The Elche Palm Grove is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the perfect place to go for some shade when you want to escape from the Costa Blanca heat. There are more than 200,000 palm trees in the Elche Palm Grove, which is one of the largest palm groves in the world and is the only palm grove in Europe. The grove has its own microclimate and irrigation system, and leaves from its trees are used during two important events which are held annually in the city of Elche – the Palm Sunday procession and the Elche Mystery Play.

Don’t miss the Imperial Palm, which is situated in the the Priest’s Garden within the palm grove. Named after the Empress Consort of Franz Joseph, Elisabeth, the Imperial Palm is the largest palm tree in the grove and has seven branches. You can stroll around the grove and also visit the Palm Grove Museum, which has exhibits relating to the history of Elche Palm Grove, and its microclimate and irrigation system.

If you’re making the journey to Elche Palm Grove, it’s also worth parking your hire car and exploring the city of Elche. You can visit the old Arab Baths, take a stroll in the Municipal Park, visit the Basilica Santa Maria (which was completed in 1784 and incorporates a number of architectural styles), and visit the Palaeontological Museum, the City Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art or the Municipal Festa Museum (which features exhibits relating to the history of the Elche Mystery Play).

You can also use your hire car to get to some of the fantastic beaches near Elche, which include La Marina, L’Altet and El Pinet.

If you want to hire a car to visit Elche, you can book your hire car online and pick it up when you arrive in Alicante. A number of car hire firms, such as easyCar, have car rental facilities at Alicante airport.

Image: José Carlos Díez