Co-Cathedral of St. Nicholas of Bari (Concatedral de San Nicolás de Bari)
Plaza del Abad Penalva, 2, Alicante, ESP
Like neighboring Basilica of Saint Mary, the 17th-century San Nicolás Cathedral in the heart of Alicante was erected atop a historic mosque. Designed by Agustin Bernardino, a student of celebratedxa0 Spanish architect and mathematician Juan de Herrera, the cathedral’s interior is marked by a soaring dome, a raised pipe organ, with intact Valencian Gothic cloisters from the 15th century.
A 12-story-high dome watches over the cathedral’s classic cross-shaped floor plan, the largest and oldest organ in Valencia, and six chapels—of which, the Holy Communion (Capilla de la Comunión) chapel is considered to be one of most beautiful examples of Spanish Baroque. Enter the grandiose doors to the cloisters where pretty gardens offer a serene place to sit down and relax.
Travelers may explore San Nicolás Cathedral during a private walking tour of Alicante, making visits to historic landmarks such as the mountaintop Santa Bárbara Castle for a view of the coast, and architectural gems like Casa Carbonell and Alicante Town Hall, finishing the day with a stroll along the scenic Explanada de España with a glass of enjoying glass of traditional Sangria.
- Suitable for solo travelers, couples, families; the Plaza del Ayuntamiento is a popular place to relax and have an ice cream cone.
- Remember to wear comfortable walking shoes and sun protection, as well as appropriate dress for visiting the church’s interior.
- Admission is free.xa0
- The church is wheelchair accessible.
- Masses are in Spanish, are offered most days, mornings and evenings; check schedules beforehand.
- Tours may include round trip hotel transfers. Check specific tours for details.
San Nicolás Cathedral is located in Plaza de Abad Penalva in Barrio Santa Cruz, adjacent to Alicante’s Centro district. The main facade is on the east side of the church. Alicante is a great walking city and taxis are readily available as is an extensive public transport network of intercity buses and trams.
San Nicolás Cathedral is open daily, morning through evening. December 6, a special mass celebrates San Nicolás, patron saint of Alicante. With a mild climate, Alicante is lovely to visit year-round. Spring and fall offer warm weather and fewer crowds. Throughout the year, Alicante hosts many festivals, such as June’s San Juan's Bonfires (Hogueras de San Juan), marked by large satirical artistic papier-mâché figures, and fireworks, and Carnival, a three-week fiesta of parades, music, and dancing in March.
The patron saint of Alicante, San Nicolás, is also known as Nikolaos of Myra or Nikolaos the Wondermaker who was a Chrsitian saint and Greek Bishop of Myra in Turkey, in the 4th century. Of course, most people today know San Nicolás, or St. Nicholas, as the model for Santa Claud, inspired by his secret gift-giving. He is also attributed as looking out for sailors, merchants, archers, children, pawnbrokers, students and repentant thieves.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!