Alicante's location between the mountain and the sea accounts for its specific ambience. It has always been a markedly harbour city, and its position on the coast was responsible both for its prosperity thanks to sea trade, and for its share of wars and conflicts.  It still boasts a considerable maritime traffic with two marinas and a commercial port. The entire seafront area is most inviting for a stroll, but the part you cannot miss is the Explanada - the seafront promenade covered in red, cream and black marble and lined with palms, one of the most beautiful in Spain. During the many feasts, the Municipal Band gives open-air concerts there, in the music pavilion.

As becomes a Spanish city with centuries-old traditions, the fiesta never ends. The most important celebration is undoubtedly the Fogueres de Sant Joan in late June, with magnificent fireworks. It is followed immediately by the Feast of San Pedro with its colorful processions, live outdoor music and dancing. The lavish fiesta of the Moors and the Christians in summer is not to be missed. The Romeria is a pilgrimage to the neighbouring village of Santa Faz where the local monastery holds a precious relic: a piece of linen used by St. Veronica to wipe the face of Christ. To add to the culture calendar, a theatre festival and an international music festival are traditionally held in Alicante in September, and an international puppet festival takes place in December.

Fish, seafood and rice are staples in Alicantean gastronomy. Rice is stewed with fish, or - a characteristic local specialty - with squid in its own ink. Tuna, cod, octopus and anchovies are favoured tapas (starter). The stuffed squid, the swordfish stew and the fresh shrimp are not to be missed. Fresh vegetables play an important role in the colorful, attractive and healthy dishes. Local fruit are abundant (grapes, oranges, figs, pomegranates) but the most famous desert in Alicante is the ice cream made with almonds and honey. Fine local white wines and roses are produced in La Marina, the reds come from Vinalopy, but the best known are the fortified and the dessert wines. El Barrio - the old city centre - is particularly attractive with its countless cafes, restaurants, taverns, bars, pizzerias and ice-cream parlors offering an immense variety of food and music. The area behind the Explanada is known as 'la zona': the place for spirited nightlife.