Alicante, a vibrant city on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, is the favorite holiday destination for millions of tourists every year. People from all over the world come to Alicante and the Costa Blanca to relax, enjoy long sandy beaches and experience the true Spanish flavor and charm.

This 2009 summer season is going to be hot and lively. Alicante is prepared to offer you the best fun and great parties. Let’s take a look at the Top 10 things you can do in Alicante this summer to spend an unforgettable vacation:

1. Go to the wonderful beaches and get in touch with the Mediterranean. The weather is excellent, the days are sunny and the endless sea competes with the brilliant blue sky. Alicante invites you to visit some of the best beaches in Spain. Postiguet Beach, San Juan Beach, Urbanova Beach,… just to name a few.

2. Nightlife in the Old Town. The Old Town of Alicante, called El Barrio, is the best place to have a good time during the hot summer nights. Find your favorite bar, pub or nightclub! There are many diverse places to share and meet friends. Once the bars close (at 4 in the morning) don’t stop, the party continues in the discos of the La Marina complex.

3. Go up to the castles of Alicante. Alicante’s castles are fabulous symbols of its millennial past. Located on Mount Benacantil (castle of Santa Bárbara) and Mount Tossal (castle of San Fernando), they offer you impressive views of the surroundings. Take your camera with you and take hundreds of great photos!

4. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Alicante – MARQ. Discover the archaeological treasures of Alicante and visit fascinating new exhibitions. This year, from April 2 to October 13, 2009, you will be able to enjoy the ancestral aesthetics and La Belleza del Cuerpo. This exhibition of masterpieces of Greek art is held in collaboration with the British Museum. Myron’s Discus thrower will spend his summer holidays in Alicante.

5. Las Hogueras de San Juan – Festival of the Bonfires of San Juan. It is one of the best festivals in Spain, declared of International Tourist Interest. It is organized from June 20 to 24 as the official festival of Alicante. Numerous colored figures made of paper and wood are scattered throughout the city and hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world come together in Alicante to enjoy this fantastic festival.
People do endless parades and carnivals during the day and night. The streets are lined with musical stages, outdoor tables and restaurants. The culmination is reached on the final night, at midnight, when all the figures are burned to the ground.

6. Alicante fireworks contest. At the end of the festival of the Bonfires of San Juan, you will be able to spend several more unforgettable nights. Just go to Postiguet beach at midnight (or a little earlier to find a spot) and watch a spectacular fireworks display. These are the best fireworks I’ve ever seen. Your imagination will be amazed by a variety of shapes and colors.

7. Alicante Jazz Festival. From July 22 to 26, 2009, the 12th Alicante International Jazz Festival is organized. There will be concerts by five well-known jazz ensembles: the Roy Haynes Trio, The Manhattan Transfer, Al Di Meola World Sinfonia, the Carla Bley Big Band and the Spyro Gyra.

8. Alicante Film Festival. The 6th Alicante International Film Festival is organized from June 1 to 6, 2009. The events and film screenings take place at the Alicante Theatre, various cinemas in Alicante and in Ciudad de la Luz (the largest film studio complex in modern Europe).

9. Visit the Medieval Market. Related to the Bonfire Festival, the Alicante Medieval Market is organized during the last week of June in the Old Town. You can travel to the past, listen to old street music, buy traditional products, eat tasty and exotic food or visit the gypsy witch with divination cards.

10. Corrida – bullfighting. During the San Juan Bonfires, you can also experience something typically Spanish: bullfights. The 2009 Bullfighting Fair is organized from June 17 to 28. There are 7 bullfights and 4 additional fights with novilleros and picadors.

Whatever type of vacation you choose, you can spend it in Alicante. This wonderful city can satisfy all your needs and desires.