Warm-water beach just steps from the old town, a Moorish castle with views that’ll knock your socks off (not your breath), and prices easier on the wallet than Barcelona or Ibiza: Alicante is the Costa Blanca city that Brazilians still discover too late. Here’s the no-nonsense guide—what to see, when to go, where to eat, and how to leave town without blowing money on a lousy tour.
Alicante pairs an urban beach, a 9th-century castle with free panoramic views, and a compact old town you can cover on foot in a day—which is why it works just as well as a 2-3 day destination as it does as a stop on a bigger Spain itinerary, with direct trains to Madrid and Valencia and a ferry to Tabarca Island.
How to get to Alicante
Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC) is Spain’s second-busiest for international leisure flights and sits just 10 km from the center. From the airport, the C6 bus (Alicante Aeropuerto line) runs direct to the city in about 40 minutes, with tickets around €4. A taxi costs roughly €20-25 and takes 15-20 minutes.
Coming by train, you’ve got direct options from Madrid (about 2h30 on the AVE) and Valencia (around 1h30), arriving at Estación de Alicante-Terminal, a 15-minute walk from the center. Driving along the Costa Blanca, the AP-7 connects Alicante to Benidorm, Denia, and Valencia without major detours.
Best time to visit and how long to stay
Spring (March to June) and early fall (September and October) are the sweet spots: temperatures between 68°F and 81°F, pleasant beach weather, and none of the crowds or inflated prices of the European summer. July and August easily top 86°F and pack both Playa del Postiguet and the Barrio’s restaurants to the brim.
Two full days are enough to cover the castle, old town, and beach without rushing. With three days, you can squeeze in a trip to Tabarca or the interior—Guadalest and the Algar Springs—without skipping any of the city’s main stops.
What to see in Alicante
Santa Bárbara Castle
A fortress built on a 9th-century Muslim settlement, perched atop Mount Benacantil. Entry is free, and you can reach it on foot (a 30-40 minute climb up trails and stairways) or by elevator, which departs from Playa del Postiguet and costs around €2.70 for the ride up. From the top, the view sweeps across the old town, the port, and the coastline all the way to Santa Pola on clear days.
Barrio de Santa Cruz
The old neighborhood climbs the hillside below the castle, with narrow streets, colorful houses, and flower pots lining the facades. It’s where the city delivers its prettiest photos and where it’s worth simply getting lost without a set route—especially in the late afternoon, when the low sun lights up the buildings.
Explanada de España and the Central Market
The Explanada is a promenade of wavy Portuguese cobblestone mosaic running parallel to the port—ideal for an evening stroll, with craft stalls and café terraces. Two blocks away, the Central Market, open since 1921 with a Modernist facade, is the spot to sample fresh seafood and snack without breaking the bank.
MACA and the Basilica of Santa Maria
The Museum of Contemporary Art of Alicante (MACA) occupies an 18th-century grain warehouse in the Barrio and showcases works by Dalí, Miró, and Picasso in a small but surprisingly strong collection for a mid-sized city—free entry most of the year. Right nearby, the Basilica of Santa Maria, built over a former mosque, is the city’s oldest Gothic church and worth a quick stop as you hop between Barrio sights.
Tabarca Island
The only inhabited island in the Valencian Community sits about 20 km from the center and is reachable by direct ferry from Alicante’s port, with a crossing of about 1 hour. Clear waters, few permanent residents, and a fortified old town make it a solid full-day outing, especially between May and September.
What to pair with Alicante
With a free day on your hands, you can book a tour to Guadalest and the Algar Springs in the mountainous Costa Blanca interior—the village of Guadalest is known for its castle perched on a rock and views of the turquoise reservoir just below.
If you’d rather have a guided tour without worrying about logistics, a free walking tour of the old town covers the castle, Barrio, and Explanada with a guide in Portuguese or Spanish, and works great as a first introduction to the city on your arrival day.
Where to eat in Alicante
Alicante is rice country—and here, paella shares the spotlight with arroz a banda (cooked in fish broth, served without the seafood mixed in) and squid-ink black rice. Restaurants around the marina and in the Barrio serve these versions, with main courses averaging €15-20 at solid spots.
The Central Market, beyond being a tourist attraction, doubles as a quick, cheap meal: tapas and seafood stalls on the lower floor, bar prices (snacks from €3-5), and a more authentic vibe than the tourist-oriented restaurants on the Explanada.
Where to stay in Alicante
The Centro/Casco Antiguo is the most practical base: within walking distance of the castle, the beach, and the train station, with a good selection of mid-range hotels. The marina and port area, on the other hand, appeals to those who want nightlife and seafood restaurants just steps from their accommodation. If you’re after peace and quiet and don’t mind taking a bus or bike into the center, consider more residential neighborhoods like Playa de San Juan, which has a longer, less urban beach than Postiguet.
Practical Tips
The castle elevator has shorter lines before 10 a.m.—arrive early to beat the busiest stretch between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Alicante is small enough to explore on foot: the center, the Barrio, and the beach are all within a 15–20 minute walk of each other, so you won’t need transportation for most of your itinerary. Keep some cash on hand for the stalls at the Mercado Central, since many don’t accept cards for small purchases.
The city’s public transit is run by TAM (Transporte Metropolitano de Alicante) and covers both the center and farther-flung neighborhoods like Playa de San Juan well—a single ticket costs around €1.45, but if you’re staying more than two days, you’ll save money with the rechargeable card sold at newsstands and TAM kiosks. If you’re visiting in high season, it’s worth booking your accommodation at least a month in advance, since Alicante sees heavy demand from Spaniards and northern Europeans escaping winter back home.
Brazilian travelers don’t need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days in Spain and the rest of the Schengen Area—always double-check current rules on the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs website before you travel, since documentation requirements can change. It’s also a good idea to bring travel insurance with medical coverage, which is common practice and sometimes required at immigration for tourists from outside the EU.
If you want to see all the tour options available in the region before deciding, check out the full catalog below:
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need to see Alicante?
Two days cover the essentials—the castle, the historic center, and the beach. With three days, you can add Tabarca or a day trip into the Costa Blanca countryside.
Is Alicante a good base for exploring the Costa Blanca?
Yes. The city has well-connected train and road links to Benidorm, Denia, and Elche, plus a ferry to Tabarca, so you can explore the region without switching hotels.
Is it better to visit Alicante or Valencia?
They’re complementary destinations, not rivals—Alicante has an urban beach and a castle, while Valencia has the City of Arts and Sciences and more cultural life. If you have time, fit in both with the 1.5-hour train between them.
Is the beach in Alicante good?
Playa del Postiguet, the main urban beach, has golden sand and calm water, but it gets crowded in summer. If you want more space, head to Playa de San Juan, a bit farther from the center.
Conclusion
Alicante delivers beach, history, and great food without the price tag or crowds of Spain’s more famous destinations—and it also works as a gateway to the entire Costa Blanca. If this guide helped you plan your trip, keep exploring more Spanish destinations here on voyagevoyage.