City Guide: Alicante

     Locals call it simply ''Alicant''.

     This Mediterranean city at the very east of the Spanish coastine is more sophisticated than the nickname has it. Alicante lies at the gateway to the truly Spanish lifestyle with sun-baked beaches to outclass the premier shores of the world-famous Costa Blanca.

     Taking in this oasis of pleasures on the eastern Mediterranean coastline is easy with Booked.net. Regardless of your budget, we have both luxury and cheap hotels in Alicante at very affordable price. Check out our hotel offers with maps, photos and secure forms.

     Along with the fame of the second largest city in Valencia, Alicante has become a desirable destination to visit among tourists. It is attractive for its spectacular waterfront setting with seaside promenades, year round sunshine and sandy beaches.

    In addition to crystal-clear water washing the sandy strip Alicante's beaches are more than a lure for sun and sand, but an architectural gem. Along the coastline are dotted examples of striking monuments like the Monastery of Santa Faz, the Cathedral, the Archaeological Museum and Church of Santa Maria. The only attraction to fall out the general way is the Santa Barbara Castle that looms far away the city limits and offers panoramic view of Alicante.

     Other attractions include;

- Castle of San Fernando, built in the 19^th century it offers unique architecture in a spectacular setting at Tossal hill

- Archaeological Museum of Alicante dates back to 1932, but today offers more than 80,000 pieces of avant-garde design

- Gravina Museum of Fine Arts features excellent artworks by Spanish artists

- The old town, a triangular area packed with architecture and very tourist-friendly area of the city

- Postiguet Beach is the heart of Alicante with a sandy shore attracts a large number of tourists

     From its early years Alicante expanded on its coastal setting. The city served as a significant player in international trade and soon evolved into the third largest trading port in Spain. The growth was slowed down by the foreign invasions to the city with the 1691 bombing and war from 1701 to 1714. Despite wartime troubles, Alicante sustained itself through trade and farming in the Valencia region and earned the ranking of the provisional capital of the Land of Valencia.

     As soon as recovery began in the 19^th century, the small port city saw the first improvements to the cityscape with new boroughs in the area and railroads crossing the city. Today Alicante is closer to the big city comforts than sleepy trading post yet hasn't reached its point of perfection.

     Alicante is always on the move towards becoming a chic destination and you should visit it with the help of Booked.net.