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🚅 How to get there
🏖️ About the beaches
🏰 Roman Ruins in Alicante
📍 Google Maps pins
👉 Tips for first-timers
| One of the first questions I often get: "Where is Alicante?"
Alicante is located on the eastern coast of Spain, within the autonomous community of Valencia. It's part of a greater overall region known as Costa Blanca, which is mostly known for its (you guessed it) coastline.
Alicante has the third largest airport in Spain by volume. There are actually more flights in/out of Alicante than nearby Valencia which is a much larger city. You would think it should be pretty easy to get there, but that is not necessarily true.
Most flights in/out of Alicante are with LCCs (low cost carriers) including Ryaniar, EZJet, and Vueling. If you're traveling from Europe or the UK that makes it very affordable to get there. But it also means that most US airlines and even many European ones may not offer connecting flights. I find that Lufthansa Group offers the best options if you are coming from the US.
1. Renfe: is the Spanish National Rail Carrier. Until recently, if you took a train in Spain, it was on Renfe. I find the service to be just fine, but Renfe ticket prices can be high sometimes if you are used to lower costs systems like those in the Netherlands or Italy.
They offer tickets in multiple classes. First is often only 20-30% more than the coach tickets. First class tickets get you a slightly wider seat, and more importantly the cabins tend to be emptier.
2. Ouigo: is owned by French National Rail operator, SNCF. You'll ride on a double decker TGV that has a nominally nicer class of seats in 1-2 coaches but it's more of a "premium economy" feel than a true first class product. Ouigo tends to be the cheapest operator with tickets sometimes under €10 if you book far enough ahead.
Pro-tip: Food on Ouigo trains is very limited (sandwiches, chips, and drinks). Pack ahead of time if you want something a bit nicer.
3. Iryo: is the newest open access carrier in Spain. They're a joint venture between Intermodalidad de Levante S.A (the Italian Train system) and Air Nostrum. Tickets tend to be a bit more expensive than Ouigo, but I find the trains nicer inside.
Many European countries allow you to walk right off the street and onto a train. This is not the case in Spain. Build at least 15-20 minutes for security into your timeline "just in case."
You also cannot take things such as knives or weapons aboard. If you are bringing a set of kitchen knifes with you, you will need to go to the post office in Madrid just after you exit customs then ship them to yourself (ask me how I know...).
You'll select seats when you buy your ticket. If you are traveling with a group and wish to sit together, it's best to book them all at the same time to ensure the system does not seat you with random people.
TL, DR: Alicante is on the coast, 5 hours south of Barcelona by train; 2.5 hours roughly east from Madrid; and about 2 hours from Valencia. Book as early as tickets open to get the best price. Give yourself time to get to the platform from the terminal. If you travel on Ouigo, bring food.
Let's start with: you enjoy an amazing beach
Alicante is known for it's coast and by extension: the beaches there. Worried about rain on your foreign holiday? Don't be, it is almost a desert and has the highest amount of sunshine of any continental European city.
You don't need to be a "lay on the beach" type person to enjoy the beach. There is also a type of beach for everyone.
| Which beaches do you recommend? It depends on what you are looking for in a beach:
The island has a handful of charming narrow streets within the fortifications. There are restaurants, some are good, some are bad. All are more expensive than you would pay for on the mainland. I'd personally bring snacks and save the meal for after the post-beach shower.
I find the best "Nat Geo" beaches to be outside of the city. Some of these are easy to reach on the tram, others you'll want to drive for. If you choose to drive, Record Go has consistently been one of the cheapest rental options I've found. Driving makes it easy to visit my favorite: Cala del Moraig (about 1 hr from the city center). Without a car, it can be a bit tricky to get there.
The first time I visited Alicante, I decided to go for a long run on the beach. It took me around Cabo de las Huertas (or or Cap de l’Horta) to the northeast of the city center. I did not at the time know where I was going, but after about 15 minutes I figured out what was up.
Nude beaches aren't really my jam, but if they're yours, this is the best local one from my understanding.
By Artistosteles - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=86593502
Walking around the center, you'll notice there is a castle set on a relatively tall hill. You really can't miss it. This is Castell de Santa Bàrbara. It's completely free to go in, you just have to walk up the hill to get there. If you are feeling tired, there is an elevator you can take up for under €3/person.
Along the coast between Albufereta & Cabo de las Huertas you will also find the remains of a Roman fish factory (pictured to the right) cut into the stone. Often there are people swimming in the ruins here.
Obviously a town that has lots of sunshine will have plenty of stuff to do outside. I've personally enjoyed road & mountain riding, snorkling, paddle-boarding and much more.
There are so many varied recreational activities in Alicante. I enjoy the simple ones: cycling, hiking, and swimming. There are a handful of bike shop rentals that rent leisure oriented bikes. If you choose to rent a bike, be advised that of some of the laws that are different in Spain!
I find that the lack of a sedentary life here has led to an amazing food scene. I've limited myself to only 5 recs:
1. The Mercat:
If you go towards the afternoon, you can often find really good deals as merchants prepare to close down for the day. I purchased 1/2lb. of fresh tuna this way seen to the right.
Every Mercado in Spain has a handful of bars/stalls, this one is no exception. Ukiyō Raw bar y cositas is my hands down favorite stall in the market. I'd suggest getting the Chef's choice plates.
Best for: local culture
I suggest ordering the Entrecote, Gambas a la Plancha, or another steak dish. Expect to spend 30-50/person depending on how much you drink. Best for: romantic nights out
3. Tapa-Caña (D'Tablas) will get alot of flak from locals as a "top suggestion", but this place is amazing for tourists. Especially those who like beer. Once you get a table order either "un caña" or "una pinta" (small/large beer respectively).
You'll notice a waiter circulating with a plate of tapas. They're about a euro each and you eat what they have. If nothing on the platter looks great, just pass! When you are finished, you pay by the number of plates.
Best for: those who still enjoy day drinking.
4. 100 Montaditos is a chain restaurant. There are lots of them all over the country. The food is similar to Tapa-Caña, but you order at the counter and get a buzzer to retrieve your food.
I love this place because it is so cheap. Most menu items are about €1 so even if you order something you don't like, it's not a big deal. They also have locations right on Playa San Juan and next to the Melia at Playa Postiguet.
Perfect for: groups where one person likes the beach & sun, and the other just wants to drink beers in the shade and stare at the water.
Pro-tip: on Sunday, large beers are also €1!
5. Salt in Cake: is a cinnamon roll shop. They are a bit pricey, but well worth the money. I find them best fresh, or if you grab one later in the day I'd suggest bringing it home and putting it in the oven for a couple minutes to get it warm.
Best for: those who want to indulge
Many business have limited hours or are closed entirely on Sundays. This applies to grocery stores and the Mercado. If you are planning a weekend away, be sure to go to the Mercado on Saturday. If you're a week + visitor, the Mercado is also mostly closed on Mondays.
For those who want to party late, stay in Benidorm
Alicante does have a pretty big party scene. You'll see at least a dozen stag/hen parties on weekend nights. However the true party is down the coast in Benidorm. Many bars in Alicante are not open as late as in Benidorm. Likewise, you will fine more cheap shots and things of that ilk a bit further north.