The Top Things to See and Do in Alicante

Alicante, a coastal city in southeastern Spain, is popular among tourists due to its unique location and beautiful landscapes. Known as Alacant in Valenciano, Alicante is nestled on the Mediterranean Sea, along the Costa Blanca. It is acclaimed for having some of the best beaches in Spain! Besides, Alicante is a treasure trove of attractions and historical buildings, ensuring there’s never a dull moment in the city. This region has been inhabited since approximately 5000-3000 BC, boasting an incredibly rich history.

There are myriad reasons to visit this exquisite city. For instance, Alicante houses several museums where art and history enthusiasts can immerse themselves in fascinating exhibits. As evening rolls in, you can settle down in a restaurant, sipping on wine or indulging in a scrumptious Spanish meal.

Having visited Alicante in both summer and winter, I can vouch for its allure year-round. The photos featured in this post are from August, September, and January. In this post, I’ll delve into what to see in Alicante, the best spots for beach-going, and which pubs are worth your time for a meal or a coffee.

Alicante – Map of Attractions

To start off, I’d like to emphasize the importance of an itinerary, as without one, navigation can be quite challenging. I’ve prepared a map featuring points of interest in Alicante to assist you in finding your way around, plotting your routes, and making the most of your trip. This map includes the places of interest that I will outline in this post.

You can conveniently add this map to your Google Maps application. To do this, simply access the site via your phone, click on the map zoom [ ] icon in the upper right corner, and the app will automatically launch with the map displayed below.

What are the Best Attractions in Alicante?

Alicante, known for its myriad attractions, ranging from monuments and beaches to viewpoints and museums, promises something for every visitor. The most iconic site in Alicante is the Castillo de Santa Bárbara, a castle that stands as the city’s most prominent landmark. Not only does it hold historical significance, but it also offers breathtaking views. There are multiple ways to reach the castle, including walking, taking a bus, or driving (though the parking lot is situated a few hundred meters from the castle). You could even take an elevator from the beach, though it’s worth noting that the elevator has been out of service for several months, so it’s best not to count on it.

Contrary to what one might think, the Castillo de Santa Bárbara is not the only castle in Alicante. The Castell de Sant Ferran, while not as visually stunning and mostly in ruins, provides a spectacular vantage point for viewing the city and the aforementioned Castillo de Santa Bárbara. You can reach this viewpoint by car. As it’s not one of the main attractions, it tends to be a quieter spot, making it a hidden gem.

What to See in Alicante

So, what else is worth seeing in Alicante?

Certainly, the district referred to as El Barrio or Barrio de Cruz, which translates to the Old Town in English. As you meander through the narrow streets, you’ll encounter several distinctive buildings, such as the 17th-century St. Nicholas Concathedral, topped with a blue dome, and the imposing City Hall, nestled among the ruins of medieval walls. The Old Town is also home to the 14th-century Basílica de Santa María church, which interestingly, served as a mosque for many years.

Centro – A Neighborhood Full of Interesting Places in Alicante!

Another neighborhood worth exploring is Centro, aptly named as it is the city center. Extremely popular and meticulously maintained, it teems with people and is considered the pulsating heart of Alicante. Here, you’ll discover beautiful squares adorned with enormous fig trees and even fountains, such as in the case of Plaza de Gabriel Miró. It’s worth stopping by Plaza de la Puerta de San Francisco, renowned for its designer boutiques. Plaza Portal de Elche, with its impressive fig tree, is a sight to behold. In addition, make sure to stroll along Explanada de España and visit the historic market hall.

Other Interesting Places in Alicante Include:

• Mushroom Street, a unique thoroughfare adorned with large mushroom sculptures.
• Alicante Archaeological Museum.

To fully experience all the attractions, a week might not suffice. However, if you wish to explore Alicante within a few hours, you’ll need to have a good level of fitness.

Parc El Palmerar: A Palm Park in Alicante

While the Palm Park in Elche boasts the largest collection of palm trees in Spain, you don’t have to travel far to see these majestic trees in Alicante. Parc El Palmerar, though smaller, is undeniably striking. The park is well-kept and photogenic, featuring a waterfall and flowing streams as its unique selling points. It’s common to see kittens strolling around the park and, remarkably, it remains uncrowded both in summer and winter, making it an ideal spot for photoshoots and relaxation.

This park is located on the outskirts of the city and is absolutely worth the drive! The Alicante Palm Park is equipped with a cafe and plenty of benches, inviting you to pack a picnic and revel in the beauty of the location.

Beaches in Alicante

No guide to Alicante would be complete without mentioning its renowned beaches. Alicante and its surrounding areas are celebrated for some of the finest sandy beaches in Spain, with over a dozen within the city limits. The beaches in Alicante include:

• Agua Amarga
• Almadraba
• Cala Cantalar
• Cala Sangueta
• Carabassí
• La Albufereta
• Postiguet
• Saladares
• San Gabriel
• San Juan

My personal favorite is San Juan Playa. Even during peak season, parking was readily available, and there’s an array of restaurants to choose from. The sand is soft, and there’s ample space to spread out and relax. I acknowledge that other beaches might be more visually stunning, but San Juan Playa is where I found the most tranquility. Furthermore, I’m particularly eager to visit Carabassi, as the photos I’ve seen make it look incredibly appealing.

Where to Eat in Alicante?

• Among Alicante’s restaurants, I highly recommend Restaurante Los Porrones. It’s particularly enjoyable at lunchtime when a full set meal, including an appetizer, main course, and wine, is available at a significantly reduced price. Expect flavorful dishes, generous portions, and friendly service.
• For those interested in chain restaurants, TacoBell offers tacos and various Mexican specialties in Spain. While I enjoyed this place in the U.S., it didn’t quite meet my expectations here.
• If you’re in the mood for a picnic, consider grabbing a takeaway lunch to enjoy at Parc El Palmerar.

Where to Get Coffee in Alicante?

We visited Tierra Solidaria and Mandala Cafe, both of which I highly recommend for their excellent coffee and pleasant service. If you’re craving churros, you can easily find them near the beach entrance at a stall in Placa Porta del Mar. It’s worth visiting a beachside cafe to enjoy a sweet cappuccino with a view!

Renting a Car in Alicante

Car rentals are available in the city and at Alicante’s airport. The cost varies:

• In August, we rented a car from RecordGo at the airport. We paid less than 100 euros for a week’s rental, with insurance purchased separately.
• In January, we rented a car from Budget for two days, costing 60 euro plus insurance. We picked up the vehicle at the station in Alicante and returned it in Valencia.

Alicante Airport – How to Reach the City?

If you opt not to rent a car, you can take a taxi or bus to the city center. The bus stop, serviced by line C-6, is conveniently located just below the terminal. As of January 2022, the fare was 3.85 euros.

Accommodation in Alicante

Alicante offers a wide selection of hotels and rental apartments. Regardless of the time of year, there were plenty of options. In the winter, we stayed in a rented apartment in the city center, while in the summer, we rented a house in the mountains.

• You can find a reliable and comfortable apartment (three rooms) in the center of Alicante here.
• The most charming hotel in Alicante, perfect for a romantic getaway, can be found here.
• This hotel, located in the center of Alicante, is popular among tourists.
• A stunning apartment with sea views can be found here.

To explore a variety of quality accommodations in Alicante, check out the following link: Alicante Accommodation.

Weather in Alicante

Before visiting Alicante, it’s essential to check the weather. In winter, for instance in January, the weather in Alicante may not always be ideal for beach activities. The average daytime temperature is around 17°C, occasionally reaching up to 20°C, but there can be chillier days. However, if sightseeing is your thing, vacationing during this period can be a huge success! As you might expect in Spain, summer is quite hot, and even in autumn, October in Alicante remains very warm! The temperature can reach 30°C, and despite the sea starting to cool down, it’s still warm enough for a swim.

Why Visit Alicante?

The city mainly draws visitors with its famous attractions and beaches, nestled in the heart of the Costa Blanca. Alicante is beautiful, atmospheric, and it’s no surprise that it has become one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting millions of visitors annually. I highly recommend Alicante and its surroundings – there’s a reason I’ve returned multiple times, and I don’t believe it will be my last visit.

It’s worth noting that the places and points of interest mentioned above don’t exhaust everything Alicante has to offer. There are countless fascinating facts about Alicante. Here are some that were shared with me by one of my readers who resides in Alicante:

• Did you know about the Lovers’ Park? Look at the map and search for Plaza de Gabriel Miro. In the 19th century, the Mediterranean Sea reached this location!
• Here’s a second interesting fact about Alicante: in the mountains of Serra Grossa, you’ll find reservoirs from the former La Brittanica complex.
• Interestingly, the origins of the city’s founding aren’t located in Alicante itself, but in a place called Luceros.
• The history of Alicante’s second castle, which is currently inaccessible, is also fascinating. But you’ll have to explore that one on your own!

If you have any tips or suggestions for visiting Alicante, I look forward to reading your comments! Also, check out:

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