A small beautiful town located at the feet of the Sierra de Callosa mountains (35 km/22 mi from the…read moreMediterranean coast). Places to visit: - Plaza de España. The main square where San Martín Church and the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall) are located. - San Martín Church. Built in 1493. Opens around 5 or 6 pm on weekdays. Absolutely worth visiting. Amazing statures and wall paintings inside. Too bad my battery went off at the moment I entered the church :) https://www.yelp.com/biz/iglesia-de-san-mart%C3%ADn-callosa-de-segura - San Roque Church. A church on a hill with great views to the town, the mountains and the area. 20 minutes walk from Plaza de España and San Martín Church https://www.yelp.com/biz/santuario-de-san-roque-callosa-de-segura - The Sierra de Callosa de Segura mountains. The highest point is Àguila (572 m / 1,877 ft) and you can climb up there. I didn't and I'm not sure how difficult such a climb would be but the photos from there are very impressive. An adventure for later! https://www.yelp.com/biz/sierra-de-callosa-de-segura-callosa-de-segura No serious shopping in town - all locals go to Torrevieja, La Zenia, Murcia etc. There's a train station in Callosa de Segura, you can easily get here by train from Alicante and Murcia. The best time to visit is at sunset when the narrow streets of the hilly town look absolutely fantastic! Sure, Callosa de Segura is one of the unfairly underrated places on the Costa Blanca. The tourism info office was closed in the middle of the high tourist season (because of the lack of tourists?). The city doesn't look abandoned, the central square and the town are clean, all central areas are well kept. It's a mystery how this town was not crowded in August and this is exactly why you should visit! A hidden gem just 20 minutes drive from the crowded coast!

Rocio del Mar is the beach and the area around Avenida las Olas in Punta Prima. Technically part of…read morethe municipality of Orihuela. Popular place all year round, although the swimming season starts end of May and ends middle October. Charming seafront promenade with some cafes, like this one: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sunrise-punta-prima There's a newly built seafront apartment complex with many apartments available for short time rentals - Sea Senses. More expensive than average but the location and the views are really great. Nautilus restaurant is one of the most reviewed businesses on Yelp in this area (I never visited): https://www.yelp.com/biz/nautilus-torrevieja-4 Many other restaurants are within a few minutes walk. Overall - a great area to stay for vacations. Click "view business" to see some pictures.

A gorgeous park and walkway all in one…read more Most larger European cities have one. And they are usually one of the places I bookmark to walk and see. Long beautiful paved paths lines with trees and lush gardens. This Explanada did not disappoint. Just a block from the coast of the Mediterranean in the heart of Alicante, you strolled under a canopy of old tall palm trees on a 600 meter marble walkway that mimics the sea waves. Not a good stroll if you have had too much to drink. Passing several small flower gardens and the occasional fountain. The day I was there a small craft market has set up several tents along the walk. Another great experience to enjoy locally made crafts. Here is were I discovered an artist and purchased my watercolor of the town hall. If you veer inland just outside of the Explanada, there are a few cafes to enjoy a snack, coffee or other libation and the view. I highly recommend a stroll here or in any city that has a grand Espanade.

Featured in every guidebook, the Explanada de Espana really is the place to be. It's the focal…read morepoint of Alicante, the gorgeous walkway from one end of the harbour to the other. Locals and tourists alike all enjoy strolling along, dappled with sunlight streaming through the palm fronds. It's a stunning walk even if it is separated from the harbour and its separate walkway by a busy street. Lots of lovely cafés are along the esplanade, with excellent outside seating for a price. Five euro coffees are to be found along here, so beware of the tourist prices at the cafés or bring your own picnic from the Mercado Central down here and enjoy it on one of the many benches. A stroll along here is an essential part of any trip to Alicante!