Shhh...Don't tell anyone our factory visits feels like a holiday

One of the amazing things about producing our shoes in the historical shoe-making town in Spain, besides working with some of the happiest craftsmen and women that we’ve ever met, is that every time we visit the factory, we would also get a chance to visit once again visiting our favourite city in Spain -  Alicante.

 

Alicante is a wonderful coastal city in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, with mile-longs of sandy beached lined with palm trees and boulevards. One of the most well know towns along the Costa Blanca, the city is also famous for its excellent weather all year long.

Whether you are traveling solo, coupled or with family and friends, this Mediterranean town has something to offer for everybody. From urban beaches to dynamic nightlife, from historical castles to modern art, from traditional festivals to creative cuisine, best of all, it is  it’s a compact and very walkable city.

You could casually stroll around for a few days, enjoy the beach serendipity finds in every corner, or might you prefer an eventful itinerary that you could tick everything off in one day; no matter what your travel style is, we sincere recommends these Alicante Highlights.

Santa Barbara Castle

We would recommend starting your morning with the epic view from Santa Barbara Castle.

Located on the top of Mount Benacantil, it offers spectacular views of the city, the port and Alicante Bay at a height of over 160 meters. 

The structure consists of three distinct areas that were built in different time periods and are set across different levels, giving an excellent example of architectural style during their respective periods.

It is free to visit and it would be an excellent mini hike to kick start your morning. For those who don’t feel like walking, there is also an elevator you could take from El Postiguet beach, alternatively, you could also take the turibus, Alicante’s tourist bus which would make a stop at the castle. 

Opening hours: 

• 1 October to 31 March: 10 am to 8 pm every day.

• April to September: 10 am to 10 pm every day.

Mercado Central

Head over to Mercado Central to soak up the local atmosphere. Unlike the larger markets that are well-known tourist attractions, the market here is a real and authentic Spanish flare, where the locals come and do their daily grocery shopping with the freshest produce possible.

Being so close to the sea, it is not a surprise that the market’s seafood is some of the freshest and of great value. With these excellent qualities, it is not surprising that Spain is the second biggest consumer of fish in the world behind Japan.

Please be aware if you were to plan a visit to the market as it closes fairly early, at around 2:30 pm every day plus it closes on Sunday.

Opening hours: 

• 7am- 2:30pm weekdays, 7am- 3:00pm Saturday

Explanada, the Marina and Postiguet Beach

The Explanda is something that you would not be able to miss with its mesmerising wavy floor pattern.  Built in the early part of the 20th Century, the Explanada de Espana consists of over 6 million little marble tiles laid out to form waves on the path. Covered the palm trees and hugged with carefully planted flowers along the way, adding the scene of the ocean and the yachts in the background, needless to say, this is a very photogenic spot.

Once you cross the main road at the pedestrian crossing, you could either head left for Postiguet Beach for the white sand and mild sea or to the right for the marina, which is actually much bigger than it might have seemed (there is even a casino!).

Maisonnave

This is the main shopping area of Alicante, you could find a great mix of Spanish high street brands, plus a lot of small shops with locally hand-crafted products. 

Along the way, you might find yourself wandering through a whimsical street which with giant mushrooms! San Francisco Street, known as “The Mushroom Street”,  is known for its decoration with mushrooms as trees, turning the street into a place like something out of a fantasy world. The shops along the mushroom street are as wonderful and unique as the street is.

Also, you would find amazing restaurants, cafes and tapas bars in the area. Everyone has their own pocket list, but we have tried and tested  El Cantó (for tapas), La Taberna del Gourmet (Wine bar to try amazing Spanish wine), One One (A place with no menu, but you are guaranteed good times and good food).

And if you happen to be in Alicante in Late June…

Be prepared for a whole week of celebration for ‘Las Hogueras de San Juan’ or the Bonfires of St John. This is celebrated all over Spain, however, Alicante is known for hosting the latest and most extravagance in the country.

Prepare for parades of large-scale bonfire sculptures, parties, food, drinks, dancing and a lot and a lot of tapas. Between 20th and 24th June, a stunning fireworks display takes place at the Plaza Luceros, and the entire city turns up to enjoy the spectacle.

The main event of the festival happens on the 23rd of June, and people celebrate by building a bonfire, jumping over it, and bathing in the sea in midnight, all are gestures and rituals that symbolise the cleansing of the soul.

We can’t wait for our next factory visit to see our next round of samples and once again be in Alicante.