Alicante is a charming seaside city in southeastern Spain, right on the Mediterranean coast. It’s part of the Valencian Community and is blessed with amazing weather – sunny skies almost all year round! It’s no wonder this city is a popular destination for vacations and even retirement.
What makes Alicante special? Think beautiful beaches, a relaxed lifestyle, delicious seafood, historic sites, and cozy little old town streets. The pace here is slower than Madrid or Barcelona, and honestly, that’s part of the charm.
🏰 Castillo de Santa Bárbara – Views Worth the Climb
You absolutely can’t visit Alicante without checking out its most iconic landmark – Castillo de Santa Bárbara! This historic fortress sits on top of Mount Benacantil, right next to the city center, about 166 meters above sea level. From the top, you get a jaw-dropping panoramic view of the city, the port, and the deep blue Mediterranean Sea. It’s one of the best spots to take photos and watch the sunset. 📸🌅
The castle’s history goes way back to the 9th century during Moorish rule. Later on, in 1248, Christian forces took over the site on Saint Barbara’s Day, and that’s where the name comes from.
Over the centuries, the fortress was rebuilt and strengthened, especially between the 16th and 18th centuries, serving as a key military stronghold. At one point, it was even used as a prison. It wasn’t until the 1960s that it was finally opened to the public.
🍄 Mushroom Street – Calle San Francisco’s Whimsical Makeover
This next spot really surprised me – it’s not historical, but it’s adorable! Calle San Francisco, now better known as “Mushroom Street”, is located in central Alicante, somewhere between the train station and the old town.
Why the nickname? Well, the entire street is decorated with huge, colorful mushroom sculptures in a cartoon style. It honestly feels like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale! Kids love it, and let’s be honest, so do adults – I couldn’t resist taking photos with every single mushroom. 😄
Years ago, the street wasn’t anything special – a bit forgotten and dull. But around 2013, the city decided to give it new life. Artists were invited to turn the street into a fun, family-friendly space, with not just mushrooms, but playful tiles, murals, animal sculptures, and even slides for kids.
Now, it’s one of the most cheerful and unique corners of the city. Definitely worth a walk!
🎰 Casino Mediterráneo Alicante – A Lucky Little Detour
If you’re in the mood to unwind or just try your luck, head to the Casino Mediterráneo Alicante, located conveniently by the marina. I stopped by around midday, and to my surprise, they had a welcome bonus for new players – €10 in free credit! (Only for slot machines though, not table games.)
I used it on one of the electronic slot machines and, believe it or not, I actually made a little profit! I walked out with over €10 without spending a cent of my own money. 😄 I guess this is how casinos get people hooked, but hey – it was a fun, lucky detour!
The atmosphere is modern and relaxed – not flashy or overwhelming like Vegas. You don’t even need to gamble to enjoy it – many visitors just come for a drink, dinner, or live music.
🚶♂️ Wrapping Up in Alicante
It was time to pack up and move on to the next stop: Granada.
If you enjoyed reading about my journey, feel free to leave a like or share the blog – thank you so much for the support!
Real Traveler, Real Experiences, Real Results. 
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