Lively Spanish city with an impressive castle, a beautiful beach, an international airport and a rich cultural life
Alicante is the administrative capital of the Costa Blanca and a city with a genuine Spanish pulse. The impressive Moorish castle, Castillo de Santa Bárbara, dominates the skyline, and the Explanada de España — the city's famous mosaic promenade — is a favourite meeting spot. The airport receives flights from across Europe.
Why Alicante?
Alicante — Lively Spanish city with an impressive castle, a beautiful beach, an international airport and a rich cultural life
Alicante is the administrative capital of the Costa Blanca and a city with a genuine Spanish pulse. The impressive Moorish castle, Castillo de Santa Bárbara, dominates the skyline, and the Explanada de España — the city's famous mosaic promenade — is a favourite meeting spot. The airport receives flights from across Europe.
Alicante on the Costa Blanca attracts international buyers and visitors for: castillo de santa bárbara — an iconic castle, international airport with many connections and vibrant spanish city life and cuisine. Below you will find a complete guide to Alicante — from culture and transport to prices and practical advice for buyers and renters.
Culture, life and experiences in Alicante
Alicante celebrates Hogueras de San Juan in June — one of Spain's most spectacular bonfire festivals, where huge artistic figures (hogueras) are burned at midsummer in a tradition similar to Valencia's famous Fallas. Castillo de Santa Bárbara, the impressive Moorish-Christian castle on Mount Benacantil, dominates the city skyline and can be reached by lift directly from the beach.
The Explanada de España, the city's famous mosaic promenade along the harbour, is a favourite meeting spot for locals and visitors alike. Nightlife clusters especially around Barrio (the old town) with its many bars and tapas spots, as well as the lively harbour area — Alicante has a genuine Spanish city life rather than a tourist-resort feel.
Transport and infrastructure in Alicante
Alicante-Elche airport is one of Spain's busiest, with direct flights from Copenhagen, Billund and Aarhus. The airport is just a 10-minute drive from the centre.
There is a TRAM light rail line connecting the centre to the beaches north of the city, as well as regular Renfe train connections south towards Murcia. Taxis and Uber/Cabify are both available in the city, an advantage compared with several smaller Costa Blanca towns.
Tourism, beaches and leisure in Alicante
Alicante has good sandy beaches, both in the city itself (Playa del Postiguet) and a little to the north (San Juan beach, one of the region's best). There are a few golf courses in the surrounding area, but golf is not a defining part of the city's identity the way it is on the Costa del Sol.
The centre and harbour area can be noisy in the evenings, especially in the Barrio district, while the northern beach neighbourhoods are quieter. The climate is slightly drier than the Costa del Sol with less rainfall, and temperatures are typically on par with or a touch below Málaga's — mild winters around 12-17°C and warm summers around 26-30°C.
Everyday costs and property advice in Alicante
Alicante has one of the more affordable levels for eating out among the larger coastal cities, with a genuine Spanish tapas and restaurant scene rather than tourist pricing. Rent is generally affordable compared with the Costa del Sol's well-known destinations.
Before you buy: the Valencia region's tourist licence rules differ from Andalusia's — research the local requirements carefully if you're planning short-term letting. Alicante has a larger share of Spanish buyers than the more internationalised destinations, which can affect price dynamics.