The museum won the European Museum of the Year Award in 2004, the first Spanish museum to receive this distinction.
It is built inside the former San Juan de Dios Hospital, which functioned as a medical facility until 1989.
The underwater archaeology gallery features a full-scale reconstruction of a shipwreck floor to simulate nautical discovery.
Many of the interactive screens use motion sensors to trigger historical reenactments as visitors approach.
The site includes a specialized laboratory area where visitors can view the behind-the-scenes cleaning and cataloging of recent finds.
The collection spans over 100,000 years of human history, ranging from Paleolithic stone tools to modern industrial artifacts.
The Archaeological Museum of Alicante, or MARQ, is an award-winning facility housed in the former San Juan de Dios Provincial Hospital. It utilizes high-tech interactive displays, soundscapes, and audiovisual effects to interpret the history of the Costa Blanca region. The permanent collection covers prehistoric eras, the Iberian culture, Roman occupation, and the medieval periods of Islamic and Christian influence. Unlike traditional artifact-focused museums, MARQ emphasizes the reconstruction of archaeological contexts and site excavation processes. Visitors navigate through distinct galleries, each themed around specific landscapes such as urban, river, or underwater archaeology. The building itself is an example of 1920s architecture, preserved and adapted for modern exhibition needs. It remains fully operational as of June 2026, maintaining its status as a primary cultural institution in Alicante.
The high-ceilinged, white-washed central atrium of the main building provides the most striking architectural view.
Check the official website for temporary exhibition schedules before visiting, as these change seasonally.
Use the provided audio guide to fully understand the thematic audiovisual presentations in each gallery.
Allocate time to walk through the exterior garden area, which houses stone fragments and architectural elements.
Do not rush through the rooms; the immersive audiovisual content is the primary educational component and requires time to load.
Closed on Mondays throughout the year.
No photography with flash inside galleries; silence is requested in cinema rooms.
