Barrio Santa Cruz – How to find Alicante’s old town
One part of Alicante that so many people miss is actually one of the most picturesque and historic parts of the city, Barrio Santa Cruz, the city’s old town. We’d actually visited Alicante several times before we knew it existed!
Barrio Santa Cruz is situated at the bottom of Mount Benacantil, where Santa Bárbara Castle sits high above. This charming old town is a maze of colourful houses, steep steps up the hill towards the castle, and has some stunning views over the city and the sea.
This part of the Costa Blanca dates back to the Moorish period, and Barrio Santa Cruz is considered the oldest part of Alicante. As you’d expect from such an old area, there is some beautiful architecture to see, that’s very different to the rest of the city with it’s more modern buildings.
This neighbourhood is famous for the whitewashed houses with brightly painted doors and colourful flowers covering the fronts of the buildings. The streets are steep, winding, and full of steps, making it feel very much like an Andalusian or Mediterranean village hidden away in the city.
Barrio Santa Cruz can be quite difficult to find, as mentioned we’d visited Alicante several times before we even knew it was here, so if you’re planning a visit here’s everything you need to know about Alicante’s old town and how to find it…
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When is the best time to visit?
If possible, try to avoid visiting Barrio Santa Cruz at the weekends as the old town can get really busy with visitors. Weekdays outside the busy tourist seasons are the best time to visit so you can have a stroll along the streets and take in the views without lots of crowds.
Morning: A good time to visit as the old town is quiet and peaceful, perfect for taking photos.
Evening/Sunset: The golden light as the sun sets makes the views even more magical, plus the bars and viewpoints come to life.
Semana Santa (Holy Week): If you’re visiting Alicante during Easter, the processions here are a must-see. Some of the most intense and emotional Semana Santa processions in Alicante are held in these streets. In fact, the processions here are quite unique because participants carry the religious floats up the steep steps, making it dramatic and moving to watch.
Fiesta de las Cruces de Mayo: The Fiesta de las Cruces de Mayo (May Crosses Fiesta) is held at the start of May in Barrio Santa Cruz. It’s a bright and colourful celebration where the residents of the old town decorate their streets and homes with floral crosses, often competing for prizes. The streets are also full of decorations made by the residents, when we visited last year the theme seemed to be superheroes! You’ll also find parades and live music, but be warned it will get very busy!
What to see & do in Barrio Santa Cruz
Some of the must-see attractions in Barrio Santa Cruz Alicante include:
- Ermita de Santa Cruz: A small chapel at the highest point of the old town with some incredible views over the city and out to sea.
- La Casa de las Macetas Azules: One of the most famous stops in Barrio Santa Cruz is the House of the Blue Plant Pots. This white and blue house is covered with colourful plants and flowers in blue plant pots and is the perfect place to stop for a few photos.
- Street Art & Murals: Look for local artistic touches around the neighborhood, especially around the time of fiestas.
- Plaza del Carmen: A lovely little square where you can relax and take it all in.
- Hidden alleys: Take your time exploring the narrow streets and alleys of the old town, every street has its own charm and you never know what you might find!
- Walk up to Santa Barbara Castle: If you want a scenic (and slightly challenging) route to Santa Bárbara Castle, you can climb up from Barrio Santa Cruz instead of using the lift or the main road. The narrow, stepped streets lead directly to the castle entrance, offering beautiful views along the way.
Walking Tours of Barrio Santa Cruz
If you want to explore the old town of Alicante while learning all about its history, then there’s no better way to do so than on a tour with a local! Here are two great options:
- Alicante: Guided City Highlights Walking Tour – On this 2 hour walking tour with a local guide you’ll learn about the city’s history and visit highlights such as Barrio de Santa Cruz and Concatedral de Sant Nicolas.
- Alicante: Seven Secrets of Alicante Discovery Tour – On this 2.5 hour tour you’ll explore, eat, and drink with a local guide. You’ll visit the Central Market, the castle, the Old Town and a locals-only tapas restaurant for a traditional drink and snack.
Where to eat & drink in Alicante’s old town
There are a few small bars and restaurants tucked away in the neighbourhood, where you can eat authentic tapas in a relaxed atmosphere away from the tourist hotspots. It’s a great place to enjoy a drink while soaking in the historic vibes. A few great spots in Barrio Santa Cruz for tapas or drinks include:
- El Buen Comer – Serves traditional Spanish food in a cosy setting.
- La Taberna Ibérica – A great place for wine and jamón.
- Tapa-Caña Santa Cruz – A small bar with an authentic atmosphere.
Some practical tips when visiting Barrio Santa Cruz
The old town is a really beautiful and interesting place to visit, but the area is quite steep with a lot of steps to climb so make sure that you’re prepared. It’s not an ideal location for pushchairs, wheelchairs, or anyone who struggles with walking. Also, remember in the summer months it may be too hot to walk up all these steps!
- Wear comfortable shoes – The streets are steep and full of stairs, definitely not ideal for flip flops or heels!
- Bring a camera – The colourful houses and panoramic views make for some stunning photos.
- Go early or late – To avoid the heat and get the best lighting for photos.
How to find Barrio Santa Cruz
Now let’s see how to find the Old Town in Alicante! Here are two sets of walking directions to Barrio Santa Cruz, depending on which direction you are coming from…
From Playa del Postiguet (Approx. 10-15 minutes)
- Start at the main entrance of Playa del Postiguet, facing the sea.
- Walk towards Paseo de Gómiz, the promenade along the beach.
- Turn right and follow the promenade until you reach the traffic lights at Av. de Jovellanos.
- Cross the street and continue onto Calle Virgen del Socorro.
- After about 200 meters, turn left onto Calle San Juan and walk uphill.
- At the top of the street, you’ll reach Plaza del Carmen, a small square.
- From Plaza del Carmen, take Calle San Rafael, which leads you directly into the heart of Barrio Santa Cruz.
From Santa Bárbara Castle (Approx. 15-20 minutes, downhill)
- Start at the main entrance of Santa Bárbara Castle, near the elevator exit or the parking area.
- Walk down the castle access road (Camino del Castillo) until you reach the bend where it meets Calle Vázquez de Mella.
- Take Calle Vázquez de Mella, a steep, narrow street leading downhill.
- Continue onto Calle San Roque, which offers great views over Alicante.
- Follow the steps down and turn left onto Calle Toledo, entering the heart of Barrio Santa Cruz.
- You’ll pass through the pretty whitewashed houses with blue doors and windows, arriving at Ermita de Santa Cruz, one of the best viewpoints in the city.
Both routes offer scenic walks, but the one from the castle is steeper and has more stairs, while the beach route is an easier uphill stroll.
Hopefully with these directions you’ll be able to easily find Barrio Santa Cruz, and have some fun exploring this beautiful, hidden part of Alicante.
Have you explored Barrio Santa Cruz before? Let me know your favorite part in the comments!
