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Alicante Holiday Villas

The ONLY Gran Alacant accommodation specialist, since 2003

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All About Gran Alacant Alicante

Where is Gran Alacant?

Gran Alacant is a fast developing town located between Santa Pola and Alicante and consists of about 25 urbanisations, or individual areas, just 10 minutes drive south of Alicante Airport. In 2021 Gran Alacant had around 10,000 inhabitants and has two of the Costa Blancas most beautiful beaches - the Carabassi and Playas de Elche - both holding the coveted Blue Flag awards. As Gran Alacant is spilt into 3 levels, (Top, Middle and Lower) and set in a protected nature area to avoid over population, it is very easy to get around either by foot, by bus or the Gran Alacant Tourist train with each of the urbanisations having their own shops, bars and restaurants. Gran Alacant is a tranquil place to live or spend your holidays with very little traffic and contains all you would need for a relaxing holiday. 


What Is Gran Alacant?

Gran Alacant is one of those few places where old Spain blends with modern Europe and therefore Gran Alacant is home to a wide range of residents with Northern Europeans making up more than 50% of the population giving Gran Alacant a real cosmopolitan mix of people, shops, bars and restaurants, whilst still retaining the essential Spanish charm. Brash Gran Alacant is not! If you are looking for a Blackpool/Benidorm type of holiday, then Gran Alacant is not your place, but if you prefer to lay by the beach, dine in quality restaurants and let your children play in safety, then Gran Alacant is an excellent choice for your holiday! 


History Of Gran Alacant

Gran Alacant got its name from the first urbanization built at the top of Gran Alacant which was named, quite simply, Gran Alacant! After this many more urbanisations would follow. In the boom building years of 2001 onwards, Gran Alacant starting filling up very quickly with a mix of holiday homes and residential villas. Whilst now, about 11,000 people are registered as living in Gran Alacant permanently, this at least doubles during the summer months as both foreign holidaymakers arrive, and also Spanish families visit their holiday homes from inland cities such as Madrid. 


Urbanisations In Gran Alacant

As we said, the first urbanisation was called Gran Alacant, however now there are over 25 urbanisations in total: Altomar, Balcones del Mar, Brisa Mar, Brisas del Faro, Camarcha Playa, Carabassi, Costa Hispania, Don Pueblo, El Faro, Gran Alacant, Gran Vista, Lomas del Carabassi, Mediterraneo, Monte Faro, Monte y Mar, Novabeach, Novamar, Olivo de Oro, Panorama, Pino Mar, Puerto Marino, Sierra Mar, Sueno Azul, Victoria Playa and Vista Bahia. Whist Gran Alacant is fairly modern, it has history too and many of the apartments and villas offer fantastic views of Alicante bay and the mountains - especially at night. As do many of the rooftop bars and restaurants. 


Shops In Gran Alacant

Throughout Gran Alacant small shops, bars and restaurants can be found with the largest shopping mall at the entrance of Gran Alacant, the Centro Commercial. This large area is the main shopping complex of Gran Alacant and features supermarkets, pet shop, furniture stores, hardware store, gym, butchers, shoe and clothing shops, sports centre, stationers, numerous bars, cafes and restaurants, estate agents, bicycle shop and gift shops, basically everything you could possibly need whilst on holiday. In addition there is a large weekly street market on Thursdays in Gran Alacant selling everything from fruit and vegetables through to gifts, homewares, bags and clothing. Plus hairdressers, spa, nail bars, beauty salons and a garage. 


Properties In Gran Alacant

Properties in Gran Alacant vary in style, but all are either 1, 2 or 3 storeys (there are no skyscrapers in Gran Alacant!) Whether you choose an apartment, a town house or a villa, all of Alicante Holiday Villas properties have access to a swimming pool (with some having tennis/football pitch/basketball courts too) for residents that are maintained year round to a very high standard. In addition, some are situated on gated urbanisations which offer great security if you have little ones running around and all communal swimming pools have a gate to keep them safely away from the tempting water. 


Facilities In Gran Alacant

There is also a large public swimming pool (entrance fee applies) in Lower Gran Alacant, complete with sun loungers, parasols and a poolside bar serving snacks, drinks and meals. In addition, Gran Alacant has its own post office, town hall, church, school, tourist information office, local police station and both public and private doctors surgery. Dental surgeries abound and there are also two petrol stations and two 24 hour chemists. 


Transport In Gran Alacant

Public transport by bus is available both to and from Gran Alacant from Santa Pola, Alicante, Arenales del Sol and El Altet with multiple stops in Gran Alacant. There is also a circular bus route around Gran Alacant as well as the Gran Alacant Tourist Train


Restaurants And Bars In Gran Alacant

Spread across Gran Alacant you can find about 80 bars and restaurants each with their own specialities, from Burger King, Mexican, Steakhouses, Woks, Indians, Italian, Lebanese, Fish and Chips and Pizza restaurants to those specializing in Dutch or Swedish food. And of course there are numerous tapas and Spanish restaurants cooking locally produced seafood. For a full list and for details of where to find them and what they offer, please see our Gran Alacant Bars and Restaurants page. 


Beaches In Gran Alacant

If the beach is more to your liking, then you are spoilt for choice! Gran Alacant offers two superb beaches - Carabassi Playa and Playas de Elche, both holding Blue Flag awards. Services on these beaches include; car park, play area, walkways, sunbeds, umbrellas, beach bar, toilets and water sports. Perfect for you to spend your day soaking up the sun.