Featuring ancient castles and lively nightlife, Alicante sits on the sun-drenched Costa Blanca and is fringed by gorgeous beaches. Spend your days relaxing on the sand, exploring the historic district and visiting some of Spain's top cultural attractions.

Things to do

Start your journey at Barrio de la Santa Cruz, Alicante's characterful historic district. Its narrow streets are lined with colourful houses and flower-filled hanging baskets. For the best views in town, stroll up to Castillo de Santa Barbara, a hilltop castle offering sweeping panoramas of the Mediterranean coast.

Alicante's main beach, Playa del Postiguet, is steps from Barrio de la Santa Cruz. It's lined with sunbeds and colourful beach umbrellas, but you’ll also find plenty of water sports rental shops. For a quieter scene, jump aboard a tram and head north to Playa de San Juan to stroll along its beachfront promenade.

Housed in a 17th-century mansion, Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Alicante is a great place to explore Spanish artwork. Inside you'll find a fantastic collection of contemporary Spanish art, including works by Picasso, Dali, Miro and Sempere.

For a glimpse at how the locals live, head to Mercado Central, Alicante's bustling central market. Inside you'll find a myriad of stalls selling everything from freshly caught seafood and local cheese to fragrant paella and crispy churros.

Getting around

You can navigate Alicante on foot, as the beach and most major sites and attractions are within walking distance of each other. Local trams and buses run around the city, as well as up and down the coast. From Alicante Airport, buses run to Plaza Puerta del Mar in around 30 minutes.