My Escapes Spain Costa Blanca Summer Heat Alicante Alluring Alicante Trip Ramblin' on the Rambla

Ramblin' on the Rambla

One of Alicante's main streets is the Rambla Méndez Núñez.
When in Alicante, don't miss wandering along and around this main artery - for the sake of the nearby buildings, shops and the port is also close...

To the north, the Rambla seems split. In the middle there's a tirangular building - known as the CAM Building (seen in the middle, on the photo below).

Anyway, the Y-shape in the north is actually formed where the Rambla Méndez Núñez meets the Calle Tomás López Torregrosa. The latter being the road that's close to the Mercado Central.

Many Spanish and Latin American cities have their own "rambla". So, similarly to let's say Barcelona, Alicante also has one.

There are lots of shops, restaurants (including a prominent KFC on the eastern side), bars to hang out, plenty of interesting buildings to see on both sides of the street.

However, to me it seemed that the western side of the street has more architectural beauties.

I'd mention the imposing 93 m high Hotel Tryp Gran Sol skyscraper. It marks Alicante's skyline.

It was built in 1971 and renovated in 2003.

Initially, at the sight of this building I thought - "Gosh, what a way to ruing a nice city's skyline!".

From the distance it looks an ugly square concrete-glass-steel box building. You know the type that pop up everywhere.

But, once I saw it from closer (from inland), I've found it's not that ugly... The northern wall has a number of artistical representation. Not so nice, but at least less boring.

One thing I'd love to try one day is to stay at the Alicante Tryp Hotel.

The tower is a 4-star hotel and the views from up there must be jaw-dropping.

I must mention - despite my previous assumption - the Tryp Hotel isn't the tallest building in Alicante.

It's only 3rd to the other two hotels: Estudiotel Alicante, El Barco... Those are further away, in other parts of the city.

The older buildings on the Rambla Méndez Núñez are much more beautiful, of course. But it would be a shame not to wander on the narrower streets, accessible from both sides of the Rambla.

I crawled the streets left and right of the Rambla and I warmly recommend these pleasant and light urban walks.

To the east you'll find the Concatedral de San Nicolás and a profusion of beautiful old buildings. Lots of small bars and restaurants.

A bit longer wandering to the west will take you to the Plaza Dr.Balmis.

Wandering down south, the port is very close. But first, you can find a beautiful palm tree-filled promenade called Passeig Esplanada d'Espanya (Passeo Explanada de España).

One of the biggest surprises I had while exploring the Rambla Méndez Núñez street was the discovery of this beautiful Art Nouveau door.

Don't miss out on wandering along the Rambla of Alicante, but if you don't dig the narrow streets connected to it, you'll miss out on much more.

Of course, ideally you'd have to see my list of Alicante's best attractions.

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