🇪🇸Spain · Places to discover
What to see in Alicante?
21 places selected by the community - landmarks, nature, hidden restaurants and activities.
Alicante draws its character from this dual nature: hardworking port city and committed seaside resort. The Castillo de Santa Bárbara, perched on its rock above the sea, reminds you that the town has a long history before becoming a destination. Below, the Explanada de España with its palms and undulating marble floor structures local and tourist life equally. It is not Barcelona, and that is precisely what makes it legible.
The best period falls between April and June, before heat and summer flows saturate the beaches. Three days suffice to take it in without rushing. The centre is best explored on foot, and the tram efficiently serves beaches to the north like San Juan. Resist concentrating your stay on the tourist seafront: the Barrio Santa Cruz quarter, climbing towards the castle, offers a far more authentic version of the town.
Landmarks & heritage
3 places
1Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Landmark
Santa Cruz Quarter
Historic neighbourhood of steep lanes, whitewashed houses and geranium-bedecked facades at the castle's foot. Village-like atmosphere amid the city, with a handful of genuine tapas bars away from the main tourist trail.
2Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Landmark
Explanada de España
The emblematic palm-lined promenade paved with 6.5 million marble stones forming tricoloured waves. The beating heart of Alicantine life, especially vibrant in the evening when locals gather for the paseo.
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Landmark
Landmark
Alicante Town Hall
A baroque town hall from the 18th century whose striking pink façade and twin towers dominate the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. On the left pillar of the interior staircase sits a nail (the 'cota cero') that serves as Spain's reference point for sea level.
Museums
2 places
4Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Museum
Museum of Contemporary Art of Alicante (MACA)
Housed in an 18th-century baroque building, this museum holds a permanent collection featuring works by Miró, Picasso, Dalí and Sempere. Free admission and an intimate setting offer a refreshing contrast to Madrid's grand institutions.
5Wikimedia CommonsMuseum
Provincial Archaeological Museum of Alicante (MARQ)
One of Spain's finest archaeological museums, acclaimed for its innovative and interactive displays. It traces 100,000 years of regional history from prehistory to the modern era in a way that captivates both specialists and newcomers alike.
Religious sites
2 places
6Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Religious site
Co-Cathedral of San Nicolás de Bari
Baroque cathedral from the 17th century erected atop a former mosque, featuring a remarkable Renaissance cloister. Less celebrated than other Spanish cathedrals, it deserves a visit for its striking blue dome and austere interior.
7Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Religious site
Basilica of Santa María de Alicante
Alicante's oldest church, built in the 15th century in Valencian gothic style upon the site of a former mosque. Its late baroque façade contrasts strikingly with the gothic interior, whilst the Communion chapel harbours remarkable frescoes.
Castles & fortresses
1 place
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Castle
Castle
Santa Bárbara Castle
Medieval fortress dating from the 14th century perched 166 metres atop Mount Benacantil, reachable by lift from the beach. A 360-degree panorama spans Alicante's bay and the interior, particularly enchanting at sunset.
Nature
2 places
9Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Nature
Cabo de las Huertas
A wild rocky headland 3km from the city centre, dotted with hidden coves of crystal-clear water where octopuses are visible to the naked eye. A favourite bathing spot for locals seeking refuge from crowded beaches, easily reached on foot from the Albufereta neighbourhood.
10Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0Nature
Isla de Tabarca
The only inhabited island in the Valencian Community, reachable by boat in 45 minutes from Alicante. This fortified 18th-century fishing village is surrounded by a marine reserve where underwater visibility exceeds 20 metres.
Parks & gardens
2 places
11Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.5Park
Parque Natural de la Serra Gelada
A spectacular marine and terrestrial nature reserve with 300-metre cliffs plunging into the Mediterranean between Benidorm and Altea. Outstanding hiking trails offer views of the Benidorm island and exceptional marine biodiversity.
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Park
Park
Municipal Park of Alicante
A 6-hectare tropical garden at the heart of the city, featuring a remarkable Art Nouveau greenhouse and a collection of century-old exotic trees. A cool haven in summer, it's a popular weekend destination for Alicantine families.
Viewpoints
2 places
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Mirador de la Ereta – Jardines del Castillo
Suspended gardens between the Santa Cruz neighbourhood and the castle, with tiered terraces offering successive views across the old town and sea. Where locals stroll at dusk, virtually ignored by hurried visitors.
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Mirador del Castillo – Cara Norte
An underrated viewpoint on the north face of Mount Benacantil, reached on foot via the Santa Cruz neighbourhood. It affords sweeping views over the old town's rooftops and the harbour, minus the crowds of the main summit.
Activities
3 places
15Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Activity
Hogueras de San Juan – Barraques
During the Fêtes de Saint-Jean (late June), wooden cabins (barraques) spring up in each neighbourhood with music, giant paella and satirical figures. Celebrating alongside the locals is an incomparable experience, far removed from touristy folklore spectacles.
16Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Activity
Central Market of Alicante
Art Deco covered market dating from 1921 where Alicantinos have shopped for generations, with stalls brimming with local fruit, vegetables, fish and charcuterie. Come in the morning to pick at fresh prawns or sample dates from the hinterland.
17Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Activity
Port of Alicante – Muelle de Levante
The marina jetty where fishermen unload their catch at dawn and passing sailing boats berth. Stroll here at sunset for views of the illuminated castle, well away from the tourist throng.
Beaches
3 places
18Wikimedia CommonsBeach
Albufereta Beach
Fine sand beach set back from the bustle of the city centre, with a natural lagoon behind and the relaxed feel of a residential neighbourhood. Favoured by local Alicante families for its calm waters and unpretentious beach bars.
19Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Beach
Postiguet Beach
Alicante's urban beach, just a stone's throw from the old town and castle, blessed with golden sand and crystalline water. Perfect for an early morning swim before exploring the city, and before the afternoon tourist rush descends.
20Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Beach
San Juan Beach
A sweeping 6km stretch of sand north of Alicante, lined with umbrella pines and cycle paths, with shallow water ideal for swimming. This is where the neighbourhood locals live, with animated café terraces buzzing until midnight in summer.
More to discover
1 place
21Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Place
Barrio de Benalúa
Nineteenth-century residential quarter with broad avenues and modernist apartment blocks, laid out on a grid plan inspired by Barcelona's Eixample. Its neighbourhood markets, local cafés and second-hand bookshops give the city its true pulse.
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