What to do in Alicante?

Alicante – Spain

• Location

Alicante is a city located in south-eastern Spain by the Mediterranean Sea on the beautiful Costa Blanca. It is the name of both the city and the province situated within its border.

The city is located at the foot of the rocky hill of Mount Benacantil. On the very top of the mountain, the famous Castillo de Santa Barbara fortification was built. It stands at 166 meters above sea level, and it dominates the city, making it remarkably unique.

The city is situated at the historic Mediterranean port. It is considered to be one of the most important ports in the whole of Spain for cruises.

Alicante is especially famous for its fantastic beaches. The economy of the country depends mainly on tourism thanks to breathtaking coasts such as Costa Blanca.

• History

The history of the city dates back to 324 BC when it was first established. Since then, the region has undergone many changes and many different tribes have settled around the area. However, the first necessary tourist transformations have begun in the late 1950s and early 1960s. New complexes started to appear, which brought even more tourists happy with the climate and vicinity.

The changes implemented in the region created many splendid places to visit. Now, we can admire the gorgeous architecture, beaches and districts there.

• Population

The estimated number of inhabitants of Alicante in 2020 was 337,482. The metropolitan area called Alicante-Elche had around 768,194 citizens at that time. In the region, we can meet many immigrants who come from Africa, America and Europe. Approximately 20-25% of people moved to the city from abroad.

• Culture and traditions

Spanish customs are one of a kind. If you’ve ever been to Spain, you must admit that there is no other place like this one. Even a simple walk around the city seems to be magical. Strolling around the tiny streets and hearing traditional Spanish music will make you feel connected with the people and the culture.

If you want to experience real fun, you should participate in one of the largest festivals in Alicante. The most popular one is called Hogueras de San Juan. It is organised from the 20th to the 24th of June. The most important day is the 23rd when

• Climate

Alicante is instead a hot city with high temperatures in summer and warm winters. During Christmas time, you can even expect around 20 degrees outside! It’s a perfect choice for those who don’t like cold weather and would rather spend their time in Alicante’s hot region.

Popular places

Now, it’s time we mentioned the most popular places in the area. Alicante is a small city. However, it is an advantage in this case. The city has one of the most beautiful beaches where you can chill under the palm trees and drink your delicious cocktail.

The distance between places worth visiting is small, so you can stroll around and enjoy the view anywhere you are. Over there, many attractions are waiting around the corner. The best things to do are readily available for you.

Costa Blanca Alicante

Costa Blanca is a 200 km long coast located by the Mediterranean Sea. We can travel to many stunning towns and cities and enjoy the spirit of sunny days and divine beaches on the coast.

Of all the cities in Costa Blanca, the most famous ones are Benidorm and Alicante. The atmosphere in these two sites is one of a kind. It’s not a surprise that they are the most visited cities there. The best places to visit are situated in those very spots.

The Old Town

Filled with tiny paths, the Old Town offers you a great atmosphere and a unique experience. Just walk along the narrow streets and enjoy the view of original detached, whitewashed houses. Discover the city centre with the finest tapas bars, restaurants with Valencian cuisine and art galleries. 

From the Old Town, you can take a walk to the district nearby and explore both culture and nightlife of Santa Cruz.

Castillo de Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Castle is a fortress from the 9th century that is located on Mount Benacantil. It is situated 166 meters above sea level and proudly represents the city of Alicante. From the top of the mountain, you can admire a beautiful beach and view the Mediterranean Sea. If you are interested in visiting this thrilling destination, you can reach it by car, bus, or on foot. To get there by car, you need only 5 minutes from the city centre. For a more challenging way, choose climbing the mountain. It takes around one hour. You can also try using a lift, but it’s not free of charge, and you need to pay around 3 euros. To enter the castle, you do not have to pay anything.

Playa De San Juan

This is Alicante’s most beautiful beach and district, without a doubt! Over there, you will find many highly-rated local restaurants with delicious food and great music. Visit cool sites such as CIRCO Playa San Juan, Restaurante Casa Julio, Restaurante Casa Domingo, Xeven Beach Club, or Chiringuito Remember located just by the sea. A big, sandy beach will be perfect for a relaxing day after sightseeing.

Playa del Postiguet

Another exciting point on the map is Postiguet Beach. It’s a very convenient destination because it is located next to the city centre along the famous promenade Paseo de Gómiz. The beach is a perfect place to chill after visiting the heart of Alicante.

The main features of this place are the enormous size of the seashore, beautiful white sand, playgrounds for kids, and plenty of facilities around Postiguet beach.

Mercado central de Alicante

If you want to try delicious fish, meat, fruit and vegetables, go to The Central Market. Mercado Central is a typical Spanish spot where people get their groceries and enjoy fresh food every day. To get inside, you can choose one of the three entrances. There are two floors, each of them with different products. Visiting the Market will let you feel the atmosphere of Alicante.

It’s a nice place to visit, especially in the morning when everything is fresh and the stalls are filled with plenty of items.

Basilica of Santa Maria

It’s a must-see address on a map. You may ask why?  You don’t want to miss the oldest active church in Alicante. Built from the remains of a mosque between the 14th and 16th centuries, the basilica represents the original Valencian Gothic style. In 2007, the church was officially ranked as a basilica.

Alicante Museum of Contemporary Art MACA

Alicante Museum of Contemporary Art is a must-see place for all art lovers. The museum exhibitions focus on the 20th century and contemporary art. It gathers three permanent collections and 800 art pieces. In the museum, we can admire the works of  Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and much more. Also, you will have the opportunity to marvel at local artist’s works – Juana Francés.

Alicante’s famous museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm, and Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm.

One Day tours from Alicante

There are many stunning places around Alicante too! Travel to the places nearby and experience the best things in life.

Many attractions are easily reachable because of the short distance between towns and cities.

Tabarca Island

Tabarca Island is located around 8 miles from Alicante. It is a quiet place where you can run away from the city rush and enjoy peace. It was proclaimed a marine reserve in 1986 thanks to its clear water, ample flora, fauna, and natural environment.

Take an exciting day trip and try and try amazing Caldero Tabarquino – a unique rice dish and fish. Visit historical places such as the gates of San Rafael, San Miguel and San Gabriel.

For scuba diving fans, we recommend taking the opportunity and checking out the Tabarca’s marine life. 

Tips and fun things for your Alicante trip

• Restaurants

If you want to try excellent Spanish food,  you should not forget about visiting local restaurants. The restaurants listed as the best ones in google reviews are, for example, MoMO Raw Vegan Urban Gallery, La Crispeta or Restaurant Espacio Montoro.

Being in Alicante gives you an excellent opportunity to try authentic Valencian cuisine. If you are in a restaurant you should pay attention to dishes such as Paella – the most popular one, fideuà, arròs negre, arròs a banda, gazpacho, or arròs amb conill i cargols.

• Paella

The most recognisable dish in all of Spain. It can be served in two main ways: with chicken and rabbit or seafood. It is combined with tasty rice that gives fantastic flavour to the whole meal.

• Fideuà

It is a typical Valencian dish with noodles and seafood.

• Arròs Negre

Choose it if you enjoy eating squid, squid ink and rice 🙂

• Arròs a banda

A simple dish from Valencia consisting of rice, fish and garlic

• Gazpacho

Another favourite meal from Spain, especially the Centre and the South. It is often called Andalusian Gazpacho. The soup consists of raw blended vegetables. 

FAQ

How do I get from Alicante Airport to Alicante?

The easiest and the most comfortable way to get from the airport to the city centre and save a lot of time is to travel by car. Check out our offer –> https://mrshuttle.com/transfer/alicante-airport-to-alicante-city-center-transfer/ and see how cool it is to travel with Mr.Shuttle. There are no hidden costs! You will be taken from the airport directly to your place of stay.

How many days should I stay in Alicante?

To see all the attractions inside the city you need around three days. If you want to travel around and discover more, you need about 4-5 days.

Visit Alicante and create the best memories ever!