Poles loved this Spanish resort. Only 3.5 hours of flight to “light source”

Alicante is a historic port city, whose name in a loose translation from Arabic means “light source”. Located on Costa Blanca in the Valencia region, it attracts crowds of tourists from around the world. I decided to check what is so special about this Spanish resort.

I will remember this place in Alicante for a long time

Alicante impresses from the first minutes. What is striking immediately after arriving in the city is Benacantil Hill with Castillo de Santa Barbarawho proudly dominates the city. The construction of one of the largest fortresses in Europe is dated to the 9th century. It is definitely worth making a short walk to the top, from where there is a breathtaking view of the city’s panorama.

Part of Alicante, which definitely stole my heart, is Barrio de Santa Cruz. It is a former workers’ district, in which there are numerous turning streets and houses loudly decorated with flowers – a hallmark and a place where you can fall in love at first sight. Especially in the evening, when the setting sun sheds light on colorful facades, and the houses look like the best impressionists painted with the hand.

Alicante in Spain. What is worth visiting?

One of the most characteristic places in Alicante is the promenade Explanada de Espanawhich was founded in 1867 on the initiative of architect Jose Guardiola Pico. The pattern on the tiles, which are supposedly even 6.5 million, reflects the waves of the Mediterranean, but what is definitely impressive is the huge palms that stretch through the entire length of the promenade.

For children, a big attraction will certainly be Calle de las Setaswhich you can – literally – arrange a “walk under hats” and move into a world similar to that of “Alice in Wonderland”. Figures of mushrooms and snails reminiscent of fairy tale characters were placed between numerous shops and restaurants.

Alicante itself, although there is 11. As for the size of a Spanish city, you can visit in one or two days. There are also other attractions in the area. Tabi.e. the only inhabited island in the Valencia region, attracts with winding and charming streets, in which time has somehow stopped. What’s more, in just an hour local transport can be reached to Murcia and Valencia It is less than 170 km away. Santa Pola, Altea, Denia or Villajoyos with numerous colorful houses certainly deserve attention from smaller towns.

When is it worth coming?

The Spaniards are known all over the world by passion for fun, through which they express their spontaneity and joy of being here and now. During my stay in Alicante, I had the opportunity to take part in the celebration Sabado Ramblero. Despite the fleeting rain and weather, which was much more like Polish than Spanish, crowds of residents and tourists came out on the streets of the city, who wanted to celebrate the last Saturday of the carnival.

Whole families and groups of friends used this day to dress up as iconic characters from fairy tales or known celebrities. Fiesta in the streets lasted to long at night. According to the Municipal Office in Alicante, the event attracted nearly 40,000. participants.

This is not the only noteworthy event in the Alicante calendar. The ideal moment for a visit to Costa Blanca will be the second half of June. Between 19 and 25 June the city celebrates Hogueras de San Juani.e. a holiday in honor of fire and by the way to welcome summer. According to old beliefs, the fire was to drive away bad powers. That is why various items were burned on Saint John’s night, which had no great value.

Currently, unusual figures made of wood and cardboard end in flames. A few meters high charming works of art are made with great precision. Some creators have mastered the art of creating figures to perfection and permanently enrolled in the history of the city. IN Museo de les foguereswhich is located in the very center of Alicante, there were those figures that were saved from burning as a result of voting. In addition to smoking figures, during the holidays among adults and children queen are selected Bellea del Foc.

A good time to visit Alicante will also be Holy Week. For the Spaniards, the so -called Semana Santa It is of great importance not only spiritual, but above all is an opportunity to experience time together before Easter. On Palm Sunday, traditionally, a boat with the image of Cristo del Mar (Christ from the sea) nails to the port of Alicante.

Almost 30 processions pass through the streets of the city throughout the week. One of the largest takes place on Palm Sunday – participants then have special white palm trees, and monumental, religious figures appear on the streets. During the procession of the Lord’s supper, the central platform is so huge that nearly 200 people must carry it.

Costa Blanca tempts with delicious food

Alicante will also be a great choice for all “foods”. There are plenty of charming and atmospheric cafes and restaurants not only offering Spanish cuisine, but also Italian, Greek or Hindu. Bars with traditional are a great solution tapasin which we will not find a permanent menu. We only order drinks. Waiters walk between tables with trays bending under sandwiches with various additions. They are all at the same price, and we only choose those we feel like.

Being in Alicante, you must try such classics of Spanish cuisine like Patatas Bravas, Croquetas, Gaspacho, Tortilla de Patatas Whether Berenjenas con miel. The region is famous for its excellent seafood, and local chefs have mastered the art of preparing Paella to perfection. Although it is worth noting here that a typical dish for Alicante to Arroz and a gangi.e. rice with fish decoction and seafood that cannot be confused with Paella.

Sweet lovers are waiting primarily for: Turron de Alicante, which contains all almonds and is surrounded by a wafer and Turron de Jijona, which tastes like halva.

An additional encouragement may be the fact that In 2025, Alicante proudly be entitled the Spanish capital of gastronomy. Therefore, various types of events and culinary festivals take place throughout the year in the city.

Poles loved this Spanish city

What caught my attention during his stay to Costa Blanca is ubiquitous Polishwhich was heard literally at every step. No wonder – Alicante has become one of the favorite destinations of Poles. According to data from the Civil Aviation Office, that Only in the first quarter of 2024 the number of tourists flying from Polish cities to and from Alicante increased by nearly 75 percent. compared to last year. The flight from most Polish cities takes about 3.5 hours.

The fact that Poles actually liked this charming corner of Costa Blanca is visible to the naked eye. In no other Spanish city I have heard Polish so often. What’s more, in some restaurants we can even find a menu in Polish, and waiters seeing tourists from Poland, they interfere some popular phrases.

Residents are fed up with tourists. These banners say everything

However, there is a scratch in this beautiful picture. The huge popularity of the city and an increasing number of tourists also mean difficulties for residents. Some of them complain about the increase in prices in restaurants or grocery stores, as well as huge piston and infrastructure problems. A huge noise in the city center is also a problem. On the facades of some balconies we can find banners with the subtitles “Queremos Dormir” (“We want to sleep” or “No Podemos Mas” (“We can’t stand any longer”)

However, the biggest challenge is the situation on the housing market. The owners prefer short -term rental because they earn more. What’s more, a large part of the property is practically unavailable to residents due to the large presence of tourists.

Therefore, the Alicante authorities followed in the footsteps of other Spanish cities, including Barcelona or Malagi, who decided to significantly reduce short -term rental. From January 2025, a two -year moratorium has been in force for issuing new licenses. Those owners who already have documents can still operate.

Restrictions were also introduced in the activities of gastronomic premises. They will be open to guests up to 00:30 a week and until 1am at weekends. In turn, clubs and discos can operate up to 1am from Sunday to Thursday and until 3 am on Fridays and Saturdays. Entrepreneurs who want to open new premises will have to reckon with a number of difficulties, because issuing new licenses has been suspended for now.