Is Alicante Worth Visiting? 8 Reasons to Visit
Alicante might not be the first city that comes to mind when deciding on a weekend city break. The most popular options are Madrid, Barcelona and Seville, but Alicante might surprise you.
If you ask me, is Alicante worth visiting? My answer is yes. It’s a lovely city to visit for a few days or as a starting point for your trip along Costa Blanca.
The city is home to beautiful art galleries, golden sand beaches and an old centre with historical buildings and picturesque streets. Still, there are other reasons why you should visit Alicante and decide if it’s for you.
I especially love its atmosphere and the surrounding towns, and I’m telling you all the reasons why Alicante is worth visiting in this blog.
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Is Alicante worth visiting? 8 Reasons to Visit Alicante
1. Its golden sand beaches
One of the main reasons to visit Alicante is its incredible beaches.
The city is part of what is popularly known as Costa Blanca, the 200km coastline that goes from the end of Costa Cálida to the town of Dénia in the north of the province of Alicante.
Expect golden sand beaches, crystal clear water, good facilities, and plenty of water activities in the summer months.
Playa del Postiguet is the nearest beach to the historic centre of Alicante and one of the favourite beaches among locals. Its golden sand and tranquil water make it ideal for anyone, plus it’s very accessible.
This beach has a lovely promenade which is perfect for a leisure walk any time of the year. You can stop by a chiringuito (beach bar) and have a meal or drink while contemplating the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.
2. Its delicious food (including paella!)
If food is an important aspect of travelling, just like me, you’ll be happy to know that Alicante has delicious traditional dishes.
While paella originated in Valencia, Alicante is part of the Valencian Community, which means you can enjoy incredible paellas in the city. I love paellas at Restaurante La Brújula (see photo above).
Many travellers perceive paella as a dish with meat and seafood. However, you’ll be surprised to know there are many variations of paellas and different types of rice used for each one, which changes the texture and a bit of the flavour, too.
However, there’s more than paella in Alicante. Other traditional dishes, drinks and sweets are:
- Arroz con costra (arròs amb crosta in Valenciano). This is a hearty rice dish made with ingredients like bomba rice, chicken, rabbit, Spanish sausages and eggs.
- Borreta alicantina, also known as borreta alcoyana, is a delicious stew with cod and potatoes.
- Mistela. It’s an alcoholic drink which is often mistaken for wine. It’s a traditional drink made from Muscat of Alexandria grapes.
- Pericana. This savoury dish is made with salted cod, Nora peppers, garlic and olive oil.
- Turrón de Jijona. It’s a soft nougat made with key ingredients like almonds and honey. You can buy nougat in many shops across the city. In fact, some shops specialise in nougat.
3. Its sunny weather
Whether you want a summer destination or a winter sun destination, it’s worth considering Alicante as your next destination. There’s no right or wrong on when is the best time to explore this city; the truth is that you can visit it all year round.
In the summer, the average maximum temperature is 30.5ºC (86.9°F), and the average minimum is 23ºC (73.4°F). August is the hottest month in Alicante.
In the winter, the average maximum temperature is 17ºC (62.6°F), and the average minimum temperature is 9ºC (48.2°F). January is the coldest month in Alicante.
The last time I visited Alicante was in early December, and I was so happy with the weather. It only rained a little one of the mornings, but the rest of the days were sunny and warm.
4. Its museums
The province of Alicante is home to over 50 museums, which range from contemporary art and local culture to archaeology and even chocolate and spices.
History and culture buffs will enjoy visiting the museums in Alicante. Some of the most popular museums and art galleries in Alicante city are MACA, Gravina Museum of Fine Arts MUBAG and the Archaeological Museum of Alicante.
Another good thing about these museums is the fact that most of them are free.
Beyond the city, I recommend visiting museums in towns like Villajoyosa. This colourful town has two incredible museums: one about Villajoyosa town, which is free, and one about Valor chocolate, the most famous chocolate brand in Spain.
5. Its rich history
Alicante has a lot of history behind it, and proof of this is its numerous museums, castles and archaeological centres.
The city was ruled by different groups – from the Iberians and Romans to Moors and Christians, which form part of the history of Alicante.
Whether you’re a history buff or you just would like to learn a bit more about Alicante and the Valencian Community, you’ll love this city.
However, other places you need to visit near Alicante are Cartagena and Murcia. These cities are home to impressive historic buildings and are rich in history too. Examples of historic buildings are the emblematic Roman Theatre of Carthago Nova and the Cathedral ruins of Cartagena, and the Cathedral of Murcia.
6. Its lively nightlife
I’m not into nightlife, but even if you aren’t a fan of parties or going clubbing, which isn’t a thing you do on your trips, you’ll realise that Alicante has good nightlife.
Walking on the streets of the city centre on a Friday evening, you’ll see plenty of groups of friends ready to party, and there are many places to enjoy a cocktail and dance.
Another popular area in Alicante where you can enjoy the nightlife is near the port. In the summer months, the beach clubs in Playa del Postiguet become busier too.
7. Its traditional events
I truly believe that traditional events and festivals enrich your experience of a place and culture. In the case of Alicante, there are a few events you don’t want to miss.
The biggest event in Alicante is the Fiestas de Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christians Festival). The celebrations are hosted in five different spots across the city and on different dates.
Moors and Christians Festival commemorates the Christian conquest of the Moorish lands.
One of the main processions takes place in the city centre on the 6th of December which coincides with the celebration of Alicante’s patron saint, Saint Nicolas. However, you can experience this festival in other months of the year (March, July and August).
You can expect live music, traditional customs, and incredible parades during these festivals. It’s a great spectacle and the best event to experience in Alicante, without a doubt.
Other events that you might want to attend are the Three Kings Parade on the 6th of January and Holy Week on the first week of April. These events aren’t just celebrated in Alicante but in many other destinations in Spain too.
8. Its proximity to beautiful cities and towns
For me, one of the reasons why Alicante is worth visiting is its proximity to unique cities and towns.
Although renting a car is a good option to travel outside Alicante, you don’t need a car because public transport is very good. Most trains and buses always turn up on time and are neat.
By staying in Alicante longer than a weekend, you have enough time to visit either another Spanish city or a small coastal town.
If you want to tick off another Spanish city, Murcia and Cartagena are close to Alicante. Murcia is about 1 hour by car whilst Cartagena is 1 hour and 20 minutes by car. You can also head to the capital of the Valencian Community, Valencia, which is a 1 hour and 50 minute drive.
In case you prefer to visit smaller towns, Villajoyosa and Altea are my favourites, but there are many more: Calpe and Dénia on the coast and Guadalest and Finestrat on the mountainside. The truth is that you’re spoilt for choice.
The cons of visiting Alicante
The pros of visiting Alicante surpass the cons; however, if you’re wondering what things aren’t as good in Alicante, here are a few things you need to know:
➢ It can be crowded at times, especially if you visit it during the summer months (June to September).
➢ It isn’t always cheap in comparison to other Spanish cities. You need to check out places online or ask locals to visit more budget-friendly places to eat.
➢ Some of its nearby towns are very touristy. An example of this is Benidorm. There’s a large number of tourists and expats there.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Alicante
Why should you visit Alicante?
Alicante is a beautiful city home to incredible golden sand beaches, but there are many other reasons why you should visit Alicante. For example, its rich history and interesting museums, its delicious food and its vibrant atmosphere. In addition to these, Alicante is surrounded by unique coastal towns and other historic cities.
How many days should I spend in Alicante?
2 days in Alicante is perfect for visiting the main attractions. However, stay longer to go on day trips. There are many beautiful and unique towns near Alicante which you can visit by taking the train or going on a tour.
Is Alicante expensive?
Alicante isn’t cheap, but it’s more affordable than bigger cities like Madrid and Barcelona. Accommodation prices will change depending on the location and season, but you can find good deals off-season. When it comes to food, you can spend an average of 12 euros per person in an inexpensive restaurant.
How safe is Alicante?
Alicante is generally safe. From my experience, I didn’t feel unsafe at any moment when walking around the city centre in the morning or evening. However, I always recommend keeping an eye on your belongings and avoiding walking on quiet streets at night wherever you go.
When should I visit Alicante?
It depends on the type of holiday you want because Alicante is one of those Spanish destinations you can visit all year round.
Travel off-season to explore the city and nearby towns without crowds and extreme heat. If you travel on a budget, you’ll also find better flight and accommodation deals.
If you want to make the most of the summer and experience a more lively atmosphere, then book your trip to Alicante in the summer months. During this time, you can also visit many of the theme parks and waterparks that are only open during summer.
So, is Alicante worth visiting?
My answer is yes. Alicante is worth visiting if you want a short Spanish city break to sightsee, eat and enjoy the sunshine.
When it comes to things to do, you can’t compare it with a big city, but Alicante has its charm and interesting history and culture.
I recommend staying in Alicante longer than 2 days if you want to discover other lesser-known cities like Murcia and Cartagena or explore beautiful coastal towns like Villajoyosa, Calpe and Altea.
If you have any questions about visiting Alicante, drop me an email. I’ll be happy to help you.
Safe adventures!
Cristina
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Top things to check before visiting Alicante
- Compare and book cheap flights to Alicante Airport (ALC) with Skyscanner.
- Are you looking for the best accommodation in Alicante for you? Book accommodation with Booking.com
- Have a look at amazing activities and tours in Alicante and its surroundings with Get Your Guide.
- Book a free walking tour in Alicante with GuruWalk.
- Rent a car to travel around Costa Blanca.
- Book travel insurance for your trip, this is a must for any trip! SafetyWing offers comprehensive and flexible health and travel insurance.
