Known as the 'garden village', this picturesque town has many fine gardens and grand old homes. Don't miss the celebrated National Trust-listed Everglades Gardens, a 1930s treasure featuring European-style gardens. The beautiful natural attractions around Leura are best seen from lookouts at the end of any number of cliff top walking trails. And the village delights shoppers with all manner of boutiques and gourmet food at the many cafés and restaurants.

Explanada de España is one of the city’s emblems. It runs parallel to one of the port wharfs and is lined on both sides with rows of palm trees. The floor is decorated with 6,600,000 tricolour marble tiles forming a design with a characteristic wave effect mosaic. Visitors and locals alike can enjoy these areas at any time of the year, thanks to the pleasant climate. Throughout the year there are workshops, entertainment, children’s theatre, puppet shows, etc. predominantly aimed at children and families. Other parks and gardens worth visiting are: La Ereta park: located on the slopes of Mount Benacantil at the foot of the Santa Bárbara Castle, opposite El Postiguet beach. From here you can enjoy unbeatable views of the city and follow an interesting route from the summit down to the city’s old quarter. El Palmeral park: is one of the most spectacular parks in the city, formed by a wooded area containing palm trees, ponds, lakes and artificial streams. It contains sports facilities and a cross-country cycling track, as well as a pavilion where a regular programme of events is scheduled including activities, children's theatre, puppet shows, etc. Canalejas: It is one of the most traditional open spaces in Alicante. It has spectacular lush vegetation including several hundred-year old rubber plants measuring 20 metres high. Gabriel Miró Square: This square honours the Alicante writer of the same name. Just a few metres from the Explanada and the seafront promenade, it has a monument in the form of a fountain and centenary trees with luxuriant foliage, creating a relaxed, pleasant atmosphere.

Surrounded by the World Heritage wilderness, this area features a number of excellent bush walks and lookouts. It offers spectacular views over the Jamison Valley and the magnificent waterfall for which it's named. The town also has a good collection of Victorian and other historic buildings.

Across the Grand Harbour, to the south of Valletta, are the historic fortified towns of Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea, commonly referred to as the three cities of Cottonera. If you only have time for one of them, Vittoriosa is the one most worth a visit. Here you'll find Fort St Angelo, the Inquisitor's Palace, and the Vittoriosa waterfront, which was refurbished in the early 2000s to once again reach up to its former glory.