10 Things to Do and See in Alicante, Spain

There is a short poem by Jacques Prévert titled "Alicante" that goes like this: "An orange on the table, your dress on the floor, and in my bed, you, sweet gift of the present, coolness of the night, warmth of my life." When the French poet wrote these lines in the '60s, Alicante was a bit less crowded with people and concrete, and this part of Spain was a promised land for those seeking solitude and nature.

Fortunately, unlike the nearby locations of the Costa del Sol, Alicante has managed to halt environmental destruction in time and today is a beautiful seaside city, with a few neon lights and high-rises but still maintaining a village-like fishing atmosphere.

Just turn the corner and leave the more touristy streets to find the ambiance that inspired Prévert's verses. On this page, we recommend 10 things to do and see in Alicante.

An omnipresent reference for both tourists and locals, Santa Barbara Castle dominates Alicante and its bay from a height of 166 meters. The castle is the largest medieval fortress in Spain and is the result of successive constructions that began in the 1300s.

The oldest part is the "Torretta" in the highest area, followed by the central part with the "Hall of Felipe II," the "Queen's Bastion," the "Armory," and the "Guardhouse." The last part built was the Revellín del Bon Repós in the lowest area. The castle is the final destination of every stroll in Alicante, especially in summer when the coolness enjoyed at that height helps to face the warm Spanish nights.

You can reach it on foot or by elevator from Postiguet Beach, or by car or on the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus. From the same beach, you can admire the "Cala del Moro," the "Moor's Face" sculpted by nature in the rock right under the walls of the castle. Impressive!

Opening hours: from November 15 to February 27 and from September 5 to November 14: daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. from February 28 to June 16: daily from 10 AM to 8 PM. from June 17 to September 4: daily from 10 AM to 11 PM. Last admission 30 minutes before closing. Open 7 days a week. Ticket price: free How to get there: 30 minutes walking from the center, by taxi, elevator on Juan Bautista Lafora avenue (across from Postiguet Beach), or by minibus from Plaza Gómez Ulla, in front of MARQ to the castle and vice versa.

Much of Alicante's summer life takes place on its beaches. Clean, organized, easily accessible, and free, they are the main reason why people choose this Spanish town as a holiday destination. There is no need for a car, and public transport is unnecessary.

In the historic center, beneath Santa Barbara Castle and at the end of Explanada de España, lies Postiguet Beach, which is very loved by locals. A bit farther from the center is San Juan Beach, the most well-known and appreciated beach in Alicante.

3 kilometers of fine sand, crystal-clear water that truly has it all: small soccer fields, tennis courts, volleyball, water sports, restaurants, beach bars, artisanal shops, and activities for both adults and children.

Very busy in summer, but the vast stretch of sand allows everyone to find their own spot in the sun! It can be reached by tram or bus, which stops just a few meters from the beach.

If you're looking for a less urban and crowded beach, nearby is Cabo de la Huertas, which has become the favorite beach for nudists. A special small beach is that of Tabarca Island (box 5), but if you drive a bit north or south, you have plenty of options. You're in Spain!

Few visitors to Alicante know about Tabarca Island and thus decide to spend a few hours or an entire day there. A Mediterranean reserve, Tabarca Island is the only inhabited island in the province of Valencia.

It is actually a small archipelago located about an hour's boat ride from Alicante's port. The fishermen who still live in the fortified village are descendants of their ancestors from Genoa, freed by Charles III from their imprisonment in Tabarka, near Tunisia. The waters are crystal clear, the beaches are peaceful, there's a good selection of seafood restaurants (try the caldera), and there's even a small museum on the island.

When to go: in summer, the connections are more frequent, departing from 11 AM onwards and returning between 4:30 PM and 7 PM. Ticket price: about €20 for adults round trip. How to get there: the island is located 20 km off the coast of Alicante and can be reached by ferry from the marina on Paseo Tomás y Valient. The crossing takes about an hour.

Right next to the Basilica of Santa Maria, in the historic center, is this small but beautiful contemporary art museum.

Housed in the Casa de La Asegurada, the oldest civil building in Alicante that has been used over the centuries as a granary and a commercial school, the MOCA hosts a collection donated to the city by the sculptor Eusebio Sempere but also includes works by Chillida, Picasso, Dalí, Miró, Braque, Gargallo, Cocteau, Chagall, Giacometti, and others from the 20th century.

Opening hours: from June 22 to September 30: Tuesday to Saturday 10 AM - 8 PM. Sunday and holidays 10 AM - 2 PM. The library is open Tuesday to Friday from 11 AM to 2 PM. From October 1 to May 21: Tuesday to Saturday from 10 AM to 8 PM. Sunday and holidays from 10 AM to 2 PM. The library is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 AM to 3 PM. Ticket price: free. How to get there: the museum is located in Plaza Sta. María, in the historic center, and can be reached on foot.

As has happened with many Spanish churches, the one at Santa Maria in Alicante was built where there was once an Arab mosque. It has a beautiful facade with two asymmetric towers and a very simple interior with a single nave.

The church, elevated to basilica status a few years ago, is located in the heart of Alicante's historic center. It is not a must-see monument, but outside there is a beautiful shady square with benches and tables of a bar. If you pass by Alicante on a Saturday or Sunday, you can sit and watch the spectacle of Spanish weddings, with a constant flow of brides, guests, and, in many cases, accompanying musicians!

Opening hours: Daily from 10 AM to 1 PM and from 6 PM to 7:30 PM. Ticket price: free. How to get there: the church is located in Plaza Santa María, in the historic center, and can be reached on foot.

This beautiful church in Herrerian Renaissance style located near the marina is worth a visit, especially for three elements: the blue dome, the Communion Chapel, and the Cloister. The cloister from the 1400s, accessed by two Baroque portals, is a true oasis of peace while the Communion Chapel, located beneath the blue dome, is considered the most beautiful Baroque chapel in Spain.

Completed around 1738, it was worked on by Juan Bautista Borja, the same sculptor responsible for the portal of Santa María Church and the facade of the Monastery of the Holy Face. The monastery, located a few kilometers from the city toward Valencia, preserves the "Veil of Veronica," which, according to tradition, is the veil that Veronica used to wipe the blood and sweat of Jesus as he ascended to Golgotha.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 1 PM and from 5:30 PM to 8 PM. Saturday and the day before holidays close at 8:30 PM. Sunday and holidays from 8:30 AM to 1:45 PM and from 5:30 PM to 8:45 PM. Ticket price: free How to get there: the cathedral is located at Plaza del Abad Penalva, 2, in the historic center, and can be reached on foot.

It took 6 million white, red, and black marble tiles to create the characteristic waves of the pavement of the Explanada de España.

The connection between Alicante and the sea is evident in this beautiful promenade of 500 meters among palm trees, restaurants, and beachside bars, with benches to enjoy the coolness and beautiful views of the sea. Walking along the Explanada is almost a must for tourists and locals alike. You pass it to go to the beach, to meet someone, to see and be seen. Especially in summer, it gets crowded with street performers, musicians, actors, and stalls of artisans.

Like every respectable city in Spain, Alicante has its colorful and organized Central Market. The monumental Art Deco facade leads into this paradise of fish, meat, fruits, vegetables, and sweets, especially the famous nougat of Alicante. It is located on Avenida Alfonso in the city center and can be easily reached on foot. If you want to buy a typical gastronomic souvenir or have a quick, good, and inexpensive lunch, this is the right place. Alicante's Central Market is open every day until 2:30 PM and closed on Sundays.

The Provincial Archaeological Museum (MARQ) of Alicante is a small but interesting museum, especially if you are passionate about Roman and Greek history. The museum is located in the building of the San Juan de Dios Hospital. Saying so might make it seem like the typical chronological, dusty, and boring museum. However, the MARQ of Alicante is a new concept museum, colorful and interactive, that is very much appreciated by children and teenagers.

In the exhibition halls, artifacts from the site of Tossal de Manises are collected, which is what remains of Lucentum, the ancient Roman Alicante, located 3.5 km from the center. The ticket price also includes visits to Lucentum and the archaeological area of Illeta dels banyets, located 9 km from Alicante.

This is a peninsula stretching into the sea that emerged as a result of a disastrous earthquake, which then gave rise to an important archaeological area. Absolutely worth seeing for its location suspended over the sea.

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10 AM - 7 PM. Sunday and holidays 10 AM - 2 PM. Ticket price: €8 and includes the visit to Lucentum and Illeta. How to get there: on foot to Plaza Dr. Gómez Ulla.

If there's a palm tree in your city, it's very likely that it was planted and grew in Elche, just a few kilometers from Alicante. Elche is home to the largest palm grove in Europe, and much of the city's economic activity revolves around these plants. The Palmeral de Elche, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, contains over 500,000 palm trees descended from those brought here by the Carthaginians.

Even today, the care the city takes in preserving this palm grove is extraordinary: a series of channels irrigate the palms and address the hot local climate.

The "Huerto del Cura" is the most interesting part of the palm grove because it features a 200-year-old male palm known as the Imperial Palm, which was named in honor of Empress Sissi, who visited the garden in 1894.

If you're in town on August 14 and 15, don't miss the extraordinary "Mysteries of Elche" at the Basilica of Santa Maria, a sacred representation from the 13th century performed solely by men and children.

Rice is the absolute star of Alicante's cuisine: vegetables, meat, and seafood, often combined, are the ideal companions for local arroz dishes. The absolute synthesis of rice dishes is the one alicantina made with chicken, tuna, shrimp, squid, garlic, tomato, and peppers.

Also try the black version made with cuttlefish. All the ingredients for the fish and seafood soup come from the sea. Among the meat ingredients, the star is pork (cerdo) in the versions of cocido and olleta. Among the sweets, the nougat of Alicante stands out as the best in the world, made with whole lightly toasted almonds. It can be enjoyed on its own or in the many versions where it is added to desserts or ice cream. A must-try!

Overrun every year by thousands of tourists seeking sun and beaches, Alicante offers good tourist accommodation complemented by that of the nearby Costa del Sol, especially in Benidorm, which is just a few kilometers away. July and August are the busiest periods when the city becomes a destination for English, Germans, and Spaniards on holiday.

If you don't like crowds, it may be better to opt for June or September, when the weather is still pleasant and the mass of vacationers has already returned home. In high season, the prices for a room in a 3-star hotel start at about €70 per night.

If you have some time, you can explore the surroundings of Alicante: there's the lively Costa del Sol with dozens of coastal towns and entertainment, Malaga, and even Valencia. Inland there's Murcia, and if you want to do something special, with two hours on a high-speed train, you can be in Madrid!