Page 266 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

264  EASTERN SP AIN

a Benidorm s Novelda
Alicante. * 69,100. £ @ n Plaza Alicante. * 27,000. £ @ n Carrer
Canalejas, El Torrejó, 965 85 13 11. Mayor 6, 965 60 92 28. ( Wed & Sat.
( Wed & Sun. _ Las Fallas (16–19 _ Santa María Magdalena (19–25
Mar), Virgen del Carmen (16 Jul), Jul). ∑ novelda.es
Moros y Cristianos (late Sep, early Oct),
Fiestas Patronales (second weekend in The industrial town of Novelda is
Nov). ∑ visitbenidorm.es dominated by marble factories.
But it is the exquisitely preserved
With forests of skyscrapers Art Nouveau house, the Casa
overshadowing its two long Modernista, that is of special
beaches, Benidorm is far interest. It was built in 1903 and
removed from the obscure and rescued from demolition in
fishing village it once was in the 1970. The building’s three floors
early 1950s. are fur nished in period style.
Benidorm boasts more There are few straight lines or
ac commodation than any other Main staircase with floral lamp in the Casa func tional shapes and almost
resort on the Mediterranean, Modernista, Novelda every inch of wall space has
but its clientele has changed some floral or playful motif.
since the 1980s, when its name to sea is the Illa de Benidorm,
was synonymous with “lager a wedge-shaped island served Environs
louts”. A huge public park and by fer ries from the harbour. The Villena’s museum has a collection
open-air auditorium used for island has been converted into of Bronze Age gold objects, the
cultural events, the Parque de a nature reserve for seabirds. Tesoro de Villena (see pp52–3).
l’Aigüera, is emblematic of the
face-lift Benidorm has gone Environs P Casa Modernista
through. The town attracts La Vila Joiosa (Villajoyosa), to Calle Mayor 24. Tel 965 60 02 37. Open
elderly holiday-makers from the south, is much older than 10am–2pm Tue–Fri. 8 by appt.
the north of Spain and English Benidorm. Its principal sight is E Tesoro de Villena
expats, the latter coming for a line of brightly painted hous es Plaza de Santiago 1. Tel 965 80 11 50.
splendid sandy beaches, reliable that overhang the riverbed. Open Tue–Sun am. & 7
sun shine, nightclubs and They were painted in such vivid ∑ museovillena.com
knock off “English” pubs. colours, it is said, so that their
A park on a promontory fishermen owners would be
between the Levante and able to identify their homes d Alicante
Poniente beaches, the Balcón del when they were out at sea. Alicante. * 332,000. k £ @ g
Mediterráneo, ends in a giant The older part of Altea, to the n Rambla Méndez Núñez 41, 965
waterspout – a single-jet fountain. north of Benidorm, stands on a 20 00 00. ( Thu & Sat. _ Hogueras
From here there is a panoramic hill above modern beach front (20–24 Jun). ∑ alicanteturismo.com
view of the town. A short way out developments. It is a delightful
jumble of white houses, narrow A port and seaside resort built
streets and long flights of steps around a natural harbour,
around a blue-domed church. Alicante (Alacant) is the prin-
cipal city of the Costa Blanca.
Both the Greeks and Romans
established settlements here.
In the 8th century the Moors
refounded the city under the
shadow of Mount Benacantil.
Its summit is now occupied by
the Castillo de Santa Bárbara,
which dates from the 16th
century. Its top battlements
offer a view over the whole city.
The focus of the city is the
Explanada de España, a palm-
lined promenade along the
waterfront. The 18th-century
ayuntamiento (town hall) is
worth seeing for the Salón Azul
(Blue Room). A metal disc on
the marble staircase is used as a
reference point in measuring the
The old town of Altea, dominated by its domed church sea level all around Spain. A fine
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp567–8 and p591

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.1)
Date 5th December 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm