15 Things to Do in Alicante: A Local's Guide
Why Alicante Deserves More Than a Day Trip
Most visitors treat Alicante as a stopover on the way to Benidorm or a layover before heading to Ibiza. That is a mistake. Alicante is one of the most underrated cities on Spain's Mediterranean coast: affordable, walkable, bathed in over 300 days of sunshine per year, and packed with culture that most tourists completely miss.
This is not your typical "top 10 tourist attractions" list. This is what locals actually do, the spots we take friends when they visit, and the experiences that make Alicante worth staying for.
1. Walk Up to Castillo de Santa Bárbara at Sunset
Everyone tells you to visit the castle. What they don't tell you is that the best time is late afternoon, when the sun drops behind the city and the entire bay turns gold. Skip the elevator. Take the path from the old town through Parque de la Ereta. The views of the Mediterranean from the top are among the best in Spain, and you will have earned them.
The castle is free to enter, dates back to the 9th century, and takes about 45 minutes to explore properly.
2. Spend a Morning at Mercado Central
Alicante's central market is not a tourist market. It is where locals do their actual grocery shopping. The building itself is a stunning example of early 20th-century Modernist architecture, but the real draw is the atmosphere: fishmongers shouting, jamón ibérico being sliced to order, mountains of fresh produce, and the best olives you have ever tasted.
Go before 11am on a weekday. Grab a coffee at one of the stalls and just absorb it.
3. Swim at Playa de la Albufereta
Forget Postiguet (the main beach). It is fine, but locals prefer Albufereta, a quieter beach north of the city with calmer water and fewer crowds. It is backed by a residential neighborhood rather than a boardwalk, which gives it a much more authentic feel.
Take the TRAM (Line 1 or 3) and you are there in ten minutes.
4. Explore the Barrio de Santa Cruz
The old quarter at the foot of Santa Bárbara castle is a maze of narrow, whitewashed streets decorated with colorful potted plants and murals. It is the most photogenic corner of Alicante and one of the most peaceful. Wander without a map. Get lost. That is the point.
5. Eat Arroz a Banda at a Beachfront Restaurant
Alicante's signature rice dish is *arroz a banda*, a saffron rice cooked in rich fish broth, traditionally served with alioli. It is not paella, and locals will appreciate you knowing the difference. For an authentic experience, try the restaurants along Playa de San Juan or in the El Campello area.
6. Take the TRAM to El Campello
Speaking of El Campello, the narrow-gauge TRAM that runs along the coast from Alicante is an experience in itself. The line hugs the Mediterranean, passing through small beach towns. El Campello has a working fishing port, excellent seafood restaurants, and a Phoenician archaeological site called the Illeta dels Banyets.
The ride takes about 30 minutes and costs a couple of euros.
7. Drink Horchata at a Horchatería
Horchata is a cold drink made from tiger nuts, and while it is more associated with Valencia, Alicante does it beautifully. Pair it with *fartons* (sweet, elongated pastries for dipping). The best spots are the traditional horchaterías in the city center, usually family-run and decades old.
8. Catch a Concert at Las Cigarreras
This former tobacco factory has been converted into Alicante's contemporary culture center. It hosts live music, art exhibitions, film screenings, and community events. The programming skews local and independent, which means you will see things here you won't find anywhere else. Check their schedule online before you visit.
9. Join The Jack Cannabis Social Club
For a different kind of social experience, The Jack is a registered cannabis social club in the center of Alicante. It is a members' association where you can relax in a comfortable lounge, play darts, enjoy shisha, connect to Wi-Fi, and meet people from all over the world.
The Jack welcomes tourists and locals alike. You will need valid ID and to be over 18. The staff will walk you through registration and make you feel at home. It is one of those places where you come for an hour and stay for an evening. Find us on Google Maps or check our website for details.
10. Hike the Serra Gelada from Albir
A 30-minute drive from Alicante, the Serra Gelada natural park offers a stunning coastal hike with views of Benidorm's skyline, the Mediterranean, and on clear days, the island of Ibiza. The lighthouse trail from Albir is the most popular route: about 5 kilometers round trip, mostly flat, and accessible for all fitness levels.
11. Explore Tabarca Island
Spain's smallest inhabited island is a 20-minute boat ride from Santa Pola (or about an hour from Alicante port). Tabarca is a marine reserve with crystal-clear snorkeling water, a crumbling 18th-century walled village, and exactly two streets. Go on a weekday to avoid crowds. The *caldero* (fisherman's rice stew) at the island restaurants is exceptional.
12. Watch the Sunset from the Explanada de España
The palm-lined promenade along the port is Alicante's living room. In the evenings, the entire city seems to converge here for the *paseo* (evening walk). Grab a drink at one of the terraces and watch the sky change colors. The marble mosaic floor, made of 6.6 million tiles, is iconic.
13. Visit MACA (Museo de Arte Contemporáneo)
Housed in a 17th-century baroque building, Alicante's contemporary art museum has a permanent collection that includes works by Picasso, Dalí, and Miró, and somehow, most tourists walk right past it. Entry is free. It takes about an hour and is an excellent rainy-day option (not that Alicante has many of those).
14. Eat Tapas in the Castaños District
The streets around Calle Castaños form Alicante's unofficial tapas district. On any given evening, you will find locals hopping between bars, ordering a tapa and a caña (small beer) at each stop. The tradition is to move from place to place rather than settling at one restaurant. Favorites include Cervecería Sento, Nou Manolín, and La Taberna del Gourmet.
15. Do Absolutely Nothing at Postiguet Beach
Sometimes the best thing to do in Alicante is nothing at all. Postiguet beach sits directly below Santa Bárbara castle, right in the city center. Lay out a towel, swim in the Mediterranean, and stare at a 9th-century castle from the water. There are worse ways to spend a Tuesday afternoon.
Planning Your Trip
Alicante is served by ALC airport with direct flights across Europe (Ryanair, Vueling, easyJet, and others). The city is compact and walkable, with a cheap and efficient TRAM system for reaching nearby beaches and towns. The best months to visit are May, June, September, and October, when the weather is perfect and the summer crowds have not yet arrived or have already left.
Whether you are here for a weekend or a month, Alicante rewards the curious. Skip the resort packages and do what locals do. You will leave wondering why more people don't know about this place.
If you are interested in the cannabis social club scene while visiting, read our tourist guide or learn about how cannabis clubs work in Spain. You can also check out our guide to the best cannabis clubs in Alicante.