Location: Alicante
Top Things to do in Alicante
What to do and see in Alicante, Valencian Country: The Best Free Things to do
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. Playa de San Juan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 730 reviews
A long stretch of beach that is lined with resorts, restaurants and shops.
Reviewed By johann170 - Taby, Sweden
A fantastic place for the teenager family. Long Beach, lots of activities and restaurants, just amazing ☀️???? Go towards Alicante for more people and “action” walk towards El Campello and it is a bit calmer. 5/5
2. Guadalest Valley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,503 reviews
Reviewed By M4860QLkimp - Algorfa, Spain
Took a day trip to Guadalest Valley with friends enjoyed the views, the lovely walks and lunch in the restaurant . Visited the museums and craft shops . To visit the castle you walk through the church there is a small charge of 4 e . Well worth a visit with friends and family .
3. Castillo de Santa Barbara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,504 reviews
Perched on a hillside, this historic 16th-century castle and fortress overlooks the town of Alicante.
Reviewed By CorkTony - Cork, Ireland
Excellent few hours the walk up past all the old alley and old house was like a walk back in time The when you get to the castle it’s amazing the 360 views of Alicante are breathtaking definitely worth the hike up There is a lift for those that don’t fancy the walk up
4. Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Alicante (MACA)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 510 reviews
Set in the ancient heart of the city, opposite the monumental Basilica of Santa María, this imposing new building takes up an entire city block and encompasses the oldest civil construction in the city: the venerable Casa de La Asegurada, an outstanding example of Valencian baroque architecture built as a public wheat granary in 1685. Known as the MACA, the Alicante Museum of Contemporary Art is owned by the City Council and is one of Alicante's leading cultural venues. The construction and refurbishment project was designed by the architectural firm Sancho-Madridejos and funded by the Valencian Regional Government. It boasts a total floor space of 4680 m2 spread across four storeys and two basement levels, and features one temporary exhibition hall, four exhibition halls for the permanent collections, a library, teaching venues, an events hall, storerooms, workshops, plus quarters for security, administration and the like. The Museum's diaphanous spaces showcase its rich and varied collections of contemporary art according to highly rigorous museum programming in which conservation and education are given top priority.
Reviewed By AriHelsinki - Helsinki, Finland
This is a must in Alicante. Located partly in Alicante's oldest building. Free entrance. The highlight of the museum is the great collection of Eusebio Sempere's works. Magnificent artworks.
5. Museo de Belenes (Nativity Scene Museum)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 108 reviews
Reviewed By dancook747 - Leeds, United Kingdom
Arguably one of Alicante’s best kept secrets, it is worth taking some time to visit the Nativity museum. Tucked away in the Old Town, not far from the Basilica Santa Maria and MACA. Visited one evening, this small museum contains a breathtaking array of hundreds of carefully crafted figurines and models depicting the Nativity and various Biblical scenes. Well worth the visit to see the intricate detail of each model; some of which are crafted in a picture frame, others are larger in size. Free entry which is another major advantage.
6. Mercat Central d'Alacant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 535 reviews
Reviewed By OfftheirP - Manchester, United Kingdom
The first thing you notice about this market this hope beautiful the building it is in. It is steeped in history and well worth a visit in the centre of town. It is a local markets so, the therefore , it closes in the afternoon for the siesta period. In there, you will find high-quality products and at reasonable prices as well.
7. Museo The Ocean Race
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 640 reviews
The 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 Bev082 - London, United Kingdom
And yet another awesome free museum to visit in Alicante ….. The Ocean Race Museum, a modern exhibition space that opened in 2012 with the aim of sharing the rich heritage of the history of the Ocean Race (one wants to say Great!!). The exhibits within educate the visitor all about ocean currents, the wildlife the crews get to see on route, the equipment on board and the construction of these magnificent boats. You get to learn all about the technological innovation and human effort that the challenging race demands. You can enjoy first hand through the high-tech 3D simulators and interactive touch-screen panels what life is like on board, plus about marine life and ecosystems and of course of the competitors of the maritime race. Its technology lets visitors learn both about the race and the environment in which it takes place. Its an opportunity to get 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. It also presents the history of the regatta, it is the only museum in the world dedicated to the most demanding nautical challenge of our times, a race considered the Everest of Sailing. The museum aims to attract landlubbers and sailing enthusiasts alike, with its presentations about life at sea, sailing and sports. Rather than being a simple repository for artifacts (although there are a number of small items on display), the museum is an interactive institution. Housed in the museum are state-of-the art interactive installations allowing visitors to experience the wonders of the thrilling ocean race and get a glimpse of the challenges that the competitors have to face. The Ocean race is a yacht race around the world, held every three or four years since 1973. Originally named the Whitbread Round the World Race after its initiating sponsor, the British brewing company Whitbread. However in 2001 it’s name changed to become the Volvo Ocean Race after the Swedish automobile manufacturer Volvo took over the sponsorship, in 2019 the name changed again, it is now known as The Ocean Race. Since 2008, Alicante has been the start Port of the race, races being held in 2011, 2014, 2017 and the next race in 2022. Although the route changes each race to accommodate various ports of call, the race typically departs from Europe in October, and in recent editions has had either 9 or 10 legs, with in-port races at many of the stopover cities. The most recent race, the 2017-2018 race started in Alicante and concluded in The Hague in the Netherlands, with stopovers in Lisbon-Portugal, Cape Town - South Africa, Melbourne -Australia, Guangzhou -China, Hong Kong, Auckland -NZ, Itajai -Brazil, Newport and Cardiff in Wales and Gothenburg -Sweden. The race takes nine months to complete with sailors battling to be the fastest around the world, facing high seas, fierce winds and the most challenging conditions. Each of the entries has a sailing crew who race day and night for more than 20 days at a time on some of the legs. To minimize the boat's weight, crews rely on freeze-dried fare for sustenance, throughout the race they are exposed and subjected to temperature variations from −5 to +40C (-23 to 104F) and will often only take one change of clothes! Since the 2008–2009 race there has also been a dedicated media crew member called the On Board Reporter (OBR), who does not contribute to the sailing of the boat, but is responsible for sending images and videos to race headquarters via satellite from the middle of the ocean. In the 2017–2018 race the number of crew ranged between 7 to10 (plus the OBR) depending on the gender ratio, with the rules providing an incentive to having women sailors on board. The Hall of Fame is pretty impressive with video screens in the museum showing footage and interviews with the heroes of ocean sailing such as Sir Peter Blake NZ, Torben Grael Brazil and Tracy Edwards UK. The museum is build on the site of the former naval station, it has two floors, the main exhibition hall, including a simulator where visitors can experience some of the sensations of ocean racing, plus a library, fill the ground floor. Upstairs is a large multipurpose space for educational workshops, temporary exhibitions and maritime conferences, along with a cafeteria with a large terrace overlooking the harbor (currently closed due to Covid restrictions). As mentioned entrance to the museum is free, taking Covid precautions once inside its mandatory to wear a mask (which it is in general everywhere here), at the entry your hands are sprayed with a sanitizer spray then you are issued a pair of rubber gloves to wear so that you can touch the buttons, panels etc and enjoy the interactive exhibits which are quite serious and not just for kids! I had so much fun playing with the various exhits learning how the boats work and perform even to getting to steer one, however i’m not quite ready yet to compete in the next 2022 race!! Located outside in front of the museum is a hull of a competition boat, the Brasil 1, that participated in the 2005-06 ocean race coming in third. The first Brazilian boat to take part in the Volvo Ocean Race. Brasil 1 is made up of parts and materials from ten different countries, NZ, Australia, US, Italy, Finland, Sweden, France, UK and Denmark, in addition to Brazil of course, where the boat was built. Prior to Covid it was possible to board the boat to see and experience the cramped living conditions of the crew …. but for now folks you’ll just have to enjoy its colourful exterior!
8. Passeig Esplanada d'Espanya
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,783 reviews
Reviewed By LindsayB366 - Larne, United Kingdom
A wealth of restaurants, bars and market stalls Perfect location for watching the world go by Be warned walking along the esplanade might make you think you have been drinking or taking the wrong medication Lovely atmosphere
9. Paseo del Puerto Viejo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 225 reviews
Reviewed By freddiedoncaster
This marina is so peaceful.Set very close to the hustle and bustle of Alicante city,and with an abundance of bars close by,this is an ideal place to stop off,have a glass of wine and take in all those wonderful yachts.
10. Barrio Santa Cruz
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 756 reviews
Reviewed By alexandrailincat
Alicante's most fascinating part of the old town, with well preserved traditional architecture, full of coloured flowers, lively people, a few terraces. Feeling of real Spain, whenever in time ... Lived there for a week in an airbnb holiday home and could have been there happily in many more weeks.
