Alicante, is the 2nd city of my tour around 40 cities in Europe this year.   Largely renowned as a holiday hotspot and as the international gateway to the Costa Blanca, Alicante has more to offer those who look closer and particularly, higher.   Santa Barbara Castle dominates the city’s skyline and for those who want to get to know Alicante’s history and take in the city from above, this is the place to start.

Located on the top of Benacantil Mountain, over 160m above sea level, you can see the city and almost the entire bay of Alicante.   Access to the castle is via a cave-like entrance opposite the main beach and then up in a lift.  There are steps and a winding road that will take you to the top of the mountain/castle.   Entry prices to the castle via the lift are very reasonable – a family of 4 can go up for just over 5€.  If you have young children it is worth taking the lift!

The origin of the Santa Barbara castle is in the late 9th century when the Moors ruled these shores.  However, archaeological remains from the Bronze Age, Iberian and Roman have been found on the slopes of the mountain.

The rooms within the castle which can be seen today were built during the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, when the medieval castle underwent changes to adapt itself to new techniques of war, long-range artillery, etc.

There are many exhibits on show at the castle and you could easily spend half a day here, including a rest in the sun (or shade courtesy of the trees that grow within the grounds) whilst sipping a coffee or eating an ice cream at the castle’s outdoor cafe.