Excursions from Alicante

- Trips to Elche, Benidorm, Torrevieja, Orihuela -

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But for those who want to spend their time exploring life outside of the town, the surrounding area offers some fantastic places to visit in just a day. Although there are local tour companies offering trips to various sites and tourist attractions, the best option is car hire. Having a car for your excursions from Alicante gives you the ability to see as much, or as little, as you want. Due its popularity, car hire Alicante is offered by a wide variety of companies, so finding a cheap car hire deal is easy.

There are beaches aplenty along the Costa Blanca, but its worth venturing inland for something a bit different, especially if you have your own transport. One of the must-see sites on your excursions from Alicante is the Elche Palm Grove – home to 200,000 palm trees. This is the largest collection in Europe and the grove was declared a World Heritage Site in 2000, something the locals are extremely proud of. Altamira Castle, which is located within the grove and built in the thirteenth century, is also worth a look. The grove is only 22 km south of Alicante, which makes it only a short drive away.

The Caves of Canelobre, 24km north of Alicante, are very popular all year round. Home to hundreds of stalactites and stalagmites, the caves are lit in an extremely atmospheric way, making the mineral formations look like a candelabra – or “canelobre” in Spanish. The entrance to the complex is located high up on the Cabezón de Oro, a prominent mountain in the region, which has spectacular views of Alicante and the Mediterranean Sea. It is a tough walk up the mountain path, but well worth the effort as you are rewarded – not just with the view – but also the coolness of the cave and the stunning sights within.

A visit to the salt flats of Torrevieja, a natural park teeming with birdlife, also makes a great excursion. As does a trip to Orihuela, a city 50km south-west of Alicante and famous for its architecture, in particular the cathedral and the Palace of Rubalcalva.

But for a great day – or evening out – it is hard to ignore Alicante’s noisy northern neighbour, Benidorm. It is a 45km drive to this bustling town known for its high-rise apartments and two sandy beaches. It may not be to everyone's tastes but what Benidorm does offer is fun for all the family.

Just outside are four of the largest theme parks in Europe – Terra Mitica, Terra Natura, Mundomar and Aqualandia, which offer a range of activities from water slides to roller coasters. These are all easily accessible from Alicante and make the perfect day trip for a family.

The resort of Benidorm itself, with its markets, beaches and bars has plenty to keep people of all ages and tastes happy. And its comparative closeness to Alicante means you can experience the fun of Benidorm without having to spend your entire holiday there.

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