Things to Do in Alicante: Our Top 13 Attractions & Tips

Alicante Attractions on a Map

On our map, we’ve clearly marked our 13 top highlights in Alicante. You can also save the map and view it offline.

Now let’s take a closer look at the 13 most beautiful things to do in Alicante. Let’s go!

The Top 13 Highlights in Alicante

Castillo de Santa Bárbara

The Castillo de Santa Bárbara is definitely one of the top attractions in Alicante. The castle sits on the 545-foot-high Mount Benacantil, giving you an incredible panoramic view over Alicante and the sea.

The climb is a bit of a workout, but don’t worry — there’s an elevator that takes you straight to the top. Admission is free; only the elevator costs €2.70.

If you’re up for some walking, we recommend at least heading back on foot, since the path winds through the charming narrow alleyways of the Santa Cruz neighborhood. Along the way, you’ll pass lots of colorful houses with flower-filled balconies.

Inside the castle, there’s an interesting exhibition of weapons and armor that gives you a real glimpse into Alicante’s history.

Explanada de España

An absolute must-see in Alicante is the gorgeous palm-lined promenade Explanada de España, which runs parallel to the harbor waterfront.

Strolling here with a view of the sea instantly puts you in vacation mode. What immediately catches your eye are the mosaic tiles on the ground — a great photo opportunity.

Along the Explanada, you’ll find several stalls where you can browse for handmade souvenirs or jewelry. And if you get hungry, no problem — plenty of cafés and restaurants with lovely outdoor terraces line the promenade.

Harbor with the Pirate Ship Santísima Trinidad

Personally, we love strolling along beautiful harbor promenades, and Alicante’s small marina, the Puerto Deportivo, is perfect for just that.

Impressive vessels are moored one after another at the docks — somehow it’s quite a sight.

A real standout is the pirate ship Santísima Trinidad, which houses a museum inside. Entry costs €5, but you can redeem that amount directly toward a drink at the restaurant on deck.

Around the harbor, you can also settle into one of the many restaurants or cafés and simply watch the world go by. Don’t forget to try the fresh seafood — absolutely delicious!

Mercado Central

Attention foodies — we’ve got the perfect hotspot for every food lover: the Mercado Central.

The colorful stalls in the large market hall are packed with fresh fruit, vegetables, fragrant spices, and delicious cheese. The selection is seriously enormous. Just wander through the aisles and sample your way through regional specialties like fresh fish or Spanish tapas.

The best part? You can often try before you buy.

The Mercado is open Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 2:30 PM; on Saturdays it’s open until 3 PM.

Old Town of Alicante

Alicante’s historic center is an absolute must if you want to experience the authentic, historic atmosphere of the city.

Here you’ll find winding alleyways, colorful houses, and a truly unique ambiance. Especially beautiful is the picturesque Santa Cruz neighborhood.

As you wander through the narrow streets, you’ll discover hidden squares, cozy cafés, and tapas bars where you can sample the most delicious Spanish specialties.

In the mood for some shopping? The El Barrio neighborhood has cool boutiques and craft shops, plus markets to explore.

For night owls, El Barrio is also perfect — bars line up one after another and the evenings really come alive.

Basilica of Santa María and Plaza Santa María

One of the most beautiful points of interest in Alicante is the Basilica of Santa María, the oldest church in the city.

It dates back to the 14th century and its architecture blends a variety of styles: Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance. The interior is absolutely worth seeing, and admission is free.

The basilica sits right on the Plaza Santa María, which is always buzzing — especially in the evenings. It’s not uncommon for music to fill the air and for locals to spontaneously break into salsa dancing. It doesn’t get more authentically Spanish than that.

Playa del Postiguet

Fine sand between your toes and turquoise water right in front of you — sounds good, right? That’s exactly what you get at Alicante’s city beach, Playa del Postiguet.

You can rent lounge chairs and umbrellas to really make yourself comfortable, or just stretch out in the shade of a palm tree. There are also beach bars for a cold drink and several beach volleyball courts to keep things lively.

El Postiguet is perfectly located right in the heart of the city center, essentially at the foot of the Castillo de Santa Bárbara.

Playa de San Juan

We personally like the miles-long Playa de San Juan even a little better. It’s not as central as El Postiguet, but it’s also not as crowded.

At San Juan you can also rent umbrellas, but the selection isn’t quite as extensive. So if shade is a priority, El Postiguet might be more your beach.

Our tip: There aren’t as many beach bars here as at the city beach, so it’s best to bring your own snacks.

With tram lines 3 and 4 or bus lines 21 and 22, you’ll get there from downtown Alicante in about 30 minutes. You can board at various stops in the city center — for example, “Luceros” for the tram or “Teatro” for the bus.

Plaza de Toros

One of the most well-known landmarks in Alicante is the historic bullring, the Plaza de Toros.

Bullfights still take place here today. Even though it’s part of Spanish culture, we’re not fans and chose not to attend one ourselves.

But don’t worry — you can experience the Plaza de Toros without a bullfight, as it sometimes hosts concerts and cultural performances. Or you can simply visit the building to admire its genuinely impressive architecture, which won’t cost you a thing.

If you’re interested in the history behind the tradition, the attached free bullfighting museum is worth a visit.

Park El Palmeral

El Palmeral Park is a green oasis in the city and a great place to escape the urban hustle for a while.

With palm trees, ponds, and lovely walking paths, the park is ideal for relaxing and enjoying nature. You’ll find tons of great photo spots here — from exotic plants to little wooden bridges.

There are playgrounds for kids to let off steam, and cozy picnic areas where you can unpack the snacks you brought along. A bus stop just a few minutes’ walk away connects you easily to the city center via bus lines C-6 or C-52. And best of all: admission is free!

Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Alicante

The perfect spot in Alicante for art lovers is the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo, known as MACA for short.

This renowned art museum displays modern and contemporary works by Picasso, Dalí, and Miró, among others — paintings, sculptures, photographs, and much more.

You can explore the various rooms at your own pace or join a guided tour if you want to dig deeper into the stories behind the art.

By the way: the MACA is open daily except Mondays, and admission is free — we love that!

Parque de Canalejas

If you’re standing on the Explanada de España and head in the opposite direction from the beach, you’ll reach Parque de Canalejas.

It’s a beautiful little park filled with ancient trees — enormous, gnarled plane trees, cypresses, and olive trees that create a wonderfully shady atmosphere.

It’s a great place to relax or go for a stroll. Kids will enjoy the small playgrounds, and fitness enthusiasts will appreciate the outdoor workout stations dotted around the park.

Hogueras de San Juan and Museo de Hogueras

Every year from June 20 to 29, Alicante hosts the festival Hogueras de San Juan, and the whole city goes wild. Everything is filled with colors, lights, and fire — pure joie de vivre!

Parades take place, music can be heard on every corner, and the streets are packed with people celebrating and dancing.

During Hogueras, enormous, colorful sculptures made of wood or papier-mâché are set up throughout the city. They are truly breathtaking works of art.

The absolute highlight is the evening of June 24, the Feast of Saint John. The sculptures are ceremonially set on fire and burned, followed by endless celebrations. Fireworks light up the sky and bonfires glow along the beach. The atmosphere is simply one of a kind.

Not visiting in June? You can still check out the Museo de Hogueras, which displays incredible sculptures and explains their meaning — often satirical. Admission is free.

Activities in Alicante and the Surrounding Area

Beyond sightseeing, there’s so much more to experience in Alicante. Here are our favorite activities in and around the city that you absolutely have to try.

Day Trip to Tabarca Island

If you ask us which activity in Alicante is an absolute must, our answer is clear: a day trip to the small island of Tabarca off the coast.

You can get there by ferry in one hour. Tickets cost €10–15 and can be bought directly at the harbor, depending on the operator. We think the boat ride itself is a highlight, though sometimes the waves can be pretty rough.

What’s great about Tabarca is that there are no cars — just narrow, charming little alleyways. It’s the ideal little getaway where time seems to have stood still.

Tabarca is especially great for snorkeling. The underwater world is stunning, with lots of colorful fish and coral. Just don’t expect major sightseeing attractions.

There are also several restaurants where you can get truly delicious fresh fish and seafood. Dining with an ocean view — doesn’t that sound perfect?

GetYourGuide also offers trips to the island on a glass-bottom boat:

Round-trip to Tabarca Island by glass-bottom boat

Paragliding

Looking for some action? Go paragliding! We tried it ourselves and were absolutely blown away.

Through GetYourGuide you can book an approximately 30-minute tandem paragliding flight departing from Agost, a small town just outside Alicante.

Before takeoff, you’ll get a thorough safety briefing and get familiar with the equipment. Then you’re up in the air — the view over the mountain landscape is simply one of a kind.

Book the tandem paragliding flight in Agost

Exploring Guadalest and the Algar Waterfalls

One of our personal favorites in the Alicante area is the picturesque mountain village of Guadalest, set among rugged rocky cliffs in the valley of the same name. Bring your camera — the photo opportunities here are seriously incredible.

On a guided tour, you’ll explore the village, visit Guadalest castle, and can check out a museum if you’re interested. You’ll also stop at the Embalse de Guadalest viewpoint, where you’ll have a stunning vista of the turquoise reservoir far below.

Afterward, it’s on to the natural pools of Fuentes del Algar. Here you can cool off in the crystal-clear springs and waterfalls — pack your swimsuit! The surrounding nature is simply breathtaking.

Book the day tour of the Guadalest Valley and Algar Waterfalls

Visiting the Beautiful Towns of Villajoyosa and Altea

The province of Alicante has even more beautiful spots well worth a detour. Particularly charming are the towns of Villajoyosa and Altea — and the five-hour day tour from GetYourGuide conveniently combines both.

After being picked up from your hotel in Alicante, your first stop is Villajoyosa. The town is known for its wonderful colorful houses and alleyways, and also for the Valor chocolate factory, which you’ll naturally visit as well.

Altea is next on the agenda. Here you’ll stroll through the old quarter past typical white houses and the blue domes of the Nuestra Señora del Consuelo church, which create a striking contrast.

When you need a break from sightseeing, settle into one of the many delightful cafés or restaurants and treat yourself to a coffee or a refreshing sangría.

Book the day trip to Villajoyosa and Altea

Practical Tips for Alicante

Before you head out, here are a few practical tips for your vacation in Alicante.

#1 Getting to Alicante

There are many direct flights to Alicante from major European cities. Depending on where you’re flying from, you’ll land at Alicante Airport after roughly two and a half to three hours.

From there, you can take a taxi to the city center — the ride takes about 15 minutes and costs around €20. Alternatively, bus C-6 is the budget-friendly option at under €4 per person. It runs from 6 AM to 11:30 PM and gets you into the city in 25 minutes.

We always search for flights using Skyscanner, since it gives a full overview of all prices and connections.

Find flights to Alicante on Skyscanner

#2 Where to Stay in Alicante

Wondering where the best place to stay in Alicante is? Here are our 3 favorite hotels — all super close to the sea and no more than 15 minutes on foot from the city beach:

Casa Alberola Alicante: a modern hotel located right on the Explanada de España. The harbor views from the rooms are absolutely incredible.

Hospes Amérigo: a luxury hotel in a prime location right in the heart of the historic center, featuring a generous breakfast buffet, a cool rooftop bar, a spa, and a pool.

Hotel Boutique Alicante Palacete S.XVII: an adults-only hotel with a special charm and many thoughtful little details. The value for money here is genuinely excellent.

#3 Guided Tours in Alicante

One of the best ways to get to know a city is on a guided tour. Here are three tours in Alicante that we particularly like.

These are the tours we recommend:
Bicycle Tour of Alicante: A bike tour is a fantastic way to explore a city. You’ll cycle through Santa Cruz, along the beach, and past many of the top sights, while your guide shows you Alicante’s hidden corners.

Secrets of Alicante – Discovery Tour: On this tour, you’ll discover the seven most fascinating secrets of the city that only locals know. You’ll explore highlights like the Castillo, snack your way through the Mercado Central, and visit a tapas bar.

Catamaran Tour Along Alicante’s Coast: A completely different way to experience Alicante — from the water. You’ll cruise along the coast on a catamaran, and whenever you want to cool off or go snorkeling, just jump into the blue Mediterranean. Drinks and fresh fruit are included.

#4 Food and Drink in Alicante

Of course, we also want to share some culinary tips for your Alicante trip. Let’s dig in!

Restaurants and Cafés in Alicante

• Horchatería Azul: This place serves the world’s best horchata, a refreshing drink made from tiger nut milk. Enjoy it inside the small, traditional horchatería or take it to go and sip it on the charming Plaza Santa Teresa, just a two-minute walk away.
• Cafetería Correos. Lola y Pablo: On Plaza Gabriel Miró, you’ll find this small, unassuming-looking café — a total local favorite in Alicante! The wonderfully warm owners serve up a typical Spanish breakfast, including pan con tomate. Make sure to try the freshly squeezed orange juice.
• Soho Parc: Here you sit in a small park beneath enormous, gnarled trees surrounding a pavilion. The atmosphere is simply wonderful — perfect for your morning café con leche or an evening cocktail.
• Livanti Gelato di Sicilia: Not exactly Spanish, but still a must on our food list — because this gelato shop serves the absolute best ice cream in Alicante. Our personal favorites are the gianduia and wild berry flavors.

Regional Specialties

• Arroz a banda: a type of paella that’s a true Alicante classic. The rice is cooked in fish broth and prepared with various kinds of seafood like shrimp, crayfish, or calamari. So delicious!
• Tapas and montaditos: If there’s one thing Alicante does to perfection, it’s tapas and the sandwich-like montaditos. There are countless fantastic tapas bars in the city. We’re big fans of Cervecería Sento Barrio — the food there is simply outstanding.
• Turrón de Alicante: traditionally a Christmas sweet, but enjoyed year-round. Turrón is a firm nougat made from toasted almonds and honey — and it also makes a great souvenir to bring home.