Great castle, nice beach, shopping, museums, nightlife; Alicante is the centre of the Costa Blanca. Here's my pick of the top things to do.
Making ancient history modern; Alicante’s MARQ museum
Museum visits are generally for rainy days. Problem is, there aren’t that many rainy days on the Costa Blanca. So visiting the archaeology museum in Alicante (MARQ) generally means sacrificing some sunshine. But it is worth it.
Villajoyosa: Spain’s capital of chocolate!
To say Villajoyosa is famous for chocolate is a bit of an understatement. Not many places can boast three working chocolate factories. Go on a visit and sample the product!
A meat-eaters guide to a Spanish menu
How to find your way round a meat menu in Spain. What to order, the different cuts of meat and styles of cooking. Everything from the most expensive steak to pigs trotters!
On the skywalk at Santa Pola lighthouse: dizzying clifftop views
Santa Pola lighthouse has some of the finest clifftop views on the entire Costa Blanca. And if you're lucky, you could get a free air display thrown in.
The myths and legends of Puig Campana
If you look into the mountains behind Villajoyosa, one peak dominates the skyline; the one with the square gap in the summit, like a missing tooth. The Puig Campana. But how did that gap get there? Find out more about the legends of La Vila's mountain.
Easter in La Vila Joiosa
Semana Santa or Holy Week is a seriously big event in Spain. The processions of the hooded penitents in Sevilla and other Spanish cities are spectacular celebrations of faith. Here in Villajoyosa, they’re obviously not quite on the same scale, but there are processions in the town every evening in Easter week.
How to order fish and seafood in Spain
There's a bewildering variety of fish on offer in Spanish restaurants. So which do you go for? Here's a handy translation guide to the fish or seafood you'll find on Costa Blanca menus, or at the pescaderia in the supermarket.
Correfoc: devils dancing on the streets of Villajoyosa
A Correfoc is an explosion of noise and fire on the street, a cacaphony of shrieking whistles, rhythmic drumming and fireworks. Watch this video of the correfoc in October 2017 on La Vila's main street.
More than just paella; choosing the best Spanish rice dishes
Paella may be the most famous dish on a Spanish menu. But the Comunidad Valenciana is its real home. Here's how to choose the best rice dishes from the rich variety on offer.
