What to see in Alicante

Overview

Sites, monuments and architectural ensembles

Santa Barbara Castle
Perched on Mount Benacantil, the 10th-century fortress overlooks the port and the city with the panoramic views that come with it. At the top, a small museum (free) showcases the city's history.

Co-Cathedral of San Nicolás de Bari
Built in the 17th century on the site of a former mosque, this co-cathedral has a rather austere style but is easily recognisable by its bluish dome.

Old Town
It is located between the port and Santa Barbara Castle. Like many other historic centres, it is a maze of narrow streets, old façades, and ancient monuments and buildings such as the cathedral.

Museums

MACA
This is the city's contemporary art museum. Its collection features modern paintings and sculptures by Spanish artists (Picasso, Miró, Dalí...) and a few major international names (Vasarely, Chagall, Kandinsky...).

MARQ
Also known as the Roger Quilliot Art Museum. The venue houses collections of paintings, sculptures, furniture, and art objects from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.

MUBAG
This fine arts museum, housed in the Gravina Palace (17th century), features works created in the region from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century.

Parks and gardens

El Palmeral
This park is by the seaside on the outskirts of the city and, as its name suggests, is home to a large number of palm trees. It features a lake, water features, and an artificial waterfall, among other attractions.

Spain Esplanade
This is the city’s most beautiful promenade, covered in stunning mosaics, lined with palm trees, and bordered by the port. It’s a favorite spot for both locals and tourists, with its bars, restaurants, ice cream parlors, and open-air auditorium.

In the surrounding area

Some interesting places near Alicante:

Altea
A seaside resort north of Benidorm on the Costa Blanca. Its centre features narrow cobbled streets lined with white houses around a beautiful church.

Benidorm
This seaside town north of Alicante is the archetype of Mediterranean tourist cities. It has been renowned since the 1960s for its beaches and lively atmosphere.

Calpe
Coastal resort in northern Costa Blanca, best known for its 330-metre-high rock, popular with climbers and walkers, overlooking the beaches.

Murcia
The regional capital has a rather beautiful centre, notably with its cathedral and several museums.

Orihuela
A historic city northeast of Murcia with numerous churches and monuments.

Elche Palm Grove
Europe’s largest palm grove, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is located in the heart of Elche.

Santa Pola
South of Alicante, a small town with its historic monuments, port, and beaches.

Torrevieja
Large cosmopolitan seaside resort south of Alicante. It marks almost the end of the Costa Blanca.

Villajoyosa
Around thirty kilometres from Alicante, this seaside resort also boasts a charming old quarter with colourful houses.