The park is filled with tall palms, water features, band stands and much more. On the other side of the road is the outdoor swimming pool and the sports park where all manner of sports take place.
The tourist office is located in the corner of the park.
The River Vinalopo runs through Elche and has several impressive crossing points. If you stay close to the river you are guaranteed to see the best of the sights including the Basilica, the Palacio, the Museo de la Festa and the old town market. The tourist board can issue you with a street plan that has suggested routes marked on it to ensure you get the most from your visit. All over Elche are splendid buildings with intricate stonework and a fair share of statues and monuments. Look out for the Lady of Elche.
Santa Pola (Beach) - 39km
Santa Pola is located on the southernmost stretch of the province of Alicante, lying on a calm bay. This major fishing port is a favourite destination amongst tourists because of its mild climate, as well as the hospitality of its locals.
It is a wonderful town thriving on tourism, yet managing to retain its culture and tradition. Santa Pola is a feast for the senses with its golden beaches that stretch the length of the town. It truly is a lively melting pot of both local residents and tourists. Day and night, the town exudes a friendly vibe, catering to people of all ages. This tourist offices keen focus on promoting Santa Polas tourism guarantees that the town is always a must-visit.
Santa Pola boasts beaches with golden sand, perfect for water sports. The fishing industry flourishes in this area, and reflects on the towns gastronomic delights. Fish straight off the boats is sold in daily markets while the Saturday market promises to satisfy bargain hunters. Taking a break from the beaches is always an option because Santa Pola offers so much more. Explore the natural park of Las Salinas and discover the beauty of the salt flats and resident flamingos.
Alicante - 43km
Alicante city has a population of over 300,000 and combines both classic and modern societies, living in harmony. It offers business and pleasure, entertainment and education. its history reaches back to prehistoric times with remains being found here from the third century before Christ. Today, Alicante is a first rate tourist centre thanks to its splendid beaches, excellent climate and well known facilities.Besides its golden beaches and impressive Paseo Maritimo, Alicante has a wealth of history to offer the visitor and has an impressive mountain-top castle. The city also has a range of 18th century manor houses, all worthy of a visit. The seafront is attractive, and the bullring is one of the oldest in Spain still in use. Built in 1849 it has since been restored and enlarged. The current design dates from 1888.
Rojales - 51km
The village of Rojales in Spain is a traditional farming village, where the lifestyle is easygoing and very laid back. Situated on the Segura River on the Costa Blanca, the town is only 16 miles (25km) from Alicante.
With its very pleasant climate, Rojales is ideal for leisurely walks or an afternoon merienda at the towns many quaint cafés. The traveller can easily become at ease as he explores this laidback town. Much of Rojales lies in the fact that anytime is a safe time to walk, play and dine outside. The hurly burly of more commercial towns like Torrevieja, Guardamar, Elche, Alicante and Benidorm is a stark contrast to the slow and steady pace of this modest land. Here you can stroll the streets lined with restaurants, and have a glass of cold beer or red wine while munching on tapas.
Nevertheless, the town is never lacking in fun and merriment. As with all other towns on the Costa Blanca, Rojales has fiestas (festivals) to celebrate the feast days of their patron saints.
At present, there has been a major improvement in Rojales infrastructure. Residential housing estates have been constructed within the municipal district. Because of its affordability and peaceful atmosphere, the area has become very popular for Northern Europeans to reside in. Villas and apartments are for sale at very affordable prices, some of which come complete with furniture. The inexpensive standard of living, as well as the scenic tranquility of Rojales make it a destination worth going to.
Guardamar (Beach) - 58km
Guardamar is a picturesque town with one of the largest beaches in Spain, measuring 11 kilometres. The sun, sand and sea make up the whole Guardamar experience, as it epitomises the typical summer seaside getaway. Amongst its many attractions is a superb beachside with miles of clean golden sand. Restaurants and typical Spanish bars are open for lunch and dinner or even a quick merienda by the shore.
Guardamar exudes a very laidback vibe, a carefree feel that entices travellers to not just see but also immerse themselves in the culture. Leisurely strolls by the beach or an evening walk to the park are just some of the activities worth indulging in. Unwinding in Guardamar is a religious experience because of its tranquility. On Wednesdays, though, the laidback town transforms into a mad, whirlwind of activity. It is market day, with buyers and sellers gathering to barter their wares.
A natural pine forest leads to sand dunes, the sea and finally the marina. All activities are done at a leisurely pace, devoid of the hustle and bustle of cosmopolitan living. Of course, like all Spanish towns, Guardamar knows how to party. It comes alive at fiesta time, when the sun comes down. A fantastic street party entices both local residents and tourists to meet and revel the night away.
Murcia - 61km
The region of Murcia lies to the south of Valencia and is thinly populated except in the areas around the rivers. The mountains reach right down to the sea.
During the summer months the weather can be almost unbearably hot yet the winters are mild. The province of Murcia is irrigated by the Rivers Segura, Murdo and Sangonera which makes ideal conditions for the many orchards of citrus fruit. In contrast the area also has expanses of dry, arid land wher olives and vines thrive, then turning to desert-like land covered in cacti and palms. The city of Murcia is described as one of the most beautiful and historic in the country. The city stands on the banks if the river and enjoys all year round sunshine. It has the highest temperatures in the region. There is a great deal of Moorish influence in the city, not least of all the impressive city walls. After the reconquest, the 20 mosques in the city were turned into churches. The Cathedral is the most highly prized building in the city. The first foundation stone was laid in 1388 by Bishop Pedrosa. It took four centuries to complete. There are so many different styles and cultures within, including 23 different chapels.
Torrevieja (Beach) - 70km
Torrevieja has fast become a favourite destination of tourists from Barcelona, Madrid and other European cities. From a quiet and laidback fishing town on the Costa Blanca, it is now an expanding resort famous for its blue sky and blue sea most days of the year.
Torrevieja has recently undergone the expansion of its marina and a makeover of its promenade to ensure safe seawater bathing. To add to the entire summer experience, restaurants and bars are open from lunchtime to serve tapas and snacks. Until the romantic hours of the evening, a la carte menus are available for appetites of all sizes.
Fun and merriment are signatures of Torrevieja culture. During spring and summer, a fun fair is held for friends and families alike. The Friday market is a must-see for the curious traveller in search of a little something to take home. The market has everything from designer clothes, shoes, bed linen and jewelry. Both locals and tourists trek down by the harbour to see the fishing fleet haul in the days catch. A few hours after the fish are brought in, they are ready to be sold in the market or even to the bystanders enjoying an afternoon at the beach.
With its fantastic beaches, fresh seafood and affordable accommodation, it is no mistaking that Torrevieja will find its way on to any travellers destination list.
Benidorm - 90km
The biggest holiday resort on the Costa Blanca. These days the 6km of beach area along Benidorms frontage attracts an average 180,000 people. It has not always been like that though. It was once a sleepy fishing village - before the holiday boom of the 70s. The area is now a mass of high rise hotels and apartments and a haunt of the package holiday. Local officials are in the process of cleaning up the image of Benidorm and trying to rid it of the lager-lout reputation it once had. The council now provide such things as free jazz and classical concerts. Families from all over Europe flock to Benidorm in the summer and in the winter, the hotels and apartments fill with pensioners, enjoying the climate for the winter months. The shopping areas are typical touristy shops offering all manners of goods.
Benidorm has a youthful and pulsating nightlife with many discos and nightclubs, endless bars and fine restaurants. Here you can party till dawn.
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