Alicante travel guide

Spain

A Costa Blanca port city quietly building a reputation as a culinary hotspot.

Alicante is quietly making a name for itself as one of Spain's culinary hotspots, its beautiful coastline and abundance of great hotels complementing a Mediterranean-facing gastronomy where paella traditions from nearby Valencia meet the city's own Costa Blanca character.

Alicante — current status

Open. (Status checked 2026-08-30.)

Alicante — TL;DR

Alicante at a glance

What are the best things to do in Alicante? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Alicante trip feel like more than a checklist.
How many days do you need in Alicante? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Alicante — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby…
When is the best time to visit Alicante? May to September offers warm weather for the Explanada de España and Postiguet Beach, with rooftop bars especially popular in the warmer months.
Where should I stay in Alicante for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport.
How do you get around Alicante? Alicante rewards visitors who mix walking with the local public transport network.

Alicante overview

May to September offers warm weather for the Explanada de España and Postiguet Beach, with rooftop bars especially popular in the warmer months.
Alicante's historic centre, including El Barrio and the Explanada de España, is compact and walkable, with Postiguet Beach a short walk from the centre.
Euro (EUR)
Spanish. English is common in tourism.
CET (UTC+1, UTC+2 in summer)
Alicante's nightlife scene continues to thrive after dark, with The Duke serving as the city's premier beer hall featuring live music, and rooftop bars atop hotels increasingly popular for panoramic views of the Mediterranean and historic city centre.

Where to eat, drink & do in Alicante

Alicante neighborhoods

El Barrio (old quarter) An old area of Alicante dating back to the 16th century, filled with tapas bars and upscale dining.
Explanada de España A famous promenade lined with bars and restaurants filled with street performers in the evenings.
Postiguet Beach area The city's central beach, home to numerous rooftop bars and hotels.

Practical info for Alicante

Getting around in Alicante? Alicante's historic centre, including El Barrio and the Explanada de España, is compact and walkable, with Postiguet Beach a short walk from the centre.
When to go in Alicante? May to September offers warm weather for the Explanada de España and Postiguet Beach, with rooftop bars especially popular in the warmer months.
What's changing now in Alicante? Alicante's nightlife scene continues to thrive after dark, with The Duke serving as the city's premier beer hall featuring live music, and rooftop bars atop hotels increasingly popular for panoramic views of the Mediterranean and historic c
Seek out Rooftop bars beyond the main strip in Alicante? Hotel rooftop bars offering panoramic views of the Mediterranean, port, and historic city centre, particularly popular but often overlooked by day-trippers.
Base yourself in El Barrio (old quarter) in Alicante? An old area of Alicante dating back to the 16th century, filled with tapas bars and upscale dining. Known for 16th-century heritage, tapas bars.

Frequently asked questions about Alicante

What are the best things to do in Alicante? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Alicante trip feel like more than a checklist. Book any high-demand entries in advance, keep evenings loose for a proper dinner, and leave at least one afternoon completely unplanned for the small discoveries Alicante tends to reward.
How many days do you need in Alicante? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Alicante — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby day-trip or a slow morning. Extend to five or six days if you plan to combine the city with the surrounding region.
When is the best time to visit Alicante? May to September offers warm weather for the Explanada de España and Postiguet Beach, with rooftop bars especially popular in the warmer months.
Where should I stay in Alicante for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport. Avoid staying next to the main transit hubs unless convenience trumps atmosphere for your trip.
How do you get around Alicante? Alicante rewards visitors who mix walking with the local public transport network. Rideshare and taxis fill the gaps for late-night moves or trips outside the centre.

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