Alicante (Valencian: Alacant) is a popular tourist city of 332,000 people (2018) in the Valencian Community of Spain. It is the capital of Alicante province and a historic Mediterranean port. The city has become a hub of tourism directed to the beaches of the Costa Blanca.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
The city is believed to have been founded by the Carthaginian general Hamilcar Barca, who established the fortified settlement of Akra Leuka (Greek: Ἄκρα Λευκή, meaning 'White Mountain' or 'White Point'), where Alicante stands today. It was later conquered by the Romans who renamed it Lucentum. In mediaeval times, Alicante became a major Mediterranean trading station, exporting rice, wine, olive oil, oranges and wool. 1 Tourist Info Alicante, Rambla Méndez Núñez, 41 (near Plaza de San Cristobal), ☏ +34 965 200 000, fax: +34 965 200 243, alicante@touristinfo.net. M-F 10:00-18:00, Sa Su 10:00-14:00. The primary tourist office is open year round, and has free maps and brochures.
If you stay in the old town, most areas of interest are within walking distance. Public transportation is provided by trams (described above) and buses. Visitors intending to use both systems may want to consider purchasing a rechargeable Bono Móbilis Multiviaje card, which costs €8.70* for 10 rides plus €2 for the plastic card (2025); discounted youth and senior Móbilis cards are also available. *Full price, 50% discount in effect until August 2025. Valid on bus & tram in zone A.
The old town of Alicante is roughly the triangular area enclosed by the Rambla de Méndez Núnez, the Explanada de Espanya, and Mount Benacantil. Largely tourist-friendly, the old, narrow streets make for an enjoyable wander provided you don't get yourself lost. Here you'll find the town hall, cathedral, an old convent, and several art museums. 1 Castell de la Santa Bàrbara (Castillo de Santa Bárbara / Castle of Santa Barbara). Oct-Mar daily 10:00-20:00, Apr-Jun daily 10:00-22:00, Jul Aug daily 10:00-24:00, Sep daily 10:00-22:00. On top of Mount Benacantil at a height of 166 metres, there is one of the largest medieval fortresses in Spain, built in the ninth century by Muslims.
1 Teatre Principal (Teatro Principal), Plaça de Ruperto Chapí, s/n, ☏ +34 965 203 100 (info), +34 965 202 380 (box office), informacion@teatroprincipaldealicante.com. 12:00-14:00 17:00-21:00 (box office). Alicante's main theatre was built in the mid-19th century, and partially destroyed and rebuilt during the Spanish Civil War. Today it is the city's main venue for not only plays but also musicals, dance, and musical performances. (updated Oct 2017) 2 Auditori de la Diputació d'Alacant (Auditorio de la Diputación de Alicante), Paseo Campoamor, s/n (N of the bullring), ☏ +34 965 919 100. Box office: M-Th 08:00-18:00, F 11:00-14:00.
As with the rest of Spain, breakfast is usually light, usually some sort of bread (e.g. toast) or piece of pastry. Traditionally, a hearty meal in the early afternoon is followed by a siesta as the heat builds. Many restaurants are then closed between 16:00 and 21:00. A light meal is taken once the sun goes down, often in the local tapería if you are a visitor. Many restaurants don't open before 21:00 for dinner, so bear this in mind when planning your dinner schedule. As elsewhere in the region, seafood and rice dominate, with paella in the frontline.
El botellón, literally, 'the large bottle', is a custom among young people in Spain, in which they buy 2-litre bottles of soft drinks and mix into them hard liquor, and then stand or sit around drinking in parking lots and other public places. This is to avoid the high cost of drinks in some bars and clubs. There are many organizations which organise and advertise the party scene of the Barrio, such as BarrioLife. The Barrio (aka Casco Antiguo) is the centre of nightlife in Alicante, with bars like 1 John Mulligan's, 2 Carpe Diem, 3 La Antigua, and 4 ¡¡Ay, Carmela!!; there is never a dull night in this small Spanish city.
Alicante is generally a safe city, but visitors should take precautions in the port area, especially the neighborhoods to the west, which should be avoided at night and dawn. The city's beaches are usually well-patrolled by coast guards and the police, but do watch out for your belongings. Some neighborhoods in the north of the city (Campoamor, Virgen del Remedio) have a bad reputation among locals, but they have no touristic appeal.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Alicante typically sees ~31°C daytime highs and 5 rainy days.
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