Alicante is a busy, bustling seaside city with the backdrop of the marvellous castle of Santa Barbara perched on a mountain looming over and protecting the city and its bay. Its old narrow streets are full of charm and history making it an extremely popular place to purchase a property in Spain. The port of Alicante is home to fishermen and a large nautical fraternity and is often the stop-over point for cruise liners. It is within fifteen minutes of the international airport of El Altet and offers ferry services to the Balearic Islands and North Africa.