Port Elche
Elche - Miguel Servet 25 (Parque Empresarial)
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Beneath the shade of more than 200,000 palm trees lies Elche, or Elx in the local dialect, a pretty town with a Moorish past that is a real delight to visit.
Elche, so close to Alicante (so much so that the airport’s official name is Alicante-Elche Airport) is a must-see destination for nature lovers, who can explore the picturesque paths within the thousand-year-old palm grove, as well as the area’s numerous parks, gardens and nature reserves.
Sunbathers will be able to sunbathe on beaches with a much wilder charm than the more famous Alicante and Benidorm beaches, lying on an expanse of soft white sand.
When you tire of the beach, take a stroll through the quaint old town, where traces of the Arab past are still evident. If you are a history buff, come and see where the famous Lady of Elche was found, a stone bust whose origin – perhaps Greek, perhaps Iberian, perhaps Carthaginian – is still shrouded in mystery.
Although less glamorous than other resorts on the Alicante coast, Elche is a fascinating and, in its own way, party destination.
Elche is a city that surprises visitors with its unique combination of natural and historical heritage. From its famous palm trees to its historical monuments, every nook and cranny tells a thousand-year-old story that deserves to be discovered at leisure.
The historical centre of Elche betrays the city’s Muslim past. The original core of the city is located near the archaeological site of Alcudia, where the famous bust of the Lady of Elche was found, but in the 10th century the Arabs moved the city to its current location.
What makes Elche a truly unique city is its extraordinary palm grove, a thousand-year-old expanse of 200,000 palm trees. It is the largest in Europe and was praised as early as the 19th century by the writer Hans Christian Andersen; in 2000 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Seen from a distance, the Elche palm grove may look like a large, spontaneously grown forest, but the closer you get, the more you realise that it is actually a plantation created for agricultural purposes.
An integral part of Elche’s identity, the palm grove is loved by its inhabitants, who are fortunate enough to be able to live their whole lives, study, play sports and work surrounded by this natural wonder.
Inside the park, the Palmeral Museum offers an interesting insight into the history and cultural importance of this unique ecosystem. The gardens are criss-crossed by well-maintained paths that allow visitors to admire not only the majestic palm trees, but also historical fountains, ponds and a rich variety of Mediterranean plants.
The Basilica of Santa Maria is one of the city’s most precious architectural jewels. Built between the 17th and 18th centuries on the ruins of an earlier mosque, this Baroque church houses two cultural treasures of inestimable value: the famous Feast of the Mysteries of Elx, a medieval sacred drama declared a UNESCO Intangible World Heritage Site, and the imposing Baroque organ that has recently been restored.
The interior of the basilica is striking in its majesty, with high decorated vaults and a series of richly ornamented side chapels. The main façade, with its finely carved Baroque portal, is an excellent example of Spanish religious architecture of the period.
The MAHE offers a fascinating journey through the millennial history of the city. Housed in the impressive Altamira Palace, a 15th century fortified building, the museum exhibits one of the most important archaeological collections in the Valencian region.
The most famous piece in the collection is the Lady of Elche, although the one on display is a copy of the original (kept at the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid). This Iberian bust from the 4th century B.C. is considered one of the masterpieces of ancient Spanish art. The museum also tells the history of the city through exhibits from the Roman, Visigothic and Muslim periods.
The Huerto del Cura is a national botanical garden that represents one of the most beautiful and best preserved examples of the Palmeral. The garden is famous for its Palma Imperial, a unique palm tree with eight trunks that form a kind of natural candelabra.
In addition to palm trees, the garden is home to a rich collection of Mediterranean and exotic plants, arranged along winding paths that wind between ornamental ponds and peaceful corners. The detailed explanations on the flora and history of the garden make it an unmissable stop to understand the importance of the Elche palm grove.
The Calahorra Tower is one of the few remaining examples of Almohad defensive architecture in Spain. This 12th-century tower was part of the ancient city walls and today houses a small but interesting museum dedicated to the Islamic history of Elche.
The ascent to the tower offers a spectacular panoramic view of the historic palm grove and the city centre, allowing one to appreciate the extraordinary integration between the urban fabric and the natural heritage of the palm trees.
This area is also home to the Municipal Archaeological Museum, recommended for those who want to learn more about the origins of the city but also for the merely curious. The museum is in fact housed inside the historic Altamira Palace, originally used as a textile factory and later as a prison.
There is no place on the Costa Blanca that is not famous for the beauty of its beaches and Elche is no exception. It has to be said that the city itself is not on the sea, but its municipal territory extends to the coast. Therefore, you can find a variety of beaches in the surrounding area, ranging from the typical equipped urban beach to more isolated sandy shores and coves.
Try at least two or three of the most beautiful beaches in Elche:
Like many Spanish cities, Elche is strongly linked to tradition and folklore. Traditional festivals are very popular and not to be missed if you are in the area.
The two traditional festivities with the greatest tourist appeal are Palm Sunday and the Mystery of Elche, also known as the fiesta d’Elx.
The latter has its roots in the Middle Ages and is the most authentic symbol of Elche’s identity. Every year between the 14th and 15th of August, a sacred musical performance in the Valencian language is celebrated, recounting the Dormition, the Assumption into heaven and the Coronation of the Virgin Mary.
The historical centre is the ideal option for those who wish to immerse themselves in the authentic atmosphere of the city. Boutique hotels and tourist flats in historic buildings offer a unique experience, with easy access to the main monuments, restaurants and shops. The area is particularly atmospheric at night, when the palm trees are illuminated and the clubs come alive.
The Palmeral district offers quieter accommodation, ideal for those seeking a relaxing stay surrounded by greenery. This area is particularly popular with families for its serene atmosphere and proximity to parks.
Elche is less than thirty kilometres from Alicante and can be easily reached by public transport.
From Alicante airport you can take a direct bus, while from the city centre you can take the tram. A taxi from the airport to Elche will cost you approximately 25 euros.
If you prefer to rent a car, you can get to Elche in 20-25 minutes.
What's the weather at Elche? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Elche for the next few days.
Elche is located inland just behind Alicante, from which it is just over 20 kilometres away. It is part of the province of Alicante, within the Comunidad Valenciana region.
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