Leisure opportunities in Elche (Alicante)
Elche is a friendly, welcoming city, with something for everyone. There are a wide variety of leisure activities that you can enjoy during your stay here.
For those looking to unwind
Besides our stunning beaches, Elche offers you the chance to take a relaxing ride around the city on the tourist train or in a carriage. If you visit Los Humedales or Hondo Natural Park you can take in the spectacular views of the birds of prey that nest there.
For young people
Elche has three main going-out areas, all very different from one another. For those looking for a more bohemian vibe, El Raval is the perfect choice. Situated in the old town, this barrio of pretty, narrow streets is full of bars, cafes and tea rooms which at night become live music venues. For those of finer taste, the city centre offers more select, exclusive bars where you can enjoy a late night drink. If dancing is your thing, then Altabix Industrial Estate is packed full of nightclubs where you party till dawn!
For sporty types
Elche has several sports facilities for public use where you can do whatever sport you enjoy most. Mountain-lovers can also choose from a range of hiking and climbing activities. For those of you who are thrill-seekers, why not try paragliding, ice skating or hot air ballooning. The fact that Elche is so close to the sea means that there are a range of water sports on offer too, such as diving, surfing, kitesurf and sailing.
For food-lovers
Both the city and the surrounding countryside are packed with restaurants and bars where a seemingly endless variety of dishes can be tasted. On the one hand, you can find traditional places that offer Elche’s more typical dishes, such as “costra” (rice with egg and meat), “cocido con pelotas” (a stew with meatballs) and rice with rabbit and snails. There are also tapas bars, haut-cuisine in some more select restaurants (some with Michelin stars), restaurants that offer international cuisine, grills, etc. Once more, our close proximity to the sea means you have the option of trying other typical dishes such as “caldero” (typical on Tabarca island), “fideuá” and a wide range of seafood or fish-based rice dishes.
For shopaholics
In Torrellano business park, situated just outside Elche, there is a selection of footwear outlet stores where you can find the city’s most prestigious brands. In the L’Aljub shopping centre, you will come across all the high street names as well as supermarkets, not to mention a multiplex cinema and El Corte Inglés offers everything under one roof, with all the famous brands at your disposal. In the city centre, its streets are full of charming little boutiques and places to buy more exclusive items.
