One thing to do if you visit Alicante is to make the trip up to the castle. Most people take the lift, though there is a bus service as well. Those that are relatively fit can make the climb but it is a fairly stiff walk. Some of the locals make a point of jogging up and back – just to prove that they are really fit. Whichever way you go, there are some great panoramic views and it is pleasant to have a drink at one of the cafes there. After a few days, I found a good compromise was to take a taxi to the top (Spanish taxis are relatively cheap) and then walk back down – particularly if I am intending to do some sketching.

Coming down from the castle towards the old town is still a bit steep in places and a little care is needed. There are a couple of unmade paths that also lead around the hillside – some better than others, but these are sometimes a good way to get away from the crowds and maybe do a bit of drawing. I found a spot just off the main path with a low stone wall and great views over the old town around the Santa Cruz district and the city.

Here is my view.

Setting up on this particular day it was quite windy, and at one point some of my sketches made a bid for freedom across the nearby hillside. Regaining these took some goat like footwork – not really recommended but I suppose part of being a sketcher?

Here is my sketch in progress and in-situ.

After a while it was time to stretch my legs again and do another sketch further down the hillside – maybe out of the wind and with a little shade – but I returned the next day to do some more sketching and expand this drawing out over to the next page.

This is how my sketch turned out.

Moving on down the hillside I also did another drawing, this time to include the hotel block in the distance…

Here is my sketch of this view.

Time to head on down into the city – and find another cafe!