Alicante
temperatur
25°
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13:48
Alicante
Different civilisations have passed through these lands, leaving their mark which can be seen in all corners of this emblematic city. All of this adds to the appeal of this modern city with a primary focus on tourism, but also a special interest in industry and commerce. Alicante, situated on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, offers not only a great variety of services but also a wide range of cultural activities, with its museums, its festivals and its nature areas, in particular the Island of Tabarca; Mediterranean Marine Reserve.Hitta resa
The Basilica de Santa María, just a short 15-minute walk from the beach, is one of Alicante’s most significant landmarks. Due to its popularity with tourists, a small entrance fee is now required. Inside, the layout is designed for self-guided visits, with numbered stations and audio explanations available in three languages. Built in the Valencian Gothic style between the 14th and 16th centuries on the site of a former mosque, the basilica is the oldest active church in Alicante. Its striking Baroque façade, spacious nave, and six chapels make it a highlight for anyone exploring the city.
Alicante’s Main Theatre is a neoclassical building that first opened its doors in 1847. Its interior follows the Italian style, divided into three distinct sections: the vestibule, the horseshoe-shaped auditorium and the stage. The theatre has capacity for 1,072 seats. You can either join a guided tour free of charge or attend a play or concert. For details on tours and the programme, it’s best to check the official website. The theatre enjoys a central location, just a short walk from the popular Santa Creu neighbourhood.
A visit to the Santa Bárbera Castle is highly recommended. Located atop Mount Benacantil, at a height of 166 metres, it is one of the largest medieval fortresses in Spain, with unbeatable views over the Bay of Alicante and on clear days you can see all the way to Tabarca Island. Such is its relevance that during the 20th century it was declared a Monument of Historic and Artistic Importance and a Site of Cultural Interest. Here we can also find one of the most characteristic images of the city, a rock formation resembling a man’s profile on the southwestern slope, known as the Moor’s Face, which is best viewed from Postiguet Beach. The Museum of the city in Santa Bárbara's Castle 'MUSA', housed in the Castle itself, was included in its cultural offer and it explains in five theme rooms the history of the city of Alicante and their inhabitants. To descend down from the Santa Bárbara Castle, take the route through Parque de La Ereta, along the mountainside. Its location and views transform it into a place of relaxation as well as a great meeting place. It also has a spectacular restaurant and, on the way down to the old town quarter, you can visit the picturesque, quintessentially Spanish Santa Cruz district. Another attractive option between the castle and the Santa Cruz district is walking along the remains of the walls that surrounded the Castle, which now end in the Santa Cruz district. You can also access the castle via a lift built within the rock face opposite El Postiguet beach.
El Castell de Guadalest is one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. Having a stroll through the streets of the village is a real pleasure. San José Castle, Orduña house, the bell tower and the unusual museums will attract your attention. If you like walking in the mountains, El Castell de Guadalest is the perfect place to be in contact with nature and if you are a gastronomy lover, our restaurants offer a combination of traditional dishes and the latest innovations.
If you’ve already explored the popular Santa Bárbara Castle but are still looking for views of Alicante, especially at sunset, make your way to Sant Ferran Castle. Located within Doctor Rico Park and next to Del Tossal Park, this historic fortress is far less crowded than other city viewpoints, making it an ideal spot for a picnic or a quiet break on a bench with a drink and some snacks. Its peaceful atmosphere is part of the charm, but keep in mind there are no shops or vendors nearby, so it’s best to bring everything you need before starting the climb.
No trip to Alicante would be complete without a stroll through El Barri Vell, the city’s charming Old Quarter. Its maze of narrow streets lies beneath the Santa Bàrbera Castle and is filled with taverns, small shops and local life. Among its most notable landmarks is the San Nicolás Co-Cathedral, an example of 17th-century architecture, though its cloisters date back to the 15th century in Herrerian Renaissance style. Other highlights include the Town Hall, an elegant 18th-century Baroque building, the Santa María Basilica, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Casa de la Asegurada Museum.
La Casita de las Macetas Azules is a charming little house in the Old Quarter, instantly recognisable by the blue flower pots that cover its façade. Often overlooked by tourists who stick to the main streets, it is one of Alicante’s hidden gems. Reaching it involves climbing a set of steps that eventually lead up towards Santa Bàrbera Castle. The spot is particularly popular for photos with a colourful backdrop and a glimpse of local character.
Alicante still bears witness to the bombings it endured during the Spanish Civil War, with several preserved air-raid shelters dotted across the city. Some of these have been restored and now feature displays of artefacts, photographs and explanatory texts that provide insight into the historical and social context in which they were built and used between 1936 and 1939. The best known of these shelters is found in Plaza de Séneca, where a fully restored site now forms part of the 'Centro de Interpretación Sobre los Refugios Antiaéreos'. Another, just a short walk away in Plaza Dr. Balmis, stands out for its submarine-style doors, designed to seal off gases and protect those inside. If you want to explore more than just one of these historic spaces, the municipality runs guided tours that cover several shelters around Alicante. These tours are detailed, engaging and very reasonably priced.
The Basilica de Santa María, just a short 15-minute walk from the beach, is one of Alicante’s most significant landmarks. Due to its popularity with tourists, a small entrance fee is now required. Inside, the layout is designed for self-guided visits, with numbered stations and audio explanations available in three languages. Built in the Valencian Gothic style between the 14th and 16th centuries on the site of a former mosque, the basilica is the oldest active church in Alicante. Its striking Baroque façade, spacious nave, and six chapels make it a highlight for anyone exploring the city.
Alicante’s Main Theatre is a neoclassical building that first opened its doors in 1847. Its interior follows the Italian style, divided into three distinct sections: the vestibule, the horseshoe-shaped auditorium and the stage. The theatre has capacity for 1,072 seats. You can either join a guided tour free of charge or attend a play or concert. For details on tours and the programme, it’s best to check the official website. The theatre enjoys a central location, just a short walk from the popular Santa Creu neighbourhood.
A stone's throw from La Rambla, El Barrio serves as Alicante's historical heart. Its narrow, vintage streets host an eclectic assortment of businesses, including tobacconists, clothes and souvenir shops, adult stores, and flower vendors. This captivating neighbourhood is replete with must-see attractions. Take the opportunity to visit Casa Carbonell, a luxurious home dating back to the 1920s and inspired by Beaux-Arts architecture. Every weekend, El Barrio is busy with locals in search of food and entertainment, solidifying its role as a primary hub for dining and nightlife.
Spain’s largest chain of department stores is to be found at the intersection of Avenida Maisonnave and Avenida Federico Soto. Sooner or later, everyone comes here. Take the opportunity to buy 'turrones', nougat with nuts. You can also find Fondillon, a wine unique to the Alicante region.
Walking along the Explanada you will find a versatile craftwork market with a high number of stands offering clothes, leather goods and decorative items, perfect souvenirs of your visit to Alicante. You can now head on to Plaza Gabriel Miró. In this romantic corner of the city centre you will find bars and restaurants where you can stop, or continue until you reach Calle San Francisco, a decorated street full of shops you’ll love.
From the Esplanada, walk towards the Rambla. Once you reach the end of Gerona Street, you will find the heart of the city: Maisonnave Avenue. It is home to the big department stores, brand name shops and international franchises.
Walking along the Rambla, we discover at the end of this avenue, the Central Market of Alicante. This is an emblematic building of the city, where you will find here all the charm of a traditional market together with the usual high quality of its products. All kinds of high-quality products can be bought at the Market, especially local fish and seafood, vegetables and fruit, as well as other typical local products. That is why the city’s top restaurants source their food from the Mercado Central.
From Puerta del Mar square, having a walk along the Esplanada de Espanya will lead to the Rambla, one of the main streets in the city. Around this area you will find fashion, footwear, accessories, decoration items and delicatessen shops, on streets such as Gerona, Castaños, San Francisco and Teatro. If you have some energy left after shopping, you can visit the nearby Teatro Principal, Main Theatre.
A stone's throw from La Rambla, El Barrio serves as Alicante's historical heart. Its narrow, vintage streets host an eclectic assortment of businesses, including tobacconists, clothes and souvenir shops, adult stores, and flower vendors. This captivating neighbourhood is replete with must-see attractions. Take the opportunity to visit Casa Carbonell, a luxurious home dating back to the 1920s and inspired by Beaux-Arts architecture. Every weekend, El Barrio is busy with locals in search of food and entertainment, solidifying its role as a primary hub for dining and nightlife.
Spain’s largest chain of department stores is to be found at the intersection of Avenida Maisonnave and Avenida Federico Soto. Sooner or later, everyone comes here. Take the opportunity to buy 'turrones', nougat with nuts. You can also find Fondillon, a wine unique to the Alicante region.
Alicante’s international airport is situated 11 kilometres south of the city and is called 'Alicante–Elche'. It is one of the most important airports in the country, with direct flights to 11 destinations in Spain, around 124 airports in Europe and the north of Africa, flying to a total of more than 20 different countries. The cheapest way to get into the centre is by urban bus C-6. The bus departs every 20 minutes and it takes around 30 minutes depending on the traffic. A taxi costs around €18 with a journey time around 10 to 15 minutes.
Citizens of European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries do not need a visa to enter Spain, only a valid ID. Many other countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand, benefit from visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Visitors from visa-exempt countries must hold a valid passport and, starting in late 2025, will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation online before travelling. For those requiring a visa, such as travellers from some Middle-East, African or Asian nations, a Schengen visa must be obtained prior to arrival. All travellers should ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay.
Visiting the city on foot is comfortable and practical, since the distances are short and it is easy to walk from one end of the city to the other. Nevertheless, Alicante has a public transport network connecting the most important points in the city and the province by bus. As well as within the city, you can also use the tram to get to the city's metropolitan area and the main towns of interest along the north coast of the Costa Blanca: Campello, Benidorm, Altea and Denia amongst others. The city also has a tourist bus service called, 'Turibús', that follows a route with stops at the places of interest. Passengers can get on and off the bus as many times as they wish over the course of a day. There is a multilingual audio system equipped with digital sound in 6 languages and it also has an access platform for people with reduced mobility.
In Alicante, you can easily hail a taxi on the street, but using apps such as Cabify, Uber or Pidetaxi is often more convenient. Alternatively, you can call a local company to book one in advance.
Finding a post office or a mailbox to send letters or postcards in Alicante is straightforward. The Oficina de Correos on Arquitecto Morell Street is housed in one of the city’s emblematic buildings and is easy to reach.
In Alicante, you’ll find no shortage of pharmacies, with reliable options across the city. Farmacia Lahoz is one of the well-regarded choices.
Country code +34 Area code: 965/966
Spain’s power grid operates at 230 volts with a frequency of 50 Hz, using Type F, Schuko plug, and Type C, Europlug, outlets. Both types accept plugs with two round prongs, common across continental Europe.
Alicante’s international airport is situated 11 kilometres south of the city and is called 'Alicante–Elche'. It is one of the most important airports in the country, with direct flights to 11 destinations in Spain, around 124 airports in Europe and the north of Africa, flying to a total of more than 20 different countries. The cheapest way to get into the centre is by urban bus C-6. The bus departs every 20 minutes and it takes around 30 minutes depending on the traffic. A taxi costs around €18 with a journey time around 10 to 15 minutes.
Citizens of European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries do not need a visa to enter Spain, only a valid ID. Many other countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand, benefit from visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Visitors from visa-exempt countries must hold a valid passport and, starting in late 2025, will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation online before travelling. For those requiring a visa, such as travellers from some Middle-East, African or Asian nations, a Schengen visa must be obtained prior to arrival. All travellers should ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay.
