Alicante Travel Guide

Practical Info

Alicante is a great destination whether you're looking to spend a week relaxing and tanning or escaping Britain's winter for some milder temperatures. There are tons of things to see and do all year round, so beaches, museums, festivals and a fantastic dining scene await you whenever you arrive.

Language 101

The official languages spoken are Spanish and Valencian. English will be spoken in varying amounts in many of the resorts and popular attractions but the locals will appreciate visitors trying to speak Spanish.

Here are some helpful Spanish phrases:

Hello - Hola

Goodbye - Adios

How are you? - ¿Qué tal?

Yes - Sí

No - No

What's your name? - ¿Cómo te llamas?

My name is - Me llamo

Please - Por favor

Thank you - Gracias

How much is it? - ¿Cuánto cuesta?

Where is? - ¿Donde esta?

Numbers:

• One - Uno
• Two - Dos
• Three - Tres
• Four - Cuatro
• Five - Cinco

Jabs, visas and other advice

For up-to-date advice on jabs, visas and other foreign advice, we recommend following the government's website.

Emergency numbers

For any emergency, call 112.

Getting to Alicante

Alicante has it's own airport, which makes this a very easy destination to get to. There are regular flights from the UK, at very competitve prices. The flight time is around 2 hours 40 minutes, so not too long to keep the kids entertained for!

Once you've landed in Alicante it's only a short drive to the city. We recommend pre-booking an airport transfer as this is the most hassle-free way to reach your accommodation.

If you haven't pre-booked you can either grab an Alicante airport taxi (€20), or hop on the C-6 bus line which operates a 24/7 bus service to the city centre (€3.85).

Getting around Alicante

Most of the main sites of Alicante are easily reached on foot - and it's our preferred way of seeing the city. The Alicante tourist board has an excellent walking route map which you can take with you, or join our friends at Free Walking Tours Alicante if you want local insight and a more personal touch.

If walking is not for you, or you need assistance getting around the city, then there is an excellent public transport network. There is a reliable tram and bus service that runs throughout the day – if you plan to use these regularly we suggest purchasing a BONO card as you can preload multiple trips rather than buying individual tickets each time.

There is also a hop-on/hop-off tourist bus that runs between the main tourist sites, which can be a great option if you have mobility issues or are pushed for time but want to see all the main sites.

If you are looking to get out of the city then it may be worth hiring a car as this gives you greater freedom of where you can travel.

Top

Top attractions in Alicante

Castillo Santa Barbara

No holiday to Alicante is complete without a visit to this stunning hilltop castle - arguably the city's number one must visit tourist attraction. The castle sits atop of Mount Benacantil, and at 166m high it offers unparralleled views across all of Alicante.

The castle can be reached on foot via La Ereta Park, but be warned this is an uphill walk with not a lot of shade! So make sure you have plenty of water and sunscreen. The effort is worth it though as you will have fantastic views on your way up.

If the climb isn't for you or you need a more accessible route up then there's a lift up to the castle from Postiguet Beach – it costs around €2.70 per person.

Central Market

The Mercado Central is a modernist-inspired marketplace in central Alicante. It has around 292 stalls over two storeys, selling fresh fruit, veg, meat, fish, bread and much more. Most of the stores are owned by local families, so it's a great way to experience some authentic cuisine.

The main entrance can be found on Avenida de Alfonso el Sabio, but can only be accessed via steps. So if you need an accessible way in head to the back entrance on Plaza 25 Mayo. The plaza is worth a visit on its own, especially on Saturdays when the locals gather for tardeo, or evening drinks.

El Barrio

One of our favourite spots in Alicante is the old town, or El Barrio as it's also known. During the day you can wander the winding, narrow streets, with many old buildings and art galleries.

But at night, El Barrio comes alive! With some of the best bars, tapas and music in Alicante, make sure you spend an evening exploring and taking in the atmosphere. Don't expect an early night though, as things don't really kick off until 11pm.

Alicante for families

Alicante is the perfect destination for families and there's plenty to keep the kids entertained. Firstly, the beaches - there are loads to choose from which are readily accessible from the city. With beautiful sand (perfect for sandcastles!), a kids play area, and a shallower swimming section we definitely recommend El Postiguet.

For little kids with big imaginations then definitely take a day trip to Tabarca. This Mediterranean island was a popular hide out for pirates and smugglers, and the crystal clear waters on the boat ride over are worth the trip alone.

Outside of the city there's an amazing selection of amusement parks you can visit. Head to Aqua Natura for pools and slides, or if animals are more your thing then visit the zoo theme park Terra Natura. You can even buy a combo ticket which allows you entry to both.

Alicante for LGBTQI+ travellers

Alicante has a thriving gay and lesbian culture, and Spain as a whole is one of the safest countries for LGBTQI+ travellers in the world.

There are a number of gay friendly hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs to choose from, and if you're looking to hit up the nightlife then Canibal Pub is a popular gay venue in the heart of Alicante. Check out the Alicante tourist board's handy guide to find more LGBTQI+ friendly places to visit.

Accessibility in Alicante

Alicante has made great efforts to make the city accessible as its popularity as a tourist destination has grown. The city offers assistance at 3 of the major beaches (El Postiguet, San Juan and Saladares-Urbanova) from July to September. This includes adapted parking and changing rooms, wider walkways, use of amphibious chairs and staff to support you.

The trams that run throughout the city are accessible, with lift access to the street and ramp access to the trams. There's also a hop-on/hop-off bus which can be used to see most of the main tourist attractions.

Many of the main attractions have also been adapted with accessibility in mind – it's worth checking with the attraction before you travel.