Santa Cruz District: Alicante’s Most Picturesque District

Located at the foot of Benacantil Mountain, along with the majestic Santa Bárbara Castle, Santa Cruz District is one of Alicante’s most authentic and traditional areas. This picturesque neighborhood is characterized by its lively and narrow streets adorned with beautiful white houses, some with tiles and colorful trim lines, all different and meticulously maintained. Many of the houses have the names of the families living in them written on their walls, and year-round, the facades and balconies are decorated with lovely potted plants and flowers, giving the area a special charm.

Located in the heart of Alicante’s old town, Santa Cruz District offers several viewpoints from which you can enjoy fantastic panoramic views of the bay, the harbor, and the city of Alicante. Due to the sloping terrain, it is recommended to visit the district with comfortable footwear, as there are many steep streets and stairs.

Santa Cruz neighborhood in Alicante

What to See in Santa Cruz District

Santa Cruz District, with its Moorish atmosphere, houses many attractions for travelers:

  • Santa Bárbara Castle: An impressive 11th-century fortress built by the Arabs, from which you can enjoy spectacular views over Alicante.
  • Santa Cruz Hall: An iconic place where the community gathers during festive events.
  • Santa Cruz Viewpoint: Ideal for enjoying the best panoramic views.
  • Easter Narratives: Especially vibrant during Holy Week, when the district is decorated for the religious celebrations.

During Holy Week, every Easter Sunday, a large part of Santa Cruz gathers at Santa Cruz Hall to watch the religious procession figures move down the narrow and steep streets, overcoming large slopes and obstacles. If you don’t have the opportunity to experience this festivity, we recommend a visit to Santa Cruz Hall to imagine this social and religious event, where many locals and visitors wish to see costaleros, nazarenos, and women in mantillas walking down the district’s streets.

The History of Santa Cruz District

Santa Cruz District occupies the same area that was once the first known settlement, inhabited by the Arabs under the name Al-Laqant. This explains its intricate city planning, likely designed to avoid the high summer temperatures. As the oldest district in the city, its boundaries are marked by Rambla de Méndez Núñez, one of Alicante’s main streets.

Santa Cruz Hall, from the 18th century, was built over the so-called Ampolla Tower, one of the few remnants of Alicante’s old medieval walls. For a period, Carmelite monks established a school here for the first classes.

Festivities in Santa Cruz

In addition to Easter Sunday, another significant date is the May-Cross Festival, celebrated intensively over four days. Residents decorate streets and houses with many crosses made of carnations, creating a colorful and festive atmosphere.

Santa Cruz Brotherhood, with over 1,500 members, is the main actor in Holy Week in the district. It organizes the foundation procession on Easter Sunday, which includes four thrones: Cristo de Medinaceli (“El Cautivo”), Dolorosa, Descendimiento de la Cruz, and Cristo de la Fe (“El Gitano”). Due to the small door to Santa Cruz Hall, the Descendimiento throne must be lowered to ground level, where the top part of the cross is removed and later reinstalled. Interestingly, costaleros in the past were mainly fishermen and harbor workers from Alicante, due to their robust build, which could bear the weight of the sculptures and the difficult route.

Experiences, Gastronomy, and Nightlife

Santa Cruz District is filled with bars and restaurants along the streets. Between walking up and down the steep streets, you can take a break to enjoy a good glass of wine and some typical tapas from the Alicante cuisine before continuing your stroll. In the evening, Santa Cruz District gains a special attraction with many nightlife venues offering live music, drinks, and entertainment in a very pleasant atmosphere.

Recommended Restaurants in Santa Cruz

  • La Taberna del Gourmet (C/ San Fernando, 10): Tapas of the highest quality in an authentic Alicante bar; a gastronomic reference in the city.
  • Bar-Cervecería Gravina 4 (C/ Gravina, 4): 30 years of tradition support this classic in Santa Cruz District.
  • La Barrita de Santa María (Plaza de Sta. María, 2): Well-crafted tapas right in front of the entrance to Santa María Basilica.
  • La Taberna Ibérica (C/ Pedro Sebastià, 7): A wide selection of tapas, including sausages, aged cheeses, rice dishes, and meats.
  • San Telmo Gastrobar (C/ San Nicolás, 14): Mediterranean cuisine with flavors from the earth and a varied wine selection.
  • Sotaterra by TheLoft (C/ Lonja de los Caballeros, 10): Alicante and Spanish cuisine with wines and handmade products.
  • La Tasca del Barrio (C/ Labradores, 22): Mediterranean cuisine, tapas, and rice dishes in a cozy atmosphere.
  • Las Brasas de San Miguel (C/ San José, 5): Specialties in grilled meats and typical Alicante flavors.
  • Miku Izakaya (C/ Argensola, 7): Sushi and fusion flavors from Asian cuisine.
  • Suan Thai (C/ Miguel Soler, 6): Authentic Thai cuisine of high quality.
  • Charlie’s American Diner (C/ San José, 8): Classic American burgers in a fun local with 1950s decor.
  • In Bocca Al Lupo (C/ Muñoz, 5): Fresh products, handmade pasta, pizzas from the wood-fired oven, and Italian desserts.

Photography and Charm

If you love photography, Santa Cruz is a photogenic paradise. Its small corners, colorful details, wandering cats, decorated doors, and lovely tiles make every stroll an opportunity to capture unique pictures. This district offers its best face to those who dare to explore it, combining history, culture, and visual beauty in every nook.