Alicante Travel Guide
A Moorish castle rising 166 metres above the Mediterranean. Spain's only inhabited marine reserve island — 40 minutes by boat. Sunset catamarans, mountain waterfalls, fire festivals, and some of the finest tapas bars on the Costa Blanca. Alicante is the south's most liveable city, and we have covered all of it.
Why Alicante?
Alicante sits on the Costa Blanca — Spain's White Coast — where the Segura mountain range meets the Mediterranean in a landscape of limestone cliffs, palm-lined promenades, and water that turns turquoise close to the shore. It is a city of just 330,000 people that punches far above its weight: one of the finest Moorish-era castles in Spain sits directly above the city centre, a UNESCO-protected marine reserve island is a 40-minute ferry ride away, and the old town's bar-to-street ratio is among the highest in the country.
What distinguishes Alicante from other Costa Blanca resorts is its dual identity. It is genuinely a city — with a working port, a proper covered market, neighbourhood tapas bars that open for lunch rather than tourists, and a cultural calendar anchored by the spectacular Hogueras de San Juan fire festival each June. But it is also a beach destination with direct access to mountain scenery, baroque villages, thermal swimming holes, and waterfalls within an hour's drive.
Alicante also produces its own wine in the Vinalopó valley, grows some of Spain's finest table grapes, and hides one of the country's most dramatic castle interiors — connected directly to the city by a lift cut through solid rock — inside a landmark that most visitors photograph from below without going up.
All Alicante Experiences — Complete Guide
Santa Bárbara Castle, Wine Tasting & Tapas
Alicante's defining experience: the Moorish hilltop fortress that has dominated the city since the 9th century, combined with a local wine tasting from the Alicante DO and a tapas session in the old town. The lift through the mountain rock brings you up — the views bring you back for more.
Castle, Wine & Tapas Guide →Roundtrip to Tabarca Island
Spain's only inhabited marine reserve — a tiny fortified island 40 minutes from the port with crystal-clear snorkelling water, a 18th-century walled village, and some of the freshest seafood on the coast. Complete guide to boat options, timings, what to do on the island, and how to avoid the crowds.
Tabarca Island Guide →Late Afternoon Catamaran Cruise
The Costa Blanca seen from the water at its most photogenic — the castle glowing on the hill, the city lights beginning to appear, and the Mediterranean turning orange and gold. Guided catamaran cruise departing late afternoon with swim stop, drinks, and the full panorama of the Alicante coastline.
Catamaran Cruise Guide →Guadalest, Altea & Algar Waterfalls
The Costa Blanca's essential day trip circuit: the hilltop village of Guadalest (a Moorish castle balanced on a pinnacle of rock above a turquoise reservoir), whitewashed Altea on the sea, and the Algar waterfalls where you can swim in natural pools fed by mountain springs. All three in a single full day.
Guadalest & Algar Guide →Paella Cooking Class
The Valencian Community — and the tradition of rice cooked over wood fire — stretches all the way down to Alicante. Learn the authentic method: the sofrito base, the correct rice-to-water ratio, and the socarrat (the prized crispy bottom layer) that separates great paella from mediocre. Includes local market visit.
Paella Cooking Class Guide →Tasting Tour — Eat Like a Local
Alicante's food culture is not tourist-facing — it happens in neighbourhood bars, covered markets, and wine shops that have served the same families for three generations. This guided tasting tour takes you through the best of it: local specialities, Alicante DO wines, and the tapas tradition called la picaeta.
Tasting Tour Guide →Flamenco Show
Alicante's flamenco scene combines the Andalusian tradition with the passion of the Levante coast. Full guide to the city's best tablaos and evening performances — from intimate venues in the old town with dinner included to standalone shows ideal for an atmospheric evening after a castle visit.
Flamenco Show Guide →Guided Bike Tour
Alicante's flat promenade, palm-lined coastal paths, and wide streets make it one of Spain's most enjoyable cycling cities. The guided bike tour covers the Explanada de España, the old town, the port, and the city's best viewpoints — with a local guide who knows where to stop for the best coffee and views.
Bike Tour Guide →How to Use This Guide
Each card above links to a dedicated experience guide with full descriptions, verified ratings, practical tips, and direct booking links to GetYourGuide. Every recommended tour has been researched with real review data — ratings and review counts are current as of April 2026.
Planning your first visit? Start with the Santa Bárbara Castle, Wine & Tapas guide for the essential Alicante experience, then add the Tabarca Island boat trip and one evening experience (flamenco or tasting tour).
Staying 4+ days? The Guadalest–Altea–Algar waterfalls day trip and the late afternoon catamaran cruise provide the natural counterpoint to the city's cultural highlights.
Traveling with children? Prioritise the Tabarca Island trip (snorkelling in a marine reserve), the coastal bike tour, and the Algar waterfalls circuit.
Learning Spanish? All our experience guides connect to private Spanish lessons — understanding even basic phrases transforms what you hear and read on a guided tour of the Costa Blanca.