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Alicante at sunset. In the foreground is a sea of buildings illuminated red by the sunset, in the background a mountain with a fortress on the summit, which also glows red.
Alicante at sunset. In the foreground is a sea of buildings illuminated red by the sunset, in the background a mountain with a fortress on the summit, which also glows red.

Alicante

Published: 20 June 2024, 15:00

City of Light

“Lucentum”: city of light – this is what the Romans called Alicante in ancient times. This name given to the metropolis in southeast Spain is not without reason: Alicante is one of Europe’s sunniest cities with around 3,000 hours of sunshine per year.

A trip to the capital of the province of Alicante boasts sunny weather and a special mix of Mediterranean atmosphere, an enchanting old town with colourful buildings and picturesque alleyways as well as beautiful beaches. A highlight is the impressive Castello di Santa Barbara fortress, which towers over the city on Mount Benacantil and offers a wonderful panoramic view over Alicante and the coast. And if you need a break from all the sightseeing and swimming, the beautiful harbour promenade Explanada de España is there for a leisurely stroll and a bite to eat. Other interesting destinations on the dream coast of the Costa Blanca are within easy reach of Alicante.

Numbers, data, facts

  • Time difference: none
  • Population: 339,000
  • Official language: Spanish and Valencian
  • Currency: EUR (Euro)

Ten Alicante highlights

Aerial view of a fortress built on a mountain above a city. A winding path leads up the mountainside. The city can be seen below the fortress and the sea on the right of the picture.
The impressive Castillo de Santa Bárbara towers above the city and boasts spectacular views of Alicante and the Mediterranean. © saiko3p/stock.adobe.com
A promenade lined with palm trees, the floor of which is made up of a wavy mosaic in the colours ochre, terracotta and black. Black street lamps stand between the palm trees. A street café and a few people strolling can be seen on the left of the picture. A row of buildings can be seen behind the palm trees on the right.
The palm-lined Explanada de España promenade along the harbour is known for its wavy mosaic tiles and lively street cafés. © Joanna Redesiuk/stock.adobe.com
A densely built-up old town, glowing warmly in yellowish colours in the sunlight. In the centre of the picture is an ochre-coloured cathedral with a larger light blue and a smaller dark blue dome.
The magnificent San Nicolás Cathedral offers a fascinating mix of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance architecture. © villorejo/stock.adobe.com
A sandy beach lined with palm trees. There are gentle waves on the azure sea. The beach is well frequented by lots of visitors. Below the palm trees are parked cars and a road as well as buildings on the right of the picture.
Vamos a la Playa: the city beach Playa del Postiguet stretches out directly below the castle and attracts visitors with its fine sand and clear water. © Siur/stock.adobe.com
An old-town street with steps leading upwards. The white buildings on both sides of the street are colourfully decorated with mosaic elements and bright, colourful accents. The walls of the buildings and the street are decorated with numerous plant tubs, some of which are also colourful.
The pretty old town of Casco Antiguo enchants visitors with its charming small streets and traditional buildings with colourful, ornate fronts. © Jarmo V/stock.adobe.com
A historic sailing ship moored in a harbour. The ship is made of wooden planks and has three masts, a bowsprit and a figurehead. The sails are retracted. Modern buildings and a mountain can be seen in the background.
The former pirate ship Santísima Trinidad is moored in the Alicante harbour and offers exciting insights into the life of sailors in the past. © klikk/stock.adobe.com
Terracotta-coloured front of a large building, reminiscent of a church front with sloping wings and high windows. The entrance consists of a large gate. There are palm trees directly in front of the building and a square in front of it.
The Mercado Central market hall offers a variety of fresh food, local produce and culinary delicacies in a lively atmosphere. © saiko3p/stock.adobe.com
Aerial view of a long beach directly on the outskirts of the city with light sand and turquoise water. On the left of the picture part of a larger city with numerous high-rise buildings can be seen along the beach.
A swim and a stroll: east of the city centre is San Juan Bach, which stretches for 3 kilometres with its wonderful fine-grained sand and turquoise water. © Tonikko/stock.adobe.com
Side-front view of a historic, light-coloured building with a decorated front, a tower with a clock in the centre and towers with red domes on either side. There are palm trees in front of the building. A few people and a bus can be seen in the foreground.
The elegant Ayuntamiento town hall is an architectural gem in the heart of Alicante. © Mistervlad/stock.adobe.com
A blue sail boat with retracted sails, lying on a rack on land with “The Ocean Race” written on it in large letters. In the background is a striking white building with a domed tower and palm trees in front of it.
Every few years, one of the most famous sailing races in the world starts from the harbour in Alicante – the Ocean Race, which leads around the globe. © TOimages/stock.adobe.com

Costa Blanca and the province of Alicante

Alicante is the centre of the popular coastal region of Costa Blanca, which owes its name to the extensive white sandy beaches. There are plenty of pretty coastal resorts to discover between the long stretches of beach, such as the colourful Villajoyosa. The hinterland away from the coast also attracts visitors with its impressive natural landscapes: mountain ranges, such as the Sierra de Aitana or the Sierra de Mariola, are ideal for hiking, climbing and observing nature. Historic villages, such as Guadalest and Altea, provide the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the regional history and authentic life of the locals. The province of Alicante is also known for its numerous traditional festivals, which are celebrated in the villages and towns and are deeply rooted in the region. Experience the vibrant local culture first hand at celebrations such as Fiestas Patronales for the local patron saint.

Historic places and beautiful beaches

Aerial view of a mountain village with a few buildings and an old tower situated on a mountain range. Below is a turquoise reservoir and another mountain range on the horizon.
The mountain village of Guadalest is known for its impressive location on a rocky cliff and the historic castle that towers high above the valley. © IMAREVA/stock.adobe.com
A fountain decorated with blue and colourful mosaic tiles and surrounded by colourful flowers at the bottom. Different types of palm trees can be seen in the background.
Europe’s largest palm garden is located near Alicante in the city of Elche. “Palmeral de Elche” is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. © Jose Aldeguer/stock.adobe.com
A colourful row of buildings directly on a sandy beach with a few high-rise buildings visible in the background. The promenade in front of the row of buildings is lined with palm trees.
The pretty coastal town of Villajoyosa is known for its colourful buildings directly by the sea and its extensive sandy beaches. © LianeM/stock.adobe.com
A sandy beach with wavy sea to a huge rock with a flattened top in the background. At the foot of the rock you can see the town’s buildings.
Calpe is known for the striking Peñón de Ifach rock, which towers majestically over the town. The hike to the summit is challenging but worth it. © MIGUEL GARCIA SAAVED/stock.adobe.com
A small street in an old town with white, two-storey buildings on both sides. There are several plant pots in the street. The blue domes of a church and a tall tower can be seen in the background.
The picturesque coastal city of Altea is characterised by its white buildings and its church with striking blue domes. © LianeM/stock.adobe.com

Alicante from BER

Aircraft shortly before touchdown on the runway

Ryanair 

Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernandéz (ALC)

Five travel tips for ...

  1. In the heart of the city: Playa del Postiguet
  2. Close to the city and kilometres long: Playa de San Juan
  3. Surrounded by impressive cliffs: Playa de la Granadella
  4. Snorkelling paradise: Playa de Tabarca
  5. Beautiful little bay: Cala del Moraig 

  1. Discover colourful buildings and picturesque squares in Barrio de Santa Cruz
  2. Turn night into day in the vibrant El Carmen district
  3. Go on a shopping spree in the Ensanche Diputación business district
  4. Try out the diverse restaurant scene in Barrio del Pla-Carolinas
  5. Explore the relaxed city life and numerous parks in Barrio de la Virgen del Remedio

  1. Take a look at contemporary art at the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo
  2. Immerse yourself in the past at the Museo Arqueológico
  3. Find out more about the history of the spectacular sailing regatta at the Volvo Ocean Race Museum
  4. Experience life on board the former pirate ship Santísima Trinidad
  5. Visit the impressive collection of handmade nativity scenes at the Museo de Belenes

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© TTstudio/stock.adobe.com 

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