Palacio del Portalet

The doorway on your right leads to the Palacio del Portalet, and entry is free, so feel free to step inside and have a look around. This former 18th-century palace belonged to the Maisonnave family in the 19th century, and was later restored by the city council, which took ownership of it in 2017. The building has served a number of purposes, from housing the headquarters of the Federal Republican Party to hosting the city’s Philharmonic. Today, it’s a cultural venue known as El Portalet, home to an interpretation centre that explores Alicante’s history through its most iconic buildings, along with the fascinating story of the guitar. It’s definitely worth visiting to see what lies behind its walls, and to support the kind of free cultural initiatives that help keep a city alive.