Alicante

Alicante (Valencian: Alacant) is a popular tourist city of 332,000 people (2018) in the Valencian Community of Spain. It is the capital of Alicante province and a historic Mediterranean port. The city has become a hub of tourism directed to the beaches of the Costa Blanca.

Understand
The city is believed to have been founded by the Carthaginian general Hamilcar Barca, who established the fortified settlement of Akra Leuka (Greek: Ἄκρα Λευκή, meaning 'White Mountain' or 'White Point'), where Alicante stands today. It was later conquered by the Romans who renamed it Lucentum. In mediaeval times, Alicante became a major Mediterranean trading station, exporting rice, wine, olive oil, oranges and wool.



By plane
Bus C6 (, alcoyana.ali@subus.es@undefined) connects the airport with the city, departing every 20 minutes from a bus stop at the departure level (level +2) of new terminal. Don't get confused between the departure level (level +2) and the bus level (level -2); the latter is used by charter buses. The city bus takes about 20 minutes to the city centre, where it follows a circular route. It stops near the Alicante bus station, at Plaza Puerta del Mar, near the Archaeological Museum, next to the central market, at Plaza Luceros, and on its way back to the airport near the train station. A one-way ride costs €3.85 (2019). Tickets can be purchased from an attendant on the platform either card or cash. The buses run from 6:00 until 23:00; a complete schedule is available here.

A taxi to the city will cost €20-25. Cabs can be caught at the arrival level (level 0) of the new terminal. A dozen car rental agencies including Avis, D and Europcar

Coach hires and buses serve many towns in the region, most notably Benidorm and Elche, though their frequency is erratic at best.

Get around
If you stay in the old town, most areas of interest are within walking distance.

By tram and bus
Public transportation is provided by trams (described above) and buses. Visitors intending to use both systems may want to consider purchasing a rechargeable Bono Móbilis Multiviaje card, which costs €8.70 for 10 rides plus €2 for the plastic card (2016); discounted youth and senior Móbilis cards are also available.

The card can be purchased at the main (C/ Díaz Moreu 6,, M-F 09:00-19:00, Sa 10:00-13:00), at the central bus station (M-F 08:30-14:00, 17:00-19:00), and at a number of shops throughout the city.

Subus Alicante operates an expansive network of bus routes, with bus stops at key locations including the train station, airport, shopping centres, and major sights. On most routes, buses run from 06:30-22:30, with extended hours on weekends. There are also a number of night routes. A single ride costs €1.45 (2023), payable in cash directly to the driver on entry; drivers can give change for bills €20 or less. Maps and schedules for all routes can be downloaded here. For travelers with a smartphone, Alicante Bus is a helpful app (iOS and Android) with a route planner and schedules.

By taxi
Taxi rates are regulated and most tourists find them affordable. A number of taxi stands (paradas de taxi) are in various places, including by the bus station, the train station, and the Explanada de España.



See
The old town of Alicante is roughly the triangular area enclosed by the Rambla de Méndez Núnez, the Explanada de Espanya, and Mount Benacantil. Largely tourist-friendly, the old, narrow streets make for an enjoyable wander provided you don't get yourself lost. Here you'll find the town hall, cathedral, an old covent, and several art museums.

Beaches
In the heart of the city there is (Playa de Postiguet). The sandy beach is popular during the day and fairly busy during the evening when it's illuminated by sodium street lights. These give the beach and breaking waves a surreal effect. Beach goers should take precautions however even during the day, as unattended bags and purses are popular targets for thieves.

With a bit of traveling by bus 22 or tram (L3, stop 'Costa Blanca'), you can reach the spacious 7 km long (Playa de San Juan), which is considered to be one of the finest in Spain.

The less crowded (Playa del Saladar/Urbanova, bus 27) is south of the port, along the road from Alicante to Cartagena. (Playa de los Arenales) is a bit further still, has sand dunes, and is even less crowded. This beach can be accessed by an hourly bus from the main bus station.

Eat
As with the rest of Spain, breakfast is usually light, usually some sort of bread (e.g. toast) or piece of bakery. Traditionally, a hearty meal in the early afternoon is followed by a siesta as the heat builds. Many restaurants are then closed between 16:00-21:00. A light meal is taken once the sun goes down, often in the local tapería if you are a visitor. Many restaurants don't open before 21:00 for dinner, so bear this in mind when planning your dinner schedule.

As elsewhere in the region, seafood and rice dominates, with paella in the frontline. In almost every restaurant, you will find a menú del día ('menu of the day') or a similar special for €10, a three- or four-course meal with or without a drink. This is an excellent way to economise if you want to splash out later.

In tourist areas, you'll have no problem finding UK fare served at earlier times, if you find yourself intimidated by the local cuisine. Restaurants of all price ranges are clustered around Carrer Castaños (near the theatre), Calle San Francisco and Calle Mayor (near the cathedral).

Drink
El botellón, literally, 'the large bottle', is a custom among young people in Spain, in which they buy 2-litre bottles of soft drinks and mix into them hard liquor, and then stand or sit around drinking in parking lots and other public places. This is to avoid the high cost of drinks in some bars and clubs. There are many organizations which organise and advertise the party scene of the Barrio, such as BarrioLife.

The Barrio (aka Casco Antiguo) is the centre of nightlife in Alicante, with bars like, , , and ; there is never a dull night in this small Spanish city. Drinks are cheap, and shots are sometimes free.

Another focal point is the eastern rim of the marina, called Puerto, in and around the, where things start and end later – a typical night can end at around 07:00 or 08:00. As this part of town has a bad reputation at night, most nightclubs here hire their own security who also act as bouncers. Especially at dawn party goers should take care, as theft is common.



Connect
The city provides free Wi-Fi to everyone in a number places across the city centre, including the (Plaza del Ayuntamiento),  (Plaza de los Luceros),  (Plaza de la Montañeta), the Castell de la Santa Bàrbara (Santa Barbara Castle), and at Platja del Postiguet (Postiguet Beach).

Stay safe
Alicante is generally a safe city, but visitors should take precautions in the port area, especially the neighborhoods to the west, which should be avoided at night and dawn.

The city's beaches are usually well-patrolled by coast guards and the police, but do watch out for your belongings.

Some neighborhoods in the north of the city (Campoamor, Virgen del Remedio) have a bad reputation among locals, but they have no touristic appeal.

Cope

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Go next

 * Tabarca – there are several companies near the port which offer boat trips, from 45-minute excursions on a catamaran to all-day trips to the island. Prices vary.
 * Costa Blanca
 * Benidorm - Aqualandia, Mundomar, Terra Mitica
 * Altea
 * Calpe (Calp)
 * Dénia
 * Jávea (Xàbia)
 * Biar
 * Biar