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    Alicante

    Spain

    Alicante

    CityCulture

    Alicante, provincial capital and port city on the Costa Blanca, combines a historic old town with Mediterranean beach life.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Spain
    7. Costa Blanca
    9. Alicante
    Alicante, provincial capital and port city on the Costa Blanca, combines a historic old town with Mediterranean beach life. The Castillo de Santa Bárbara on the 167-metre Benacantil offers you wide views over the bay; you can reach the fortress, which is of Moorish origin, on foot or by lift. Stroll along the Explanada de España, a palm-lined promenade at the harbour with a marble mosaic in a wave pattern. Discover the Santa Cruz quarter in the old town with its narrow alleys. You will find culinary experiences in the tapas bars of the old town. It is best to visit the castle early in the morning or in the late afternoon to avoid the midday heat.

    Sights in Alicante

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Castillo de Santa Bárbara

    1Castillo de Santa Bárbara

    The Castillo de Santa Bárbara is Alicante's landmark and is located on the 167-meter-high Mount Benacantil. The current fortress dates back to a Muslim-era complex from the late 9th century. On December 4, 1248, Saint Barbara's Day, the Castilian Infante Alfonso, later King Alfonso X, captured the castle, hence its name. It was expanded multiple times over the centuries. From its terraces, you have expansive panoramic views over the city, port, and Mediterranean Sea.Our tip: Visit the Castillo early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the peak heat. Convenient are the lifts opened in 1963, located inside the mountain, which you reach via a tunnel opposite Postiguet Beach. The walking path, however, offers scenic photo opportunities.
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    Archäologisches Museum Alicante

    2Archäologisches Museum Alicante

    The Alicante Archaeological Museum (MARQ) was awarded European Museum of the Year in 2004. It showcases the history of Alicante Province with dedicated halls for prehistory, Iberian and Roman cultures, the Middle Ages, and modern and contemporary periods, plus temporary exhibitions. Allow two to three hours for your visit. Our tip: It's usually quieter on weekday mornings.
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    Esplanade of Spain
    Attraction

    3Esplanade of Spain

    The harbor promenade spans a good 500 meters and is lined with some 350 palm trees. Its paving, made of over 6.5 million red, ivory, and black marble pebbles, forms a wave pattern created during its 1959 redesign.
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    Basilica of Saint Mary
    Church

    4Basilica of Saint Mary

    The city's oldest church was built on the site of a former mosque and rebuilt in the Gothic style after a 15th-century fire. The Baroque portal features a statue of the Virgin Mary by sculptor Juan Bautista Borja.
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    City walks in Alicante

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Panoramic Views & History: In the Footsteps of the Castillo de Santa Bárbara

    This walk takes you up to the heights of Alicante to explore the impressive Santa Bárbara fortress and enjoy breathtaking views. Discover hidden paths, the historic fishermen's quarter and modern art at the foot of the mountain.

    ~2 Std. 30 Min.
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    Stops (5)

    Essen & Trinken

    CivitaVecchia Pizzería

    Restaurant in C. de la Virgen del Socorro.
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    La Taberna del Gourmet

    Stilvolles Lokal für klassische Gerichte mit Meeresfrüchten und Grillfleisch sowie Tapas und spanischen Wein.
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    Nou Manolín

    Bar in Calle Villegas.
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    1

    Nonna Celia

    Restaurant in Plaça de San Cristóbal.
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    Valencia Once Restaurante

    Restaurant in C/ València.
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    Alicante: Cultural Heritage and History

    Alicante's history is the result of millennia of settlement and its strategic location on the Mediterranean. The city was significantly shaped by Iberian, Roman, and Moorish cultures.In 201 BC, the Romans conquered the Iberian settlement on Tossal de Manises, which was renamed Lucentum. Moorish rule lasted more than 500 years; during this time, the city was called Al-Laqant, from which "Alacant" and "Alicante" developed. On December 4, 1248, the Castilian Infante Alfonso, later Alfonso X, conquered the castle, and in the early 14th century, Alicante joined the Kingdom of Valencia.The architecture reflects these epochs. The Castillo de Santa Bárbara on Monte Benacantil dates back to a fortress from the end of the 9th century and was repeatedly expanded until modern times. In the old town stand the Basílica de Santa María, a Valencian Gothic building with a later Baroque facade on the site of a former mosque, and the Concatedral de San Nicolás de Bari.The most important festival is the "Hogueras de San Juan" in June, during which large figures are erected and burned on St. John's Eve. The local cuisine, with its rice dishes and fresh seafood, reflects the city's maritime identity.

    Nightlife

    Alicante's nightlife mainly centers around the historic quarter of El Barrio, where traditional bars and modern cocktail lounges like the 26 Cocktail Room line the streets. For later hours, you'll find clubs like the Konzep7 Club, which stay open until the early morning hours and offer a wide range of music styles.
    1

    Vinoymás

    Bar in C. Canalejas.
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    2

    Tetería The Xoxi´s

    Bar in C. García Andreu.
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    3

    26 Cocktail Room

    Bar in Pl. Portal de Elche.
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    4

    Rozely Coffee & Wines

    Bar in Carrer Sant Joan Bosco.
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    5

    Royal Night Club

    Bar in Carrer Arquebisbe Loaces.
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    6

    Oxígeno Discoteca

    Av. Alcoi, 54, 03010 Alacant, Alicante, Spanien
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    7

    Konzep7 Club

    C. de las Comunicaciones, 3, 03008 Alicante, Spanien
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    8

    SOHO MAR

    Bar in Puerto de Alicante.
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    9

    Confetti Alicante

    Bar in Calle del Médico Pascual Pérez.
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    Exploring Locally

    Alicante is easy to explore thanks to its compact city center. The TRAM d'Alacant connects the city center with suburbs and coastal towns like El Campello and Benidorm, and buses complement the network. For frequent journeys, it’s worth getting the rechargeable Bono Mòbilis Multiviaje, which offers around 40 percent savings compared to single tickets.Within the city center and along the promenade, you can comfortably reach the main sights on foot. To the castle, a tunnel opposite Postiguet Beach leads to the lifts. Taxis are a convenient option, especially for late-night trips or from Alicante-Elche Airport.

    Accommodations in Alicante

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    Campgrounds in Alicante

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    Nearby

    Costa Blanca

    Costa Blanca

    The coast of Alicante province, known as Costa Blanca, stretches from Dénia in the north to Pilar de la Horadada on the Murcia border. To the north, limestone mountains like Montgó and Penyal d'Ifac drop steeply into the sea, dotted with coves and small ports. South of Alicante, the coast becomes flat, featuring long sandy beaches, salt flats, and dunes.You'll find resorts like Benidorm, old towns such as Altea, Elche's palm grove, and a mountainous interior with villages like Guadalest.
    Elche (Elx)

    Elche (Elx)

    Elche, in Valencian Elx, is located approximately 20 kilometres southwest of Alicante, inland. The city is known for its palm grove, boasting around 70,000 date palms alone in the city gardens, which UNESCO declared a World Heritage Site in 2000, and for the 15th-century mystery play Misteri d'Elx.
    Benidorm

    Benidorm

    Benidorm on the Costa Blanca is known for its dense high-rise skyline, which has earned it nicknames like "Manhattan of the Mediterranean." Originally a tuna-fishing village, the city transformed into a tourist hub from the 1950s, thanks to a 1956 development plan. Here you will find extensive sandy beaches like the bustling Playa de Levante and the quieter Playa de Poniente for sunbathing and swimming. The historic Casco Antiguo, with its narrow streets and the Church of San Jaime y Santa Ana, offers a contrast to the high-rises. From the Balcón del Mediterráneo, you can enjoy panoramic views over the coast. A practical tip: Visit the tapas bars in the old town. For a quieter atmosphere, a visit outside the summer months is recommended.
    Altea

    Altea

    Altea on the Costa Blanca, situated between Benidorm and Calp, is known for its old town of whitewashed houses on a hill. The Church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo, with its blue-glazed tile domes, forms the centre of the historic quarter. Strolling through the narrow, cobbled streets, you'll pass artists' and artisans' studios as well as small cafés. Altea has long attracted painters, writers, and musicians, which shapes the character of the town. From the old town's viewpoints, you can gaze over the bay and the Mediterranean Sea. To experience Altea's tranquility, it's best to visit the town in the off-season. Also explore the beach promenade, which offers a beautiful contrast to the historic core.

    Calp (Calpe)

    Calp (Spanish Calpe), between Altea/Benidorm (south) and Xàbia (north). The landmark Penyal d'Ifac, a 332m limestone rock, connected to town by a narrow land strip, is a protected natural park. Also nearby: a salt lagoon (flamingos often seen in summer), two town beaches, a small old town.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Unsplash, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI