Costa Blanca’s lively capital
With a traditional old quarter, two castles and gorgeous Baroque churches, Alicante has to be one of Spain’s most beautiful cities – and it’s one of the most fun, too. On Alicante holidays, you’ll be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of things to see and do at this popular resort on the Costa Blanca. Immerse yourself in historic sites, fantastic food, gorgeous natural scenery and plenty of places to party.
In the city itself, museums and art galleries will keep culture vultures happy, while foodies will have a field day sampling delicious Valencian specialities at Alicante’s restaurants and cafés. The resort is also popular with stag and hen parties, who come to enjoy Alicante’s legendary nightlife. There are plenty of cocktail bars and clubs where you can go wild until the wee hours of the morning. The next day, try some water sports, take a boat trip or simply catch up on some sleep at the beach. For all-round fun in the sun, holidays to Alicante have it covered.
Your Alicante City questions, answered
Alicante’s nightlife is mostly concentrated in the El Puerto and El Barrio neighbourhoods. You’ll find all sorts of bars, pubs and trendy clubs – check ahead for DJ listings.
Located in Valencia, the rice capital of Spain, Alicante has great dishes like ‘arroz a banda’ (rice, fish stock, saffron and seafood) or ‘arroz al horno’ (oven-baked rice with meat). Seafood is also great here.
Alicante enjoys hot summers and mild winters. If you want the classic Costa Blanca summer holiday, you might choose to go in July and August, when temperatures peak and the beaches throng with visitors. But the climate of the Balearic means the beaches are warm and welcoming from May to October. Alicante is a thriving city and its restaurants, museums and attractions are open all year round. No matter when you visit, there’s always something to do.
Whatever you’re looking for in a city break, Alicante is a good choice. This historic city combines food, nightlife and culture with a spectacular coastline, gentle waters and a range of Blue Flag beaches. It’s also a popular destination for golfers, with a huge variety of courses close at hand. There’s even one designed by the legendary Seve Ballesteros. Nature reserves are scattered around the city – havens for birdwatchers and wildlife spotters. It’s no surprise that people return to Alicante again and again. There’s just too much to see in a single trip.
Alicante has an excellent tram network, which makes getting around the city’s main attractions easy. If you want to go further afield, taxis are affordable and plentiful.
The Costa Blanca is rich in beautiful beaches and Alicante has some of the finest. There are beaches and coves all along the coastline. The central one is Playa del Postiguet, a beautiful sandy beach by Alicante harbour. Walk east, and you’ll come to the smaller beaches of Playa de la Albufereta and Playa de la Almadraba, near the Lucentum archaeological museum. Round the headland are some spectacular wild coves. Finally, Playa de las Huertas and Playa de San Juan stretch right along the eastern seafront. The nearby resorts of Villajoyosa and Torrevieja also have wonderful beaches to explore.
Alicante is proud of its culinary heritage, and rightly so. Rice and seafood are the stars of the show here, with local twists on classic Valencian dishes like paella, arroz a banda and arroz a costra. The restaurant scene is vibrant, varied and international. You’ll find plenty of exciting options, from Alicantino specialities to Spanish and Mediterranean classics and Chinese, Italian, Thai or Lebanese cuisine. An Alicante holiday is a fabulous choice for foodies. With so much fresh seafood and locally produced ingredients, you can eat well every day on any budget.
With its bars and restaurants, great nightlife and a vibrant cultural scene, Alicante is famous as a destination for sophisticated singles, romantic breaks and groups of friends. But there’s plenty for families, too. The city’s parks and beaches are clean, well-maintained and welcoming for children of all ages. Child-friendly attractions include the Ocean Race Museum, the Nativity Scene Museum and spectacular Santa Barbara Castle. Feel like exploring? Take a boat ride to Tabarca Island, or visit one of the many theme parks in the province.
Benidorm is about half an hour’s drive. If you don’t feel like hiring a car, you can reach Benidorm in about an hour on public transport. Buses and trams run frequently between the two towns. If you want to explore the Costa Blanca further, you can catch a bus or tram to the beautiful coastal town of Villajoyosa, 20 minutes north of Alicante. The buzzing resort of Torrevieja, half an hour or so south, is also worth a visit. Regular buses run to Torrevieja, and the ride takes an hour and 15 minutes.
Best things to do in Alicante City
Walk the promenade
Framed by swaying palm trees, Alicante’s wavy-patterned, marble-laid promenade is the best place in the city for people-watching. It makes for a great stroll at any time of the day.
Take in some art
Alicante is home to the brilliant MACA – its contemporary art museum – where you can marvel at more than 800 priceless pieces, including works by Dalí, Miró and Picasso.
Feast at the market
Head to the Mercado Central to try the most delicious bites in the city. There are stalls selling cured hams, tangy cheese, fresh fruits, seafood and more.
Beaches