Old Town / El Barrio, Barrio de Santa Cruz

- Cocathedral of St Nicholas, Town Hall, Santa Maria Basilica

The Old Town, also called, El Barrio or Casco Antiguo, is situated in the East part of the city center, just beneath the huge Mount Bercantil and the historic Santa Barbara Castle. Here you find the Cathedral, the Town Hall and baroque churches. There are many narrow lanes and small plazas, and at night restaurants, clubs and pubs come alive. Here you also find squares like Plaza Santisima Faz and Plaza d Ajuntamiento (Town Hall Square).

The Concatedral de San Nicolás (Cathedral) was built 1613-62 in Spanish baroque style over an ancient mosque. The Basilica of Santa Maria is the oldest active church in Alicante.
The Town Hall (Ajuntament d'Alicant) is a baroque 18th century building facing the Town Hall Square (Placa de Ajuntament). It ifeatures two 41m tall towers and a nice interior that is open to public, and inside the lobby you will find a sculture by Salvador Dalí.

Above El Barrio, you find Barrio de Santa Cruz, picturesque and somewhat gritty townhouses, many in white, that are climbing the mountain towards the fortress on Mount Bercantil.