Learn Spanish
The city of Alicante
- Learning Spanish in Alicante
THE CITY:
- Population: 332,000.
- Location: In the province of Alicante, southeast of Spain.
- The city is 10 kms away from Alicante's international airport.
- Alicante is located by the Mediterranean Sea.
Alicante is a great choice if you want to combine your Spanish studies with the sea, the sun, a Mediterranean climate and folklore. Whether you want to have a drink on the esplanades surrounded by palm trees, relax in style or partake in the vibrant nightlife and university atmosphere, Alicante has something for all tastes. If you've always imagined Spain as a warm, Mediterranean paradise, consider studying Spanish in Alicante... and because this city lies between the sea and the mountains along the famed Costa Blanca, which grants some of the most beautiful European beaches of Europe, Alicante basks in mild temperatures all year round!
Alicante is a tranquil yet lively city captivating visitors´ imagination with its rich history. The same seaside air tourists enjoy is what first attracted the Romans, enticed the Arabs to stay longer than 500 years and led it to be reclaimed in the 13th century by the Christians. Come and celebrate Alicante's past with Las Hogueras, a lively festival in which incredible papier maché sculptures are erected and then burned amidst parades and luminous fireworks!
Alicante is often known locally as simply 'Alacant', a city with a true Spanish flavour, which is the second-biggest city in the Valencia region after the city of Valencia.
Alicante´s city centre
Port of Alicante
The main Alicante districts and neighbourhoods include the Old Quarter (El Barrio), centred around Mount Benacantil and full of historic buildings; La Zona, an area close to the Explanada de España known for its nightlife and restaurants; and Alicante´s El Puerto district, where a wide range of entertainment venues, nightclubs, bars and shopping centres can be found.
You shouldn´t miss miss visiting San Juan Beach if you are a beach lover; this beach is a huge stretch of sand that has become the city´s top beach spot. You can relax in the sunshine, or take a wander along one of the many seafront´s promenades and wide esplanades, such as Alicante's impressive Rambla Méndex Núnez, where al fresco dining abounds. However, if you fancy hitting a few cultural spots, why not head to the Catedral de San Nicolás de Bari - a historic and eye-catching cathedral with a particulary ornate cloister, large dome and Renaissance-style façade; you can also go to the Castillo de Santa Bárbara, a famous 9th-century castle overlooking Alicante that has become one of the paramount landmarks of the area; there is the Church of Santa Maria as well, which dates back to the 14th century while being Alicante's oldest church; and the Ayuntamiento or Alicante´s City Hall, a building with a highly decorated interior with twin towers of a Baroque-style, which hosts many seasonal events.
With a favourable climate all year round, many sandy and long beaches and a renovated historic Old Quarter, it is easy to see why Alicante is the ideal destination for many types of tourists. Get to know an intimate, medium-sized city with delicious food, an unbeatable climate as well as friendly and warm inhabitants ready to welcome you as one of their own.
