Location: Alicante
Top Things to do in Alicante
The 10 Best Things to Do in Alicante, Spain
Alicante (/ˌælɪˈkænti, -teɪ/; Spanish: [aliˈkante]), or Alacant (Valencian: [alaˈkant]), both the Spanish and Valencian being official names, is a city and port in Spain on the Costa Blanca, the capital of the province of Alicante and of the comarca of Alacantí, in the south of the Valencian Community. It is also a historic Mediterranean port. The population of the city of Alicante proper was 330,525, estimated as of 2016, ranking as the second-largest Valencian city. Including nearby municipalities, the Alicante conurbation had 452,462 residents. The population of the metropolitan area (including Elche and satellite towns) was 757,085 as of 2014 estimates, ranking as the eighth-largest metropolitan area of Spain.
Restaurants in Alicante
1. Guadalest Valley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By John W - North Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Guadalest is a small town in the Mountains not far from Benidorm. It is worth driving up the mountain to enjoy the scenery - it is quite amazing. We visited the motorbike museum close by and found the trip very enjoyable. If you are in Benidorm take half a day and go into this area. You will not regret it.
2. Barrio Santa Cruz
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 529 reviews
Reviewed By roy v - Traralgon, Australia
We really loved spending time in the old town, walking up the little narrow streets and taking lots of steps up to the next delightful level getting closer to the old castle on top of the hill. Houses of many colours adorned with flowers, absolutely beautifull. We came across a couple of old churches but sadly they were all closed. A few little bars and cafes are there for a rest if you want one . The local residents are helpful as it is easy to loose your way in the maze of streets, they must be quite fit too as they must do a lot of walking and climbing steps if you lived here . This is a must place to visit and enjoy the quiet splendour of the area .
3. MARQ Archaeological Museum of Alicante
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 856 reviews
Reviewed By ytfc_2011 - Yeovil, United Kingdom
Unfortunately not all rooms were open on my visit but that did not detract some very impressive displays. A great place to learn of the history of the Alicante area. A guide book should be used as English is used minimally.
4. Castle of Santa Barbara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Perched on a hillside, this historic 16th-century castle and fortress overlooks the town of Alicante.
Reviewed By tabbytoes - Canterbury, United Kingdom
You access the castle from the street via a lift. You need to purchase your lift ticket from the machine on the way in and this gives you the lift access and entrance to the castle which makes it a very cheap visit.
The castle looks out over Alicante and you get some beautiful views right the way across and you can see why it was such a strategic castle.
The Exhibitions are ok and you can spend an hour or two here comfortably - well worth a visit.
5. Alicante Tram
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Steve T - Lytham St Anne's, United Kingdom
Despite the fact that the periodic strikes seem to be back on (a seemingly annual event) it’s still possible to use this wonderful service (trains start before 7.00am and the last train back from Denia on line 9 doesn’t leave Denia til circa 8.40pm. Even with disruption during industrial action they only miss out some of the hourly services and not all of them. Posters (albeit in Spanish) at the stations and on the buses provided to transport customers (whilst some repair, renovation and renewal works are ongoing at places on the line) advise of such – so watch out for them. Even if you can’t speak Spanish watch out for the word ‘suprimido’ which means ‘cancelled’ – times omitted normally follow.
The service itself is inexpensive especially if you use a bono card which is worthwhile if you’re here for two weeks or more and intend to get about by rail – the bono cards provide circa 40% saving on normal single fares and is better than daily return tickets. One bono card can be used for multiple beneficiaries – it’s not one card per person like in other countries so you’ll soon get through your credits. Typically you have to charge a card with 10 credits the cost of which varies depending on the number of zones you go through. Don’t worry just tell the person in the ticket office at your home station where you want to go to regularly (or even the station at the end of the line as it’s just not that expensive) and everything else will be done for you. You usually have to pay an additional 2-3 euros for the card itself – a quirky Spanish trait !
The trip is delightful – both the trams (trains) and buses have tinted windows and air conditioning BUT NO TOILETS !! And it’d 1.5 hours back to Altea from Denia …. And longer to Benidorm so do bear this in mind.
In summary - Great train, great service, great views, inexpensive, reasonably helpful customer service.
6. Explanada de Espana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By briannash2 - Clacton-on-Sea, United Kingdom
It's the type of place that's nice for a visit but not to keep on coming to . There are some static little market stalls there which do sell some nice things and mainly not overpriced . There are also some cafes along the Esplanade where you can get some fairly ordinary food and a drink inside or out . Sitting outside is nice and often buskers play to you while you sit and of course expect you to tip them . There is also the usual Macdonalds and Burger King . Not much to do except eat drink and observe , but then that's all that's required sometimes .
7. Playa de San Juan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 382 reviews
A long stretch of beach that is lined with resorts, restaurants and shops.
Reviewed By Steve C
absolutely fantastic beach very clean and looked after various sports on the beach available like volly ball and football if you are energetic enough plenty of joggers up and down near the beach.Water temperature about 23 degrees september october lovely for swimming as i did almost every day.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
8. Museo Volvo Ocean Race
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 531 reviews
The Volvo Ocean Race Museum is a modern installation where visitors can enjoy a close-up view of the world's longest and toughest professional sporting event and learn about the heroes who battle the oceans in this race around the world. Take a trip through the history of the regatta and the marine world in this state-of-the-art interactive space - the only museum in the world dedicated to a race considered the Everest of Sailing.
Reviewed By Pete_Gill_W - Haslemere
Even if you are not a sailing fan this is worth a visit and the Brasil Ocean Racing yacht can be seen outside even if the main museum is closed. Be aware when you plan your day; if it is a Sunday the museum closes at 2:00pm.
9. Plaza de Gabriel Miro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 145 reviews
Reviewed By andypd - Province of Alicante, Spain
A little oasis of shade just a few metres back from the esplanade. The magnificent rubber trees are incredible to see. There is a main post office, open all day, on one corner of the square, several cafes and restaurants around. Definitely worth a little detour.
10. Mercado Central
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 346 reviews
Reviewed By JLCgladstone - Surrey, United Kingdom
Visited and bought Chorizo sausages( which they were happy to vacuum pack for us ), local chocolate, fish pastes, tinned sardines, and the local marzipan-like sweet bars.
Tempted by the many dried fruits and the nuts- and only wished we were locals so could buy the fish meat and veg.
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