Alicante’s Hidden Secrets
Hi my name is Star and I have been lucky enough to call Gran Alacant my home for over 8 years now. My 7 year old daughter Ashlee and I are often “Out & About” enjoying the local attractions and culture in this part of Spain. Over the next few months I will be sharing some of our experiences with you to encourage you to go “Out & About” yourselves and maybe learn a little bit about this beautiful place we call home.
I´m sure that many of you have taken trips to Alicante to walk the Esplanada and browse the stalls or admire the large yachts in the harbour but have you ever strayed off the beaten track? We have often wandered into some of the back streets and have unexpectedly found some interesting places, plazas and buildings with amazing architecture.
When you get about halfway along the Esplanada, go into the main street towards the shops 
and take the 2nd left, this will take you past a plaza and if you keep walking along you will find Calle de San Francesco or “Mushroom Street” as it is fondly known. This mainly pedestrianised street has a brightly coloured floor and dotted along it are colourful mushrooms of various shapes and sizes. Some of them are tall and thin and others are short and wide. Some you can climb on, some you can go inside. There are also grasshopper slides and all of the mushrooms have insects on top of them. It´s great fun for young and old.
If you go to the castle end of the Esplanada and head away from the harbour, you will find another Plaza with water jets for kids to cool off and the Town Hall with it´s stunning architecture. Venture further into the windy narrow streets and you will come across plenty of other old buildings like the San Nicolás de Bari Cathedral. Just keep walking around and you are bound to find an unusual mural or an old building full of historic architecture. If you like boutique shops then there are plenty of them here, selling a whole variety of products.
With plenty of tapas bars, home-made ice cream shops, restaurants, coffee shops and bars, you are spoilt for choice and never without a place to sit, relax and soak up the atmosphere.
So go and explore the wonderful little streets of Alicante, make sure you wear comfy shoes and have your camera ready for the little hidden gems that this beautiful City has to offer.
Star & Ashlee xxx
