Things to do in Alicante

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.