If you want to see the real Alicante, the Portal de Elche is a good place to start.
It sits right in the centre of the city, shaded by four huge ficus trees that have been standing there for more than a century. Locals meet here for coffee, to read the paper, or to sit and watch life go by. But, surprisingly, this quiet square has an interesting history.
Alicante’s Portal de Elche: What’s in a name?
The name comes from the old road that once led to the nearby city of Elche, about 30 kilometres away.
Hard to believe now, but this lovely shady spot was once known as the Plaza de las Horcas (Gallows Square) because it was used for public executions.
Later, it changed names many times to suit whoever was in charge: Constitución, del Generalísimo, Real de Fernando VII… until everyone settled on the simpler and friendlier Portal de Elche.
The square was built in the 19th century after the city walls came down. It became a busy meeting point and market, then slowly turned into the social corner it is today.
The kiosk in the middle, a replica of the original, has been through several lives too: a café, a tourist information booth, even a small pool with a sculpture by local artist Eusebio Sempere.
Tree of Liberty
One of the most memorable events here took place in 1869, when local politician Eleuterio Maisonnave planted the “Tree of Liberty”. The planting celebrated the end of hanging as a punishment. Sadly, that tree didn’t last, and was replaced by a fountain opened by the Marquis of Benalúa.
Now, the Portal de Elche is known less for politics and more for its terraces, and shade. The four ficus trees are protected by law. Most visitors walk past without realising how much history lies under their feet.
How to get to Alicante’s Portal de Elche
Getting there is easy. You can take buses 2, 8, 10, 13, 22, or the Turibus, stopping at Rambla. Tram lines L1, L2, L3, and L4 stop at Mercado, and L5 stops at Postiguet. The Portal de Elche is located at Portal de Elche s/n, 03002.
