The province of Alicante is one of the most popular tourist areas in Spain. Sun, sea and fun are guaranteed; many destinations in the region have developed around tourism over the past 30 years, becoming a reference for other Spanish resorts in terms of hospitality and service efficiency.
The region also hosts numerous natural parks, a remarkable historical and artistic heritage, as well as many opportunities for sports and active holidays. It is the perfect destination for those who seek a vast choice of leisure opportunities. Discover with this guide the perfect destination for your stay in Alicante.
Where to stay in Alicante for a beach holiday
The coast of Alicante takes the name of Costa Blanca and hosts some of the most popular beach holiday destinations in Spain. Everywhere along the coast, you will find beautiful beaches complete with all the services, as well as secluded coves and nudist beaches - the choice is yours!
Calpe, Benidorm, Moraira, Denia and Javea are the places that host the greatest number of idyllic beaches. These towns offer an enviable combination of long and comfortable stretches of sand (perfect for families), isolated coves (ideal for those seeking tranquillity and a fascinating landscape) and enough services and activities to make your holiday comfortable and full of fun.
If you decide to stay in Denia, you will have a perfect example of how diverse the range of beaches along this coastline is: north of the city centre you will find kilometres of white sandy beaches that shape this stretch of coastline known as Las Marinas. If you head south you can escape the crowds on beautiful rocky seabeds of the many small coves that form Las Rotas coast.
The town of Javea also offers beaches for all tastes, ranging from the comfortable sandy beach of El Arenal to the beautiful coves located in the area of Cabo San Antonio. Here you will find the spectacular Cala Ambolo and Cala Granadella, undoubtedly among the most beautiful beaches on the Costa Blanca.
Where to stay in Alicante for a family holiday
The entire province of Alicante can be considered suitable for family holidays, even those with young children. The whole area is perfectly prepared to accommodate a high amount of tourism, so services and activities are always complete, safe and of high quality. However, some destinations are especially popular for families staying in Alicante.
Calpe is the perfect place to spend a pleasant beach holiday with the whole family. This charming and relaxed town is home to many beautiful beaches. They are equipped with all the services and there are numerous shops along the seafront. The shallow and calm waters in Calpe guarantee safe and pleasant bathing for the whole family.
Calpe offers numerous activities; from visits to archaeological sites in the area (some located just a few metres from the beach) to water and amusement parks as well as beach activities for all tastes and ages. The centre is dominated by the famous Peñon de Ifach, a majestic spur of rock that rises from the sea. A walk to reach the top is highly recommended; you will enjoy a fantastic view of the city and the beautiful lagoon inhabited by flamingos that sits just behind the city centre.
Denia is a beautiful town overlooking the sea, which offers beaches for all tastes (from rocky coves to sandy beaches) and many things to do and see. Most of the services and activities are at your fingertips, so it is not strictly necessary to have a car available. Don't miss a visit to the castle and enjoy the many opportunities offered by the local marina: boat rentals, diving centres and even day trips to Ibiza (located less than 100 km from this coast).
Torrevieja is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the province of Alicante. The city offers 20 km of coastline characterised by wide, comfortable beaches, numerous events and activities, as well as parks and natural areas perfect for biking and family picnics.
During your holiday to Torrevieja, you can spend the day relaxing on Playa de la Mata (awarded with a Blue Flag), have fun with your kids at the waterpark in Playa de Los Naufragos, or swim in the natural rock pools located near the city centre. Do not miss a trip to the salt lagoons of La Mata and Torrevieja. Both are in a protected area (located just a few minutes from the centre) and host many species of birds, including a large population of flamingos. Your kids will love it!
Where to stay for a cultural break
The province of Alicante boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage. Due to its location - in the centre of important trade routes in the western Mediterranean, the region has experienced centuries of battles between different kingdoms. These never-ending struggles over borders have shaped the landscape, rich in castles and fortifications like few other areas of Spain.
Alicante city is the perfect example of this. The city boasts an interesting historical heritage, starting with its most admired and beloved symbol, the Castillo de Santa Barbara. This large fortress dominates the city centre and the bay, thanks to its spectacular location on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea at 200 metres high.
The Castle's excellent state of conservation and the magnificent views that you can enjoy from its walls, make it an essential visit for those staying in Alicante. The city also has another fortress, Castillo de San Fernando, located a short distance from its "brother," on the opposite side of the city centre.
If you stay in Alicante city, don't miss a visit to the archaeological site of Lucentum. Located just 3 km from the historical centre, it is a perfectly preserved part of a Roman settlement - dating back to the fourth century B.C. Other points of interest are the modern Mercado Central, the spectacular Basilica of Santa Maria and the monastery of Santa Faz, which according to legends guards the cloth used to wipe the face of Jesus during the Passion of Christ.
As the capital of the province, Alicante city is also the most active cultural hub in the area. It is home to numerous museums and exhibition halls and boasts a rich calendar of events including festivals and traditional celebrations.
Located 25 km south-west of Alicante city, the town of Elche holds a truly unique record: it is the only Spanish municipality that can boast three UNESCO awards in different categories of the World Heritage program. The spectacular Palmeral Historico de Elche has obtained the status of a World Heritage Site. This vast oasis with more than 200.000 date palms is one of a kind in Europe and dates back to the first Islamic settlements in the region. Located right in the city centre, it was built following practices still used in many Middle Eastern countries today. This includes the same irrigation systems that allowed populations of arid countries to develop an agricultural economy.
El Misteri, or Festa d'Elx, is a dramatic-religious representation that dates back to the fifteenth century, performed in Latin and ancient Valencian dialect. Focused on the figure of the Virgin, it was declared an Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2001. This spectacular piece is staged every year on the 13th and 14th of August in the Basilica de Santa Maria.
The third official award belongs to the Escolar de Pusol museum, included in the Good Practice Register by the UNESCO Committee for the Protection of Intangible Heritage. The work they do has been recognised as remarkable in conserving ancient traditions of the area.
Elche also makes up part of a route with great interest: the Ruta de Los Castillos. This historical path runs along the valley of the Vinalopó river, a rural area famous for its vineyards. In the Middle Ages, this area was the natural border between the Castile and Aragon kingdoms.
Throughout centuries, the valley was the scene of many battles and political struggles, that left a historical legacy visible today. This can be seen in a series of fourteen castles that dominate the landscape from the Mediterranean shores and well into the mainland. Most of them were built during the most turbulent period, between the 12th and 13th century. But some have much older origins, dating back to the times of Arab domination. If you wish to visit the area and wander around fortified towers and ancient battlefields, consider staying in Villena. This charming small town is located right in the middle of the route, the perfect base to see the Maigmó Natural Park explore the countryside and to taste the local gastronomy.
Another perfect place to get to know the history and culture of the province is Orihuela, located on the banks of the river Segura. This town has been inhabited since the Neolithic period and has seen the passage of many people: Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, Muslims.
Conquered in the thirteenth century by the Crown of Aragon, Orihuela experienced a moment of great splendour and became the most important centre of a vast territory. The majestic Cathedral dates back to this period (as often happened in these cases, it was built on the remains of an ancient mosque).
The city is home to many medieval monuments and archaeological sites. Among the recommended places to visit, in addition to the Gothic Cathedral, is the convent-school of Santo Domingo (built in the fourteenth century, it boasts two magnificent cloisters and a refectory decorated with spectacular ceramics) and the Iglesia de las Santas Justa y Rufina (built in a mixture of gothic and baroque, whose bell tower has a clock dating back to 1439). If you are staying in Orihuela Costa, do not miss a visit to this interesting city, located about 20 km from its beautiful beaches.
Nature and rural holidays
Although Alicante is known mainly for its wide range of beach holiday destinations, it also offers numerous natural gems that are worth exploring.
One of the most popular excursions is to Guadalest. This charming village is located about 50 kilometres from Alicante city and less than 20 km from Benidorm. It is the perfect place to spend the day in a rural landscape. Visit the castle perched on a mountain, that offers magnificent views of the valley and the lake below.
If you prefer to enjoy nature in an active way, plan an excursion to Fuentes de Algar. A fantastic natural environment characterised by waterfalls, natural pools and trails that run through lush nature. If you are staying in Altea you will be less than 10 km away.
If you are looking for the taste and traditions of rural life in the province, plan a day trip to Alcoy. Apart from boasting a rich historical heritage, this charming town offers a fascinating natural environment, full of unmissable opportunities for nature lovers. Follow the paths that cross the woods of the Carrascal de la Font Roja Natural Park; rent a bike for an excursion along the local Via Verde ("green route"), or discover the spectacular landscape and rupestrian paintings of La Sarga caves, declared World Heritage by UNESCO.
Alcoy also offers the opportunity to get closer to one of the region's most spectacular events, the traditional Moros y Cristianos festival. This is a celebration of the Catholics victory over Moorish troops during the Reconquista. The festival is held in almost every town in the province but its most popular celebration is in Alcoy.
Sports and active holidays
Thanks to the pleasant climate, the numerous natural and protected areas and the long and varied coastline, the province of Alicante does not fail to offer opportunities for sports lovers.
Staying in Santa Pola would be ideal for windsurfers and kiters. The town offers the perfect marine conditions for most of the year as well as several well-equipped rental centres. If you love sailing but prefer something more relaxing, you can choose to stay in Denia or Alicante; both cities host a number of nautical clubs, where you can rent sailing boats and catamarans to explore the coast at your pace.
If your passion is diving, you will be spoiled for choice. The fantastic rocky sea beds of Cabo San Antonio (located between Denia and Javea), the coast of Marina Alta and the sea bottom of Las Rotas coves in Denia are probably the most popular excursions among divers.
If you spend your holidays in Moraira, you will enjoy beautiful coves and rocky seabeds full of marine life. The modern marina houses a well-equipped diving centre that organises excursions along the coast and around Cap Blanc and Cap d'Or.
Tabarca Island, located a short distance from the coast and easily accessible from various ports in the region, offers a spectacular marine reserve worth exploring. If you are staying in Torrevieja, an excursion to the island could be the perfect idea to combine a dive with a visit to a unique natural landscape.
Alicante is a very popular destination among cycling enthusiasts. The excellent climate, with a high percentage of sunny days throughout the year and the varied landscape of the area irresistibly attract cyclists from all over the world. At certain times of the year, the province is also frequented by many professionals, both for road cycling and mountain biking. If you plan to stay in Calpe or Denia you can take advantage of the numerous bike rental centres and the rich calendar of events (that include professional competitions, as well as amateur rallies), at any time of the year.
Budget breaks
Tourist destinations in Alicante area are in general relatively cheap, and the large number of accommodation available makes it easy to find the most suitable solution for any budget.
If you're looking for a holiday which is cheap in its entirety, for holiday rentals, restaurants, entertainment and transport, stay in El Campello, Torrevieja or Santa Pola. All these resorts are located just a few kilometres from Alicante airport and offer a large number of accommodation and affordable services. They are all within easy reach of the main tourist attractions in Alicante, Elche, Serra del Maigmó Natural Park and Vinalopó Valley.
Where to stay for a luxury holiday
If what you are looking for is a luxury holiday in the province of Alicante in an idyllic destination, rent a villa with pool in Altea Hills. This quiet residential area is located about 2 km north of Altea's town centre and a short distance from the beach. It is perfect for those looking for a relaxed atmosphere, privacy and spectacular sea views.
Moraira is also a perfect destination for travellers who wish to treat themselves. The town offers high-end accommodation, especially in the area located north of the marina, where the beautiful beach of Portet is located. Here you will find stunning villas, privacy and a peaceful environment.
Nightlife
Just like in any authentic holiday destination, in Alicante, there is no shortage of nightlife, especially along the coast and particularly in summer. Apart from the resorts specifically dedicated to family tourism, the most popular destinations offer clubs and local hangouts for every taste.
The best places to spend a holiday full of parties and disco nights out are Benidorm and Alicante city. In the capital, the most popular nightlife spots are the historical centre (especially the barrios of Santa Cruz and El Carmen), the harbour district and the Playa de San Juan area.
In Benidorm, the main nightlife areas are the casco antiguo (historical centre) and the neighbourhood located north of the marina. Both offer numerous clubs, pubs and discos, for all tastes and all ages.