Alicante: Sea and Bullfighting

This is one of the most traditional summer-opening fairs in Spain. There’s no better sign that the seasons have changed than seeing images of bulls in Alicante — it’s a clear declaration that summer has truly arrived.

And there’s no better way to celebrate than by the Mediterranean. A morning stroll along the beach, a delicious rice dish at one of the many restaurants along Postiguet or Playa San Juan, and then off to the bullring.

This year’s programme is especially attractive, with enough to justify spending the whole week in La Terreta. Five bullfights, one rejoneo (horseback bullfight), and a novillada with picadors, plus two practical classes from the Alicante Bullfighting School. Mark your calendar: from Friday 20 to Sunday 29 June.

The fair opens on Friday 20 June with a novillada featuring bulls from Pedraza de Yeltes, fought by three promising young locals: Borja Escudero, Kevin Alcolado, and Javier Cuartero, who makes his debut with picadors.

Saturday 21 sees the first major bullfight, with bulls from Victoriano del Río and a star-studded line-up: José María Manzanares and Roca Rey, joined by young up-and-comer Samuel Navalón — one of the most promising talents of the new generation.

On Sunday 22, bulls from Núñez del Cuvillo will be fought by a tremendously exciting trio: Talavante (San Isidro’s big winner), the artistic Juan Ortega, and the newly alternative Marco Pérez, who’s shaping up to be the revelation of the season.

Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 (the feast day of Saint John) feature two more top-class cards: Morante, Manzanares (in his second appearance), and Cayetano — who says goodbye to Alicante — kick off the week, followed by Sebastián Castella, Daniel Luque, and Tomás Rufo fighting bulls from Zacarías Moreno on the day of the patron saint.

Thursday and Friday are reserved for the practical classes. On Saturday 28, one of the highlights of the fair takes place: Manuel Escribano’s solo fight against six bulls from Victorino — a bold and memorable gesture that will surely be one of the season’s defining moments.

The fair closes on Sunday 29 with a spectacular rejoneo featuring local rider Andy Cartagena from Benidorm, the great Diego Ventura, and the elegant Frenchwoman Lea Vicens. They’ll face bulls from Bohórquez — the perfect golden finale to an extraordinary fair.