Alicante

Explanada Seafront Apartment

A renovated apartment steps from the mosaic Explanada de España promenade and the marina, walking distance to the Old Town.

Barrio de Santa Cruz Guesthouse

A small guesthouse among the colorful whitewashed houses of the old fishermen's quarter, below the castle.

Playa de San Juan Family Resort

A spacious beachfront hotel on Playa de San Juan with a pool, kids' club and direct access to 6 km of sandy beach.

Puerto de Alicante Marina Hotel

A modern hotel overlooking the yacht marina and Postiguet Beach, close to the tram and Volvo Ocean Race museum.

Albufereta Quiet Family Villa

A residential villa in the quieter Albufereta area, near a small cove beach and a short drive from the center.

Mercado Central District Hotel

A practical mid-range hotel near the Mercado Central and Renfe train station, ideal for exploring by foot or rail.

Alicante-Elche Airport Transfer

Book a shared or private shuttle from Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC) — about 12 km and 20-25 minutes to the city center.

TRAM Metropolitano Line 1

The coastal tram runs from the city center along the seafront to Playa de San Juan and beyond to El Campello — cheap and scenic.

City Bus Network (TAM)

Alicante's TAM bus network covers the whole city and suburbs, connecting neighborhoods the tram doesn't reach.

Renfe Train Station

Alicante Terminal station connects to Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona and Murcia via AVE high-speed and regional trains.

Ferry to Tabarca Island

Boats depart from the harbor near the Explanada for the 30-40 minute crossing to car-free Tabarca Island, the only inhabited island in the Valencian Community.

Rental Car for Costa Blanca

A rental car opens up day trips along the Costa Blanca coast — Villajoyosa, Guadalest and inland mountain villages.

CASABLANCA Restaurante Tapas & paellas

CASABLANCA Restaurante Tapas & paellas is a highly-rated tapas restaurant, boasting an impressive 4.6 stars from 7315 reviews.

📍Pça. de Quijano, 13, 03002 Alacant, Alicante, Spain · View on map

La Tasca Del Barrio

La Tasca Del Barrio is a charming Mediterranean restaurant offering upscale dishes, tapas, and sangria. It boasts an excellent rating of 4.7 from 5597 reviews.

📍C. Llauradors, 22, 03002 Alacant, Alicante, Spain · View on map

Cafeteria Tres Texturas

Cafeteria Tres Texturas is a highly-rated coffee shop. It boasts a perfect 5-star rating from 2597 reviews.

📍C/ Navas, 36, 03001 Alacant, Alicante, Spain · View on map

La Taberna del Gourmet

La Taberna del Gourmet is a highly-rated Mediterranean restaurant, boasting 4.4 stars from 7257 reviews. This rustic tavern offers classic seafood, grilled meat dishes, tapas, and a selection of Spanish wines.

📍C. San Fernando, 10, 03002 Alicante, Spain · View on map

Manero Alicante - Manero Mollá

Manero Alicante - Manero Mollá is a bustling bar, a destination for Spanish tapas, beer, and wine, featuring wood accents and a decorative tile floor. It boasts a 4.5-star rating from 4562 reviews.

📍C. Médico Manero Mollà, 7, 03001 Alicante, Spain · View on map

El Portal Alicante - Krug Ambassade

El Portal Alicante - Krug Ambassade is an elegant Spanish restaurant offering tapas, seafood, and cocktails in an elaborately decorated setting with DJs. It holds a 4.4-star rating from 4156 reviews.

📍C. Bilbao, 2, 03001 Alicante, Spain · View on map

Postiguet Beach Swim

The closest sandy beach to the Old Town, right below the castle, with lifeguards, showers and playgrounds nearby.

Santa Bárbara Castle by Free Elevator

A free glass elevator built into Monte Benacantil hill carries visitors up to the medieval castle with panoramic city and sea views.

Playa de San Juan Beach & Playgrounds

A wide, 6 km sandy Blue Flag beach with shallow water, beachfront playgrounds and plenty of space to run around.

MARQ Archaeological Museum

An award-winning, highly interactive archaeology museum with hands-on exhibits, recreated tombs and Iberian artifacts.

Tabarca Island Boat Trip & Snorkeling

A glass-bottom or regular boat trip to Tabarca's marine reserve, with calm clear water ideal for family snorkeling.

Parque de la Ereta Play Areas

A modern hillside park below the castle with play structures, shaded terraces and a café with panoramic sea views.

Santa Bárbara Castle History Walk

One of the largest medieval fortresses in Spain, atop Monte Benacantil, with roots dating to the 9th century Moorish period.

MARQ Museo Arqueológico Provincial

Winner of the European Museum of the Year Award, tracing the region's history from prehistory to the Middle Ages.

Museo Volvo Ocean Race

A free museum by the marina celebrating Alicante's role as the only Spanish stopover of the round-the-world Ocean Race.

Explanada de España Evening Stroll

A palm-lined seafront promenade famous for its wave-pattern mosaic of 6.6 million marble tiles, lively with street performers.

Teatro Principal de Alicante

The city's historic 19th-century opera house hosts concerts, opera and theater in an ornate neoclassical hall.

Barrio de Santa Cruz Street Art

A steep, colorful old quarter of whitewashed houses with painted doors, potted flowers and hidden viewpoints below the castle.

Concatedral de San Nicolás de Bari

Alicante's main co-cathedral, a 17th-century Renaissance-Herrerian building with an imposing dome, on the site of a former mosque.

Basílica de Santa María

Alicante's oldest church, built in Valencian Gothic style on the site of a former mosque, with a Baroque facade added later.

Ermita de la Santa Cruz

A small hilltop chapel at the top of the Santa Cruz neighborhood, reached by steep stairs, with sweeping city views.

Iglesia de Santa Faz Pilgrimage

A monastery a short drive from Alicante holding a relic believed to be a veil that touched Christ's face, site of an annual pilgrimage.

Comunidad Judía de Alicante

A small but active modern Jewish community in Alicante maintains a synagogue and holds regular services for residents and visitors.

Semana Santa Processions

Holy Week (the week before Easter) brings solemn religious processions with hooded penitents through the Old Town streets.

Alicante Coworking Spaces

Several coworking hubs in the city center and near the marina offer fast fiber internet and flexible desks for remote workers.

Palacio de Congresos de Alicante

Alicante's modern convention center hosts business conferences, trade events and exhibitions year-round near the port.

Port of Alicante Trade & Logistics

A working commercial and cruise port handling regional trade alongside tourism — relevant for logistics and shipping businesses.

Ciudad de la Luz Film Studios

One of Europe's largest film studio complexes, near Alicante, has hosted major international film and TV productions.

Hotel Business Centers

Major hotels near the marina and Explanada offer business centers with printing, meeting rooms and fast WiFi.

IFA Alicante Trade Fairs

The Institución Ferial Alicantina hosts regional trade fairs and exhibitions across sectors throughout the year.

Emergency Number 112

Dial 112 for life-threatening emergencies anywhere in Spain.

Hospital General Universitario de Alicante

Alicante's main public hospital handles emergencies 24/7 and is well-equipped for serious medical needs.

Hospital Universitario de Sant Joan

A modern hospital near San Juan beach, convenient for families staying in the northern beach area.

Pharmacy (Farmacia) Locator

Green cross pharmacy signs are found throughout the city; a rotating 'farmacia de guardia' stays open 24 hours.

Beach Flag Safety System

Postiguet and San Juan beaches use a flag system — green for safe swimming, yellow for caution, red for no swimming.

Sun & Heat Precautions

Alicante summers are hot and dry — apply high-SPF sunscreen, carry water and avoid midday sun between 12-4pm.

Sailing at Real Club de Regatas

Alicante's historic yacht club by the marina offers sailing courses and rentals, honoring the city's Volvo Ocean Race heritage.

Hiking Monte Benacantil

A network of paths climbs the hill beneath the castle, offering hiking routes with sea views for those who skip the elevator.

Snorkeling in Tabarca Marine Reserve

Spain's oldest marine reserve surrounds Tabarca Island, with clear water and protected fish popular for snorkeling and diving.

Golf at Alenda or Bonalba

Two well-regarded golf courses lie a short drive from Alicante, set among pine forests and mountain backdrops.

Cycling the San Juan Promenade

A flat, dedicated bike path runs along the Explanada and continues to Playa de San Juan — bike rentals available near the marina.

Stand-Up Paddleboarding

SUP boards available for rent at San Juan and Postiguet beaches — calm morning water makes it easy for beginners.

Private Guided Old Town Walk

A certified local guide for a private family walk through the Old Town and castle — history and stories not in any guidebook.

Airport Fast Track & Private Transfer

Skip the lines on arrival at Alicante-Elche Airport with a concierge fast-track and private door-to-door transfer.

SIM Card & Travel WiFi

Spanish SIM cards available at the airport and city center shops — cheap EU data roaming for the whole trip.

Luggage Storage Near the Station

Store bags at a certified facility near the train station or Old Town to explore freely before check-in.

Local Concierge Service

A dedicated local fixer for reservations, Tabarca ferry bookings, private guides and any last-minute request.

Beach Equipment Rental at San Juan

Umbrellas, sun loungers and beach toys available for rent all along Playa de San Juan for a hassle-free beach day.

Best Family Months

May, June, September and October offer warm weather, calm seas and manageable crowds along the Costa Blanca.

July-August Heat & Crowds Warning

Peak summer brings temperatures over 30°C, packed beaches and higher hotel prices — plan indoor activities midday.

Mild Winter Season

November through March: mild 15-18°C days, quiet beaches and lower prices — popular with golfers and long-stay retirees.

Hogueras de San Juan Festival

Alicante's biggest festival (around June 20-24) features giant satirical effigies, fireworks and all-night beach bonfires on Midsummer's Eve.

Semana Santa (Holy Week)

The week before Easter brings solemn processions through the Old Town, drawing visitors interested in Spanish religious tradition.

Shoulder Season Value

May and October offer noticeably lower prices than peak summer and comfortable temperatures for sightseeing and the beach.

Take the Free Castle Elevator

Most visitors don't know the elevator to Santa Bárbara Castle is free — access it through a tunnel from Postiguet Beach.

Best Gelato Spot on the Explanada

A few artisan gelato shops line the Explanada — locals steer toward the ones a block back from the seafront for better quality and prices.

Book Tabarca Ferry Tickets Early

In peak summer, Tabarca boats sell out by mid-morning — buy tickets online the day before or arrive at the harbor by 9am.

Skip Postiguet, Go to San Juan

Postiguet gets very crowded in summer despite being small — locals take the tram 15 minutes to the much larger San Juan beach instead.

Mercado Central Lunch Timing

Arrive at the Mercado Central tapas bars before 1pm to get a table — by 2pm the lunch rush fills every seat.

Book Ahead for Hogueras Week

If your trip falls around June 20-24, book accommodation and restaurants months in advance — Hogueras is Alicante's busiest week of the year.