San Juan De Alicante: Discover Culture, Routes and Cuisine

Sant Joan d’Alacant offers you a variety of ways to experience culture, landscapes, outdoor activities and regional cuisine. Historic buildings, routes through the town and the Huerta alicantina, an equipped recreational area, as well as festive and culinary traditions give the town many different facets. Depending on your travel interests, you can focus on short walks, longer routes, historic towers or typical dishes.

Culture and Local History

The Ermita del Calvari is an 18th-century chapel and marked the endpoint of a Stations of the Cross route. Monte Calvari is equipped as a recreational area and offers picnic facilities and views. Shrubland and a pine forest at its southern end are also part of this landscape.

The Torre Ansaldo complex includes a chapel with allegorical murals. The cellar was used to produce numerous wines. Visits to Torre Ansaldo are offered from Monday to Thursday between 5:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. by prior reservation. Torre Bonanza is a three-storey prismatic tower, whose construction is thought to date back to the 16th century.

The “Torres de la Huerta” route leads to towers built in the Huerta alicantina between the 16th and 17th centuries. Customs and traditions are also part of the townscape: the pilgrimage to Santa Faz between Alicante and the hamlet has been held annually since the 16th century. In Sant Joan d’Alacant, festivals take place in every month except November; many folk performances have medieval origins. The band of Sant Joan d’Alacant has been part of the town’s history since its foundation in 1871.

Dishes and Produce from the Huerta

Rice plays a central role in the traditional cuisine of Sant Joan d’Alacant. Dishes include arroz a la alicantina, arroz con cebolla and olleta. The typical cuisine is based on produce from the Huerta alicantina. Putxero amb tarongetes remains a dish associated with major celebrations.

Routes for Walking, Hiking and Cycling

Route 1, “Torres de la Huerta”, is approximately 24.5 kilometres long. It is suitable for cycling, hiking in six to eight hours or a multi-stage tour. Route 2, “Camino de Lloixa and Colada de Coix”, is shorter at approximately three kilometres. It follows traditional paths and is suitable for hiking.

Route 4, “Pasea por Sant Joan”, runs for ten kilometres through the town and is suitable for hiking. Route 5, “Pasea por Sant Joan desde Muchavista”, is a 14-kilometre circular route that you can complete on foot or by bicycle. The different lengths and route formats provide a clear basis for choosing between a short hike, a cycling tour, a longer loop or a multi-stage tour.

More Destinations for Your Orientation

For further orientation: Beniaia, Alicante, Tibi, Montesol, Las Virtudes, Onil, La Vall De Gallinera, Beniarbeig

For the overarching travel overview: Alicante.