Alicante, Spain

Our first port of call was Alicante, Spain, on the beautiful Costa Blanca. Our original plan was to sleep in a little, but as we were both awake relatively early, we decided to grab a quick breakfast and head off the ship. There was no need to waste a perfectly good port day!

Alicante is a coastal city on Spain’s southeastern Mediterranean coast, known for its palm-lined promenades, sandy beaches, historic old town and lively waterfront. It has a lovely Mediterranean feel, with plenty of cafes and places to wander, and the city’s most recognizable landmark sits high above it all.

Our plan for the day was to make our way to Castillo de Santa Bárbara, the castle that overlooks the city and its harbour. Perched on Mount Benacantil, about 166 metres above sea level, the castle has a long history dating back to the period of Moorish rule. Over the centuries, it was expanded and strengthened, and its strategic position made it an important defensive stronghold. Today, it is one of Alicante’s main attractions, and the panoramic views are a big part of the appeal.

Rather than tackling the climb on foot, we took the elevator up to the castle. Fortunately, John had read that morning that the elevator ride was free for retired pensioners who could show proof of their status. Well, that was a nice little bonus! While the regular fare wasn’t particularly expensive, we were happy to take advantage of a freebie.

Once at the top, we spent some time walking around the castle and exploring its different levels. There was plenty to see as we wandered through the outer areas, with wonderful views over Alicante, the harbour and the Mediterranean Sea. It was easy to understand why this location was chosen for a fortress. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to explore much beyond the outer sections, but the views alone made the visit worthwhile.

Remnants of an old bakery

After our time at the castle, we made our way back down to the city and headed towards the Explanada de España, Alicante’s famous waterfront promenade. Its distinctive wavy mosaic pavement, made up of millions of small marble tiles in red, white and blue, is one of the city’s best-known features. The palms and outdoor cafes and restaurants lining each side made for a very pleasant walk. It was a lovely way to finish our time ashore.

Before long, it was time to make our way back to the ship and some food.  We kept the afternoon fairly relaxed, spending the remainder of the day with our friends. We enjoyed a lovely dinner together, with plenty of great conversation, before heading off to see the comedy show.

It was a good first port day, with a little history, some beautiful scenery and, best of all, time spent with friends.