Day one, afternoon 

16.00 A horchata on the Explanada 

After sampling the cuisine at La Taberna del Gourmet, there is nothing better than a refreshing walk along the seafront. 

We turn left at San Nicolás and reach the beginning of the Explanada de España, which is famous for  its characteristic mosaics. It has over six million marble tiles, coloured red, cream and black which imitate the waves of the sea. Behind us the Casa Carbonell is located. A majestic building with a modernist facade which has its own legend: apparently, the businessman from Alcoy, Enrique Carbonell had to go and live in Alicante due to his daughter's illness. Those were different times and the journey was not at all easy, so when they arrived at the Palace Hotel dirty and ragged they would not let them stay. Furious, he decided to construct a building that was bigger and more splendid than the hotel. The construction of La Casa Carbonell was completed in 1925. 

If we still are keen on having something fresh to eat or drink, the best place is the famous Quiosco Peret. It is always full, but it is worth waiting to be served in order to try their ice creams and horchatas, which are considered the best in the city. 

18.00 Alicante also has its boulevard 

At less than 200 metres we reach Méndez Núñez boulevard, which divides the historic centre from the new part of the city. It was built after permission was given by queen Isabel II to knock down the wall. 

18.30 Visit to the co-cathedral 

We continue along the boulevard and after ten minutes reach the junction with Miguel Soler street. If we follow it, after 50 metres we come to the small Abad Penalva square. Before us appears the facade of the San Nicolás de Bari co-cathedral; it can be visited depending on mass times. It is better to enquire about these before preparing a visit. 

The people of Alicante are very proud of their co-cathedral. The Herrera style facade (17th century) is striking and the way it is integrated into the neighbourhood. There are no large outside squares, meaning everything seems much closer. Inside, the austerity gives way to elegant decoration; there is a central nave crowned by a dome 45 metres high. Some of the most highly valued works of art are the image of the Virgen del Remedio, the Ánimas altarpiece, the Communion chapel and the cross of Christ of the Good Death. 

20.00 Tour of El Barrio, in capital letters 

When leaving, we take Labradores street, which leads us to the heart of the Santa Cruz neighbourhood. When somebody in Alicante talks about El Barrio everybody knows they are referring to Santa Cruz. 150 metres further on, we turn right into Virgen de Belén street and we continue until we reach Abad Nájera street. Finally, we continue for five minutes as far as Carmen square, which is the start of the climb up to the castle. 

21.00 Dinner with a view 

Although it is closed at this time, we can go to the Ermita de Santa Cruz. This is the starting point of one of the most emotional processions during Easter: that of the Sisterhood of Santa Cruz, on Spy Wednesday. It is an amazing sight to see how the bearers carry the religious float along these streets that are so narrow and steep. 

We arrive at La Ereta restaurant at the foot of the castle, after a short climb of some 300 metres. We must be sure to try their rice dishes and desserts; nor can we miss the breathtaking views of the city, especially at night. 

After returning to the centre, we will stop in some of the cocktail bars in this busy area. Three good options are: the Red Lion pub (6 San Isidro), the Callejón cocktail bar (6 Quijano square) and the Desafinado House Club (6 Santo Tomás).

Second day, morning 

10.00 Touring the city by tram 

We begin the new day at the palace of Alicante Council. We turn right into Estación avenue until we reach the nearby Luceros square. This is the moment to get on the TRAM, the modern and efficient Alicante metropolitan railway. We get off at our destination: The Provincial Archaeological Museum (MARQ). 

10.30 MARQ, a prestigious museum 

Chosen as European Museum of the Year in 2004, the MARQ (open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10.00 to 19.00 h, and Sundays and holidays from 10.00 to 14.00 h, see summer timetable) is a faithful reflection of the archaeological richness of the area from the Iberian and Roman settlements. The museum puts on exhibitions from such prestigious institutions as the British Museum and the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg. 

12.00 The other Gernika 

Once our visit is concluded, we return to the TRAM. The next stop is Mercado, where the Central Market is located (open from Monday to Saturday from 7.30 to 14.30 h). Constructed at the beginning of the 20th century by the architect Juan Vidal Ramos, it was bombed during the Civil War. Currently, its modernist splendour has been recovered and is a symbol of the vitality of Alicante. 

13.00 The bonfire party 

After leaving Abastos square, we continue left along Alfonso X avenue and turn right into Méndez Núñez boulevard. We walk for ten minutes and, at number 29, the Bonfire Museum (open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 to 14.00 h and from 17.00 to 20.00 h, in summer from 18.00 to 21.00 h) comes into view. The interior encompasses the history of one of the most important traditions in Alicante: the Saint John Bonfires, a celebration which has been declared of National Tourist Interest. 

14.00 A date with a classic Alicantino 

It is lunchtime and only 500 metres separate us from a benchmark in local gastronomy: the restaurant Nou Manolín. Awarded one Repsol Sun, its dishes, such as the white garlic with red prawn pie or the nougat candy French toast in tiger nut soup, promise intense pleasure. 

If we don't mind driving for a moment, we have an alternative for lunch: discovering Aire TapasBar, the chef Quique Dacosta's new gastronomic space. It is located 20 minutes away in the brand-new airport terminal of El Altet. His cuisine is well worth trying.

Second Afternoon 

16.00 Dessert in the suburbs 

After lunch, we go back to Bailén street to Ruperto Chapí square, where we find the Teatro Principal. Built in 1847, the idea was conceived by the most important businessmen in the city. In 1896 it held, for example, the first photography session open to the public. Very close to the theatre we can see the Ideal cinema, dating back to the twenties. 

We walk 200 metres along Castaños street, which runs parallel, in the direction of the sea. Quickly, we are surprised by the lushness of Gabriel Miró square (one of the favourite places of the people of Alicante, it is perfect for taking a walk in the shade during the hottest time of day). Throughout its history, the square has been given different names: las Barcas (the shoreline used to reach this spot), Isabel II and Correos (due to the old post office now abandoned). In the middle of the square, the spectacular fountain with sculptures of Vicente Bañuls stands out. 

17.30 Return to the frontline 

We set off again to walk along the Explanada by way of the corner of the building which houses the Real Liceo Casino de Alicante. Then we take a right and head towards Canalejas park, located 500 metres away. 

The park occupies the space which the walls left behind. Originally, it was a place where goods which left from the port, such as barrels of wine, were stored. It even had a train setdown platform. Later, the park became a meeting place for the working classes, above all in summer. There was an open-air theatre with its great rubber plants providing welcome shade. That shade is still there today, as well as the 1916 monument to Canalejas. 

At the end of the park we find the Lonja de Pescado Municipal Exhibition Centre . The modernist building with Arabic touches, which housed the old port fish market, has been occupied by the gallery since 1992. 

18.30 Shopping 

Opposite the Exhibition Centre, 400 metres away, we glimpse the lively Panoramis Shopping Centre in the Poniente Marina, a good place for some last minute shopping. Open every day of the year, there are workshops for children, concerts and performances. The shopping options are also very wide: technology, jewellery, and handicrafts, clothes, books, etc. 

Afterwards, it's time to head back north towards Puerta del Mar square; it is a pleasant walk of a little over a kilometre. We can stop and have another horchata at the Quiosco Peret and also watch the swimmers on Postiguet beach. All of this before getting ready to see a magical sunset. They say that Alicante is one of the best places to contemplate the sunset in Spain. 

20.30 Paella, drinks and a lot of luck 

For dinner, we will not be able to resist the famous rice dishes at the Dársena restaurant, situated at some 500 metres inside the Levante dock, which begins just in front of the Puerta del Mar. This year it celebrates its 50th anniversary and its menu, prepared with care, has international prestige. 

Afterwards we can tour some of the pubs in the lively Levante Port area or we can try our luck on the tables of the new Casino. Who knows, it could be the perfect end to our visit to the capital of the Costa Blanca.