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A holiday means different things to different people. If your idea of holiday heaven is Magaluf/ San Antonio/ Ayia Napa then this is NOT for you. What Gran Alacant does offer is a relaxing holiday close to an undeveloped beach where the sound of the sea birds and the gentle lapping of the waves are not drowned out by the whine of a jet ski. Water sports are available but you will have to travel a few miles to get them. If you are happy with the local beach and the comprehensive selection of restaurants and bars within reasonable walking distance then a car is not essential for your holiday but to fully appreciate what the area has to offer, then a hire car can provide the key to the region's treasures. There is also a bus service into both Alicante and the nearby fishing port of Santa Pola. Details of the times can be found here
These divide into leisure interests and tourist attractions. Listed below are some of the opportunities for pursuing your hobby or interest whilst on holiday. If you see your holiday as an opportunity to have a break from them and do different things then jump down the page to see things to do on the Costa Blanca while you are here.
Those who like to get in amongst the fish have a protected marine environment to explore around the Islas de Tabarca, a mile or two offshore from Santa Pola from where there are boat trips to the island. Scuba diving equipment and trips are available from Scuba
The equestrians among you can go horse riding, the nearest stables being about five miles away.
Ornithologists are well catered for as this is an extremely well populated area in wildlife terms. The local beach and dunes are home to a variety of shoreline waders, the ubiquitous gulls plus hoopoes and buzzards whilst south of Santa Pola, the salt lagoons are host to egrets, herons and large flocks of flamingoes.
There is also a small lagoon situated within the protected area between the development and the sea and about five minutes walk from the apartment with an observation hut for watching a variety of feathered visitors. Humans not wishing to be left out launch themselves from the nearby Cabo de Santa Pola, close to the lighthouse and soar among the birds in their hang-gliders. If you have the nerve for it, a tandem trip can be arranged with Sureste Parapente.
Yachting is catered for with marinas at both Santa Pola and Alicante, the latter providing a few day charter opportunities. The more radical wind powered activities are in evidence at Arenales del Sol and Tamarit beach in Santa Pola where kite surfing is popular.
Karting - several tracks on the Costa Blanca. Hot Air Ballooning near the town of Elche which is also home to a large Palm Forest for those of a horticultural bent.
Troglodytes and those with geological interests will no doubt wish to visit the prehistoric caves at Benidoleig or the nearer Cuevas del Canelobre just north of Alicante.
If local fiestas (festivals, not hire cars) are your thing then there are the Bonfires of San Juan (in Alicante) on the 24th of June.
In April, Alcoy has a fiesta in honour of Saint George, and during the last week in July in Villajoyosa Saint Martha gets her turn as does the International Competition of Habeneras and Polyphony of Torrevieja lasting for five nights. The Misteri d´Elx (in Elche) is performed on the 14/15 August. Then at the end of September the Carthaginians and Romans celebration takes place in Cartagena.
There are also a number of museums, aquariums and art galleries plus places of archaeological and architectural interest within easy reach and if you get bored with building sand castles, you can visit some real ones.
This page updated on 19 January 2010
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