Alicante
The city on the coast: a hilltop castle, a palm-lined esplanade and city beaches.
Costa Blanca · Alicante
Alicante is the city we use for everything — the airport, the train, hospital appointments and a day out when we want something other than sand. Santa Bárbara castle sits on a rock above the old town, and a lift inside the hill takes you up.
The Explanada de España, with its wave-patterned marble, is one of the great Spanish promenades, and Postiguet beach is right in the centre.
Alicante sits on the Costa Blanca in the province of Alicante.
Open the larger mapThings to do
- Castillo de Santa Bárbara and the lift up through the rock
- The Explanada de España and the marina
- MARQ archaeological museum
- The Barrio de la Santa Cruz old quarter
Best beaches
- Playa del Postiguet — right in the city
- San Juan — long, sandy and a tram ride away
- Playa de la Albufereta
Family activities
- The castle lift and the views from the top
- The tram to San Juan beach
- MARQ museum's family activities
Restaurants
- Tapas in the Barrio
- Arroz in the port restaurants
- Mercado Central bars at lunchtime
Markets
- Mercado Central, Monday to Saturday
- Thursday street market at Teulada
Hidden gems
- The Ereta park terraces below the castle at sunset
Walks
- Up to the castle on foot through Ereta park
- The seafront to Albufereta
Alicante gallery
All photosBlog posts about Alicante
All articles
Costa Blanca
Our First 6 Months Living in Spain – The Honest Reality of Moving from Manchester to Orihuela Costa
Costa Blanca
The Real Cost of Living in Costa Blanca
Costa Blanca
Our Favourite Family Days Out After Six Months
Family guides featuring Alicante
Get our Alicante tips by email
New guides, hidden gems and family days out — no spam, ever.