Alicante (Alacant)

The Greeks called it Akra Leuka (White Summit), and the Romans named it Lucentum (City of Light). As a crossroads for inland and coastal routes, Alicante has always been known for its luminous skies. The city is dominated by the Castillo de Santa Bárbara but also memorable is its grand Esplanada, lined with date palms. Directly under the castle is the city beach, the Playa del Postiguet, but the city's pride is the long, curved Playa de San Juan, which runs north from the Cap de l'Horta to El Campello.