Things to Do in Elche

If you fancy discovering heritage sites and I can reveal their history, customs, traditions and special places... I invite you to take the Monumental Route through the city of palm trees 🌴 🌴

We start at the Municipal Park (next to the tourist office). Our tour takes us towards the slope of the Vinalopó River and its surroundings of Arabic origin, from there we go into the old town to see on foot the Altamira Palace, Archaeological Museum, Festival Museum, Town Hall, Lady of Elche, Convent of La Merced, Calahorra Tower and we end at the Basilica of Santa Maria.

Knowing more routes, living this experience and enjoying knowing a little more, motivates and feeds our soul and mind!

Elche is a Mediterranean oasis that holds countless treasures. Under the shade provided by the largest palm grove in Europe, exuberant nature awaits you in the heart of the city, with surprising corners and ancestral techniques. Did you know that Elche has two World Heritage Sites? In addition to the Palmeral, the Misteri d'Elx is an exceptional religious work centuries old, a sample of the rich history of this land where the Lady of Elche was found, a famous Iberian sculpture and authentic symbol for the people of Elche. Join our free tour in Elche and discover its beautiful old town and its Palm Grove, the most deeply rooted traditions and the most interesting curiosities with our local tour guides!

We invite you to take a walking tour of Elche, the capital of footwear. Doesn't that sound like a fun opportunity?

We will meet in the Plaça del Parc , next to the Tourist Info , to enter the Municipal Park and thus see first-hand one of the main hallmarks of the people of Elche, the Palmeral de Elche . This true oasis bequeathed by the Arabs has an exciting history and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO . It is the largest palm grove in Europe and one of the most important in the world! Under its shadow, our steps will take us to Plaça del Palau , where we will be able to admire the imposing Palace of Altamira , we will discover remains of the Arab wall and we will discover the jewels that the Archaeological and History Museum (MAHE) keeps. did you know that these lands have been inhabited since ancient times by various civilizations and that each one of them has left its mark? We will continue soaking up the local culture by exploring the Central Market , next to which the remains of some old Arab baths are exhibited, while our mouths water appreciating the delicious gastronomy of Elche. You can't leave the city without trying the rice with a crust or some dessert with dates!

From here, only one step separates us from the historic Elche Town Hall , located in the emblematic Plaça de Baix , a recently renovated pedestrian space whose pavement is inspired by Iberian ceramics. Strolling through the old town of Elche we will go to the Plaza de la Glorieta , an important meeting place with large terraces and a pleasant atmosphere where a replica of the famous Lady of Elche awaits us, an icon of the city and who was found just a few kilometers in the La Alcudia deposit. A discovery that changed the history of this enclave forever! Finally, we will reach the nerve center of the old city in the surroundings of the Torre de la Calahorra and the Basilica of Santa María , the main religious temple of Elche where the representation of the Misteri d'Elx or La Festa has taken place for centuries. This important tradition of incalculable historical value is quite an event in the city and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO .

What are you waiting for? Join our free tour in Elche and discover the best of our beloved Mediterranean oasis!

With our travel insurance, you can travel with peace of mind and focus solely on unwinding and enjoying your holiday. Don't let anything spoil your trip!

Palm trees, an Iberian lady who has traveled more than many tourists, a medieval drama that has been on stage for centuries, and automatons that have gone centuries without asking for a vacation...

Yes, this is Elche. And no, it's not just a place with palm trees.

In this free tour, we will explore the historic center of Elche from the perspective of someone who was born here: discovering its history, its curiosities, and those little things that are part of the city and often go unnoticed.

We start at the ​📍Municipal Park, right in the heart of the Palm Grove of Elche. No need for much introduction here: it's a World Heritage Site, yes, but also the place where you understand that this city decided to be an oasis... and it succeeded.

We continue to the ​📍Palace of Altamira and the MAHE, where the history of Elche gets serious: a castle that has had more lives than a cat, transitioning from a defensive fortress to a factory, prison, and museum. Here, few buildings have settled for just one life.

We arrive at the ​📍Basilica of Santa Maria, where the Misteri d’Elx takes place, a medieval drama that is still alive today. If I tell you quickly, it sounds strange; when you understand it in context, it makes perfect sense.

Then we move along the Corredora to ​📍La Glorieta, where the Lady of Elche awaits us. I'll tell you why she is so important... and why she has ended up being almost more of a traveler than anyone else.

We continue to the ​📍Town Hall, where Calendura and Calendureta reside, two automatons that have been doing their job for centuries without anyone explaining to them the concept of "retirement."

We finish at the ​📍Arab Baths, one of those places that go unnoticed if no one tells you about them, but that help to understand a key part of the city's medieval past.

I can't promise you'll want to move to Elche... but I can promise that by the end of the tour, you'll understand why we boast about palm trees as if there were nothing else in the world.

And if you want to see the real Elche (not the postcard version), see you on the tour 😉​👋​