The charming neighborhood El Barrio in Alicante!

The most beautiful area of Alicante is without a doubt Barrio de Santa Cruz, also called El Barrio by the inhabitants. The Santa Cruz district starts as soon as you start walking uphill from Plaza de la Santa Faz, behind City Hall.

It is striking that you see few or no tourists walking around here. Fortunately, since the turn of the century, much has been invested in refurbishing this district, without affecting the original character of the district. Santa Cruz is an authentic Spanish working-class neighborhood. According to the inhabitants, they would be descended from the ancient pirates and gypsies who took refuge hundreds of years ago against Mount Benacantil, the imposing hill on which Castillo de Santa Bárbara is located. Residents who look from their balconies at the few tourists who choose the district instead of the beach or the busy Explanada. Residents who give you a friendly nod when you greet them. It is also the residents that make the neighborhood so cozy.

When I take a narrow alley in El Barrio, my search for beautiful places really starts and I immediately fall in love with this beautiful area of Alicante. It is like suddenly walking into a village in Andalusia. This district with its narrow streets, worn stairs, white and colorfully painted houses, old front doors with sun protection mats, the picturesque mosaic tiles and the beautiful colorful flower pots with fragrant geraniums on each house make this neighborhood a feast for the eyes.

Not only the houses and streets are nice to see, the view over the city and the sea is also beautiful. From this district you have a unique view over the port of Alicante and the city.

You can still feel the Spanish heart beating in this authentic neighborhood. It seems as if time has stood still here and residents enjoy their siesta all day long. Elderly residents sit on benches in front of their house or enjoy the peace and quiet on the picturesque squares. The men chat with each other while the women hang the laundry to dry on the balcony or on the facade of their house. Fortunately, the pedestrian is still in charge in Barrio de Santa Cruz. Due to the many differences in level, driving is impossible. A big job for the residents to bring their groceries home every day. Sometimes you see a supplier with a caterpillar cart driving up the stairs to deliver the groceries to your home.

From the district, the Benacantil rock is always dominantly present. From here you have a beautiful view of the face of the Moorish prince who, according to an old legend, committed suicide by jumping from the rock into the depths. Miraculously, his face appeared shortly after in the rock from which he had jumped off. Today the face in the rock is known as the "Cara del Moro".

Also pay a visit to the Hermitage of Santa Cruz. The Hermitage dates from the eighteenth century. It is a simple and very modest chapel, but of great importance to the inhabitants of the city of Alicante. The chapel is built on some of the remains of the old medieval wall. During the Spanish Civil War, the chapel of Santa Cruz was destroyed along with the beautiful throne of Jesus crucified, the Virgin Mary, St. John and Mary Magdalene at his feet. A sculpture by the Menorcan artist Antonio Riudavets. The chapel was restored in the 1960s. Next to the Hermitage you can climb a few more stairs to the viewpoint, one of the best viewpoints in the city.

Two main events are a true folk happening in this district. During Semana Santa, the route of the Brotherhood of the Holy Cross has a special appeal for visitors. The procession is very special thanks to the narrow stands and terraces along which the porters with their groups of statues have to walk to the city.

During the Cruz de Mayo, in early May, the whole district is decorated with beautiful flowers and arches.

If you get hungry or thirsty during your walk, find a place on one of the terraces and enjoy a good wine or cerveza with a tasty tapa. That's just enjoying ...

'La cuna de Alicante', or the cradle of Alicante, as the district is also called, will certainly charm you, El Barrio is very photogenic, don't forget to bring your camera when you visit the district.

Enjoy!

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