- Alicante's city center features the Explanada de España, a promenade paved with over 6.6 million marble tiles arranged in a wavy mosaic pattern.
- The city celebrates the Hogueras de San Juan, a festival involving the construction and subsequent burning of elaborate papier-mâché sculptures on the night of the summer solstice.
- During the Spanish Civil War, Alicante served as the final stronghold for the Second Spanish Republic, with the port acting as a significant site for exile.
- The local 'Turrón de Alicante', a protected geographical status almond nougat, has been produced in the surrounding region for centuries using Moorish-influenced techniques.
About Alicante
Alicante is a historic port city on Spain’s Costa Blanca, defined by the imposing Castillo de Santa Bárbara which overlooks its Mediterranean coastline. The city serves as a cultural hub where the ancient origins showcased at the Archaeological Museum of Alicante meet modern architectural achievements like the ADDA. Visitors frequently traverse the urban center to reach the sands of Playa del Postiguet or appreciate the religious heritage of the Cocatedral de Sant Nicolau. It remains a key maritime gateway, successfully blending its function as a working harbor with a sophisticated leisure and tourism infrastructure.
Highlights of Alicante
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Historical places
This 9th-century fortress offers panoramic views of the entire bay and the city skyline from Mount Benacantil.
Museums
The museum utilizes interactive digital displays to narrate the evolution of the city from prehistoric times to the modern era.
Beaches and ponds
This popular city beach is located directly at the base of Mount Benacantil, providing easy access to the sea from the urban core.
Temples
This cathedral features a notable 18th-century organ and a cloister built upon the remains of a former mosque.
Venues
This neo-classical theatre hosts a diverse calendar of performances ranging from opera to modern dance in an ornate 19th-century setting.
Venues
This state-of-the-art concert hall is renowned for its acoustic precision and modern architectural design.
Parks
This historic park is home to one of the oldest and largest rubber trees in the city, providing substantial shade in the heart of the district.
Temples
This site contains a blend of Gothic and Baroque styles, housing a significant golden altarpiece.
Top things to do in Alicante
The 361 highest-rated places in Alicante, ranked by travellers.
1
Historical places
Castillo de Santa Bárbara is a 9th-century fortification located on Mount Benacantil, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea...
2
Museums
The Archaeological Museum of Alicante, or MARQ, is an award-winning facility housed in the former San Juan de Dios Provi...
3
Parks
Parc El Palmerar is a waterfront park located in the southern coastal zone of Alicante, characterized by its dense colle...
4
Venues
Teatro Principal de Alicante is a 19th-century performing arts venue located in the heart of Alicante, designed by archi...
5
Venues
ADDA (Auditorio de la Diputación de Alicante) is a major cultural facility in Alicante designed by architects Juan Anton...
6
Temples
The Cocatedral de Sant Nicolau serves as the primary seat of the Bishop of Alicante, featuring a distinctive blue-tiled...
7
Parks
Parque Canalejas is the oldest public park in Alicante, established in 1886 by architect José González Altés. It is most...
8
Parks
Parc Lo Torrent serves as the primary municipal green space in San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante. The park is characteri...
9
Parks
Parc Lo Morant is one of the largest public parks in Alicante, covering approximately 86,000 square meters in the northe...
10
Beaches and ponds
Playa del Postiguet is the primary urban beach of Alicante, situated directly at the foot of Mount Benacantil. The beach...
11
Temples
The Basilica of St Mary of Alicante is the oldest active church in the city, constructed between the 14th and 16th centu...
12
Venues
Estadio José Rico Pérez is the primary football stadium in Alicante, Spain, serving as the home ground for Hércules CF....
13
Museums
The MACA Contemporary Art Museum of Alicante is housed in the Casa de La Asegurada, the oldest civil building in the cit...
14
Museums
Museo The Ocean Race is the official museum dedicated to the history of the world's premier crewed round-the-world saili...
15
Temples
The Santa Faz Monastery is a 16th-century religious complex located in the outskirts of Alicante, famous for housing a r...
16
Historical places
Illeta dels Banyets is a unique archaeological site located on a small peninsula in El Campello that served as a strateg...
17
Historical places
Castell de Sant Ferran is a 19th-century military fortification located on the Tossal hill in Alicante. Constructed betw...
18
Parks
Parc Adolfo Suárez serves as a primary green lung in San Vicente del Raspeig, situated on the outskirts of Alicante. The...
19
Museums
The Gravina Museum of Fine Arts (MUBAG) is housed in the Palacio del Conde de Lumiares, an 18th-century noble residence...
20
Parks
Cabo de las Huertas is a protected coastal area in Alicante characterized by its rugged, rocky shoreline and limestone c...
21
Parks
Serra Grossa is a coastal mountain ridge separating the city center of Alicante from the beaches of La Albufereta. The s...
22
Beaches and ponds
Platja de gossos del Campello Punta del Riu is a dedicated dog-friendly beach situated at the mouth of the Seco River in...
23
Parks
Municipal Park (Parc Municipal) in El Campello serves as the town's primary green lungs, featuring Mediterranean landsca...
24
Museums
Tossal de Manises represents the archaeological remains of Lucentum, a major Iberian and Roman city that served as the p...
25
Historical places
The Queen's Staircase, known locally as the Escalera de la Reina, serves as a monumental pedestrian link connecting the...
26
Venues
Alicante City Hall (Ayuntamiento de Alicante) is a prominent Baroque-style civic building constructed between the 17th a...
27
Parks
Plaça de la Montanyeta is a central urban square in Alicante that functions as a landscaped civic space featuring mature...
28
Parks
29
Parks
Plaça Joan Pau II is a prominent urban square and community park located in the Carolinas Altas neighborhood of Alicante...
30
Museums
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Alicante on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Alicante
May, June, or September, when temperatures are mild and the city avoids the peak heat and extreme crowds of July and August.
3 days, allowing enough time to explore the historic center, visit local museums, and take the short tram ride to coastal sites.
The city center is highly walkable, while the TRAM Metropolitano d'Alacant efficiently connects the coast and nearby inland suburbs.
Stay in the El Barrio or the Ensanche-Diputación districts for proximity to the historic sites, dining, and public transport links.
Mid-range; while dining and activities are competitively priced, accommodation costs fluctuate significantly during the summer peak season.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 361 curated attractions in and around Alicante, ranked by traveller ratings.
Castillo de Santa Bárbara is the highest-rated place to visit in Alicante right now.
The largest category is places of interest, with 101 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Madrid, Vigo, Barcelona.
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