Old town
First-timersBarrio de Santa Cruz and the centre.
Alicante city guide
Things To Do In Alicante
A castle on a rock above a city beach, a palm-lined promenade of wavy tiles and a lively old town, with the Costa Blanca either side and sun most of the year.
16
Hostels in the city
8.5
Average, from 7,416 reviews
Free
The castle
166 m
Mount Benacantil
6.5 million
Tiles on the Explanada
The Costa Blanca's city
Alicante is a working Mediterranean city with a beach in the middle of it. Above the centre, the Castillo de Santa Bárbara crowns Mount Benacantil, one of the largest medieval fortresses in Spain, and the Explanada de España, a promenade paved with millions of wavy marble tiles, runs along the port.
The old town, Barrio de Santa Cruz, climbs the hill below the castle in whitewashed lanes and steps. The city is sunny, mild in winter and busy with Spanish holidaymakers in summer.
Alicante is also the gateway to the Costa Blanca, from Benidorm to the white village of Altea. Two or three days is right.
Where to stay
Stay in the old town or near the Explanada.
Explanada
SeafrontAlong the port.
San Juan
BeachThe long beach north of the city.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 7 top-rated hostels. Map © MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors.
How long have you got?
The routes we would take, in the order we would take them.
Things to do
Things to do in Alicante
Walk up, or take the lift inside the mountain from Postiguet beach for a few euros, to the Castillo de Santa Bárbara, which is free to enter, for a view over the city and the sea.
Walk the Explanada de España, and climb through the Barrio de Santa Cruz.
The MARQ archaeological museum is one of the best in Spain. Take a boat to Tabarca, a small walled island with a fishing village and clear water.
The tram runs north along the coast to the beaches at San Juan and on towards Benidorm and Denia.
Free things
Free things to do in Alicante
The castle, the Explanada, the old town and the beaches are free.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Alicante
Alicante is rice country: arroz a banda, arroz con costra and seafood rices, eaten at lunch. Turrón, the nougat, comes from Jijona nearby.
The Central Market is the place for produce. A menú del día is €11 to €14.
Nightlife
Going out in Alicante
The old town is full of bars, busy late, and the port has clubs in summer.
A beer is €2 to €3.
Getting around
Getting around Alicante
The centre is walkable. Buses reach the airport in about thirty minutes.
The TRAM runs along the coast to the beaches and the Costa Blanca towns. Trains reach Valencia and Madrid.
Costs
What Alicante costs
Alicante is cheap by coastal standards. Dorms start around €18. A careful day is €40 to €55.
The euro is the currency. Cards work almost everywhere, though small bars still like cash.
Safety
Staying safe in Alicante
Alicante is safe, with pickpockets on the beach and the Explanada.
Never leave bags unattended on the beach.
Emergency number is 112, with English-speaking operators usually available.
Day trips from Alicante
The Costa Blanca.
Tabarca
A tiny walled island with clear water.
Altea
A white village on a hill.
Guadalest
A castle village in the mountains.
Elche
A palm grove, a UNESCO site.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The Hogueras de San Juan burn giant monuments in June.
4 Jul – 30 Dec
Candlelight: A Tribute to Coldplay vs. Imagine Dragons
Candlelight: Coldplay vs. Imagine Dragons invites you to enjoy a live musical experience in the beautiful setting of the Museo Arqueológico de Alicante MARQ.…
31 Jul – 26 Jan
Candlelight: Tribute to ABBA & Queen
Candlelight brings a live musical experience to unique locations in Alicante, celebrating the music of ABBA and Queen. You'll enjoy a 60-minute concert featuring…
22 Aug – 8 Jan
Candlelight: Tribute to Ludovico Einaudi
Candlelight: Tribute to Ludovico Einaudi brings the magic of live piano music to the beautiful setting of the Museo Arqueológico de Alicante. You will…
2 October
La Partenaire
La Partenaire tells the story of the daughter of a failed magician who seeks to reclaim her father's legacy. The narrative unfolds through testimonies…
2 October
La K'onga
La K'onga arrives in Alicante for the first time, offering an intimate concert experience you won't find elsewhere in Spain. The night promises energy,…
3 October
Giant
Giant is a thought-provoking play from London's West End that explores the controversy surrounding Roald Dahl. Set in 1983, it depicts the author confronting…
4 October
Castles Run
The Castle Race sends runners up to the summits of Alicante's two most iconic landmarks — Santa Bárbara Castle and San Fernando Castle. The…
8–18 October
My Cousin's Kitchen
La Cubana returns with a quirky comedy centered on the world of gastronomy. Expect their signature blend of humor, music, color, and local participation…
Hostels
Where to stay in Alicante
The top-rated places to stay in Alicante right now, live from Hostelworld.
Marevita Hostel
Dorms from €17 a night
See dates and book
Vad Hostel Alicante
Dorms from €17 a night
See dates and book
Hostel Dos Estaciones
Dorms from €17 a night
See dates and book
Hostal Numero Trece
Dorms from €14 a night
See dates and book
The Market Hostel Alicante
Dorms from €18 a night
See dates and book
Hakuna Matata Beach Hostel
Dorms from €32 a night
See dates and book
Olé Backpackers Hostel
Dorms from €19 a night
See dates and book
When to go
March to June and September to November. Winters are mild.
Jan
Mild
Feb
Mild
Mar
Spring
Apr
Good
May
Excellent
Jun
Hogueras
Jul
Hot
Aug
Busy
Sep
Excellent
Oct
Good
Nov
Mild
Dec
Christmas
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs. One of the sunniest cities in Europe.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Summer and Hogueras prices run higher.
—
- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Alicante travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is the castle free?
Entry is free. You can walk up, or take the lift from Postiguet beach for a few euros.
What are the Hogueras?
Alicante's June festival, when giant monuments are burned.
How do I get from the airport?
By bus, about thirty minutes.
Can I reach the Costa Blanca without a car?
Yes, by the TRAM along the coast.
Is Alicante good in winter?
Yes, it is mild and sunny.
How many days do you need?
Two or three.
When is the best time to visit?
March to June and September to November.
Say yes to hostels, meet the world
Compare Alicante hostels — live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.
Get the App.