UK and other European tourists have been enjoying a special new program of activities at Alicante’s iconic Santa Bárbara Castle, including free guided tours in English.
According to the provincial tourism board, Alicante City & Beach, 400,000 people visit the castle every year, and the objective is to double that figure in 2024 with a new initiative launched last month and outsourced to local tourist services company Esatur.
In addition to daily guided tours (in Spanish and English), the “dynamisation” program, covering both cultural and leisure activities, includes live music concerts, aerial ballet, acrobatics, culinary experiences, wine tastings and historical recreations, as well as theatrical visits, escape rooms and themed dinners.
During the first week of the initiative, 60 per cent of the visitors were foreigners, led by tourists from the UK, Poland and the Netherlands.
Alicante is also preparing to host the start of the round-the-world Ocean Race on 15 January 2023, including a Race Village offering eight days of public activities; and the 10th leg of this year’s La Vuelta cycling race, between Elche and the Costa Blanca capital on 30 August.
The castle’s opening hours are:
15 November to 27 February – 10am-6pm
28 February to 16 June – 10am-8pm
17 June to 4 September – 10am-11pm
5 September to 14 November – 10am-8pm
The castle is closed only five days of the year: 1 and 6 January and 24, 25 and 31 December.
A minibus shuttle service is available from Plaza del Doctor Gómez Ulla (in front of the MARQ Museum) to the castle, with a full timetable covering its opening hours. The each way fare is €1.45, payable by debit card or bonobus.
