This small city in the south-east of Spain is different from many of its neighbouring resorts. While it still offers all the nightlife and buzz associated with neighbouring towns, it also has a deeply ingrained culture of art and history.

For the more refined visitors, the stunning architecture and countless winding alleyways of Alicante’s old town offer an excellent selection of well-curated museums that encourage you to delve into anything from ancient archaeology to contemporary art.

While boozy parties and fun in the sun are available for those who want them, the city prides itself on its Museum of Contemporary Art (MACA). It is housed inside a stunning 17th-century mansion and features an impressive collection of Spanish 20th-century works from artists including Picasso, Dalí, Miró, Tàpies and Chillida.

At the Museum of Archaeology, there are artefacts over 100,000 years old which are brought to life with interactive exhibits – while the Santa Barbara castle is one of the best preserved in the area, and the sunset views are particularly spectacular.

Influenced by tourism thanks to the handy airport and nearby resorts, Alicante is also a major port city - the second biggest city in the Valencia region. This makes it great for a city break although the area also boasts some stunning beaches. For those who don’t mind a short trip out, the 7km beach at Playa San Juan is well worth a visit.

Postiguet beach offers 900m of golden sand next to Alicante’s old quarter and with spectacular views of Santa Barbara´s Castle while nearby is the picturesque island of Tabarca, a Mediterranean marine reserve, easily reachable by boat from the port and a perfect place to go snorkelling.

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