Alicante

This fine golden sandy beach is almost three kilometres in length and up to one hundred metres wide. Its facilities include lifeguard watchtowers, a Red Cross post, car park, footbath, toilets, disabled access. It is perfect for enjoying water-based activities, sports and also has children’s play parks. Along the beachfront there are all kinds of shops and restaurants.

Length: 2,900 m | Width: 85 m

This beach is in the city itself, at the foot of Mount Benacantil on which Santa Barbara Castle stands. It has a lovely promenade offering beautiful views over the bay. The beach is made up of fine golden sand and is ideal for sunbathing, reading, etc.
Length: 900 m | Width:: 50 m

Situated to the north east of the city, between the Serra Grossa and el Tossal de Manises, this is a secluded beach and is perfect for enjoying watersports.
Length: 400 m | Width:18 m

This collection of sandy beaches and rocky coves with crystal clear waters can be found between the beaches of San Juan and Albufereta. They are ideal for those wishing to quietly enjoy the sea away from the larger, busier beaches.
Length: 750 m | Width:: 6 m

This wide stretch of beach is located just south of the city centre, in a quiet area called Urbanova, and is perfect for sunbathing, swimming and enjoying leisure activities and sports.
Length: 1.600 m | Width: 52 m

In Aquopolis Torrevieja, you will find attractions for everyone: if you want an adrenaline rush, slide down in High Emotion. Moderate are designed for lovers of fun, which will appeal to both adults and children. All children under 10 years will have fun in the Kids Zone, MiniPark and Charmed Lake. Have a relaxing time with your family in our Sand Beach or at The VIP Area.

El Castell de Guadalest is one of the most beautiful villages in Spain.
Having a strolling 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.

The objects and text explanations displayed in the different rooms intend to show visitors the historical and social context that surrounded the construction and use of these bombshelters in Alicante during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).

A visit to Tabarca island is an absolute must for visitors. Boats from the company Kontiki depart from the marina in Alicante several times a day.

The journey takes around one hour from Alicante. The route will give you the opportunity to enjoy the coastline.

Try one of the traditional fish stews on the terrace of one of the restaurants. Also, you will find nice little bays to swim. If you decide to stay overnight on the island, there are also little hotels peppered along it.

This maritime promenade runs parallel to the port, from the Puerta del Mar to Canalejas Park and is one of the most popular areas in Alicante. La Explanada de España is also known as the “Paseo de la Explanada”. The floor is decorated with 6.600.000 tricolour marble tiles forming a design with a carachteristic wave effect mosaic.

Visitors and locals alike can enjoy these areas at any time of the year, thanks to the pleasant climate.

Contemporary Art Museum “MACA”, housed in the city’s oldest surviving civil building. In the baroque style, it dates back to 1685 and is located next to the Santa María basilica.

The museum has recently been re-opened after a year of an extension work in order to improve and enlarge its facilities in 4.700 m2, with the aim to house an important collection of 20th century art mostly comprised of works donated by Eusebio Sempere. Many different types of events also take place in this Museum.

This building contains some modernist features and was built between 1911 and 1912. The front of the building was designed by Enrique Sánchez Sedeño and on 25th May 1938, it was hit during the worst bombing suffered by the city of Alicante during the Spanish Civil War.

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.

Back in the old town quarter, we recommend a route that includes a visit to the San Nicholas Co-cathedral dating from the 17th-century. The cloisters, however, are from the 15th-century (Herrerian Renaissance style).
The Town Hall building is an 18th-century Baroque building.
The Santa María Basilica, a gothic structure based on the mosque from the ancient town, dates from the 14th- and 16th-centuries and was completed with Baroque and Rococo finishes in the 18th-century.

For those who want to have a general idea of Alicante, or for those with less time, Alicante offers a special service—the TuriBús—a bus through the city with 10 interesting stops for holidaymakers. The sights and sites are explained in Spanish,Valencian, English, French, German and Italian.

It is also enabled with an access platform for the disabled.

The Turibús usually operates between March and December.

Alicante has a wide variety of beaches, from fine sand to rocky ones. Most of them are proud to hold the Blue Flag award.

El Postiguet is the Alicante beach par excellence! Located in the very heart of the city. It’s a long sandy beach and is close to all types of services.

The San Juan beach is the most famous beach, not only because it is the longest, but also because of the quality and cleanliness of its waters.
Enjoy the sun and the sea, relaxing in the warm sand of one of Alicante beaches.

This museum (Museo de Fogueres) is dedicated to the most popular “fiesta” in Alicante and shows the "ninots," or wooden statues that have been "saved" - i.e., not burned every year - in a video room showing the best of this "fiesta", photographs, costumes, etc. This museum is especially nice for families with children!

Created in 1932, this museum was originally located on the ground floor of the Provincial Council building on Avenida de la Estación in Alicante. In 2002 it was transferred to the former site of the San Juan de Dios Provincial Hospital.

Visitors to this highly innovative and visual museum can enjoy an avant-garde approach to archaeology supported by modern audiovisual techniques.

Its exhibits stretch from the Palaeolithic through to Contemporary Modern Culture, tracing our history.

This museum occupies the 18th century Gravina Palace, which once belonged to the Count of Lumiares and housed the Provincial Archives. It exhibits works owned by the Provincial Council of Alicante, with collections comprising works of art created in Alicante from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century.

Alicante Golf, designed by Severiano Ballesteros, is considered to be one of the best maintained and designed golf courses in the whole of Spain...It is also highly regarded for its complete practice area. Another attraction of the course is the ruins of a roman village dating back to the 1st century B.C. located in the middle of the 14th hole. These ruins surfaced during the construction of the course and you have to fly over them to reach the green. At the 18th hole you will find the Hotel Alicante Golf ****. The restaurant at Alicante Golf is famous for its exquisite rice dishes and Mediterranean cuisine.

Bonalba golf course, with 18 holes, par 72, and a length of 6,367 metres, is located above the Mediterranean in the municipality of Mutxamel, in Alicante. Its 18ºC year-round average temperature and its location just 2 km from San Juan beach, make Bonalba a privileged location for playing golf all year round.

Alenda Golf course was designed by Roland Favrat, with the aim of respecting the lay of the land and the vegetation proper to the area as much as possible. The course was completed in October 1999, occupies 49 hectares of land, and has 18 holes Par 72, with 6,240 metres in length as well as an excellent practice area. The first nine holes are fun and easy to play, with wide fairways bordered by autochthonous vegetation. On the other hand, the second nine holes require higher levels of concentration, as this is a more technical part of the course in which distance plays a role, and in which holes 17 and 18 will clearly define the results of the score card.

American design and Scottish layout that will be a challenge and delight for all kinds of players. A playing area of international size, 18 holes, pair 72, 6.313 meters from white tees, that has five exit tees for each hole-with each green having its own personality. Just few minutes from international Alicante Airport.

One of the oldest restaurants in Alicante. It is located in the sports marina and it offers spectacular views of the seafront. They specialise in “paella” and Mediterranean food.

It is located in one of the pedestrian streets of Alicante city centre. It has a very good and varied à la carte menu and it is also considered to serve the best tapas in all of Spain.

It is one of the most authentic tapas bar in Alicante. They don’t take bookings, but it is surely worth waiting for a table and enjoying their culinary delights!

La Taberna del Gourmet is a catering project that begun in 1979 which is focused on the quality of the raw product. A place where innovation is at the service of organic food and traditional flavors, where succulent tapas, sandwiches, cured meats and cheeses from all regions are prepared in a lively Spanish barra.

Also this is a gourmet corner and an elegant show room of the best fruits and vegetables from Alicante's garden, the most exclusive meats and the most fresh seafood from the fish market.

A national and international gastronomic reference which offer all kind of delicatessen products, from the most prestigious Extra Virgin Olive Oils and cans to the finest wines.

The César Anca bar stands out for their great variety of design tapas.

In the renewed and beautiful square, Gabriel Miró, with ancient trees you will find our bar. A modern and welcoming place in which everything is in constant movement. The orders are coming, the dishes arrive, new tapas...

In César Anca you can enjoy of our classic tapas, our famous design tapas, dishes, desserts ... all this in good company and with an impeccable service.

This is a famous, family-run tradition restaurant. They take much care in choosing their raw materials to elaborate modern and old recipes.
La taverna del Racó del Plá has a wide option of dining rooms and a tapas bar, menus for groups and tapas menus at night.

Situated on La Ereta park, on the side on Mount Benacantil, by Santa Bárbara Castle. It enjoys wonderful views of the coastline, the Castle and the city centre—in other words, set in the loveliest of surroundings. They specialise in very elaborate cuisine.

It is a traditional tapas bar located in the centre of Alicante. Very popular due to their homemade meals and their “montaditos,” little sandwiches with varied fillings.

El Portal Taberna and Wines is a restaurant, a tapas and a cocktail bar. In an informal atmosphere, El Portal offers good tapas, a creative cuisine and a wide selection of national and international wines.

This is the only restaurant in the city having one michelin star. María José San Román, the owner and chef of the restaurant, combines to perfection innovation with a Mediterranean touch.

Take your drink, coffee, beer, snacks, etc., in a different way, in a natural garden at Calvo Sotelo Square, a beautiful and comfortable place located in the commercial center of the city of Alicante.

A world of creative pastry in the centre of Alicante.

The first cafe-bakery of Alicante in which they neither use egg or dairy products nor lard.

Situated in an emblematic square with ancient trees called "Portal de Elche" close to the old town of Alicante. It is a place where you can enjoy a relaxing coffee during the day or a great "Mojito" in the evening.

In the city centre, exclusive Lounge Bar (at night it offers music of the eighties’ and nineties’, and also some commercial house music).

Coffee bar to enjoy of a refreshing beverage in Alicante’s Marina.

A visit to the Santa Bárbara 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 south western 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 to 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.
Visitors can also access the castle via a lift built within the rockface opposite El Postiguet beach.

A visit to Tabarca island is an absolute must for visitors. Boats from the company Kontiki depart from the marina in Alicante several times a day during the summer months. In low seasons confirm timetables beforehand.

The journey takes around one hour from Alicante. The route will give you the opportunity to enjoy the coastline.

Try one of the traditional fish stews on the terrace of one of the restaurants. Also, on the island, you will find nice little bays to swim in, as well as a beach offering different facilities. If you decide to stay overnight on the island, there are also little hotels peppered along it.

Visitors and locals alike can enjoy these areas at any time of the year, thanks to the pleasant climate.
Throughout the year there are workshops, entertainment, children’s theatre, puppet shows, etc. predominantly aimed at children and families.

EXPLANADA DE ESPAÑA is one of the city’s emblems. It runs parallel to one of the port wharfs and is lined on both sides with rows of palm trees. The floor is decorated with 6,600,000 tricolour marble tiles forming a design with a characteristic wave effect mosaic.

Other parks and gardens worth visiting are:

La Ereta park: located on the slopes of Mount Benacantil at the foot of the Santa Bárbara Castle, opposite El Postiguet beach. From here you can enjoy unbeatable views of the city and follow an interesting route from the summit down to the city’s old quarter.

El Palmeral park: is one of the most spectacular parks in the city, formed by a wooded area containing palm trees, ponds, lakes and artificial streams. It contains sports facilities and a cross-country cycling track, as well as a pavilion where a regular programme of events is scheduled including activities, children's theatre, puppet shows, etc.,

Canalejas: It is one of the most traditional open spaces in Alicante. It has spectacular lush vegetation including several hundred-year old rubber plants measuring 20 metres high.

Gabriel Miró Square: This square honours the Alicante writer of the same name. Just a few metres from the Explanada and the seafront promenade, it has a monument in the form of a fountain and centenary trees with luxuriant foliage, creating a relaxed, pleasant atmosphere.

Contemporary Art Museum “MACA”, housed in the city’s oldest surviving civil building. In the baroque style, it dates back to 1685 and is located next to the Santa María basilica. The museum has recently been re-opened after a year of an extension work in order to improve and enlarge its facilities in 4.700 m2, with the aim to house an important collection of 20th century art mostly comprised of works donated by Eusebio Sempere. Many different types of events also take place in this Museum (Concerts, exhibitions…).

This building contains some modernist features and was built between 1911 and 1912 under the management of Juan Vidal Ramos over Balmes Square, over which there was still a part of the 18th century wall.

With its rectangular shape, the Market mimics the layout of a basilica, with a circular appendix on the South-west side covered by a semispherical dome called La Rotonda (the roundabout). The building is split into two floors, one of which is a semi-basement due to the irregular surrounding streets.

The front of the building was designed by Enrique Sánchez Sedeño and is presided by an impressive staircase surrounded by two emerging figures with decorative features.

On 25th May 1938, the Mercado Central was hit during the worst bombing suffered by the city of Alicante during the Spanish Civil War, which resulted in 300 civilian victims. The Italian air force was responsible for that tragedy.

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.

Did you know that...?
The Mercado Central was the headquarters for Alicante‘s Fire Station for years.

The Hotel Hospes Amerigo is situated in the old Dominican monastery in the heart of historic Alicante. Considered to be the finest that can be offered to the visitor. First-class food and service.

Hotel Meliá is located beween the sports Marina and El Postiguet beach.

Hotel Alicante Golf is located in Alicante’s Playa de San Juan area, just 800 metres from the beach and opposite the 18th hole at "Alicante Golf" Golf Club. Only 10 km from Alicante city centre.

Located in the city and shopping centre.

Located near the south exit of the city, going towards the EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office) and the Alicante-Elche International Airport.

Located in one of the main avenues in the city and opposite the Central Market.

This hotel is located in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (Town Hall square), which is in the old town of Alicante, close to El Postiguet beach.

Located in the area of San Juan beach, about 800 metres from the seafront.

South access to the city of Alicante.

Located between El Postiguet beach and the sports Marina.

This emblematic hotel is located along the Rambla and overlooking the marina and seafront.

Hotel Albahia is a pleasant mid-class hotel located three kilometres from Alicante’s Golf Club. The hotel offers taxis for its guests who want to go into the centre, one kilometre away.

Recently opened, this small and charming hotel is located next to the San Nicolás Cathedral.

Located in San Juan Beach.

Close to the Railway and Bus Stations.

Located in San Juan Beach.

Located in Vistahermosa area, in the North access to the city.

Next to the EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office) main building and between the airport and the city centre.

Close to the city centre and El Postiguet beach.

Located in Alicante city centre.

Close to the Postiguet Beach.

Next to the RENFE Railway Station.

Close to Luceros Square.

Located in Cabo de las Huertas Coves.

Close to La Rambla.

Close to the Town Hall and El Postiguet beach.

This new hotel is located in the city centre just a short walk from Mercado Central. It has 30 fully equipped rooms with all necessary services.

The rooms of the family-owned Les Monges Hotel are fascinating. Woven tapestries hang on the walls and every room has its own style. One room has a jacuzzi while others have simpler bathrooms, and a few of the rooms only have a toilet. They are simple, but exquisitely decorated.

Located in the city centre.

Located in the city centre.

Located in the city centre.

Next to the EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office) main building.

Located in the city centre.

Located in the city centre.

Located in the city centre.

Block of tourist apartments located in the north access to the city.

Block of tourist apartments located in the south access to the city, next to the EUIPO ( European Union Intellectual Property Office).

Block of tourist apartments located in the south access next to the Alicante-Elche International Airport.

This pub is located in a going out area of Alicante. Classy and fun...

The place to be. 13 years of experience dedicated to serve the best drinks and for people to enjoy themselves.

This pub offers good drinks and great surroundings any time of the day and night.

Exclusive pub. Concerto is a particularly pleasant place offering a high quality atmosphere.

Pub with over 18 years of experience and has always adapted to changing times. It is best known for its great atmosphere and good music.

Enjoyable during the evenings and later at night.

A good place to spend a Saturday afternoon or night in Castaños Street, in the centre of Alicante. All adorned with mojitos and beautiful people. Come to find it out! Open 365 days a year from 10AM till past midnight, license until 4am.

This bar is a classic in the Alicantinian night and has become a cultural reference point with performances, painting or comic exhibitions and concerts.

During the day you can enjoy a nice coffee, feeling the breeze of the Mediterranean sea and relaxing with the excellents views of the Santa Bárbara Castle and the seafront of the city. Located in the Marina of Alicante, a beautiful place to also enjoy at night.

Open all day—from the morning to late at night—this pub serves breakfast, coffees, hot drinks and alcoholic drinks. It also has a terrace on the Explanada de España.

From 20th to 24th June

This is the city’s most important celebration, beginning on the 20th June and lasting until the 29th. It is a festival dedicated to fire.

Officially declared to be of International Tourist Interest, the Hogueras de San Juan include one of the most important bullfighting events in Spain. Once the main celebrations are over, there is a fireworks competition on Cocó beach at the far end of Postiguet beach, every night until the feast day of Saint Peter on 29th June.

These fiestas are celebrated in different neighbourhoods of the city throughout the year. They commemorate, in a festive style, the battles fought between Christians and Muslims back in the 13th century to reconquer the lands of the province. Some of the city’s neighbourhoods dedicate a few days to this festival.

SAN BLAS DISTRICT - JULY
ALTOZANO DISTRICT - AUGUST - 12•13•14•15•16.
SAN NICOLÁS -DECEMBER - 6.

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. A single ticket costs €3,85. 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.

Spain can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.

HOW TO GET TO ALICANTE

The city of Alicante can be accessed by land, sea and air. Motorways, dual carriageways and roads connect it to the main cities of Spain and Europe.
The city has a new bus terminal located beside the marina.
The International Airport of Alicante-Elche, situated 10 minutes from the city centre, is one of the main means of accessing the city for visitors arriving into Alicante, from both Spain and abroad.
The train is another comfortable form of travelling to the capital of the Costa Blanca. The station is situated in the very heart of the city. There is also a high-speed connection (AVE), linking Madrid and Alicante in 2 hours.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN AND FROM ALICANTE

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 (TURIBUS) 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.


Coach Station: +34 965 130 700 / www.estacionalicante.es
Railway Station: +34 912 320 320 / www.renfe.es
Tram: +34 900 720 472 / www.fgv.es

The best way to get to and from Alicante Airport is with hoppa. They provide a range of vehicles and are pre-bookable so you don’t need to worry about currency exchange, being over-charged or space for your luggage. Prices start from just £12.99.

Easy to get hold of if you want to stop one on the street. Fare meters are used. In order to book a taxi, including taxis adapted for the handicapped, there are several local companies:

Radio Tele Taxi +34 965 101 611
Área Taxi +34 965 910 591
Euro Taxi +34 965 240 707

The central post office is open all day Monday to Friday from 08.30 am to 08.30 pm, and on Saturday from 09.30 am to 1 pm. Closed on Sunday.

All pharmacies have a list of daily duty chemists. This information is also published in all daily papers in the region.

Country code + 34

Area code: 965/966

You have to dial the area code even when you are in Alicante.

220-240 volts

Spain’s largest chain of department stores is to be found in 53 Avenida Maisonnave and 1-3 Avda. 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.

Small shops selling all types of presents, souvenirs, clothes and typical foods can be found in the narrow streets of the old town.

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 Explanada, we can walk towards the Rambla. If we reach the end of Gerona Street, we will find the heart of the city: Maisonnave. It homes the big department stores, brand name shops and international franchises.

Walking along the Rambla, we discover at the end of this avenue, the Mercado Central (Central Market) of Alicante. This is an emblematic building of the city, you will find here all the charm of a traditional market together with the usual high quality of our products. There is another shopping area close to this market, the avenue Alfonso el Sabio, and further away, San Vicente street. In both streets you will find a wide range of shops and, you will discover, at the end of Alfonso el Sabio, a peculiar square full of charm: Plaza de los Luceros.

From the Plaza Puerta del Mar, having a walk along la Explanada de España, we walk towards the Rambla, one of the main streets of the city. Around this area you will find fashion, footwear, accessories, decoration and delicatessen shops, in streets such as Gerona, Castaños, San Francisco and Teatro. In the latter, you can visit the Teatro Principal (Main Theatre).