We spent a few days in Alicante City in October. Arriving late on Saturday night, we checked into our hotel and then headed to GASTROBAR DISTRIKT 41 Michelin Plate IIO Calle de Navas, 41, 03001 Alacant, Alicante +34 965 181 426 www.distrikt41.es This is an extraordinarily buzzy and busy bar/restaurant with modern décor and a great ambi e nce. It is run by two chefs originally from the Netherlands. They have a contemporary à la carte menu with a few Central European influen

RESTAURANT SALVADÓ This is an old-school, typical Ibicencan fish restaurant north of the island in Sant Carles de Peralta (San Carlos). Featuring fresh fish and rice dishes with a solid wine list and stunning sea views overlooking the little coves of Canal d’en Marti and Pou des Lleó Any lunch or evening meal at restaurant Salvadó is quintessentially Ibicencan and worth the trip. You start with an appetiser of high-quality bread, aioli, and olives. Mejillones picantes (spicy

LA SCROLLER We returned to this atmospheric beach restaurant mid-March on a sunny Monday lunchtime. We sat outside on the lovely terrace overlooking Playa Es Cavallet, as the weather was good. In winter, seaweed is left on the beach to protect the sand; it is usually removed for the summer. If the weather is inclement, you can sit in the large dining room, which has a lovely open fire, for chillier low-season or winter dining. We started with a few aperitifs. Alioli con pan

Pristine sand and dunes with a few good restaurants await you at Playa de Bolonia. RESTAUARANTE LAS REJAS It is a surfer's beach all year round, backed by the remains of a Roman settlement (the ruins of Baleo Claudia, 380 BC). The town had a massive theatre and temples dedicated to Juno, Jupiter, Minerva, and the Egyptian Goddess Isis for the next three centuries. The Romans were equal-opportunity believers. On the shore were the circular stone vats used to salt the tuna. Re

We often visit the Parque Natural del Cabo de Gata-Níjar in the province of Almería (Andalucía’s most significant protected coastal area, with a wild, isolated landscape and a hot desert climate). This time, we went to Agua Amarga, which borders spectacular, barren spaghetti western territory. This low-key village packs in cool bars, restaurants, locals, and fishermen. Beside a headland of troglodyte caves at the southern end of the beach. Most of the tourists here are Spanis

CHIRINGUITO CALA D’EN SERRA UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2025 You will see the sign for Cala d’en Serra on the right, just before you arrive in Portinatx. Follow the road until the tarmac ends and park. You can see the beach below, a small horseshoe bay with satellite coves nearby. The sandy beach boasts clean, clear water and was once named one of Europe’s best beaches by The Guardian newspaper. Cliffs surround the bay. Beware: the access is steep (not great for young children and e

RESTAURANT ES XARCU Michelin Plate IIO UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2025 Es Xarcu is finally back at sea. Two years ago, they were forced to move to the village of Es Cubells. The menu was great, and the food was fantastic, but the vibe just wasn’t the same. The good news is they are back at their old, trusted spot! For more than 30 years, Mariano Torres and his wife have been running this chiringuito, which is very popular with the many boats and their fancy owners who st

CHIRINGUITO MANACA Drive past the Hotel Indalo on the road from Mojácar to Carboneras, go straight inland, and take a left at the third roundabout onto Playa Macenas, where you will see the Castillo de Macenas just before the Macenas golf course goes inland. From here, drive past Chiringuito Macenas (you can stop here for a drink or tapas) and onto an elementary dirt road, which is not in excellent condition and initially runs along a precarious cliff edge, overlooking the se

CHIRINGUITO SA TRINXA UPDATE JULY 2025 From July 1, 2025, Chiringuitos on Ses Salinas beach are no longer permitted to have DJs playing. CDs and background music are allowed. Due to regulations of the Ses Salines Natural Park, Chiringuito Sa Trinxa has been forced to suspend DJ performances. We have been here many times before and will return in 2026 This is the place for people-watching. On arrival at the ses Salinas beach, turn left and keep walking until you reach the gree

RESTAURANT POMELO PLAYA (ex Sa Bresca) UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2025 The chiringuito on Cala Gracio only opened in 2025. The beds are reasonable, and the service is good. Previously called Sa Bresca, now owned by The Mambo Group, so, unfortunately, the prices are incredibly overpriced. They have renamed the bar Pomelo Playa. They charge €6 for a small beer (0.3 litres) and €8 for a large beer (0.5 litres). The cheapest bottle of wine is €45; the Tomato Salad is €26; the Beach Burge