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Abanilla is a small, sunny agricultural town known for its palm groves. Although tucked just inside the boundary of Murcia province, it produces much of its wine under the Alicante D.O. – robust reds and some whites, usually drunk young and ideally suited to the earthy local cuisine.

Agost’s long ceramic-making tradition dates back for centuries, and dozens of shops sell the earthenware water jars (botijos ) typical of the region, along with a range of ceramic items from pots to platters.

This delightful mountain village topped by a ruined castle makes the perfect starting point for exploring the gorgeous Sierra Mariola, with hiking trails and the traces of abandoned snow wells.

Nudged up against the border with Andalucía, this quiet resort curls around a broad sandy bay, with spectacular rocky capes at either end and a scattering of volcanic islands rising abruptly from the sea. The delightful port sits at the foot of a steep cliff at the southern end of the bay; it’s full of working fishing boats, which supply delicious fresh fish to the local restaurants. The Castle of San José, beautifully flood-lit at night, looms dramatically from the clifftop. In February, the town hosts one of the biggest carnivals in Spain.

Águilas is beautifully set on a curving bay against a backdrop of distant mountains. There are some handsome 19th-century squares, a dramatic castle high on a cliff above the fishing port, and dozens of secluded coves on the outskirts. Development has been largely low-key.

Beautifully flood-lit at night, this cliff-top castle is perched right on the cliff edge.

Alcoi (see Círculo Industrial, Alcoi (Alcoy), Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christians)) is famous in the region for traditional sweets first introduced by the Arabs. Most cake shops sell sugared almonds and the tasty sugar-coated pine nuts called peladillas .

The peaceful medieval village of Aledo is huddled tightly behind vestiges of ancient walls, on a rocky outcrop that juts out alarmingly over the surrounding valley. Perched at the tip of the village is a watchtower, surrounded by a modern walkway offering beautiful views over the terraced hillsides and distant peaks. Three km (2 miles) away, an elegant 18th-century sanctuary with a richly carved artesonado ceiling houses a much-venerated image of the local patron saint, Santa Eulalia. Aledo sits on the borders of the wonderful Regional Park of the Sierra de Espuña.

This small agricultural village is well known for its hearty traditional cuisine, particularly cured sausages. The local wine, a strong, earthy red produced under the D.O. of Alicante, is perfect with regional dishes.

The ultimate one-stop shopping destination, Alicante has the biggest department stores, plus plenty of large high-street chain shops, all lined up along the Avenida Maisonnave.