9 best things to do in Alicante in 2026

Visit La Explanada de España 

One of the top highlights of the city, La Explanada de España is probably the first place you'll visit upon your arrival in Alicante. With a picturesque alley of palm trees and a hypnotic mosaic walkway of more than six million tricolor marble tiles, the street follows the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea and leads up to the Alicante harbor, where people can watch the anchoring and embarking vessels. 

Since it’s the main street of the city, La Explanada de España is also the beating heart of Alicante: You’ll find plenty of places to grab an alfresco lunch during the day or observe numerous street performers at night. While it does get crowded, it’s definitely worth walking this promenade at least once to fully embrace the essence of the city. From cozy benches to enjoy romantic sunsets to bustling restaurants and flashy street dance performances, La Explanada de España symbolizes the harmony between the city’s stillness and liveliness — almost like a calm siesta amidst a busy day.

Climb to the Castillo de Santa Barbara

Alicante’s history dates back to at least 230 BC, so it’s no surprise that the city has remnants of buildings from various cultures, including Carthaginian, Roman, and Arab. One of such architectural heritages, the Castillo de Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara Castle), has perched on the highest hill of the city and watched over Alicante since the times of the Muslim conquest (so, for 1,000 years, at least).

Naturally, the castle is a perfect spot for history buffs. In the castillo, you can get a guided tour of the castle’s old dungeon, the weapons courtyard, or the old hospital, and that’s just the beginning. Theater fans can also embark on a so-called “dramatized” tour, where actors dress up in costumes and share old tales of the castillo (without sparing any details!).

If you’re not up for a history lesson, the castillo offers attractions like wine and beer tastings along with gastro-historical tours. The view from the top of the castle is also a sight to behold, so if you’re looking to snap a panoramic picture of the city, the castillo is one of the best (if not the best) places to do so. 

Eat as much arroz as you please

Alicante is an excellent place for foodies! From patatas fritas and tapas to traditional Mediterranean paella — you’ll find plenty of options to satisfy your cravings. The city is also known as Ciudad del Arroz (the City of Rice) because the rice dishes are the main base of Alicante’s local cuisine (with up to 300 rice specialties to try out!). From dry rice to creamy rice, you will find tons of different flavors and textures to treat your taste buds.

While rice is one of the key ingredients in Alicante’s cuisine, the locals also pride themselves on making the best fideuà around (although Valencians might have their own say about it). Originally from Valencia, fideuà is a version of paella in which rice is substituted for noodles (all other ingredients remain the same). Like its more famous counterpart, this noodle dish combines fresh seafood, fish stock, and sofrito (a base of slow-cooked onions, tomatoes, and garlic) to deliver a mouthwatering combination of sourness and sweetness.

Along with cozy local bars and diners, Alicante is also home to 24 Michelin-recommended restaurants. Some of them, like Nou Manolin or Koine, offer traditional Mediterranean dishes, while others (for example, Celeste y Don Carlos or Monastrell) woo their customers with the flavors of modern cuisine. 

If you're not one for booking pricy reservations at fancy restaurants, you can also explore places such as L'arruzz, Probar el Buen Bar, and Bar Manero. Each of these locations offers traditional Alicante dishes, with L'aruzz serving a specialty of different rice courses, and the other two excelling in a vast selection of tapas.

Explore the province of Alicante

Alicante city is the municipal center of the province of Alicante. And this province has a lot to offer! Altea, Benidorm, Torrevieja, and many other small towns are intriguing places to pick for a day trip. For example, with its quaint, pearly white old town, Altea is a perfect place to capture artistic inspiration and get some mesmerizing shots for your Instagram feed. The town also has beautiful beaches (most of them being pebble beaches), which are less crowded than those in Alicante. 

Benidorm, on the other hand, pulsates with an entirely different vibe from Altea. With fancy hotels rising high into the sky and a vibrant nightlife, this coastal city boasts the moniker of "The New York of the Mediterranean." In Benidorm, you can also find theme parks, such as Terra Natura a (zoo), Aqualandia (a water park), and Terra Mitica (an ancient world theme park). Often highly packed with tourists, Benidorm is still a place worth visiting, particularly for those who are looking for an action-packed day.

As for Torrevieja, the most interesting attraction might be the Las Salinas de Torrevieja (Torrevieja’s salt lake). You can get guided tours across the largest salt producer in Europe, explore the salt flats (the ancient salt factories dating back to Roman times), and observe the pink waters of the salt lake.

Nature lovers will also find something to enjoy — numerous hiking trails, waterfalls, and far-reaching lemon tree gardens are just a few sights you might expect when traveling across Alicante. Alongside the already mentioned Salinas de Torrevieja, travelers might also enjoy conquering Puig Campagna (Alicante’s second-highest peak), exploring Serra de Mariola Natural Park, and visiting the Guardamar del Segura dunes. All of these locations are within an hour’s drive (approximately) from Alicante and easily accessible by a rental car.

Discover Las Fuentes del Algar

One of the must-see sights in Alicante, the Las Fuentes del Algar (the Algar waterfalls) is an attraction that can refresh both your body and mind. The park resides in the hills, about a 30-minute drive from Altea. On the way to the falls, you'll be treated to some beautiful landscapes and panoramic views, too, so make sure to have your camera ready!

The Las Fuentes del Algar is a sight to behold. Once you reach the park, all you need to do is get an entrance ticket (they usually cost around 8-10 euros per adult and are also available online), and you’re good to explore! In the park, you can take a small hike around the area, enjoy a guided tour, or change into your swimwear and dive into the water (though, fair warning, it can be really cold even during the summer months!) in the designated swimming areas. 

To find the Algar waterfall, you can guide yourself using the signs on the path or follow the faint sound of roaring water. Since the waterfall is hidden between the rocks, you will have to jump into the water and wade a bit to see it in its full glory. If you’re feeling brave, you can also stand under it and embrace the cold Algar River waters in their full force. The falling water is good for the back muscles, too!

Shop at the Mercado Central 

If you have a kitchen in the place you’re staying and are looking to save some money on food, the Mercado Central (Central Market) of Alicante is the best place to find cheap and fresh ingredients. The market is full of vendors selling a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, and meats.

With a rowdy atmosphere (it is a market, after all!) Mercado Central comprises about 300 vendor stalls, along with a few bars and cafeterias that are also worth checking out. Cafes like Salzillo can offer you varieties of coffees and exotic teas, while in Katana you will experience an immersive fusion of Peruvian, Mexican, Asian, and Mediterranean cuisines. 

If you’re more interested in trying the local ingredients, check out the José Fuster, Juanelo, and Juncal stalls. All three are amongst the most popular fish stalls in the whole market, offering visitors a vast choice of local and seasonal seafood. You might need some basic Spanish to get yourself proper ingredients, but the opportunity to taste the local red prawns, sardines, or sea breams is worth stepping out of your native-language comfort zone!

Relax at the Playa de San Juan

The Playa de San Juan (or San Juan Beach) is one of the best beaches that Alicante has to offer. About 7 km long (about 4.3 miles), it’s the perfect place to soak in sunshine, enjoy the warm waves of the Mediterranean Sea, or sip a glass of ice-cold sangria. Buzzing with people, San Juan Beach is also known for beautiful views come sunset, so you’re guaranteed to find something to enjoy, regardless of when you visit!

For adventure and entertainment seekers, the beach provides spots to rent balls for beach volleyball or try out windsurfing (rental equipment is available at designated locations). Meanwhile, those who're more into rest and relaxation can rent themselves deck chairs or hammocks that include cushions and umbrellas, strategically located to offer the best views of the sea. The beach's promenade is also lined with local bars and cafes, meaning you won't have to worry about refreshments while there.

Experience Alicante’s nightlife

From improvised dance performances on La Explanada de España to numerous clubs that work until the morning hours (on weekends, usually), the nights in Alicante add a new shade to the colorful culture of this city. While Alicante isn’t considered the party city of Costa Blanca (that honor typically falls to Benidorm), it still offers a ton of great places and occasions to have fun dance parties that can last until dawn.

If you’re looking for spots to go clubbing, Calle 365, Marmarella, and Parabarab are just a few places where you can enjoy the Latin beats and take over the dance floor. And if going to clubs is not to your liking, be sure to check the El Puerto and El Barrio de Santa Cruz neighbourhoods. Since El Barrio is the historical city center, you will find lots of bars and live venues to explore. However, remember that nightlife in Alicante typically starts late (around midnight), so it might seem quiet at first.

Finally, if you want to experience a local celebration, check out the bonfires of the San Juan festival that takes place in June. A celebration of the arrival of summer, this festival attracts thousands of people annually with a mesmerizing display of music, color, and even fireworks! During this festival, thousands of people gather on beaches at night to light bonfires, sing, dance, and march through the streets, paying tribute to fire. Even the firefighters join in the party, showering the celebrating people with water (the tradition also known as banya).

PRO TIP: For more information on what Spain is all about, check out our interesting facts about Spain article!

Take a trip to Tabarca island

About an hour by boat’s sail from Alicante, you can find the small Tabarca island — the only populated island in the vicinity of Alicante (since Ibiza is a bit further). While Tabarca is small and seemingly unexceptional, the boat tours to the island are a perfect way to recover after a  day of intense exploration (or a night out). 

On the island, you’ll find a few restaurants, a small museum, and even the remains of an old garrison. While Tabarca’s beaches are mostly rocky, you can stumble upon some beautiful coves with crystal clear waters to snorkel and swim in, too. 

Walking around Tabarca village is also worth a separate mention. While small, its narrow streets, tiny squares, and cute white houses create a perfect image of a peaceful haven, where there’s nothing but sun, the sound of crashing waves, and the never-ending bliss of siesta.

Stay connected in Alicante with Saily

When packing for Alicante, along with sunscreen, swimwear, and good vibes, it’s also worth taking some eSIM data with you. With Saily’s eSIM for Spain, you won’t have to worry about roaming fees, pocket Wi-Fi for Spain, or public Wi-Fi hotspots. 

Besides, if you run out of eSIM data, you’ll be able to top up your plan with just a few taps! So make sure to check out Saily and download the eSIM app to get a quality data connection throughout your Alicante adventure!

And if you’re wondering whether your phone will work in Spain, check out our blog for more information and tips.

PRO TIP: Instead of getting a SIM card for Spain, consider getting a Spanish eSIM data plan. If Spain is just one stop on your European trip, getting an eSIM for Europe might be a better option than getting a Spanish SIM or a Europe SIM card.