Things to do in Alicante

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Alicante City Centre
Alicante showing swimming, a sandy beach and a coastal town
Cabo de las Huertas featuring a beach, a coastal town and landscape views
San Fernando Castle which includes landscape views, a coastal town and views
Alicante Harbour showing a bay or harbor

Alicante Attractions

If you're chasing exciting activities in Alicante, plan on being busy. This bustling city knows how to turn on the charm. No matter your tastes, you'll be impressed by the diverse range of attractions to get stuck into here. Keep reading to learn about some of the best of them.

Learn what makes Alicante tick with some of the most popular tours & day trips. Browse through our top 168 fun activities in Alicante, and book with ease knowing that we offer free cancellation and no added fees.

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Alicante must see attractions

1. Alicante Harbour

For many visitors to the coast of Spain, the Alicante Harbour is the first port of call. When most of Alicante’s maritime industry shifted to nearby Valencia in the 1980s, the city’s harbor precinct was redeveloped for the tourist market. Today, 80,000 visitors disembark at the harbor from cruise ships, ferries and pleasure craft each year. The area surrounding the harbor is busy most of the day, with locals and visitors alike strolling the promenade in search of the perfect restaurant or bar.
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Alicante Harbour showing a bay or harbor

2. Postiguet Beach

Those wanting to cool off after a day of exploring Alicante’s treasures will love this stretch of beach. If you’ve always wanted to swim in the Mediterranean Ocean, this is an ideal place to fulfill your dream. Located adjacent to Alicante’s famous harbor precinct, Postiguet Beach can easily be reached on foot from the city, making it an ideal candidate for a quick swim.
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Postiguet Beach which includes a sunset, landscape views and a coastal town

3. Central Market

The people of Spain are incredibly passionate about their food; it’s a central part of their daily lives. For many residents of Alicante, their day begins at the Central Market, an enormous fresh market in the heart of the city. Covering a huge area, the market has more than 200 stalls on two levels. Most of the wares at the market are fresh produce and meats; however, there are some non-perishable items, making it a great destination to pick up authentic souvenirs. If you’re heading to the beach or planning on climbing Mount Benacantil, a stop at the market on your way out of town is a great way to prepare an inexpensive and healthy picnic and get a taste for local customs at the same time.
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Central Market showing markets and a city

4. Alicante Town Hall

Alicante’s historic town hall is one of the most recognizable buildings in the city. Also known as Ayuntamiento, the hall was built on the site of the former Casa de la Ciudad (town hall). The building’s two towers are 165 feet (41 meters) tall and loom over Alicante’s Old Town.
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Alicante Town Hall which includes night scenes, a square or plaza and a city

5. Explanada de Espana

The Spanish love their evening strolls. They even have a word for it: paseo. The Explanada de España is the promenade that runs from the busy port region and wraps itself around the coast. Its surface was constructed from more than 6 million marble tiles. The red, white and black patterns represent the waves of the Mediterranean Sea. It’s a hive of activity, by day or night, and one of the most popular routes to follow in the city.
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Explanada de Espana showing markets and street scenes as well as a large group of people

6. Castle of Santa Barbara

Perched 545 feet (166 meters) above sea level, upon the top of Mount Benacantil, this monumental fortification overlooks the city of Alicante and is one of the city’s major attractions. The Castle of Santa Bárbara is one of the largest castles from the medieval period remaining in Europe. It covers the entire summit of the mountain. Despite dating back more than a millennium to a period of Muslim rule in the ninth century, the castle has been expertly cared for and is almost entirely intact. Whether you have a passion for history or just make the trip for the panoramic views, no visitor to Alicante should miss the Castle of Santa Bárbara.
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Castle of Santa Barbara which includes general coastal views, chateau or palace and heritage elements

7. Alicante Golf Course

Marked with a lake in the shape of an “S,” the designer’s initial, there is no doubt that Alicante Golf Course is a source of pride for both Severiano Ballesteros and the people of Alicante. Opened in 1998 to cater to both the increasing numbers of Spanish golf players and the many beachgoers looking for somewhere to play golf between dips in the sea, it now serves as a championship course that is also beloved by amateurs. Bring clubs or rent some and try the ingeniously designed challenges of the greens.
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Alicante Golf Course showing a lake or waterhole and golf

Recommended things to do in Alicante

Number of things to do
168
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Alicante Secret Society Exploration Game and Tour: $7
Top 5 things to do
Under $25
With kids

What to do in Alicante

Free Things to Do in Alicante

Some say the best things in life are free. Be sure to visit the following around Alicante:

Fogueres Festival Museum - Loaded with fascinating displays and objects, this gallery is a wonderland for knowledge-hungry minds.

Icarus Sculpture - Spend some time here and gain an insight into the arts and culture of the region.

Alicante Town Hall - Fans of architecture will enjoy admiring the impressive modern design of this landmark.

Castle of Santa Barbara - Take a stroll around this historic attraction and find out some secrets from days gone by.

Carmen Plaza - Sit for a while in this thriving area and experience life as a local.

Central Market - Set aside some time to explore this site of local significance.

San Nicolas Cathedral - No matter your religious leanings, this place will invoke a sense of reverence in you.

Postiguet Beach - Breathe in the fresh, salty air and watch the waves lapping at the shore at this stunning coastal spot.

Parque de Canalejas - Organize a picnic and enjoy a walk around the gorgeous plant life.

Things to Do in Alicante with Kids

Alicante is a fabulous place for a family vacation. Take the youngsters along and try these top family friendly experiences together:

 

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in Alicante? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

 

 

Discover the most popular places to visit in Alicante

Alicante Harbour showing a bay or harbor

Alicante Harbour

4.5/5(42 reviews)

Once a center of industry, Alicante’s harbor precinct is now home to some of the city’s best bars and restaurants, with views along the picturesque Postiguet Beach.

Alicante Harbour
Postiguet Beach which includes a sandy beach, swimming and tropical scenes

Postiguet Beach

4.5/5(16 reviews)

Alicante’s city beach offers a clean, child-friendly day out, surrounded by some of the best restaurants in town.

Postiguet Beach
Central Market showing markets and a city

Central Market

4.5/5(43 reviews)

Pick up the ingredients for a picnic, souvenirs to take home or just a quick snack at this authentic local fresh food market.

Central Market
Alicante Town Hall which includes night scenes, a square or plaza and a city

Alicante Town Hall

5/5(4 reviews)

Still the home of the Alicante civic life, this landmark structure is a superb example of 18th-century baroque architecture.

Alicante Town Hall
Explanada de Espana showing markets and street scenes as well as a large group of people

Explanada de Espana

5/5(1 review)

Take a walk along Alicante’s waterfront on this beautiful mosaic walkway and experience life in the slow lane.

Explanada de Espana
Castle of Santa Barbara featuring a city, night scenes and general coastal views

Castle of Santa Barbara

4.5/5(39 reviews)

Looming over the city center, this hilltop castle is the main attraction in Alicante and one of the largest castles in Europe.

Castle of Santa Barbara
Beautiful beach

San Juan Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at San Juan Beach during your trip to Playa de San Juan? Stroll along the area's beaches or simply enjoy its restaurants.

San Juan Beach
Alicante Golf Course featuring golf and a lake or waterhole

Alicante Golf Course

4/5(2 reviews)

The masterwork of Severiano Ballesteros, the great Spanish golf player and course designer, this golf course is designed for golf vacations, with an on-site hotel.

Alicante Golf Course
Casino Mediterraneo featuring signage

Casino Mediterraneo

3/5(1 review)

Lit up in neon lights in the middle of the marina, Alicante’s premier gambling establishment offers games and slots as well as a fine restaurant and art exhibitions.

Casino Mediterraneo

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Alicante

Alicante City Centre

Alicante City Centre

4.5/5(66 area reviews)

Climb up to a castle, dine by the sea and unwind on a beautiful promenade in the heart of Alicante.

Alicante City Centre
Alicante featuring a sandy beach

Playa de San Juan

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

Spend the day sailing, windsurfing, golfing or swimming at one of the most popular beaches in the city.

Playa de San Juan
Alicante showing swimming, a sandy beach and a coastal town

Ensanche Diputación

While visiting Ensanche Diputación, you might make a stop by sights like Alicante Cruise Ship Terminal and El Corte Ingles Shopping Center.

Ensanche Diputación
Basilica of Santa Maria which includes a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

Barri Vell - Santa Creu

While visiting Barri Vell - Santa Creu, you might make a stop by sights like Alicante Town Hall and Basilica of Santa Maria.

Barri Vell - Santa Creu
Cabo de las Huertas which includes landscape views, a coastal town and a beach

Cabo de las Huertas

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

Spain’s Costa Blanca is famous for its beaches, and this particular area has a variety of settings. Choose a sunny beach that matches your mood and personality.

Cabo de las Huertas
Default Image

L'Albufereta

Unique features of L'Albufereta include the beaches and bars. Make a stop by Albufereta Beach or Lucentum while you're exploring the area.

L'Albufereta
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Popular day trips from Alicante

Alicante

Elche

Photo "Relleu" by vilfacio (CC BY) / Cropped from original
Photo by vilfacio (CC BY)

Relleu

Photo by ‎Pedro Manuel Oliver Fernández

Jijona

Photo by Pravin Mistry

San Juan de Alicante

Campello Beach which includes swimming, a sandy beach and a bay or harbor

El Campello

Photo "Busot" by chisloup (CC BY) / Cropped from original
Photo by chisloup (CC BY)

Busot

Frequently asked questions

Is Alicante worth visiting?
Known for its family-friendly attractions and bars and pubs, discovering cool things to do in Alicante is easy. Make sure to add Postiguet Beach to your itinerary when here.
How do I spend a day in Alicante?
Start your sightseeing with a visit to Postiguet Beach and Castle of Santa Barbara. Then, check out different parts of Alicante for a quick bite and some souvenir shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Alicante?
The top tourist attraction in Alicante is Postiguet Beach, so be sure to add it to your sightseeing itinerary.
Is three days enough to stay in Alicante?
Three days will give you plenty of time to check out many city attractions, like Postiguet Beach, Castle of Santa Barbara and San Juan Beach. The average stay in Alicante is three days. If you have the urge to extend your adventure, Benidorm isn't far away.
Is Alicante a walkable city?
With popular neighborhoods and leading sights within walking distance of the city center, Alicante is a great place to tour on foot. Enjoy wandering between Postiguet Beach and Castle of Santa Barbara. Then take a stroll through Alicante City Centre, located 0.4 miles from downtown, and Barri Vell - Santa Creu, which is roughly 0.5 miles away.
What are some activities to do in Alicante with kids?
If you're looking for activities and sights for all ages, check out these terrific ideas for what to do in Alicante with kids.

What to do in Alicante for adults?
There are lots of things to do in Alicante, with entertainment for adults of all ages. Finish your day off at Ruta de Microvina del Celler la Muntanya or Calle Castaños.
Are there free things to do in Alicante?
One of the easiest ways to find free things to do in Alicante is to ask a local tour guide. You'll get insider advice on cool neighborhoods, parks and other attractions you can visit without reaching into your pocket. Postiguet Beach is one sight that doesn't charge an entrance fee.

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