Alicante

Alicante is the Valencia region's second-largest town. Brimming with fresh projects, it has transformed itself in less than a decade from a seedy port to an attractive place with a spirited nightlife. And unlike its coastal neighbours, it's a real town, living for much more than tourism alone.

In between the constant nights out, feasts of excellent paella, siestas and bouts of basking on the beach, there are loads of other things to keep you busy. The shopping is excellent, there are plenty of museums and historical places of interest, delicious weather and lots of water-based sports.