Alicante
Spain
Why Alicante is a great destination
Alicante brings the Mediterranean city–beach mix—historic, foodie, and festive—without the crush or price tag of the headline hotspots.
- Vibe: Sun‑drenched and sociable; start with the evening paseo along the Explanada de España, then Saturday tardeo on Calle Castaños—vibrant yet grounded, with space to breathe compared to more hyped Med shores.
- Authenticity & value: Local life leads—€2–3 cañas and tapas at Mercado Central, neighbourhood squares in Carolinas and Benalúa, and laid‑back chiringuitos on San Juan Beach; great quality without the mark‑ups.
- Culture & traditions: Climb Santa Bárbara Castle above the Cara del Moro, wander the flower‑pot lanes of Barrio de Santa Cruz, time your trip for Hogueras de San Juan (mascletàs at Plaza de los Luceros and the climactic cremà); snack on coca amb tonyina and arroz a banda.
- Pace & seasons: Follow the easy rhythm—long lunches, siesta calm, late dinners; spring and autumn shine with perfect weather and fewer visitors, beaches from Postiguet to San Juan pleasantly lively, not packed.
Who should go to Alicante?
Alicante suits travellers who want Mediterranean sunshine with a real-city heartbeat. It blends unhurried, sea-breezy days with a vivid social scene—think Saturday tardeo over all-night clubbing—feeling more grounded than Marbella and far less hedonistic than Ibiza. With beaches, a hilltop castle, authentic neighbourhoods and year-round festivals, it’s ideal for culture-curious visitors who still want an easygoing escape. Come for the light; stay for terrace life, local squares and that warm “la terreta” sense of belonging.
- History lovers: Scale Santa Bárbara Castle, wander the flower-framed lanes of Santa Cruz, and time your visit for Moors & Christians parades that bring medieval Alicante to life.
- Festival fans: Join June’s Hogueras de San Juan—mascletà at 2 pm, floral offerings and the fiery cremà—or dip into Santa Faz, Carnival and summer firework nights on Postiguet.
- Foodies: Graze Mercado Central, then do a tapeo between bars for arroz dishes, seafood and vermouth—high on flavour, low on fuss, and kinder on the wallet than bigger-name Med hotspots.
- Scenery seekers: Stroll the palm-lined Explanada, beach-hop from Postiguet to San Juan, and catch golden-hour views from the castle over the Mediterranean.
- Social butterflies: Embrace the signature Saturday tardeo on Calle Castaños and the Old Town’s bars for lively, day-into-evening mingling without the hassle of mega-clubs.
- City-breakers: Compact, walkable and TRAM-connected to the beaches, Alicante makes an easy weekend base—more authentic than resort-heavy Benidorm yet minutes from the same coast.
Who should go to Alicante?
Alicante suits travellers who want Mediterranean sunshine with a real-city heartbeat. It blends unhurried, sea-breezy days with a vivid social scene—think Saturday tardeo over all-night clubbing—feeling more grounded than Marbella and far less hedonistic than Ibiza. With beaches, a hilltop castle, authentic neighbourhoods and year-round festivals, it’s ideal for culture-curious visitors who still want an easygoing escape. Come for the light; stay for terrace life, local squares and that warm “la terreta” sense of belonging.
- History lovers: Scale Santa Bárbara Castle, wander the flower-framed lanes of Santa Cruz, and time your visit for Moors & Christians parades that bring medieval Alicante to life.
- Festival fans: Join June’s Hogueras de San Juan—mascletà at 2 pm, floral offerings and the fiery cremà—or dip into Santa Faz, Carnival and summer firework nights on Postiguet.
- Foodies: Graze Mercado Central, then do a tapeo between bars for arroz dishes, seafood and vermouth—high on flavour, low on fuss, and kinder on the wallet than bigger-name Med hotspots.
- Scenery seekers: Stroll the palm-lined Explanada, beach-hop from Postiguet to San Juan, and catch golden-hour views from the castle over the Mediterranean.
- Social butterflies: Embrace the signature Saturday tardeo on Calle Castaños and the Old Town’s bars for lively, day-into-evening mingling without the hassle of mega-clubs.
- City-breakers: Compact, walkable and TRAM-connected to the beaches, Alicante makes an easy weekend base—more authentic than resort-heavy Benidorm yet minutes from the same coast.
Top things to do in Alicante
These are the unmissable highlights of Alicante, blending its relaxed Mediterranean soul with sociable energy. Do these to feel the city’s relaxed-by-day, lively-by-night vibe.
- Walk the Explanada de España at sunset beneath the palms, joining the local paseo by the marina.
- Explore the atmospheric Barrio de Santa Cruz’s flower-lined lanes and hillside viewpoints.
- Visit Mercado Central late morning for tapas and people-watching, then spill into Plaza del 25 de Mayo.
- Take part in Saturday tardeo along Calle Castaños, bar-hopping with cañas and music from midday.
- Hike up Mount Benacantil to Castillo de Santa Bárbara for panoramic sea views and Moorish legend.
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Top things to do in Alicante
These are the unmissable highlights of Alicante, blending its relaxed Mediterranean soul with sociable energy. Do these to feel the city’s relaxed-by-day, lively-by-night vibe.
- Walk the Explanada de España at sunset beneath the palms, joining the local paseo by the marina.
- Explore the atmospheric Barrio de Santa Cruz’s flower-lined lanes and hillside viewpoints.
- Visit Mercado Central late morning for tapas and people-watching, then spill into Plaza del 25 de Mayo.
- Take part in Saturday tardeo along Calle Castaños, bar-hopping with cañas and music from midday.
- Hike up Mount Benacantil to Castillo de Santa Bárbara for panoramic sea views and Moorish legend.
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3-day Alicante itinerary
Day 1: Castle views, old town charm and the Mediterranean
Ease into Alicante’s relaxed rhythm with sea breezes, palm-lined promenades and hillside views. Today balances unhurried mornings with a classic evening paseo and tapas in the old quarter.
- Morning: Ride the lift (or hike) up to Santa Bárbara Castle for panoramic views, then wander down through the whitewashed lanes of Santa Cruz. Pause for a coffee in Plaza de Gabriel Miró and greet staff with a friendly hola – lingering is expected.
- Midday: Duck into Mercado Central for a light graze of tortilla, jamón and a caña; it’s buzzy on Saturdays (pre-tardeo), calmer midweek. If you’re here in late June, consider shifting lunch earlier to make the 14:00 mascletà at Plaza de los Luceros (arrive 30 minutes ahead; bring ear protection).
- Afternoon: Siesta-by-the-sea at Playa del Postiguet; walk east to the quieter end where locals read and nap. On hot summer days, plan shade and SPF – the UV is fierce between 14:00–17:00 and many shops close.
- Evening: Join the paseo along the Explanada de España, then tapas-hop in El Barrio around the Concatedral de San Nicolás; dinner starts from 21:00. Night owls can try a relaxed cocktail bar or a live-music spot off Calle Labradores (watch for pickpockets in crowds).
Day 2: Beach morning, Saturday tardeo and a lively night
Let the morning stay unhurried, then surf Alicante’s social heartbeat. If it’s Saturday, the famed tardeo turns afternoon into the main event; if not, swap in a museum stop.
- Morning: Take the TRAM (L4) to Playa de San Juan for a swim and an easy chiringuito coffee; book ahead if you want paella by the sand on weekends. In cooler months, consider MACA (modern art) or MARQ (archaeology) instead.
- Midday: If Saturday, start around Mercado Central with a standing tapa and small beer, then flow towards Calle Castaños as the tardeo gathers pace from ~13:00. Any other day, enjoy a long, local lunch in Benalúa or around Gabriel Miró – sobremesa is part of the pleasure.
- Afternoon: Continue bar-hopping one-or-two drinks per place along Castaños (the point is to mingle, not rush). Tip: wear comfy shoes, keep cash handy, and hydrate – it’s social, sunny and loud.
- Evening: After tardeo, many locals wind down with a light supper at home; you can opt for a mellow marina stroll and seafood near the port. Summer nights run late; in June’s Hogueras, check for fireworks by Postiguet and street parties in neighbourhood barracas (public ones are signed).
Day 3: Island escape, neighbourhood life and farewell paseo
Sundays in Alicante feel familial and unpretentious. Choose a sea-sprayed island outing or linger in local quarters before a final sunset stroll.
- Morning: Boat to Tabarca Island (45–60 mins; seas can be choppy in winter/ windy days). Explore the walled village, snorkel clear coves, and book an arroz a banda lunch early; otherwise, stay in town for MARQ plus a coffee in Carolinas Altas to watch everyday life unfold.
- Midday: Long lunch – on Tabarca with seafood rice, or back in the city at a traditional arrocería (rice is best midday). Spring note: on the second Thursday after Easter, join the Santa Faz pilgrimage (start early; expect closures and festive stalls).
- Afternoon: Return for an easy tram ride or seaside amble; if you skipped Tabarca, head to Raval Roig or San Roque for old-school neighbourhood vibes. In festival seasons (June Hogueras, various Moors and Christians dates), check local schedules for parades and flower offerings.
- Evening: Savour a last paseo on the Explanada and a vermouth or horchata. Dine late on shared tapas; try coca amb tonyina in June, and order a paloma (anisette with cold water) like a local. Remember: no need to rush service – your table is yours for the night.
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Food and drink in Alicante
Alicante’s food culture is Mediterranean to its core: rice cooked in rich broths, super-fresh seafood, and simple, produce-led tapas. Meals are social and unhurried, anchored by long lunches and a lively Saturday tardeo, with daily life orbiting cafés, markets, terraces and beach chiringuitos.
- Arroz a banda – Alicante’s signature rice cooked in deeply flavoured fish stock, often topped with seafood and prized for its crispy socarrat. Best savoured at relaxed family lunches in neighbourhood restaurants or barefoot at chiringuitos along Playa de San Juan.
- Coca amb tonyina – A flaky pastry filled with tuna, onion and pine nuts; a Hogueras classic that’s also found year‑round. Grab it warm with a caña at market bars or from street stalls when festivals spill into the squares.
- Tardeo tapas crawl – A Saturday afternoon ritual of bar‑hopping with small beers or vermouth and shared tapas. Join the crowds flowing out of Mercado Central before drifting along Calle Castaños’ terraces and bars.
- La paloma – A refreshing mix of anís and cold water that’s light, aromatic and a festival favourite. Order it on sunlit terraces, in cafés at aperitif hour, or inside barracas during Hogueras.
Eat like a local: Discover Alicante top-rated restaurants on Tripadvisor
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Food and drink in Alicante
Alicante’s food culture is Mediterranean to its core: rice cooked in rich broths, super-fresh seafood, and simple, produce-led tapas. Meals are social and unhurried, anchored by long lunches and a lively Saturday tardeo, with daily life orbiting cafés, markets, terraces and beach chiringuitos.
- Arroz a banda – Alicante’s signature rice cooked in deeply flavoured fish stock, often topped with seafood and prized for its crispy socarrat. Best savoured at relaxed family lunches in neighbourhood restaurants or barefoot at chiringuitos along Playa de San Juan.
- Coca amb tonyina – A flaky pastry filled with tuna, onion and pine nuts; a Hogueras classic that’s also found year‑round. Grab it warm with a caña at market bars or from street stalls when festivals spill into the squares.
- Tardeo tapas crawl – A Saturday afternoon ritual of bar‑hopping with small beers or vermouth and shared tapas. Join the crowds flowing out of Mercado Central before drifting along Calle Castaños’ terraces and bars.
- La paloma – A refreshing mix of anís and cold water that’s light, aromatic and a festival favourite. Order it on sunlit terraces, in cafés at aperitif hour, or inside barracas during Hogueras.
Eat like a local: Discover Alicante top-rated restaurants on Tripadvisor
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Where to stay in Alicante
Choosing the right base in Alicante shapes your trip: each neighbourhood has a distinct rhythm, from lazy beach days to buzzing street life. Rather than a specific hotel, decide the vibe you want—historic lanes, seaside ease, or late‑afternoon social energy—and pick the area to match.
- Centro & Explanada (Ensanche–Diputación) — Walkable hub by the Explanada and Mercado Central with buzzy tardeo on Calle Castaños; ideal for first‑timers who want bars, cafés and transport on the doorstep.
- El Barrio (Casco Antiguo) & Santa Cruz — Atmospheric old town of cobbled lanes, tapas bars and castle views; suits history lovers and night owls, but expect steps and some late‑night noise.
- Playa del Postiguet — City‑centre beach zone minutes from the marina and lifts to the castle; perfect for quick beach breaks and families who want sand without sacrificing sightseeing.
- Playa de San Juan — Long, sandy beach with chiringuitos and space to breathe; best for families and relaxed stays, with calmer nights and an easy TRAM ride (20–25 min) to the centre.
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Where to stay in Alicante
Choosing the right base in Alicante shapes your trip: each neighbourhood has a distinct rhythm, from lazy beach days to buzzing street life. Rather than a specific hotel, decide the vibe you want—historic lanes, seaside ease, or late‑afternoon social energy—and pick the area to match.
- Centro & Explanada (Ensanche–Diputación) — Walkable hub by the Explanada and Mercado Central with buzzy tardeo on Calle Castaños; ideal for first‑timers who want bars, cafés and transport on the doorstep.
- El Barrio (Casco Antiguo) & Santa Cruz — Atmospheric old town of cobbled lanes, tapas bars and castle views; suits history lovers and night owls, but expect steps and some late‑night noise.
- Playa del Postiguet — City‑centre beach zone minutes from the marina and lifts to the castle; perfect for quick beach breaks and families who want sand without sacrificing sightseeing.
- Playa de San Juan — Long, sandy beach with chiringuitos and space to breathe; best for families and relaxed stays, with calmer nights and an easy TRAM ride (20–25 min) to the centre.
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Good to know before you go to Alicante
Travel to Alicante is straightforward: the centre is compact, public transport is handy, and getting around is easy, but a few local details make planning smoother. The city runs on a Mediterranean rhythm (slow afternoons, late dinners), and festivals can shift prices and pace, so timing matters.
- Affordability: Good value by Spanish Med standards—coffee or a caña €1.50–3, tapas from €2–4, menú del día €12–16; accommodation is affordable off‑season but rises sharply for Hogueras (late June) and in summer.
- Transport: The old town, Explanada and beachfront are very walkable; the TRAM and buses cover the city and beaches (Playa de San Juan) and reach coastal towns (e.g., Benidorm, Altea), with boats to Tabarca island and car hire useful for inland villages.
- Language: Spanish and Valencian are spoken; English is widely understood in tourist areas and by younger locals, but simple greetings (hola, gracias) go a long way in neighbourhood spots.
- Safety & comfort: Generally safe and friendly for families and solo travellers—use normal city sense against petty theft in crowded areas (markets, Tardeo, festivals) and expect heat and loud fireworks during Hogueras.
- Crowds: Expect the biggest crowds during Hogueras (20–24 June) and July–August beach season, with busy Saturday tardeo afternoons in the centre; March–May and September–November are the sweet spots for lighter crowds and great weather.
Good to know before you go to Alicante
Travel to Alicante is straightforward: the centre is compact, public transport is handy, and getting around is easy, but a few local details make planning smoother. The city runs on a Mediterranean rhythm (slow afternoons, late dinners), and festivals can shift prices and pace, so timing matters.
- Affordability: Good value by Spanish Med standards—coffee or a caña €1.50–3, tapas from €2–4, menú del día €12–16; accommodation is affordable off‑season but rises sharply for Hogueras (late June) and in summer.
- Transport: The old town, Explanada and beachfront are very walkable; the TRAM and buses cover the city and beaches (Playa de San Juan) and reach coastal towns (e.g., Benidorm, Altea), with boats to Tabarca island and car hire useful for inland villages.
- Language: Spanish and Valencian are spoken; English is widely understood in tourist areas and by younger locals, but simple greetings (hola, gracias) go a long way in neighbourhood spots.
- Safety & comfort: Generally safe and friendly for families and solo travellers—use normal city sense against petty theft in crowded areas (markets, Tardeo, festivals) and expect heat and loud fireworks during Hogueras.
- Crowds: Expect the biggest crowds during Hogueras (20–24 June) and July–August beach season, with busy Saturday tardeo afternoons in the centre; March–May and September–November are the sweet spots for lighter crowds and great weather.
Best time to go to Alicante
Seasonality in Alicante shifts from mellow, sunshine-filled shoulder months to an explosive late‑June festival peak and hot, beach‑driven high summer. Spring and autumn show the city’s “relaxed dynamism,” while Hogueras (20–24 June) delivers maximum spectacle and crowds.
- Shoulder Season (Mar–May & Sep–Nov): Warm, dry and bright; moderate crowds; balanced, relaxed‑but‑sociable vibe perfect for terraces, paseo and day trips.
- Hogueras Week (20–24 June): Hot early summer weather; heaving crowds; electrifying citywide fiesta energy (mascletàs, barracas, la Cremà)—book well ahead.
- High Summer (Jul–Aug): Very hot and humid; busiest beaches and nightlife; laid‑back, beach‑centric days with a lively, international evening buzz.
Best time to go to Alicante
Seasonality in Alicante shifts from mellow, sunshine-filled shoulder months to an explosive late‑June festival peak and hot, beach‑driven high summer. Spring and autumn show the city’s “relaxed dynamism,” while Hogueras (20–24 June) delivers maximum spectacle and crowds.
- Shoulder Season (Mar–May & Sep–Nov): Warm, dry and bright; moderate crowds; balanced, relaxed‑but‑sociable vibe perfect for terraces, paseo and day trips.
- Hogueras Week (20–24 June): Hot early summer weather; heaving crowds; electrifying citywide fiesta energy (mascletàs, barracas, la Cremà)—book well ahead.
- High Summer (Jul–Aug): Very hot and humid; busiest beaches and nightlife; laid‑back, beach‑centric days with a lively, international evening buzz.
Share Alicante with friends and start planning your trip together.
How to get to Alicante
By Air
- Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC), 10 km SW of the centre.
- Airport bus C-6 to the city centre (Luceros TRAM, Mercado, near Alicante–Terminal/ADIF): every ~20 min; 20–25 min.
- Taxi: 15–20 min to central Alicante; approx. €25–€30.
- Región de Murcia International (RMU, Corvera), ~95 km: 1–1¼ hrs by car; public transport typically via Murcia city.
- Valencia (VLC), ~165–170 km: 1¾–2 hrs by car; bus/train via Valencia city.
By Train
- Main station: Alicante–Terminal (ADIF), central.
- High-speed (Renfe AVE/Avlo):
- Madrid (Puerta de Atocha–Almudena Grandes): ~2h15–2h35; frequent daily services.
- Long-distance (Euromed/Intercity):
- Valencia (Joaquín Sorolla): ~1h45–2h.
- Barcelona (Sants): ~4h45–5h30 (direct Euromed/Intercity).
- Regional/Cercanías:
- Murcia: ~1h–1h20 (direct services).
- Note: The Alicante TRAM (FGV) links the city with El Campello, Benidorm and Dénia (useful for Costa Blanca travel; not for intercity arrivals).
By Bus
- Main station: Estación de Autobuses (near the port, Muelle de Poniente).
- Key ALSA routes (typical times):
- Madrid (Estación Sur/T4): ~4h45–5h30 (some direct airport services).
- Valencia: ~2h30–3h.
- Murcia: ~1h–1h30.
- Benidorm: ~45–60 min.
- Granada: ~5–6h; Málaga: ~7–8h; Seville: ~9–10h.
By Car
- Primary roads:
- A-31 to Madrid (via Albacete): ~420 km, ~4–4½ hrs.
- AP-7/A-7 (Mediterranean corridor) to Valencia (~165 km, ~1¾–2 hrs) and Murcia (~80–95 km, ~1 hr). The AP-7 is largely toll-free on this stretch.
- Local ring road: A-70 around Alicante.
- Parking: limited in the centre (blue zones and underground car parks); consider park-and-walk or TRAM for central visits.
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