Things to Do in Alicante

Alicante’s broad appeal is something to be discovered with all of your senses: its spectacular beaches, its diverse collection of museums, and its majestic landmarks are just some of the elements that make up this city’s broad appeal, which we welcome you to experience.

Alicante is a warm and inviting city situated on the Costa Blanca, beside the Mediterranean Sea. It is distinguished for its high level of activity as well as its mild Mediterranean environment. The city, located at a confluence of civilizations, welcomes visitors and makes them feel at ease.

The Santa Barbara Castle

The stronghold that sits atop Benacantil mountain, the huge, colossal rock that towers above Alicante, has its beginnings in medieval Arab times. The most recent restorations took place during Spain’s Golden Age in the 1500s, but if you look closely, you can still see remnants of Moorish architecture.

While it is preferable to ascend the mountain by foot in the early morning hours before the sun is at its most intense, there is also a lift that goes from just below Postiguet Beach to the top of the mountain. Everyone should climb to the top of the battlements and take in the breathtaking view of Alicante, the Mediterranean, and the dark, hilly landscape below.

Explanada de España

The elegant, marble-paved promenade of Alicante, which begins in the old town and extends down the city’s coastline close to the marina, is a great place to start orienting yourself.

Most Spanish towns encourage families to take a stroll together, and promenades such as the Explanada de Espana make it easy to do so in elegance.

As you wander beneath the palm trees and observe daily life spread around you on terraces and market stalls, you’ll get a true sense of the atmosphere of Alicante.

Aside from the beautiful coastline vistas, this brightly illuminated walkway also benefits from soothing sea breezes at the conclusion of long, hot days in the summer.

Museum of Archaeology

If you’re interested in learning more about Alicante’s history, the MARQ Provincial Archaeological Museum is the perfect place to start.

Begin with the hunter-gatherers of prehistory and go through time to witness the first hand-crafted metallic objects produced in and around Alicante.

Finally, the Iberian chamber, which is dedicated to the various pre-Roman archaeological sites in the area that have given beautiful items of sculpture and ceramics.

The Roman city of Lucentum, which was located close to modern-day Alicante, was known for its extensive collection of pottery, jewelry, and other daily objects that were discovered during excavations there.

Perhaps the most fascinating exhibits are those that depict medieval times, when Jewish, Islamic, and Christian civilizations coexisted side by side for a brief period of time in one place.

Casco Antiguo (Old Town)

You won’t mind getting lost in the historic center of Alicante, which feels a little like a village in the middle of the city. This neighborhood is spread out on a hillside under the castle, and getting about will require you to climb steep streets and stairways between towering whitewashed walls in order to move around.

Floral arrangements on balconies and front porches, as well as shutters painted in blue and green, are commonplace among the residents who take great pleasure in their residences.

There are several cafés and eateries in this area that are perfect for taking the edge off if you are feeling stressed or fatigued.

Postiguet Beach, Alicante

If you don’t want to drive far for a dose of sea and sand, there’s a fairly decent beach just adjacent to the old town that you may use. The Playa del Postiguet is a sliver of golden sand lapped by a gentle sea that is only a finger wide.

Although you have to wade out quite a distance before the sea level reaches your waist level, the views back to Santa Barbara’s iconic walls are spectacular from the ocean.

Because of its size and position, the beach may become a bit crowded during the summer months, but the beach’s central location means that there is no shortage of places to grab a bite to eat.

Sanctuary of Mary

The oldest and most beautiful church in the city is located towards the foot of the mountain, just a few blocks from Postiguet Beach and the city’s main square.

Like many other churches in Spain, Santa Mara was constructed on the site of a previous mosque when the city of Alicante was recaptured from the Moors in the 13th century.

The first thing you’ll notice about the church are its twin towers, which have a gloomy appearance. Interesting about these is that, despite the fact that they appear to be similar, the right-hand piece is from the 1300s, whilst the left-hand piece is really from the 1800s.

The gothic 14th-century statue of Santa Mara, together with a medieval incunable, an early written book from the 1200s, may be found within the building.

Museum of Contemporary Art

The fact that this contemporary art museum is situated in Alicante’s oldest secular structure, a former granary built in 1687 close to the Santa Mara Basilica, is a fun fact to know about this destination dedicated to modern art.

Eusebio Sempere, a sculptor from Alicante, created the museum in 1976 to showcase his own collection of sculptures. Approximately 800 items comprise the collection, which includes works by several of the most renowned painters of the twentieth century, including Picasso, Francis Bacon, Salvador Dali, and Joan Miró.

It is only possible to exhibit a third of the works at any given time, and the display is rotated throughout the year, so that no two visits will be same.

Albufereta

You’re on the Costa Blanca, after all, and there’s a plethora of Blue Flag beaches within a short drive of Alicante city center. Saladar Beach, to the south of Alicante, is a 1600-metre-long stretch of golden sand that is ideal for those seeking plenty of room.

With the exception of a few scattered residential buildings on the outskirts of the sand dunes, there isn’t a lot in the way of tourist development here.

Playa de la Albufereta is located on the northern outskirts of Alicante, in the other direction. A beautiful harbor with soft seas and resort towers surrounds what was formerly the Roman colony of Lucentum. It is a pristine bay with soothing waters and resort towers around it.

Golf Club de Alicante

The Costa Blanca is also known for having a large number of golf courses. There are 15 in the province, all within a fair driving distance of one another.

If you don’t want to travel too far, the Alicante Golf Club, built by Seve Ballesteros, is a 15-minute drive from the city center and offers a variety of services. This 18-hole par-72 course pays homage to the area’s Roman past with the addition of reconstructed Roman ruins on the 14th hole, which you must strive to avoid at all costs.

Bonalba, a par-72 course just a few minutes away, with a front nine that will test your short game and a back nine that will reward you for hitting a straight drive.

Mercado Central de Alicante

You have no reason not to visit this big covered market on the top side of Alfonso el Sabio if you’re self-catering, and there’s no reason not to. In Spain, central markets are like food temples, and Alicante’s central market is no exception.

Among the numerous fish and meat vendors is a plenty of culinary inspiration for aspiring cooks. There are several outstanding seafood vendors at the market, with their counters practically overflowing with crabs, lobsters, squid, and a variety of other seafood.

Aside from that, you’ll be able to find some regional specialties such as turrón nougat and Mistela, a sweet dessert wine, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables.

Alicante Dining

If you’re unfamiliar with Spanish eating customs and wish to eat like a native, lunch is often served late in the day, starting around two o’clock. This is the main meal of the day, and for many people, supper consists of a small snack or tapas at a restaurant.

The Valencian Community is the source of the majority of Spain’s rice, and the city of Alicante has its own simmering rice dishes, which are similar to paella in flavor. If you like rice dishes, try arroz a banda or arroz al horno, both of which are improved by the excellent fish available in this region of Spain.

A piece of turrón, a type of nougat made with honey and almonds, may be purchased as a keepsake. It’s a true Spanish classic, and it’s especially popular around the holidays.

Tabarca Island

There are a few firms that provide boat tours in the area surrounding Alicante’s port. A short catamaran sail in the water near the city may be all that is required, but if you want to make a whole day of it, you could definitely consider a trip to Tabarca Island.

It’s only a handful of kilometers off the shore to the south, yet it feels like a completely different planet there. On Tabarca, there’s a small, gated village with whitewashed houses and blue shutters, similar to those seen in Alicante’s historic center.

It is only here that automobiles and other modern comforts are unnecessary! Visit the little church of St. Peter and St. Paul, and then take a stroll through the island’s sparsely vegetated terrain to get to the island’s lighthouse.

Alicante’s Tower

For those of you who haven’t gotten your fill of Alicante’s history, you may download a map of the area’s coastal watchtowers to keep you entertained.

For decades, this region of Spain was under attack from Barbary Pirates, who would raid the towns and even take people captive as slaves, threatening the very existence of the country.

As a result, beginning in the 1500s, a sophisticated network of defenses and lookouts was constructed to provide inhabitants with early notice to flee inside the walls.

There are around thirty of these towers still standing in the Huerta de Alicante, which encompasses the city of Alicante as well as a few other towns and villages.

Elche

The town of Elche is located around 20 minutes west of Alicante by road, and it is here that you will find an incredible sight. This is the biggest palm grove in Europe, and it was established by the first Muslims who arrived in the area in the early-mid-medieval period.

200,000 trees, the majority of which are phoenix dactylifera, which did not exist in Spain until it was imported by the Moors, can be found on the estate.

The grove is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the best way to see it is to walk the Ruta del Palmeral, a circular route that begins and finishes at the Huerto de San Placido and loops back around to the entrance.

Hogueras de San Juan

On the 23rd of June, bonfires are lit all throughout Spain to commemorate St. John’s Eve. However, none of these events are as significant as those that take place in Alicante.

Traditionally, residents would burn off their old furniture for San Juan, but in 1928, the city decided that it required a fiesta to go along with these fires, which now takes place over four days, from January 22nd to January 24th. There will be flames, which will end in specifically created cardboard sculptures being burned during an event called the Cremà, which is comparable to Valencia’s Las Fallas. The event will be similar to Valencia’s Las Fallas.

These fires may be quite frightening, and teams of firefighting personnel are on standby to help keep them under control.