Alicante City Guide
Alicante City Guide: Beaches, Culture, and Everyday Life
Plan your Alicante visit or move with this city guide covering beaches, the old town, food markets, and what daily life feels like in Costa Blanca's capital.
Why Alicante Works for Visits and Long Stays
Alicante is the capital of Costa Blanca South, combining a walkable city center with sandy beaches and a working port. You get urban conveniences, a lively food scene, and fast access to the airport while still living by the sea.
Locals spend mornings on the promenade, afternoons in shaded plazas, and evenings dining late. It feels Spanish and international at the same time, which is why Alicante stays active year-round rather than only in summer.
Postiguet Beach and the Marina
Postiguet Beach sits right next to the old town, so you can go from a morning swim to a café terrace in minutes. The marina and Explanada promenade are lined with palms, market stalls, and outdoor dining.
This mix of beach and city living is Alicante's big advantage. You can live without a car, commute on foot or tram, and still enjoy a classic Mediterranean beach day.
Historic Core and Santa Bárbara Castle
Alicante's historic center is compact but full of character. Whitewashed streets in Barrio de Santa Cruz climb the hill below the castle, while the main shopping streets stay lively late into the evening.
Santa Bárbara Castle is the city's landmark. You can walk up from the old town or take the lift from the beachfront, and the panoramic views explain why Alicante has been a strategic port for centuries.
Barrio de Santa Cruz
Traditional hillside lanes, colorful facades, and small local bars.
Santa Bárbara Castle
A fortress with city and sea views, plus exhibitions inside the walls.
Museums & culture
The MARQ archaeology museum and contemporary galleries anchor the cultural scene.
Market Mornings and Tapas Nights
Start at Mercado Central for fresh produce, seafood, and jamón, then follow locals to the tapas bars around Calle Castaños or El Barrio. Alicante blends traditional Valencian recipes with modern restaurants that stay open late.
Rice dishes are the local specialty. Look for arroz a banda or seafood paella, and expect lunches to stretch well into the afternoon.
Mercado Central
Seafood stalls, seasonal fruit, and local delicacies in a historic market hall.
Tapas districts
El Barrio and Calle Castaños are known for lively evening tapas routes.
Café culture
Morning coffee on shaded terraces is a daily ritual in the center.
Properties in Alicante
Alicante suits buyers who want a real Spanish city with beachfront access and excellent transport links. Apartments in the center offer walkability, while areas like Playa de San Juan provide more space and family-friendly living.
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