Barrio de Santa Cruz is a historic quarter on the slopes of Mount Benacantil, just below Santa Bárbara Castle — the most colourful corner of Alicante's old town. Steep steps, whitewashed houses and flower pots lead up to the viewpoint by the Santa Cruz hermitage, looking over the port and the sea.
Barrio de Santa Cruz is one of Alicante's most picturesque and historic quarters, set on the slopes of Mount Benacantil just below Santa Bárbara Castle. Narrow, steep lanes and countless steps wind between whitewashed houses whose façades and pots overflow with colourful flowers. The quarter's roots go back to Muslim times: in the 8th century the Arabs built a fortress on top of Benacantil, which gave rise to this part of the city. At the top of the quarter stands the Ermita de Santa Cruz, whose origins, according to the city's tourism portal, go back to the 13th century, when it was built on the remains of a mosque. In 1271, after Alfonso X the Wise took the city, the building was consecrated for Catholic worship at the request of his wife, Violant of Aragon, and the present hermitage dates from 1830. Right next to it, at the highest point of the quarter, the Mirador de Santa Cruz looks out over the old town, the port and the Mediterranean, and the view is at its best at sunset. Many houses have the names of the families who live in them written on their façades. Today Santa Cruz is one of the most photographed spots in the city, and it is especially charming in the evening and during local festivities, when the lanes are decked with garlands and flowers. One of the most photographed houses is the Casita de las Macetas Azules, its balconies hung with colourful flower pots. In the first days of May residents celebrate the Cruces de Mayo, decorating streets and houses with flower-covered crosses and competing for the best display. The best-known event is the Santa Cruz procession on Holy Wednesday, which sets off from the hermitage and is considered one of the most moving of Alicante's Holy Week, declared a festival of National Tourist Interest in 2022. Its signature moment is the descent with the floats down the steps of Calle San Rafael and the return up the same route “at a run”. The quarter can only be reached on foot, and the steep lanes and steps are a challenge for people with reduced mobility, so comfortable shoes are a good idea. City buses 2, 8, 10, 21 and 22, the Turibus and tram line L5 to the Puerta del Mar stop all run nearby. At the foot of the hill, close to the quarter, you will find the Gothic Basilica of Santa María, built on the site of a former mosque, and the MACA contemporary art museum. A walk through Santa Cruz combines well with a visit to Santa Bárbara Castle, which towers above the neighbourhood.
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