A Walk Around Alicante, Spain

by Janis on February 19, 2016

red, black and cream marble tiles pave the Explanada de Espana in Alicante, Spain

Last fall, while on a transatlantic cruise from Barcelona to Ft. Lauderdale, we spent a port day in Alicante, Spain.

Located on the Mediterranean Sea, Alicante is a popular vacation destination on Spain’s Costa Blanca. In this view from our cruise ship in the port, you can see Mount Benacantil with its Castillo de Santa Barbara overlooking the city.

Since this was new destination for us, I had researched the city and learned these 15 Fun Facts About Alicante. Upon the first view of the port, we could understand why a variety of hunters, traders and conquerors had been drawn to Alicante for more than 7,000 years, and that the Greeks, Phoenicians, Carthaginians and the Romans had all left their mark.

Taking a short shuttle bus from the port, we were dropped near the Explanada de Espana promenade — paved with 6.6 million red, black and cream marble tiles that create a wavy path extending from the Port of Alicante to the Gran Vía.

Originally, we had planned to hike up Mount Benacantil to explore the Castillo de Santa Barbara, but with the warm sun beating on our backs, we decided on a more leisurely exploration.

We turned left on the Explanada de Espana promenade where it is shaded with 400 palm trees and runs parallel to the waterfront. Our first destination was to find the El Corte Ingles department store located at 53 Avda. de Maisonnave.

While we always enjoy checking out the El Corte Ingles in any city in Spain, this one had the added draw of a Starbucks. We had to see if there was an Alicante mug to add to our collection.

We find El Corte Ingles shopping centers to offer a fascinating view on local culture. This one was a multi-level department store with clothes, appliances, home decor and a Christmas decor area. There is also a travel agency (pictured above), a gourmet food store, multiple restaurants, and a full grocery store with wine and liquor on the bottom floor. We purchased on Starbuck’s mug, and some unique Christmas ornaments before heading to the basement level grocery store.

We doubt that we are the only travelers that enjoy visiting local grocery stores when in a new destination. We love to see the local foods as well as the local versions of international brands that we are familiar with at home. We compare prices, buy snacks, and think “would we enjoy living here?”

Based on the grocery store in El Corte Ingles, we’d move to Alicante in a minute. There are friendly people, a fabulous food selection, a plethora of fresh seafood with no fishy odor, and seemingly reasonable prices. Yes, we spent more than an hour here, and bought some interesting Spanish chips and snacks to take back on the ship.

Feeling a little peckish after viewing all of that food, we found a little bar/cafe in a shady park across the street from the Corte Ingles. After a sparkling water to cool off, Mr. Jones decided we needed to try some of our favorite new tapas, based on our recent food tour and other food exploration in Barcelona.

He ordered the tortilla Espanola (a wedge of a Spanish omelet with potatoes), the Ensaladilla rusa (Russian salad which is basically cold potato salad with tuna and lots of mayonnaise), and the Boquerones (white anchovies marinated in vinegar.)

This little cafe in the park, called Sotelo 10, was the perfect spot to relax for a long, leisurely lunch. Mr. Jones enjoyed cerveza while I sipped vino blanco, as we enjoyed watching a slice of Spanish life. For example, a mother and grandmother enjoying lunch with friends, while the little boy with them darted out of reach and rubbed his in starched white shorts in the dirt before he could be corralled. Friends catching up on gossip. Older men giving crumbs to fat pigeons. We might not have seen Alicante’s famous castle, but we will always remember that afternoon.

We enjoyed a leisurely walk back towards the waterfront, admiring the sidewalk design.

Back on the Explanada de Espana, we noticed stand of vendors with all kinds of merchandise. There were great deals on leather goods. I could not resist buying a 10 Euro small leather cross-body purse.

As we got back to the port area, we waited a few minutes without seeing any sign of a shuttle bus. Thinking that the last shuttle might have already departed, we decided to make the walk.

Once we were back at the cruise terminal, we saw there was another shuttle bus. We told ourselves we were glad for the extra steps, which our Fitbit showed a total of 5.3 miles walked.