Alicante city experience

Alicante. Expectations Versus Reality

Back in 2014, when I was young and innocent, my feet were itching to travel abroad and leave my home country. At that time, I was on my 2rd year at university, and the best option to explore the world while studying was an Erasmus exchange program. I took it seriously and spend countless hours checking possible destinations: Italy, Spain, Greece, Czech Republic. One of my primary options was Alicante, as it seemed to be one of the best places to spend a few months away of home. What can possibly be better than living in a lovely seaside city, enjoying great weather, Mediterranean cuisine and low cost of living?

Alicante view from Santa Barbara

Life turned unexpectedly and, in the end, I chose a Greek city of Thessaloniki to spend my fist Erasmus semester. However, I haven’t forgotten about Alicante, and 3 years later, in September 2017 when I ended up in Spain, I have chosen it as my holiday destination.

What can I say? I was expecting anything, but this.

Why?

Let’s take a closer look at Alicante.

Town

If I need to describe it in one word, it would be “boring”. As of now, Alicante is more of a modern fishing village than a city. Typical 3-5 floor block houses without any decoration hardly have any historical or architectural value. If you take a short walk outside of the city center, you will find plenty abandoned buildings, some of them in ruins.It seems that the city is slowly dying. Streets are clean, but still look quite poor. Here and there you can see a few stray cats. Nothing too much exciting. Anyway, you can find some rare exceptions.

Alicante city street view

Alicante city

Alicante city houses

Restaurants and Bars

Restaurants are way too numerous, considering the size of the city. Prices are really acceptable, but often shown without a tax. For around 10 euro, in half of the places you can get the “menu of the day”, which includes a starter, main dish, dessert and a drink of your selection. Note that offers are valid during daytime only.

While searching for a nice place to have a light and tasty diner we have traversed the whole downtown. Hostesses were attacking us from all sides and were so annoying that the only wish we had was to escape as fast as possible. It didn’t help that the menu was basically the same everywhere, and we were not in the mood for paella that evening.

Ready to go home, we took a turn into a small street and found a little restaurant called “Dos en Plaza”. It had just 2 tables outside, but looked really cozy, so we decided to give a try. And we didn’t regret it! The chef did not only know how to cook a great meal, but also truly enjoyed it. He melted our hearts by whistling and singing while cooking for us. The result was outstanding, we have really enjoyed our cannelloni, lasagna and chicken salad. I am really glad that in Alicante there is a place like that.

Alicante places to eat

I have seen a few more charming bars and coffee shops around the city. For a great Italian gelato go to Amorino shop, no doubt you will enjoy it.

Alicante ice cream
source: Flicr

Shops

For some strange reason the city is full of shops, selling tasteless fancy dresses. I cannot really think of any occasion to wear this kind of an outfit, especially in city like Alicante. Most of shops are really small and, in my opinion, elderly-oriented. Haven’t seen too much of a choice for teens or youth. Probably they don’t stay long there.

Alicante beach

Alicante has 2 main beaches – Postiguet (city beach) and San Juan (less busy, located 30 min by bus from the city center). Postiguet is a beautiful beach with golden sand, palms and crystal-clear water, located right in the city center, on the foot of famous Santa Barbara castle. It is being cleaned very well and has some facilities such as sun beds, umbrellas, bathrooms and paid showers. On the other hand, it can be very crowded on the high season. In this case, go to San Juan beach, which has been awarded the Blue flag of European Union. It’s the best spot for swimming, sunbathing and enjoying water sports.

Alicante beach. Playa del Postiguet

Overall, I have expected much more from Alicante. Even so, I have managed to enjoy my time being there, relaxing on the beach and visiting some places of interest.


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5 responses to “Alicante. Expectations Versus Reality”

  1. Grace | Impulsive Adventures Avatar

    Even though you were disappointed, those beaches look stunning. I’d personally love to move to Spain, but it sounds like I’d be better off somewhere other than Alicante. Sounds like your Erasmus placement worked out well.

  2. Natalia Avatar
    Natalia

    My friend I think you expected too much and I’m in the same town right now and can say that only superspoiled person can find some negative aspects here. Trust me, I was born in Russia and lived in Africa for 20 years and can appreciate this place differently. Obviously if you don’t speak Spanish and no nothing about local culture (you obviously don’t) don’t complain. Abandoned buildings cost some money and not everyone can afford them to restore and make a nice homes or hotels. I’m going to do that and will enjoy it to the max! Wait for my story!…😄💃🏽🥂

    1. Aleksandra Avatar
      Aleksandra

      thanks for you assumptions. I live in Spain for nearly 2 years, so i consider myself quite knowledgeable about local traditions and customs. probably I’ve travelled quite enough in and out of Spain to be “spoiled”. 🙂 I have shared my own view of ALicante, which i found to be boring and not authentic as even on the streets and restaurants you are approached in Russian, even when not Russian. However, i am glad you enjoy it.

  3. Dean Thompson Avatar
    Dean Thompson

    I have to agree!
    I have actually booked a flight home earlier as I am so bored. You can do Alicante in one day, go to the market, climb the castle, go to the beach, emmm go to a bar (note I went to FOUR Irish bars, not a single Irish or British person, just a couple of Spanish and also ran by Spanish, this they are just Irish themed-Spanish bars).

    I’m sorry if it sounds negative but there are such better places in Spain to visit. All the sightseeing can get done in a day and the beach too. To be honest if you want a beach resort holiday go to the Algarve on Portugal, a lot better. Alicante feels run down and just in decay. The locals are nice yeah yeah yeah but to visit very average!

  4. FollowThePath Avatar
    FollowThePath

    I actually really like Alicante, but it is small. It does have some cool shops and bars and restaurants though and a good vibe. The people are generally quite friendly, polite, and helpful and not full of themselves. Postiguet beach is very pretty and seeing the castle on the hill from the beach is a great sight. However, what really disappointed me was how dirty many of the side streets were. There is definitely a problem of homelessness and random homeless men wandering the streets and actually urinating in the streets. Also, people let their dogs poop in the same parks the people take their children to play in!

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