The city of Alicante is both a port and a seaside resort built around a natural harbour and has been a favourite destination for visitors for over a century and a half. Alicante boasts a number of beautiful beaches, all with fine, golden sands and high standards of cleanliness and service. It is hardly surprising that, year after year, they are awarded the Blue Flag of the European Union, the maximum guarantee of their consistent quality.

The terraces along the Explanada de España are the perfect place to meet for a drink or a chat or simply to take a break from sightseeing. Here you will find restaurants, cafés, bars, taverns, pizzerias, burger bars, chocolaterias and ice-cream parlours.

Behind the Explanada and spilling over into the southern part of Alicante is a nightlife area called 'la zona', where cafés, pubs, beer-gardens, night-clubs and night-spots for young people all combine to create a lively atmosphere. 'La zona' centres on the Avenida de Ramón y Cajal, Paseo del Doctor Gadea and adjoining streets such as San Fernando, Canalejas, Arzobispo Loaces and Alemania, etc. Don't be surprised to see a fashionable night-spot packed to the gills with teenagers or uninhibited places for adults - this is all part of the diversity offered in 'la zona'.

Another nightlife area is the 'Ruta de la Madera' (literally, 'route of wood'), named for the abundance of this material in the decoration of its pubs and disco-bars. This area is based around streets perpendicular to the Avenida de Alfonso el Sabio, such as Capitan Segarra, Garcia Morato, Campos Vassallo, and parallel streets.

But the largest and most popular area and one that could be said to be suitable for all ages, beliefs, and convictions - is 'el barrio'. At night it has a lively atmosphere, due to the dozens of bars, pubs and taverns that cater for all tastes and that frequently offer live music or art exhibitions. 'El barrio' , located around the Co-Cathedral of St. Nicholas of Bari, is easily reached from the right hand side of the Rambla as you go uphill.

For a more modern area of entertainment in the city, visit the port and the marina. Here you will find exclusive restaurants, pubs and cafés alternating with shops exuding a nautical flavour, etc. To the enormous attractions of the area can be added its fantastic views and the highly professional artistic and musical shows that take place there during the summer months. On the other side of the marina there is a new shopping and leisure centre, Panoramis, also with a wide range of pubs and restaurants together with Warner cinema screens.