The castle and the climb

Santa Bárbara Castle stands on top of Mount Benacantil, a limestone mass of 166 metres that rises over the city like the prow of a ship. It's the postcard of Alicante. Going up is a must: the view over the harbour, the Explanada and the coastline towards Tabarca, above all at sunset, is the one sight that justifies the trip on its own.

The four ways up

1 · Lift through the Postiguet tunnel (recommended)

The lift is inside the mountain, accessible from the Paseo del Postiguet (opposite the beach). A two-minute ride in the cabin takes you out at the summit. Cost: €2.70 return for an adult, €1.50 for children. Open from 10:00 to 20:00 (summer) and 10:00 to 19:00 (winter). It's the most comfortable option, especially with children or if your legs aren't up to it.

2 · On foot through the Parque de la Ereta

The option for those with time. You go up through the Barrio de la Santa Cruz, cross the Parque de la Ereta and join the path that wraps around the hillside. Twenty-two minutes from Alirena to the summit. It's uphill all the way on the final stretch: be careful in summer (no shade) and take water. The reward: you watch the perspective change as you climb and you cross the old part of the city.

3 · By car or taxi (not recommended)

Yes, there's a road to the castle. Yes, it sounds convenient. The problem: the car park at the top is small (40 spaces) and in season it's full from 11:00. If you drive up and there's no space, you drive back down again. Taxi from the centre €8-12 one way. If you decide on this, go before 11:00 or after 18:00.

4 · By city bus

Line 9 goes up to the castle from Plaza Puerta del Mar. It runs every 30-45 minutes. €1.45 each way. It takes 15 minutes. A good option if it's hot and you don't want to pay for the lift. A bad option if you want flexibility over timing.

Best time to go up

Sunset (the outright winner). Go up an hour before sundown. The light falls over the harbour and the city, golden first, orange afterwards. The photos always come out well. After sunset, go down to the Postiguet for dinner in the harbour area.

Early morning. If you want the castle almost empty, go up at 10:00. The drawback is the harsh light, but there are no groups.

Midday. Avoid it in summer. Vertical sun, heat, little shade.

What to bring

• Water. There's a fountain inside the grounds but it's best to arrive with a bottle.
• Comfortable footwear if you walk up. No beach sandals.
• A cap or hat (the summit is bare).
• A light jacket at sunset (the wind picks up).
• Camera: the views justify the weight.

What's up there

Three bastions at different heights: la Macho (the highest), el Cuerpo de Guardia (halfway) and el Revellín (low). In between there are remains from the 9th to the 18th century: Almohad towers, fortifications of Charles III, 19th-century barracks. There's a small museum with archaeological pieces (entry €2, free with the lift ticket). And a restaurant (La Ereta, white-tablecloth and then some) with a view over the harbour if you want to eat at the top.

If it's full

Alternative with a similar view: Monte Tossal, the other hill of the centre, to the west. Same kind of panorama, no castle, free and almost no people. The climb from Plaza Pais Valenciano, thirty minutes.