Less than a 3-hour flight from Paris, like other sun destinations, Alicante is very pleasant to live in. There's a certain gentleness to the old town's seafront, spread out at the foot of a 200 m rocky peak. Its palm-fringed esplanade and old quarter are meeting places par excellence. To the north of the promenade is the town's sandy beach. Beyond the Esplana de España, you can walk along the quays to the marina. The old town, with its narrow streets, old houses, small restaurants and old-fashioned stores, is nestled between the rock, the sea and the rambla. The old shopping district opens up on the other side of the rambla. San Juan beach, a little removed from the urban beaches, is ideal for a more tranquil and spacious setting. Let's take a closer look at the must-sees in this pleasant stopover in the Valencian Community, before heading off to discover the most beautiful places to see in Spain.
1. Santa Barbara Castle
Dominating the historic city, this medieval fortress dates back to the 11th century and was built by the Arabs. However, Santa Barbara Castle bears the traces of all the civilizations that have succeeded one another in the city, and most of the current construction dates from the 16th century. The fortress is defended by three walls built at different heights and periods. Educational activities are offered, mainly for children, but are appreciated by all visitors. From the top of the fortress, you can enjoy magnificent views over the Bay of Alicante. The fortress can be reached by car, on foot or via an elevator located opposite Postiguet beach. We recommend taking the elevator up (from Calle Juan Bautista La Fora), and returning on foot for a lovely stroll through Alicante. Before taking the elevator, be sure to take a look at the castle's rock, where you can make out the shape of a face in profile, the "cara del moro", one of the city's emblematic symbols.
Click here to book your Santa Bárbara Castle wine tasting, including charcuterie.
2. San Nicolás Co-Cathedral
Construction of this cocathedral began in 1600 and was completed in 1662. It illustrates a unique architectural style, halfway between the Renaissance and the Herrerian style, named after the Spanish architect Juan de Herrera, known for marking the transition from the Plateresque style to the Renaissance and for creating the Escorial. The Co-Cathedral also houses a magnificent 15th-century cloister and a chapel, the Chapel of Communion, considered one of the finest examples of Spanish Baroque. This chapel is located beneath the cocathedral's blue dome, which rises to a height of 45 meters. The richness of the Blessed Sacrament chapel is also remarkable.
Curious? We recommend you book this guided tour of Alicante's seven secrets.
3. Alicante Museum of Contemporary Art (MACA)
Located opposite the Santa María Basilica, the Alicante Museum of Contemporary Art (MACA) is housed in a Baroque-style building dating from 1685 that occupies an entire city block. Before becoming a museum, the building was used as a granary and then as a business school. Today, it houses a remarkable collection of 20th-century paintings and sculptures by leading contemporary Spanish and foreign artists such as Miró, Chillida, Calder, Dalí and Tapiès.
4. The Archaeological Museum of Alicante (MARQ)
The Museo Arqueológico de Alic ante offers a fascinating historical journey through rooms dedicated to prehistory, Iberian culture, Roman culture and the Middle Ages. The various sections feature artifacts dating back almost 100,000 years, Iberian ceramics, a reconstruction of daily life in the region in Roman times, and hundreds of objects from the Middle Ages. In addition, MARQ provides visitors with detailed information on the archaeological sites of Lucentum, Petrarcos and La Illeta.
5. Plaza de Toros
Guided tours are available of theAlicante bullring, the second most important bullfighting monument in the Valencia region. A great opportunity to discover the importance of bullfighting in Spanish culture and history. As you enter through the main gate of the bullring, you'll discover the chapel, the infirmary, the bull and horse stalls and more. You'll enjoy an impressive panoramic view from the stands as you visit the bullfighting museum. At the end of your visit, you'll even be able to tread the ring. Whatever you think of bullfighting, these arenas are part of the city's heritage.
Book my visit to the bullring and museum in Alicante
6. Mercado Central
Alicante's Mercado Central is housed in a modernist building constructed in 1921. You'll find everything you need to fill up on meat, ham and fish on the first floor, and fruit and vegetables in the basement. The market doesn't include a taproom, but outside, opposite the flower market, two small cafés await you for a snack on the go. Don't hesitate to opt for the tapas of the day!
Looking for an authentic Alicante experience? We recommend this gourmet tour of Alicante. Accompanied by a local, you'll discover the best places to enjoy tapas and snacks, as well as small local food businesses.
7. La Explanada de España
La Explanada de España is Alicante's must-see esplanade. Lined with palm trees, this promenade that runs alongside the port of Alicante is a meeting place par excellence. To make matters worse, it's delightfully shaded by a double row of palm trees, which can be a real lifesaver in summer. You'll also have to cross the Plaza Gabriel Miro and its fountain surrounded by enormous magnolias. In short, it's a lively and pleasant place to shop or relax with a drink, a meal or an ice cream, from April onwards. And what's more, the promenade, with its distinctive cobblestones, is always well-maintained!
8. The city's beaches
As with other beach destinations, Alicante's beaches are a great place to relax. Located at the foot of Mount Benacantil, El Postiguet beach, with its fine golden sand, is a short walk from the city center. A little away from the urban beaches, San Juan beach is perfect for a lazy family session, with more peace and space than the more central beaches. White sand, azure seas, colorful beach huts and tall palm trees complete the idyllic picture of a great place to get away from it all this July.
Looking for an unusual activity to do during your stay in Alicante? Book your parasailing excursion here . You'll enjoy the unique experience of flying over the sea in a magnificent setting. Sensations guaranteed!
9. Tabarca Island
Located 11 nautical miles from the city of Alicante, this island is a veritable benchmark among the region's beaches. The exceptional quality of its waters and the richness of its flora and fauna have led to it being declared a Mediterranean Marine Reserve. It is the only inhabited island in the Valencia region. Today, it is home to a dozen or so inhabitants. A former pirate refuge, the urban center is surrounded by walls, now classified as a site of cultural interest. The island can be reached by regular shuttles from Alicante, as well as from Santa Pola, Guardamar, Torrevieja and Bénidorm. During a day's visit, you can explore the village and its small museum, relax on its crystal-clear beaches, and enjoy the local gastronomy by tasting the famous Caldero, a broth made from fresh fish, rice, potatoes and aioli. For the more sporty, a trail around the island allows you to observe a wide variety of seabirds.
Book my round trip to Tabarca Island
10. The historic district of Altea
before setting off to explore the lesser-known destinations of the Alicante province, let's head for the small town ofAltea, a former fishing village and one of the best-preserved sites in the area. This charm is due in large part to its casco antiguo, classified as an asset of cultural interest, and frankly a must-see. This historic district features a maze of steep alleyways and small, bright-white houses, leading to the church square with its blue ceramic domes. The panorama from this square is spectacular: on one side the Peñón d'Ifach, on the other the Sierra Gelada. A must-see and a must-take selfie!
11. Attend the Midsummer Festivities
At the end of June, you can attend the famous Midsummer Festivities. For several days, Alicante is invaded by large papier-mâché and wooden sculptures, the ninots, and lives to the rhythm of fireworks, máscletas, pyrotechnics, music and gigantic bonfires. A huge celebration that reaches its climax on the night of June 24, with the cremá: when flames devour hundreds of bonfires, turning the city's skies orange. Experience it up close and personal, and soak up the unique atmosphere of these hogueras. Also on the program for this festival of international tourist interest are float parades, pasacalles (street marches) to the sound of dulzainas (pipes) and tamboriles (traditional tambourines), bandas (brass bands) and the offering of flowers to the Virgen del Remedio.
12. Water sports
While you can of course indulge in long sessions of idleness and good swimming, the coast around Alicante is also an ideal place for scuba diving. At depths of up to 15 m, and with good exposure, you'll be able to admire numerous species of flora and fauna, including sea urchins, anemones, mullets, groupers, sponges and scorpion fish. In the Valencian Community, under the impetus of the America's Cup, sailing has been gaining in importance for many years. Alicante, one of Europe's sunniest cities, offers excellent facilities. The Costa Blanca boasts a total of 25 marinas and numerous water sports resorts. Sailing, windsurfing, flysurfing, water-skiing, canoeing and rowing are all available.
Tempted? Book your scuba diving experience for beginners here in Denia, a small town just 1 hour's drive from Alicante.
13. Take a gourmet break
If you're in the mood for a sweet break, you might as well indulge in the ritual of drinking a Horchata, a refreshing drink made from tiger nut juice that's a bit like almond milk, accompanied by the equally traditional fartons. From the first chill in the air until the fallas, churros and doughnuts make their appearance, to be dipped in chocolate, of course. It's also the perfect time to enjoy a famous dessert, turrón.
14. Feast on paella
This is the birthplace of paella, still the undisputed star of tables in the Valencian Community, especially along the coast. Born in the 18th century in the countryside around Huerta de Valencia, paella was traditionally prepared by women on Thursdays and by men on Sundays. This custom has continued to the present day, with most restaurants in the region, as well as in Spain, offering paella on the Thursday menu. Sunday paella remains the domain of gentlemen. But beware: real paella is best eaten at lunchtime: in the evening, you run the risk of eating a "tourist" dish. There are many varieties, but an authentic Valencian paella must be made with certain ingredients: beans, chicken and rabbit, and the famous mountain snail called xoneta. However, the most popular varieties are paella marinera, with fish and seafood, and paella mixta, with fish and meat.
15. Partying
Partying all night long, without having to cover up, is a pleasure to be savored in Alicante. Barrio Viejo, often referred to as El Barrio or the Santa Cruz district, is a neighborhood on the hillside of Santa Creu. It's known for its lively nightlife, with cocktail bars and tapas bars lining the district's winding streets. As you can see, it's a party district, just like the port and Explanada de España, home to numerous terraces and nightclubs. On the drinks front, happy hour is not very popular, but drinks are generally cheaper. In summer, caña (beer) is often mixed with lemonade, and carajillos (coffees with a drop of alcohol), particularly Baileys, are also popular.
Where to stay in Alicante?
From guesthouses to luxury hotels, the range of accommodation is very comprehensive. While accommodation prices remain affordable compared with Madrid or Barcelona, there are times when prices soar , notably during fallas or Holy Week. Most of the charming guesthouses and hotels are concentrated in Ciutat Vella and Barrio del Carmen. If you'd like to get away from the tourist center, the Eixample is home to some lovely hotels, just a few minutes' walk from the old town, but the offer remains limited. A number of hotel chains have set up around the Turia gardens and the City of Arts and Sciences, but their charm is generally limited. To enjoy the sea, head for the seafront, where many establishments are just a few meters from the beach.
- The most economical: PENSION LA MILAGROSA
Right in the heart of the city's historic center, this charming guesthouse boasts a rooftop terrace. Very welcoming, clean and with a clientele made up mainly of backpackers. Click here to book your stay.
- The most charming: HOTEL LES MONGES
Located in an old mansion in the heart of the historic center, this hotel , built in 1912, has undeniable charm. The communal areas boast beautiful azulejos and a number of objects, drawings and paintings that give the house a soul. Good value for money and ideal for exploring the city. Click here to book your stay.
- The most modern: HOTEL EUROSTARS LUCENTUM
Located in the center of Alicante, this large hotel with a modern look offers one hundred and sixty-nine spacious rooms, spread over ten floors, with an elevator that you can book right here . All have large bathrooms, exterior views and all the services of a four-star hotel.
What to visit in Alicante in 3 days?
Alicante, a springtime destination, offers many tourist attractions, and a 3-day stay is ideal to get a good overview of the city. Not-to-be-missed sites include the Santa Bárbara castle, which offers panoramic views over the city and the Mediterranean Sea. Alicante's historic quarter is also very interesting, with its picturesque alleyways and historic buildings. Art lovers can visit the Alicante Museum of Contemporary Art (MACA). For relaxation, Alicante's beaches, such as El Postiguet and San Juan, are ideal. Alicante also offers a wide range of water sports, including scuba diving and sailing.
What to do in Alicante as a family?
As a family, it's a must to lay down your towel on Alicante's beaches, such as El Postiguet and San Juan, before considering a trip to Europe's most beautiful beaches. You'll also want to check out the Santa Barbara castle, which dominates the city. Between two tapas bars and a paella, you'll also have to try your hand at a few water sports and eat an ice cream while strolling under the palm trees of the Explanada de España, the city's unmissable esplanade.
Book ahead below for the hottest things to do on your vacation in Alicante:
Tempted by this selection? Take a look at our airfares and book now!
