Elche

A city of 225,000 inhabitants, Elche is located just outside Alicante and is the capital of the Baix Vinalopó region. The Vinalopó River divides the city in two. Elche has a history as an industrial city (especially known for its shoe industries). Today the industries are still present, but the city also offers different attractions and services for visitors — among them the huge world heritage listed palm grove.

• Tourist Info Elx

  phone: +52 966 658 196
  address: Plaça del Parc, 3

By plane

Aeropuerto de Alicante-ElcheThis airport has flights to over 50 destinations at least weekly. One terminal is in service, known as Terminal N or the new terminal. Terminals T1 and T2 that were used before the construction of the new terminal are no longer in service.

By boat

The port of Alicante is 20km away, and you can get there by ferry from the Balearic Islands and Oran in Algeria.

By train

Elche is on the Alicante-Murcia line. From either of those cities you can connect to most major cities in Spain. The train line passes the city through an underground tunnel, and there are two railway stations in the city. Renfe regional train (cercanía) line C1 can get you from Alicante to Elche in half an hour, and from Murcia in under one hour.

• Estación de Tren de Elx Parc

  phone: +34 902 432 343
  address: Avda del Ferrocarril Este, 10
  The primary train station, conveniently located next to the bus station.

• Estación de Tren de Elx-Carrús

  phone: +34 902 432 343
  address: Avda Llibertad, s/n

By bus

• Estació Autobusos Elx

  phone: +34 966 615 050
  address: Avda del Alcalde Vicente Quiles, 8
  The modern bus station has connection both to Spanish and international destinations. Facilities at the station include a restaurant and 24-hr convenience shop.

Bus companies

• Alsa, tel +34 902 422 242.
• Autocares Melillense, tel +34 965 456 947.
• Mollá (Grupo subús), tel +34 965 424 242.
• Serrano, tel +34 965 456 146.
• Autobuses Urbanos de Elche, tel +34 965 420 392.
• Vegabús, tel +34 966 613 222.

By car

A-7 (European route E15) stretches along the Mediterranean coast and connects the city to the French border in the north and Algeciras and beyond in the south. Another main route is A-31 connecting Elche to Central Spain. Regional roads connects Elche to places like Alicante and Murcia.

By bus

Autobusos Urbans d'Elx (AUESA) operates a fairly extensive network of bus routes. A single journey costs €1.35, payable to the driver on entry; night journeys cost €1.45. If you plan to use the bus frequently, it may be worth purchasing a Bus Bono card, which will give you ten journeys for €8.40.
A route map can be downloaded here, and detailed route maps with schedules can be downloaded here. For travelers with smart phones, BusElche is a useful Android app with a route planner and estimated travel times.

By car

At certain times of the day it might be impossible to find a parking space downtown, therefore you're better off going by bus or foot.

Palmeral of Elche

One of the world's largest palm groves and the only one in Europe, this was established by the Phoenicians and expanded by the Arabs in the 8th and 9th centuries. The palmeral consists of several parts spreading across downtown. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000.

• L'Hort del Cura

  phone: +34 965 451 936
  address: C/ Porta de la Morera, 49
  In addition to well-maintained palm trees, this private botanical garden features lovely water fountains and cactus gardens.

• Parc Rei Jaume IThis municipal park was created by combining two semi-abandoned palm groves, and has been transformed by the planting of new date palms as well as fruit and ornamental trees and native grasses.

• Parc Municipal

  address: Paseo de la Estación, s/n
  Comprised of several individual palm groves, the largest of which was granted to the city in the 17th century by a wealthy landowner.

• Molí del RealAn 18th-century water wheel, which once was powered by a channel of the Vinalopo River.

Parc del Filet de ForaThe second largest park in the city after the Municipal Park, it was created in the 1990s by combining five individual palm groves.

Museu del Palmerar

phone: +34 965 422 240

address: C/ Porta de la Morera, 12

Housed in a 19th-century farmhouse, this museum is devoted to date palms and the fronds used for Palm Sunday rites. Admission includes entry to the nearby palm grove and garden.

Monuments and museums

• Palau d'Altamira

  phone: +34 966 658 203
  address: C/ Diagonal del Palau, 7
  First built by the Moors between the 11th and 13th centuries; the large southern tower dates from this period. The palace was expanded during the 15th and 16th centuries, and again in the 18th century. In the 20th century the building was used as a prison, and finally restored at the end of the century. It now houses a portion of the Archaeological Museum and is occasionally serves as a venue for cultural events.

• Museu Arqueològic i d'Història d'Elx

  phone: +34 966 658 203
  address: C/ Diagonal del Palau, 7
  Housed in a refurbished former textile factory, the museum presents artifacts dating from the Neolithic period to the 15th century CE. Part of the exhibition area incorporates a portion of the Alcazar.

• Banys Àrabs

  phone: +34 965 452 887
  address: Paseo de les Eres de Santa Llúcia, 14
  Moorish baths built in the mid-12th century, restored in 1998. An audiovisual presentation is available in English.

• Basílica de Santa Maria

  phone: +34 615 337 821
  address: Plaça del Eucharistic
  The church was built in the late 17th to early 18th centuries in the Spanish Baroque style, on the site of an earlier mosque, and is the venue for the annual Misteri d'Elx. Good views of palm groves and the city of Elche can be had from the top of the church tower, with 170 steps to the top. Inside the tower itself are three rooms, formerly inhabited by the bell-ringer with his family, with photographic displays on the church facade and the Misteri d'Elx.

• Yacimiento Arqueológico L'Alcúdia

  phone: +34 966 611 506
  address: Carretera de Dolores, km 1.5
  This archaeological site extends over 10 hectares, and was inhabited from the Bronze Age to the Islamic period. The most famous discovery made here is the Iberian sculpture Dama de Elche, now located in the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid. Also onsite are an interpretation centre and a museum showcasing many artifacts discovered during excavations.

• Torre de la Calaforra

  phone: +34 966 658 243
  address: C/ Uberna, 14
  Formerly part of the city wall (now no longer extant), this tower was originally Muslim and built from the late 12th to early 13th centuries. Originally a full ten metres higher than now, neglect and an earthquake took their toll and the upper two floors had to be dismantled. From the 15th to 20th centuries it was used as an aristocratic residence and can now be visited.

• Torre Vaillo de Llanos

  address: Hort de la Torre
  This watchtower was built in the late 15th and early 16th centuries as part of a defensive network. Now owned by the city, it has been fully restored and is used for temporary exhibits. Visitors can climb to the top for a good view of the surrounding palm groves.

• Museo de Arte Contemporáneo

  phone: +34 965 421 534
  address: Plaça del Raval, s/n
  Initially established as a gallery for a local artists' cooperative, the museum now showcases a range of modern and contemporary art from the region and from across Spain.

• Centre d'Exposicions

  address: Plaça de San Juan
  A venue for temporary art exhibits organised by the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Festivals

• Processó del Diumenge de Rams d'ElxIn this annual celebration tens of thousands of residents proceed through the streets to the city centre, carrying locally-produced palm fronds woven into sometimes elaborate constructions. The procession itself has been dated to 1371, while the first use of palm fronds dates to 1429. It is listed as a 'Festival of International Interest' by the Spanish government.

• Elx al CarrerOne of the largest street theatre festivals in the country.

• Mostra de Teatre Dama dÉlx

  address: Carrer Kursaal, s/n
  Two weeks of free amateur theater performances.

• Mostra de Teatro de Enseñanzas MediasDramaturgy students perform their final work of the semester.

• Moros i CristiansLike many other communities in Alicante, Elche celebrates the Christian Reconquista of the city with a festival of parades and reenactments. Key events include the Entrada Mora ('Entry of Moorish troops'), in even years on 8 August in even years and 10 August in odd years; the Entrada Cristiana ('Entry of Christian troops'), in even years on 10 August and in odd years on 8 August; and the Embajadas (Embassies), with a reenacted battle and meetings of the Moorish and Christians embassadors in the by the Altamira Castle.

• Nit de l'AlbàThis annual celebration is held in honor of the Assumption of Mary. In a tradition dating to the Middle Ages, local residents begin setting off numerous firecrackers at 23:15; this was originally a way for families to thank the Virgin for their children. At midnight there is a giant fireworks display which reaches a height of 300m and resembles a giant palm tree; the entire city is illuminated for one minute.

• Misteri d'Elx

  phone: +34 965 456 112 (ticket sales)
  address: Basílica de Santa María
  A medieval lyrical work performed annually since the late 15th century. The liturgical drama celebrates the Assumption of Mary, and in 2001 was listed by UNESCO as a 'Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity'. The final performances on 14 and 15 August are free, but due to the enormous popularity it is advisable to get there several hours in advance. On even-numbered years there are extra performances on 29 and 30 October (ticketed) and 1 November (free).

• Festival Medieval d'Elx

  phone: +34 966 658 145
  address: Concejalía de Cultura, Ayuntamiento (information)
  The medieval cultural heritage of the city comes to life, with medieval music performances, plays, and workshops.

• LGTBI Diversa FestivalEvery May or June Elche holds a LGTBI festival to celebrate Gay Pride. During these days plenty of activities are organized, such as concerts or film screenings.

Thanks to Elche's shoe manufacturing history there are many shoe stores with good prices and wide selection. In the downtown area you can find Spanish chain stores like Mango, Zara, Druni, In-Faradis, etc.

• Mercadillo Central

  address: Plaça de les Flors
  A semi-weekly street market for local produce and other goods.

Shopping centres

• Centro Comercial L'Aljub

  phone: +34 965 430 090
  address: C/ Jacarilla, 7
  Eroski hypermarket, many different stores on the ground floor, dining options on the first floor as well as the ABC Elx.

• El Corte Inglés-Hipercor Ciudad de Elche

  phone: +34 966 679 750
  address: Avda Alcalde Ramón Pastor, 2
  A fusion of a Corte Inglés department store and a Hipercore hypermarket.

• Carrefour

  phone: +34 914 908 900
  address: Avda de Crevillente, 31
  A branch of the French hypermarket.

Elche's most well-known dish is arròs amb crosta (Spanish: arroz con costra), which is a clay pot of rice, rabbit and/or chicken, sausage, beans, and chickpeas, cooked first on a stovetop, and with the addition of beaten eggs then baked in an oven. Another unique specialty are the delicias de Elche, dates stuffed with almonds and wrapped with fried bacon, served as tapas in many bars and restaurants. For dessert the tortada de Elche, a cake of ground almonds, eggs, and meringue (and no flour) is a favourite.

Mid-range

• Asador Ilicitano

  phone: +34 965 435 864
  address: Carrer Mestre Giner, 9
  Specializes in grilled meat and fish dishes.

• Restaurante Dátil de Oro

  phone: +34 965 453 415
  address: Paseo de la Estación, s/n
  A very large restaurant which serves some regional specialties, including dishes with dates.

• Restaurante Pernil

  phone: +34 966 613 303
  address: Carrer Juan Ramón Jiménez, 4
  Specializes in paella and other rice dishes, and can accommodate vegetarians and vegans. Reservations can be made online.

Splurge

• Mesón El Granaíno

  phone: +34 966 664 080
  address: C/ Josep María Buck, 40
  Serves a wide range of Andalusian-style tapas. For meals offers Andalusian and Valencian specialties, but with an emphasis on creative cuisine.

• El Misteri d'Anna

  phone: +34 966 675 644
  address: Partida Peña Águilas, 347

• Restaurante Els Capellans

  phone: +34 966 610 011
  address: Carrer Porta de la Morera, 16

• Restaurante La Finca

  phone: +34 965 456 007
  address: Polígono Industrial 1, Partida de Perleta, 1-7
  Located in an old farmhouse, the Michelin-starred restaurant is operated by Susi Díaz serves imaginative cuisine. Reservations can be made online.

• Restaurante Frisone

  phone: +34 965 422 279
  address: Carrer Angel, 31-32
  Listed in the Michelin guide; serves modern and experimental cuisine. Reservations can be made online.

• Restaurante La Masía de Chencho

  phone: +34 965 459 747, +34 965 421 784
  address: Partida de Jubalcoi 1, 9
  Housed in a farmhouse dating from 1700, and renovated in 1985, this establishment offers national and international cuisine.

• Restaurante La Taula del Milenio

  phone: +34 966 612 033
  address: C/ Prolongación de Curtidores, s/n
  Headed by chef Manuel Álvarez Giménez.

The Polígono Altabix (Altabix entertainment complex) is a former industrial complex which was tranformed in the 1970s into a leisure area, with numerous clubs and bars as well as restaurants. There are also a number of bars and pubs around the centre of town.

• La Comedia Altabix

  address: Carrer Sabadell, 13
  For a relaxing drink or for partying until 7 in the morning. The age limit is 21 years and you need to dress up.

Budget

• Hotel Campanile

  phone: +34 965 435 760
  address: Carrer Petrer, s/n
  Has nonsmoking rooms and free Wi-Fi. Parking €5/day.

• Hostal Candilejas

  phone: +34 965 466 512
  address: Carrer Dr. Ferrán, 19

• Hostal Madruga

  phone: +34 966 674 794
  address: Plaça Jardí d'Asp, 5
  Nonsmoking, free Wi-Fi.

Mid-range

• Hotel Ibis

  phone: +34 966 615 451
  address: Carrer Barxell, 5
  Has nonsmoking rooms and free Wi-Fi. Pets permitted on request, parking €6/day.

• Hotel Jardín Milenio

  phone: +34 966 612 033
  address: Carrer de Curtidors, s/n
  Has nonsmoking rooms, an onsite restaurant, outdoor pool, and fitness centre. Free Wi-Fi, parking €6/day.

• Tryp Ciudad de Elche Hotel

  phone: +34 966 610 033
  address: Avinguda en Joan Carles I, 7
  Has an onsite restaurant, nonsmoking rooms, and free Wi-Fi. Parking €12/day.

• Holiday Inn Elche

  phone: +34 966 651 551
  address: Carrer Miguel Servet, 25
  Facilities include nonsmoking rooms, fitness centre, onsite restaurant, and bicycle rental. Free Wi-Fi, parking €4/day.

Splurge

• Hotel Huerto del Cura

  phone: +34 966 610 011
  address: Carrer Porta de la Morera, 14
  Facilities include nonsmoking rooms, pool and sauna, and onsite restaurant. Free Wi-Fi, parking €13/day.

Hospitals

• Urgencias hospital de ELCHE

  phone: +34 965979044

• Centro de Salud Dr Sapena

  phone: +34 966679913
  address: C/Dr. Sapena 91

• Centro de Salud Altabix

  phone: +34 966679593
• Ambulatorio San Fermín, +34 966 913 319.