Menu
One of the main tourist attractions in Alicante is the Santa Barbara castle, which is situated high above. Unfortunately, many visitors are unaware that in the shadow of the castle a picturesque old quarter is crying out for attention. The barrio of Santa Cruz is a photographer's paradise. Although the neighborhood is within walking distance of the bustling city center and the beach, it is an unexpected oasis of color and tranquility.
Daily life takes place at a snail's pace, comparable to the pace at which walkers move through the winding, narrow streets with cobbles. This slowness can be partly explained because this oldest part of Alicante is quite steep. Just as important is that there is so much to admire. The small white and blue houses betray architecture from the distant past. The colorful accents of the elaborately painted window frames and doors, however, suddenly make the houses boldly modernist. The contrast is striking. The unusual character of the neighborhood is further enhanced by the sea of flowers, which is exhibited all over the streets.
One reason why the neighborhood residents let their imaginations run wild is probably that many artists have settled here. That seems to have inspired many to creative excesses. Visitors walking through the maze of streets will find a last pleasant surprise at the highest point in the district. There is the small Ermita de Santa Cruz church, from where the go-getters await a panoramic view of Alicante.
It is ideal to visit this area together with the Santa Barbara castle. But more about the latter attraction another time.
