BELLA’S DAY TRIP TO ALICANTE

A short bus ride away from the beautiful city of Valencia is a coastal town, steeped in history and sights. One weekend, or even a day in Alicante, can be as relaxing or exhilarating as you like. A friend of mine, Bella, recently visited Alicante in one day and loved practically every minute of the packed day.

She began by exploring the Castillo de Santa Barbara, a castle originally from the 9^th century that was largely expanded upon in the 16^th century. With sprawling views of the city, mountains, and the sea, the castle is not only popular for the history it has but also the spectacular views it provides. And for about 3 euros per person, this was an experience not to be missed. Although waiting in line for the lift took a fair bit of time, Bella said it was all worth it for the views from all around and to be in a place with so much history.

After the trip through the castle, Bella walked around the city, taking in the red roofs and bright blue tiles that covered the tops of each building. The climate was similar to Valencia, offering sea breezes to cut the midday heat. Bella made her way to the Mercado Central de Alicante, a huge building that takes up an entire block. She went in and had to explore for a while before picking only one place to eat.

The Mercado, located on Av. Alfonso El Sabio had several places to sit down to eat or to just grab a bite, offering similar foods to those found in Valencia, such as bocadillos, meats, cheeses, vegetables, and sweet treats for afterwards.

Bella stopped at Aitana’s and got some tapas and cava, a Spanish sparkling wine. For tapas she tried the albondigas, which are like meatballs, and also some artisanal bread. Her friend who was travelling with her tried the plata de jamón, literally a plate of sliced ham, and some mini-bocadillos. Full of authentic Spanish tapas from the market, Bella and her friend travelled on to the Barrio de Santa Cruz.

Climbing the steps to the barrio was tough, but the walk was delightful as she took in the culture of the neighborhood. Each house was named, with decorated tiles spelling out “Casa” before the chosen name of the house. Bright blues, whites, and reds popped out all around her as she walked past the casas, bringing a lively and energetic feeling to the afternoon. Potted plants lined the streets and a few tourists were around, but not so many that it felt like a touristy area. After a quick stop at a café to sip on some café con leche and enjoy the view at the emblematic traditional tapas bar La Barrita de Santa Maria, Bella kept walking.

As her day started to come to a close, the last spot she wanted to see before heading back to Valencia was the Passeig Esplanada d’Espanya. The Passeig is known for its over 6 million mosaic tiles in white, blue, and red. The wave-like pattern is intended to remind those who walk on them of the waves of the Mediterranean, so whether you are there for a quick art history lesson or to take stunning Instagram pictures, you are sure to be satisfied.

Bella headed back to Valencia that night, exhausted from the fast-paced day trip but exhilarated by everything she had seen and learned. Now, she recommends that all her friends in Valencia and around the area visit this hidden gem of a city that has so much to offer its visitors.

To learn more and plan your visit to the Castillo de Santa Barbara, go to https://castillodesantabarbara.com/.

Report by Fiona Pacious