What to see in Elche

In the historical area of Elche , there are lots of monuments and buildings to see and most are within easy walking distance. Make the tourist office near the castle your first call and you can collect lots of information and a street plan although the street plan can be a little confusing as there are so many parks.

Altamira Castle

Also known as Alcázar de la Señoría and the 'Lord's Fortress' is located next to the Municipal Park. It was originally built in Almohad times (12th-13th centuries), and was later renovated with a brick exterior in the 15th century. This former fortress became a fabric plant in 1913. Over the years it has also been used as the town hall and as a prison during the Spanish Civil War. Today it houses the Archaeology and History Museum.

Elche Palm Grove and palm parks

This famous orchard contains over 2,000 palm trees and was declared a national monument in the year 2000.

Elche is known worldwide for its palm trees.

There are several large palm parks in Elche. One of the most popular is the Huerto del Cura. This park is where you will find the unique Imperial palm Tree with seven branches originating from one trunk. The park covers 13,000 square metres. Entry is €5 per adult.

The municipal park is free.

The Arab Baths (Baños Arabes)

These Arab baths date from the 12th century and include re-modelled Roman baths. Each bath consisted of three rooms, the most popular being the warm bath. Made of stone slabs, the bath was supported by 8 pillars between which, hot air was passed. This practice is what gave birth to our modern day saunas. During the 14th century the building was used as a convent. The baths can be found in Calle Eres de Santa Llucia. They are open to the public Tuesdays to Saturdays 10am-1.30pm and 4.30pm to 8pm. On Sundays the hours are 10.30am-1.30pm.

Basilica of Santa Maria (Saint Mary)

This wonderful building dates from around 1673 when the first foundation stone was laid. This Baroque Basilica is the only temple in the Catholic world that is permitted to hold within, a religious theatrical drama. The famous play from the 13th century, 'Elche Mystery Play' is perfomed here.

The Tower of the Basilica

This tower is what enabled Elche to become known as a city. In 1871, Amadeus I, King of Spain visited the tower and on seeing the views of the town from the top, he described Elche as 'a wonderful city'. At that time, 80% of Elche was covered in palm trees.

Today it is possible to climb to the top of the tower. The price os €2 per adult. The steps are quite difficult and not for the feint-hearted. The views from the top are well worth the effort. On the way up there are two stops in small rooms. One houses a photographic display and museum, the second houses the bells. The tower is open daily from 11am-6pm. Tickets are bought inside the tower door.

The Municipal Park in Elche

This is just one of many parks in Elche and as you would expect, it's full of palm trees. This is a wonderful place to enjoy both the sun and the shade. The park is filled with tall palms, water features, a band stand and much more. On the other side of the road is the outdoor swimming pool and the sports park where all manner of sports take place. The tourist office can be found on the corner of the Municipal Park.

The Tower of Calaforra

Located next to the Basilica, this 12th century tower was built by the Arabs as a watchtower to watch people entering the city from Alicante. The tower is oblong in shape and is quite unique. No other similar tower survives in the Valencian region.

The Lady of Elche

Known in Spanish as Dama de Elche, is a stone bust that was discovered in in 1897 on an archaeological site at L'Alcudia, around 2km from Elche. This piece of sculpture is believed to be Iberian, dating from the 4th century BC. Over the years the sculpture has had a varied history. It was taken to France shortly after being found. It was shown in the Louvre Museum and hidden during World War II. Franco's government managed to negotiate its return to Spain in 1941. It was placed in the Prado Museum in Madrid then later moved to the Arhaeological Museum in Madrid where it remains. It was shown for a while in Elche in 2006. The government of Elche have appealed for its permanent return to Elche but have so far been refused. Instead, Elche has to make do with a replica. When made, the Lady Of Elche would have been painted in full colour. There is an ongoing debate about the authenticity of the bust. many claim it is a forgery. One of the best replicas can be found in La Glorieta which is a small square in the city centre. There's also a copy ine tourist office.

Getting around Elche

The River Vinalpo runs through Elche and has several impressive crossing points. If you stay close to the river you are guaranteed to see the best sights including the Basilica, the Palacio, the Museo de la Fiesta and the old town market. The tourist office have a street plan that illustrates the best walking routes to get the most out of your visit.

Elche is full of splendid buildings with intricate stonework and a fair share of statues and monuments. Look out for the Lady of Elche. make sure you have stout walking shoes on and take plenty of water with you. You will however, find lots of little cafes in which to rest.

The tourist train runs around the city and the Municipal Park. This is a great and easy way to see the best sights. There's a stop outside the park. There's also a cycle hire service in Elche with regular parks throughout the city.