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Alicante

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City
—°3155
Alicante (Spain)
ℹ️

Practical info — Alicante

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Take the elevator from Postiguet beach to Santa Barbara Castle to save the climb, but walk down through the Santa Cruz neighborhood.
  • Stroll along the mosaic-paved Explanada de España promenade in the evening when the temperature is cooler.
  • Use the TRAM for day trips; it connects Alicante to other coastal towns like Benidorm and Altea.
  • Spaniards eat late; dinner is rarely served before 8:30 PM. Plan for some tapas if you get hungry earlier.
  • Visit the Mercado Central in the morning for the freshest produce and an authentic local atmosphere.

🍽 Food

🍽
Arroz a Banda

Look for restaurants along the marina or San Juan beach that specialize in local rice dishes.

🍽
Turrón de Alicante

Buy this hard nougat at specialty shops in the historic center or the Central Market.

🍽
Tapas

Calle Castaños is a bustling street excellent for evening tapas and drinks.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Mercado Central

Historic market building offering fresh local produce, fish, and meats.

🛍
Avenida Maisonnave

The main commercial avenue for fashion brands and department stores.

🧘
Parque de Canalejas

A shady park with giant ficus trees, well-suited for a break near the marina.

🧘
Barrio de Santa Cruz

Wander the narrow, whitewashed streets and stairs of the old town below the castle.

🧘
Cabo de las Huertas

Rocky coves east of the main beaches, well-suited for peaceful snorkeling or relaxing.

Highlights of 2026

3

Alicante is a prominent Mediterranean port city and the capital of its province within the Valencian Community. Its history spans several millennia, originating as the Carthaginian settlement of Akra Leuke and later the Roman city of Lucentum. The city's skyline is dominated by the Castle of Santa Bárbara, a massive fortress situated on Mount Benacantil, 166 meters above sea level. The Explanada de España serves as the social heart of the city, a palm-lined promenade paved with 6.5 million marble tiles in a distinctive wave pattern. Alicante benefits from a semi-arid climate, providing mild winters and high annual sunshine hours, which sustains its major tourism industry. Beyond leisure, the city hosts the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and maintains an active commercial port specializing in goods and logistics.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C9912151823262622181310
Rain mm31193537251241542364134

Live webcam – Alicante

See what it looks like near Alicante right now.

Alicante: Valencia, Spania · 0.2 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
348,901
Coordinates
38.34520, -0.48100

Facts

  • The Santa Bárbara Castle sits on Mount Benacantil at 166 meters elevation.
  • Explanada de España is paved with 6.5 million tricolor marble tiles.
  • Alicante has served as the headquarters for the EUIPO since 1994.
  • The Roman ruins of Lucentum cover approximately 30,000 square meters.
  • The average annual temperature in Alicante is approximately 18 degrees Celsius.
  • The Bonfires of Saint John (Hogueras) is the city's official festival.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

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Sights in the town Alicante (15)

Museo Bellas Artes Gravina🏛 museum

The Fine Arts Museum located in the Gravina Palace showcases works from the 16th to 20th centuries.

Teatre Arniches🎭 culture

A performance venue in Alicante named after the famous playwright Carlos Arniches.

Teatro Principal🎭 culture

The city's main neoclassical theater, opened in the 19th century, is a major cultural landmark.

Museo de la Lonja del Pescado🏛 museum

The former fish market building now serves as a prominent exhibition center for contemporary art.

Castell de Santa Bàrbara🏰 castle

A historic fortress perched on Mount Benacantil, offering panoramic views of the city and bay.

MACA - Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Alicante🏛 museum

The Museum of Contemporary Art is located in the oldest preserved civil building in Alicante.

Platja de Sant Gabriel🎡 recreation

A sandy urban beach located in the southern part of Alicante, offering a quieter atmosphere.

El mundo de los niños👨‍👩‍👧 family

A theme park for children located near the port of Alicante, featuring various rides and play areas.

Platja del Cocó🎡 recreation

A sandy beach in Alicante located at the end of the promenade, offering views of the harbor.

Cala de la Sangueta🎡 recreation

A small cove in Alicante located in a quieter area away from the main large beaches.

Monolito en recuerdo de las victimas del campo de concentración de Los Almendros🏺 historical

A memorial stone dedicated to the victims of the Los Almendros concentration camp at the end of the Spanish Civil War.

Parc de Canalejas🌳 park

The oldest park in Alicante is known for its monumental, centuries-old ficus trees and statues.

Plaça de Gabriel Miró🌳 park

A classic square featuring a monument to the writer Gabriel Miró and large, shade-providing old trees.

Parc de lo Morant🌳 park

A large green area in Alicante featuring an open-air auditorium, ponds, and sports facilities.

Cocatedral de Sant Nicolau de Bari⛪ religious

The Co-cathedral of Saint Nicholas of Bari is a major religious building in Alicante.

Frequently asked questions

What is the castle on the hill?
The Castillo de Santa Bárbara, one of Europe's largest fortress complexes with great views of the harbor.
What is the name of the famous promenade?
Explanada de España, known for its mosaic pattern made of 6 million marble stones and its palm trees.
Are there beaches directly in Alicante?
Yes, Playa del Postiguet is located right at the foot of the castle and the edge of the city center.
Can you visit Tabarca Island?
Yes, boats depart daily from Alicante harbor to Tabarca Island, the only inhabited island in the region.
When is the most important festival?
The 'Hogueras de San Juan' in June, during which giant papier-mâché figures are burned.
Alicante: where is it located?
Alicante is located in Galicia, Spain.
Alicante: what is there to see?
Highlights include Museo Bellas Artes Gravina, Teatre Arniches, Teatro Principal.
Alicante: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.
Alicante: why is it worth visiting?
Alicante is a prominent Mediterranean port city and the capital of its province within the Valencian Community.
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