This travel guide is full of tips on how to plan your holidays in Alicante. This amazing town is known as the Lucentum or the City of Light for being sunny all year round. Alicante is famous for being the fantastic beach destination, drinking the day away, vibrant nightlife, its water activities, palm tree promenades, shopping streets, tapas bar hopping, fortresses and the fine art museums.
Table of Contents
What to Visit in Alicante
Alicante is the seaside resort located in the eastern part of Spain, in the region of Valencia. This amazing town sits along the Mediterranean coastline known as Costa Blanca (the white coast) with the most beautiful Playa del Postiguet Beach. In fact, Alicante covers the area of 201,3 square km with the population of 331,577 people.
Don’t leave Alicante without seeing:
- Castle of Santa Barbara
- Mount Benacantil
- Explanada de España
- El Barrio de Santa Cruz
- Alicante Town Hall
- Basilica of Santa Maria
- Alicante’s Towers
- Calle San Francisco
- Alicante Harbour
- Castle of San Fernando
- Concatedral de San Nicolás
- Santa Faz Monastery
- Archaeological Museum
- Contemporary Art Museum
- Gravina Museum of Fine Art
- L’Ereta Park
- El Palmeral Park
- Tabarca Island
- Mercado Central Market
- Playa del Postiguet Beach
- San Juan Beach
- Urbanova Beach
- Albufereta Beach
Read more: What to See and Do in Alicante – Top Tourist Attractions
Daily Excursions from Alicante
- Benidorm
- Cartagena
- Villajoyosa
- Murcia
- Valencia
- Altea
- Calpe
- Polop
- Busot
- Guadalest
- Río Safari Park
- Tabarca Island
- Canelobre Caves
Hiking in Alicante
Because Alicante is the seaside resort, the best walks you can take are the ones on the beach. Basically, the town is very walkable and you can see everything while strolling. If you like climbing, you should try reaching the Castle of Santa Barbara on foot.
Additionally, you can do some trekking around Alicante and the best hiking trails include the Sierra Aitana Mountain, Puig Campana Mountain, Mount Montgó in Dénia, Peñon de Ifach in Calpe (Calpe Rock), Sierra Helada (Gelada) National Park and the El Albir Lighthouse (El Albir to Benidorm), Benitatxell Cliffs, Sierra de Bèrnia Ridge Loop Trail (Forat and Fort of Bernia), Barranc de l’Infern (Hell’s Cliff), Puig Campana, Barranc de l’Encantada (Encantada canyon), The birth of the Vinalopó River, Carrascar de la Font Roja Natural Park, La Cova Tallada (The Carved Cave), The Serpis River Greenway, Route of the 8 towns (La Vall de Gallinera), Benissa Coastal Walk.
Beaches in Alicante
Being right on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, Alicante can really be proud of the amazing coastline and the sandy beaches. In fact, you can find 14 lovely beaches in the area, but the most popular is the Playa del Postiguet Beach, located at the root of the Santa Barbara Castle, near the city centre. If you fancy cruising, you may go on the daily boat trip to Tabarca Island.
Where to Stay in Alicante
If you want stay in the city centre with the main restaurants, pubs and still have the access to the beach, I would suggest booking your hotel near the Castle of Santa Barbara with the Playa del Postiguet Beach.
Basically, there are many nice neighbourhoods in Alicante such as the historic old town (El Barrio de Santa Cruz) and the nearby beaches of Postiguet, Albufereta, Almadraba and San Juan. It’s also good to know that Alicante train station area is often where backpackers are based.
Most recommended hotels in Alicante:
- Hotel Maya Alicante
- Hotel Spa Porta Maris
What to Eat in Alicante
Generally, the region of Alicante is known for growing the Bomba rice, fresh vegetables and the abundance of seafood. When in the area, you must try the traditional dishes such as:
- Paella – bomba rice with seafood
- Red Prawns – boiled or grilled with a little rock salt
- Turron – dessert type of nougat with almonds and honey
- Salazones – salted fish dishes (tuna, cod, octopus or anchovies)
- Arroz a Banda – rice cooked in fish stock with fish, pepper and garlic
- Bunuelo – fried dough balls like doughnuts or fritters with sugar coating
- Olla Churra – stew with beans, veggies, sausages, meat, rice or potatoes
- All i Pebre – stew with baby eel, garlic and paprika, really strong flavour
- Esgarrat – salad with grilled pepper, cured cod, garlic, olive oil and olives
- Tombet Valencia – stew with lamb, garlic, herbs and nuts and seasonings
Read more: Traditional Spanish Food and Best Restaurants in Alicante.
How to Get Around Alicante
If you stay in the old town area near the Playa del Postiguet, everything is within the walking distance. To reach the more remote places use the buses, trams or rent a scooter.
Alicante Airport (Alicante - Elche Airport) is located 12 km away from the city centre. How to get from the Alicante airport to the city centre:
- Bus - line C6, runs 6 am to 11.30 pm, every 20 min, duration - 25 min, cost €3.85 (£3.50). You can buy the ticket from the driver.
- Taxi - runs 24/7, duration - 15 min, cost - €21 (£19).
The public transport in Alicante is provided by the buses (TAM) and trams (TRAM). You only buy one ticket to use for both. The buses and trams allow you to travel around the city as well as the neighbouring towns and the beaches. The ticket prices for buses and trams in Alicante:
- Single - €1.45 (£1.30) up to 60 min
- Mobilis card - €2 (rechargeable)
- Mobilis card 10 trips - €8.70 (£7.80)
- Mobilis card 30 trips - €26.10 (£23.50)
Buses:
The main bus station is located near the Alicante harbour, 1.12 km away from the town centre. Generally, the buses run from 6.30 am to 11 pm, plus there is a night bus service available as well. The bus network in Alicante connects you with the other transport options like: Alicante airport (C6 line), the RENFE train station (national rail service in Spain) and the tram network (TRAM). The TAM bus tickets in Alicante can be bought at: the TAM online website (movilidad.vectalia.es), the TAM office station near the Mercado Central Alicante, at any kiosk or tobacconist or directly on the bus by paying cash (drivers give change).
Trams:
There are several tram stations around the Alicante city (metropolitan area of Alicante, zone A). The tram network combines different services: the trams, light rail and light trains. There are 6 zones (A, B, C, D, E, F) and you can use 6 different TRAM lines: L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L9 (regional train). The trams in Alicante connect the city with other towns nearby (Benidorm, Denia, El Campello, etc) and the beaches. The TRAM tickets in Alicante can be purchased at: the TRAM online website (tramalacant.es), the tram station ticket machines or any kiosk (tobacconist) around the city.
The typical daily price is for renting a 125 cc scooter in Alicante is €50 (£45). You can book from the following companies:
- Rent Scooters (rentscooter.info/en/)
- Rent a Scooter (rent-a-scooter.es)
Alicante Travel Guide – Cost and Budget
Alicante is the travel destination in Spain you can afford. If you’re backpacking Alicante, you shouldn’t spend more than £55 a day. That’s assuming you stay in a hostel, eat Spanish street food (paella, red prawns, sweet almonds called turron, fish or sausage and beans), do a lot of walking and see basic attractions.
If you travel to Alicante on the mid – range budget, your daily cost should be around £95. That allows you to stay in a nice hotel near the Playa del Postiguet beach, dine in the restaurants near the famous promenade (Explanada de Espana), use taxis and book the Alicante bus tour.
If you want a luxury beach holiday in Alicante, you will need to spend between £180 to £200 a day. On this budget, you will be able to stay in the top hotel room, do a lot of fine dining, book private taxis and guided tours.
| Accommodation | Food | Transport | Attractions | Avg Daily Cost | |
| Backpacker | £30 | £10 | £5 | £10 | £55 |
| Mid-Range | £50 | £20 | £10 | £15 | £95 |
| Luxury | £70-£100 | £40 | £30 | £40 | £180-£200 |
Alicante Travel Guide – Best Time to Visit
Best time to go to Alicante is from May to September. Those months bring a lot of sunshine and the average temperatures between 25°C and 31°C. If you want a beach holidays in Alicante, the most enjoyable time to travel is definitely the summer from June to August. Those months bring the air temperatures between 27°C to 31°C and the Mediterranean Sea up to 26°C in August.
TIP: The peak season in Alicante is summer and that’s when the tourists travel the most. If you travel there in summer, you’re likely to experience the events such as the Bonfire of Saint John (23rd June) and Alicante Summer Festival (July to August).
Spring in Alicante runs from March to May. Those months bring mild temperatures from 20°C to 25°C but weather conditions might changes and light showers are common. If you travel to Alicante in spring, you’re likely to experience the Carnival and Easter holidays (March or April).
Autumn in Alicante is from September to November. Those months bring the temperatures between 20°C and 25°C, a lot of rain and thunders all over the city.
Winter in Alicante is between December and February. Those months bring the daily temperatures up to 18°C, light showers and windy weather. If you travel to Alicante in winter, you get to experience the Christmas celebrations in December.
High Season (Jun – Aug)
- Crowds flooding Alicante
- Hotels are most expensive
- Temps from 27°C to 31°C
- Perfect to be on the beach
Mid (Mar-May, Sep-Nov)
- Less tourist in Alicante
- Hotels are discounted
- Temperatures 20°C to 25°C
- Autumn is the wettest
Low Season (Dec – Feb)
- No crowds in Alicante
- Hotels are the cheapest
- Temperatures up to 18°C
- Mild winter months
Alicante Travel Guide – Average Monthly Temperatures
Alicante is the hottest in summer from June to August. Those months bring hot temperatures between 27°C and 31°C with August being the hottest. The sea temperature in Alicante during summer varies from 22°C to 26°C. Alicante is the coldest in winter from December to February. Those months experience the mild temperatures between 17°C and 18°C with January being the coldest.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| High Temp (°C) | 17 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 25 | 27 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 25 | 20 | 18 |
| Low Temp (°C) | 7 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 15 | 11 | 8 |
| Avg Sea Temp (°C) | 15 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 19 | 17 |
Alicante Travel Guide – Average Monthly Precipitation
Alicante doesn’t experience a lot of rain throughout the year but it’s the wettest in autumn from September to November. In fact, October is the month when it rains the most with the average forty six mm and four days of showers. On the contrary, Alicante is the driest in summer from June to August. July is the month when it rains the least with an average four mm and one day of showers.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Rainfall (mm) | 21 | 20 | 20 | 27 | 28 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 40 | 46 | 34 | 22 |
| Rainfall (days) | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
Alicante Travel Guide – Practical Information
This part of my travel guide is full of tips on what to expect during your travels to Alicante. For more information on language and local time, religion, electricity plug, internet, currency, visa, safety and health matters in Alicante, just follow my advice below.
Population and Language – Around 331,577 people live in Alicante which is located in the region of Valencia. The official language is Spanish. Most people speak good English.
Religion – Most of people living in Alicante are Catholics.
Local Time – There is 1 time zone in Alicante, UTC+1 hour.
Electricity – Alicante runs on 230V voltage. There is 50Hz and the plug type C and F. Getting an adapter is recommended.
Internet – The internet in Alicante is available all over the city. The free Wi-Fi is offered by most hotels and restaurants. It’s recommended to buy a cheap sim card and mobile internet on arrival. Best prepaid sim cards in Alicante are: Orange, Movistar, Vodafone and Lycamobile.
Money and Currency in Alicante
Money – In Alicante the ATMs are widely available but withdrawing your money will charge you a standard fee. Visa, MasterCard, Eurocard, Cirrus Debit and Credit Cards are accepted pretty much everywhere. Cash may come in handy when paying small street vendors.
Currency – The official currency in Alicante is Euro (€) (EUR).
Visa Requirements for Alicante
Visa – EU citizens don’t need a visa to travel to Alicante thanks to the Schengen Zone Area that allows you free travel with no passport or border control. The UK left the EU on 31st of January 2020 meaning the UK citizens can spend up to 90 days within the Schengen Area (during any 180 day period). Valid ID document is required. Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders and Americans don’t need a visa to Alicante if their trips are less than 90 days. Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months before your travels.
Safety in Alicante
Safety
Alicante is a safe city to travel. However, the tourist should be aware that the bag snatching and pick pocketing can happen, especially in the port area so it’s best to avoid it at night. In case of trouble, you should always report it to the Spanish national police by visiting the police stations (comisarias) or calling the police or visiting www.policia.es
Emergency Numbers – In Alicante the universal emergency number to dial is 112. The numbers for the particular emergency services in Spain are: Police – 091, Fire – 085, Ambulance – 061, Maritime Rescue – 902 202 202.
Health and Travel Vaccinations in Alicante
Health – Traveling to Alicante requires doesn’t require any additional vaccinations. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that everyone is covered for the diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and polio, hepatitis A, hepatitis B regardless of their destination.