12 Best Things to Do in Alicante, Spain

Alicante is one of the most underrated cities in Spain; I’ve visited this coastal city many times over the years because we have a holiday home here. And I must admit it’s one of my favorite small cities in Europe!

Not only is the city easy to navigate, but it’s full to the brim of awesome things to do and places to eat! My top tip is to allow longer than 24 hours in Alicante, which a lot of tourists tend to do. Try to spend at least 2 days in Alicante, 5 days is ideal!

This large, coastal city has something for every type of traveler – whether you want to relax on a golden sand beach, explore a historic castle, or go on a wine tour, Alicante won’t let you down! It should come as no surprise that over 3 million tourists visit Alicante every year!

In this blog, I list 12 of the best things to do in Alicante. And why, may you ask, am I the best person to tell you about all of Alicante’s amazing attractions? Well, as I said, I have a house here, so Alicante is like my second home! So, I’ve done everything on this list and can personally recommend them all!

Is Alicante worth visiting?

Yes, Alicante is definitely worth visiting! Many tourists come to Alicante to check out the area’s awesome beaches or to stay at a luxurious all-inclusive hotel. But there’s so much more to Alicante than that!

I mean, Alicante is home to the famed Castillo de Santa Barbara, which offers some of the best views of the city; there’s also the vibrant Central Market and a stunning harbor where you can catch a boat to a secluded off-shore island. It’s easy to spend a week in Alicante and still not see/ do everything on offer!

BEST Things to Do in Alicante

1. Go on a boat cruise

From Alicante harbor, you can hop on a boat tour to one of the off-shore islands like Tabarca Island or go snorkeling in the turquoise waters of Cabo de Huertas. We really loved this experience as we got to see Alicante from a different perspective and relax on a luxurious boat. We also took a trip along the coastline near the city to see some hidden beaches. Our top tip is to ensure you have your camera with you, as the scenery really is breathtaking!

My top boat tours in Alicante are this sunset catamaran experience it has over 500 reviews and is rated as excellent. It’s an afternoon tour (ideal as the sun isn’t as strong at this time) that’s 2 hours long and takes in sights like Albufereta and Cabo de la Huerta. You’ll even get the chance to have a swim in Alicante Bay if you wish, a selection of drinks and tapas are offered on-board for free. This tour costs from just €32 per person.

It’s the perfect thing to add to your itinerary if you have 3 days to spend in Alicante!

💡 Book the Alicante Sunset Boat Tour we did here!

2. Castillo de Santa Barbara

We walked from the CBD to Castillo de Santa Barbara, which took us about 25 minutes each way, but I will warn you, it is quite a grueling uphill climb towards the end, so avoid doing this at the hottest time of the day. FYI – if you have a car, you can park in one of the car parks much closer to the top. It’s free admission to the Castillo de Santa Barbara.

At 166 meters above sea level, the views from here are unbelievable! The Castillo was built way back at the end of the 9th Century, and over the years, the archaeological remains of the Bronze Age, Iberian and Roman, have been unearthed here. It is filled with history and such a great way to spend a couple of hours.

We spent a whole lot of time admiring the views from the top and taking lots of photos. There is a restaurant and a little kiosk on site for refreshments, which is a welcome sight in the heat of the Summer!

You can see the Castillo on a guided tour like this one, which also includes a visit to Casa Carbonell, Basilica of St Mary of Alicante, Alicante Town Hall, and more! It’s a small group tour (limited to just 10 people), so you’re guaranteed a more personal experience. It lasts for 3 hours and costs just €75 per person.

💡 Book this Alicante City Tour with a stop at Castillo de Santa Barbara here!

3. Barrio de Santa Cruz

This cute and colorful neighborhood is the oldest part of the city. Barrio de Santa Cruz, nestled at the foot of Benacantil Hill. You’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back in time as you climb this neighborhood’s narrow streets to Castillo de Santa Barbara Castle. At night, the atmosphere is lively as locals head to the Barrio’s many tavernas for tapas and drinks. It’s predominantly a residential area, so you’re likely to see locals chatting on their doorstep or tending to their plants. Strolling around Barrio de Santa Cruz is definitely one of the best things to do in Alicante!

A fantastic way to see this neighborhood and other quirky areas in Alicante is on a 2-hour food tour which costs just 29 euro per person. Eat where the locals eat and get a real sense of the city on this highly recommended tour!

4. Central Market

The Central Market of Alicante is an icon in Alicante CBD, constructed back in 1912 it has been a meeting place for local farmers, fishermen and charismatic stall owners for decades. Most of the restaurants in the city buy their produce here daily, and of course, locals come here to stock up, so it’s the perfect place to get a real feel for daily life in Alicante.

We spent around 2 hours wandering this bustling market and found it a great place to get a feel for the city. The first floor has mostly household items, dairy, and meat stalls. The second floor is where you can buy vegetables and fish. Would you believe there are over 300 stalls here? There are also lots of great places to eat within the market – try Cafeteria Anamar for its ham, cheese, and egg sandwiches or Salzillo for coffee.

The Central Market (Mercado Central) is open Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 2:30 pm.

As I said above, you can book a guided tour of the market for €29, during which you can sample lots of different delicacies and learn about the history of each dish from your knowledgeable local guide. The tour is two hours long and highly rated – it also visits some Alicante neighborhoods! And the best part, you’ll get to taste no less than 9 starters, 5 mains and, 3 desserts!

5. Go on a wine tour

Just a 45-minute drive from Alicante is a small village in the Vinalopo region, which is famous for producing a sweet dessert wine known as Fondillon.  With a maturation of 10 years, this wine has a strong and unique flavor. Also grown here are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, and Garnacha varieties.

If you love wine (like me), then this is the place for you!

This is the guided wine tour we did during our visit to Alicante. And because it’s just 4 hours long, it’s ideal if you’re short on time (which we were!). We got to visit a vineyard and see how the wine is made, as well as taste some awesome wine.

If you book the tour during harvest season (the months of September and October), you will get to pick the grapes from the vines and taste them. We were also given the opportunity to explore the bodega (wine cellar). Which was so cool! The tour also includes some snacks – cured meats, bread, and olive oil. It costs from €68 per person!

💡 Book the same wine tour we did here!

6. Explore the nearby Guadalest Valley

About an hour’s drive from Alicante is the stunning village of Guadalest – it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Costa Blanca, and for good reason! And we loved wandering its photogenic cobblestone streets and taking in the views of the Guadalest Valley below!

You see, this teeny-tiny town is perched high atop a mountain; from a distance, you will be left thinking how the village is safely standing atop that narrow pinnacle after all these years. But, its high vantage point gives exceptional views of the Guadalest Valley.

For us, there are two must-visit places in Guadalest Village (which, would you believe only has a population of 200 people!) The first is Guadalest Castle (Castell de Guadalest), which can only be reached by walking through a 15-foot-long tunnel. Second is the white bell tower of Penon de la Alcala, which you may recognize from many Alicante postcards. The bell tower looks as though it’s precariously perched on the mountainside.

This 5-hour guided tour is a great option to get to Guadalest from Alicante, it includes access to the El Castell de Guadalest, time in the village, and Algar Waterfalls to swim in (or admire from the sidelines), these crystal-clear springs and waterfalls! It’s a private tour, so you don’t have to share the experience with anyone else, and it costs from €80 per person. This is one of the best day trips from Alicante!

💡 Book your tour to Guadalest from Alicante here!

7. Go on a day-trip to Benidorm

I’m sure you’ve heard of Benidorm – notorious for cheap package holidays and boozy tourists. Many tourists flying into Alicante airport will be heading straight for this popular resort. There are two sides to Benidorm. The nice side is the old town set on the hill between Benidorm’s two beaches (Levante & Poniente).

The old town has cobbled streets with lots of character and lots of lovely, albeit smaller, restaurants. Make sure to take a stroll to the lovely Iglesia de Saint Jaime with its white-washed walls.

Benidorm’s “new town” is set along Levante beach and is filled with high-rise apartment blocks, bars serving British-style fish & chips, and lots and lots of karaoke bars. Benidorm is notorious for hen & stag parties; you will likely see lots of people in scantily-clad fancy dress. But it’s a fun experience. As you can imagine, there are loads of places to stay in Benidorm (over 2,000); there’s so much to do in Benidorm that it’s definitely worth spending a night or two.

For kids (or big kids), there’s loads to do like Mundomar Animal Park where you can watch a dolphin a sea lion show; Aqua Natura Water Park is honestly so much fun and ideal for those hot Summer days and Forestal Park where you can try ziplining.

At just under 40 minutes’ drive from Alicante, Benidorm is certainly worth a visit. Look beyond the cliches and give this popular area another chance. It’s the ideal day-trip if you have 2 days to spend in Alicante!

8. Explore awesome beaches

Alicante is renowned for its great beaches, and I’ll be honest, we spent a big chunk of our time here lazing around on golden sand beaches!

One of our favorites – Playa de San Juan is just a 15-minute drive from Alicante CBD and is a whopping 7 km in length, making it ideal for sunbathing. Behind the wide beach, there is a promenade that runs the length of the beach, which is very popular with joggers and cyclists. Also, all along the promenade are restaurants and cafes – my favorites include Cafeteria Carino for drinks and ice cream with a view and Cafe The Game for some delicious cocktails in a stylish environment.

The beach itself at San Juan is a blue flag beach, which means the water here is completely safe for swimming and watersports.

Further afield, over an hour’s drive from Alicante, is La Granadella beach, which has, in fact, been twice voted as Spain’s best beach! It is located in the Javea region. The water here is so clear that you can see hundreds of colorful fish when you go for a swim. The beach is tiny, though, and is just 220 meters wide – meaning you need to get here early to nab a spot, especially during the busy Summer months.

There’s a beach right in the centre of the city, Playa del Postiguet is next to the Marina and has golden sand and calm swimming conditions. There are a few restaurants here, a volleyball net, and a children’s playground. You can also rent sunbeds here for a small fee. We spent a full day here when we last visited Alicante and I strongly advise you do the same!

9. See Tabarca Island

I know I mentioned it earlier, but a boat tour out to the gem that is Tabaraca Island is one of the best things you can do in Alicante. This small island off the coast of the city is one of the only inhabited islands in the region, with a population of 68. It is designated a Mediterranean Marine Reserve and was once a hideaway for pirates! The small village here was built in the 1700s and was a simple fishing village until it started welcoming tourists recently.

There’s loads to do on Tabarca Island, like taking photos of the stunning scenery, relaxing on the beach, or eating at one of the restaurants here. There’s even a little museum here where you can learn about the history of the island.

You can get to Tabarca Island on this 6-hour day trip to nearby Tabarca Island which leaves from Alicante Harbor. It includes a tour of lovely Tabarca Island. From the luxury boat, you’ll get to see the white sand of Carabassi Beach and the lighthouse at the Cape of Santa Pola. A paella lunch and some drinks are included in the price of €72 per person.

💡Book your day trip to Tabarca Island here!

Or if you want to DIY it (don’t want to do a tour) you can hop on a taxi boat from nearby Santa Pola, which costs just €15!

10. Altea

Altea is undoubtedly one of the prettiest towns on the Costa Blanca. It’s just an 11 km drive from Benidorm and 52 km from Alicante. In Summer, this medieval town is thronged with tourists – so, if you do visit in the Summer, aim to get here early in the morning or late in the afternoon to beat the crowds.

Altea is famed for its cobbled streets, the old town that’s like something from a fairytale, and the long palm tree-lined promenade that faces the sea. Across the road from this promenade is Playa de Altea, a gorgeous beach with a stony shore and turquoise water. The walk up to the old town is well worth it for stunning views of the whole La Marina region. I highly recommend spending the night in Altea if time allows.

You can book this tour to Altea Guadalest and Fuentes del Algar  – some of the most charming regions in Alicante. The tour includes return transfers from Alicante and is 11 hours in duration. It costs €46, which I reckon is very good value-for-money, considering all you’ll see! It’s likely to sell out quick, though, especially in the summer!

💡 Book your tour to Altea from Alicante here!

11. Explanada de Espana

La Explanada de España is one of the most iconic parts of Alicante because the ground here is decorated with 6 million colorful marble tiles designed in a wave format. It’s likely the first image you’ll see when you google Alicante.

Explanada de España is lined with numerous bars and restaurants; this is where the locals come to eat! Check out Horchateria Peret an atmospheric bar that’s been serving Alicante for over 50 years, and La Terraza del Gourmet for awesome Mediterranean food! For coffee, we went to Cafeteria Ripoli!

Another fun thing to do that starts and ends at La Explanada is an Adventure Hunt, i.e., a 2-3 hour self-guided (app-based) outdoor adventure that combines treasure hunts and escape room puzzles as you solve 19 clues spread over 1.6km across the city. Prices start from 18.50 euros.

12. Alicante Harbor

Spend an hour or more strolling around the picturesque Alicante Harbor, on a warm day, it’s a great spot to cool down because you get that cool ocean breeze here. As you walk around the harbor, you will have gorgeous views along the picturesque Postiguet Beach, as well as spy some pretty fancy boats! There’s a cool pirate-themed boat docked here, you can’t go on board, but you can snap some cool photos of it.

There are lots of restaurants lined along the harbor, great for people-watching, but beware, they are pricier because of their desirable location. Some of the best restaurants here include Restaurante El Pescador and Taberna del Puerto.

What to take with you to Alicante:

• An eSIM will certainly come in handy in Spain. And from our experience, Truely eSIM is the safest option to stay connected.  eSIMs are handy as you don’t need to change your number or remove the physical SIM from your phone.
• Good shoes for walking in – I wore my Teva Hurricane Sandals here; they are so comfortable and have sturdy soles.
• Comfortable, loose pants – my Sweaty Betty modal wide leg pants would be a good shout for here.
• Travel insurance is also a must when traveling around Spain – Yep, travel insurance will provide you with coverage for a range of situations in Spain, including flight delays, canceled flights, injuries, illnesses, etc.

What is Alicante best known for?

Alicante, the largest city on Spain’s Costa Blanca, is known for its glorious golden sand beaches (hello Playa de San Juan) and its proximity to awesome destinations like the super-photogenic town of Altea, the secluded Tabarca Island and the Vinalopo Wine Region. It’s also very close to the very popular tourist resort of Benidorm.

💡 Top Travel Tip – you can search all the best hotels in Alicante here via booking.com!

Thanks for reading!

And there you have it 12 of the best things to do in Alicante, it truly is a charming city with lots of fun activities and epic beaches a short drive away from the CBD. I hope this blog post has given you lots of inspiration for your visit to my favorite city in Spain!

I’ve also written a detailed blog post about 5 days in Lanzarote and Visiting Lanzarote in off-season, I’d love if you could check them out! You can also see some of my most-read articles below –

 Unique things to do in Cinque Terre Italy

What village in the Cinque Terre to stay in

Istanbul Travel Guide

Last Updated on December 18, 2025 by snaphappytravel