Ideas for nice spanish towns to stay in within an hour of Alicante in March.

 We are thinking of going away in March, we usually go to the costa Del sol and have only been once to the Alicante area where we stayed in Finestrat and visited Denia, Javea, calpe but never go to go the other way toward Santa pola and Torrevieja.

Therefore, as this area is new to us can anyone suggest places where I can look into staying (I always book a private place on owners direct or similar). 

We are in our thirties, no kids, we love to explore and we love proper Spanish towns where we can venture out every night and find lots of Tapas bars. We aren't looking for a place with lots of loud clubs and bars but more of a local feel - but still with life, but Spanish life. Despite Finestrat being so close to Benidorm we actually enjoyed this mountain village and its local feel (even though half of the town was inhabited by english people!) but we could eat fine tapas every night for a cheap as you like and it was great so we are looking for a similar kind of place.

We don't mind going inland - as long as it isn't so high that its cold!!! So, any ideas? The coast or inland within an hour of Alicante, and also what kind of weather can we expect in March in this area?

Thanks!

Hi Emjay.

Take the A31 out of Alicante towards Madrid and within an hours drive of the coast you can be into Albacete with loads of Spanish towns either side of the motorway  including:  Elche, Novelda, Aspe Elda, Sax, Caudete, Villena plus many more and its only a bunny hop from the motorway into Murcia where again you have a massive choice of locations.

Its much cheaper inland as you are not paying tourist rates and you will find the vast majority of locals very pleasant and amiable - have a good time.

Woodbug