Elche — The City of a Million Palm Trees

Located inland from Alicante, Elche is a historic city famous for its enormous palm grove, beautiful old town and fascinating mix of cultures.

Elche — The City of a Million Palm Trees

If you want to discover somewhere a little different from the usual Costa Blanca destinations, Elche is well worth a visit.

Located inland from Alicante, Elche is a historic city famous for its enormous palm grove, beautiful old town and fascinating mix of cultures.

It is an easy day trip from Orihuela Costa and offers something very different from the beaches and coastal resorts.

The Palmeral of Elche

The first thing you notice about Elche is the palm trees.

The Palmeral of Elche is one of the most unusual landscapes in Europe. Thousands of palm trees grow throughout the city, creating green oasis-like areas between the streets, historic buildings and parks.

The palm grove was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 and is closely connected with the city’s history and traditional irrigation system.

One of the best places to experience it is the Huerto del Cura, a beautiful historic palm garden in the centre of Elche.

Walking among the palms gives you a completely different feeling from the Mediterranean coastline.

Explore the Old Town

Elche also has a fascinating historic centre.

The Vila Murada, the old walled part of the city, is where you will find some of its most important historic buildings.

The Basilica of Santa María stands at the heart of the old town, while the Calahorra Tower is a reminder of Elche’s Islamic past.

The narrow streets around the historic centre are easy to explore on foot, with small squares, cafés and traditional buildings along the way.

History Beneath the City

Elche has a history stretching back thousands of years.

The city was influenced by Iberian, Roman, Islamic and Christian cultures, and there are museums and archaeological sites where you can discover this history in more detail.

The Archaeological and History Museum of Elche (MAHE) is located inside the Altamira Palace and tells the story of the city from its earliest origins through to modern times.

Elche is also famous for the Lady of Elche, one of Spain’s most important Iberian archaeological discoveries. The famous sculpture was found at the nearby archaeological site of La Alcúdia.

How Long Do You Need?

For a first visit, allow around 4–5 hours.

This gives you enough time to walk through the historic centre, explore part of the palm grove and visit one or two of the main attractions.

If you enjoy museums, gardens and history, you can easily spend a full day here.

A Different Costa Blanca Experience

Elche is a great reminder that the Costa Blanca is much more than beaches and seaside resorts.

Here you can walk through a UNESCO-listed palm grove, discover centuries of history, enjoy traditional Spanish food and explore a city that feels completely different from Orihuela Costa.

If you have a free day during your stay, Elche is definitely worth adding to your Costa Blanca list.

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