The Explanada de España is the spine of social life in Alicante — a broad, palm-lined promenade running along the waterfront for nearly half a kilometre, connecting the old city to the port. The wave-patterned marble pavement is one of the most recognisable surfaces in Spain. In the evenings, the entire city seems to pass through here: elderly couples on benches, families with pushchairs, tourists eating ice cream, and vendors selling everything from hats to lottery tickets.
At the port end, the Explanada opens onto the marina, where expensive yachts sit alongside the Denia ferry. There are outdoor cafes along most of its length, and in summer a small market sets up selling jewellery and crafts. It is the obvious starting point for any walk through the city.