Places in Alicante

Alicante Golf

An 18-hole Seve Ballesteros-designed course beside Playa de San Juan, with a hotel and academy — the city's main golf, minutes from the beach.

Arrocería Casa Julio

Playa de San Juan, Alicante

A long-loved seaside arrocería for proper Alicante rice — arroz a banda, arroz negro and seafood paella cooked the traditional way.

Barrio de Santa Cruz

Barrio de Santa Cruz, Alicante

The old town's steep, whitewashed quarter climbing toward the castle — flower-filled lanes and tiny squares, calm by day and full of tapas bars by night.

Basílica de Santa María

Plaza de Santa María, Alicante

The city's oldest church, a Gothic basilica with a striking Baroque doorway, tucked in the old town beneath the castle.

Brunchit

Alicante centre

One of Alicante's most popular brunch spots — generous, photogenic plates of eggs, pancakes and healthy bowls, with good coffee. Expect a queue at weekends.

Cabo de las Huertas

Cabo de las Huertas, Alicante

A rocky headland of hidden coves and clear water between San Juan and the Albufereta — the locals' spot for snorkelling and a quieter swim off the rocks.

Café & Mar Lounge

Playa de San Juan, Alicante

A relaxed beach lounge on the San Juan seafront — coffee and brunch by day, cocktails and chilled music into the evening.

Castillo de Santa Bárbara

Monte Benacantil, Alicante

The great hilltop fortress on Mount Benacantil, dominating the city — 9th-century origins, free entry, and a 360° view over Alicante and the sea. Walk up or take the lift from Postiguet beach.

Cervecería Sento

Calle Teniente Coronel Chapulí, Alicante

A tiny, always-packed old-town tapas bar famous for its creative montaditos — squeeze in at the bar for a couple of the legendary 'Ivan' toasts and a cold beer.

El Molí Pan y Café

Playa de San Juan, Alicante

A traditional, good-value bakery-café near Playa de San Juan — fresh bread and pastries, breakfasts and coffee, popular with residents.

El Portal Taberna & Wines

Calle Bilbao 2, Alicante

A buzzy, stylish gastrobar off Plaza Portal de Elche — oysters, gourmet tapas, cocktails and a big wine and gin list, open late. The see-and-be-seen spot in the centre.

Explanada de España

Explanada de España, Alicante

Alicante's signature seafront promenade — a palm-lined avenue paved with 6.5 million red, cream and black marble tiles in a wave pattern. The heart of the evening paseo.

Isla de Tabarca

Isla de Tabarca (boats from Alicante port)

Spain's smallest inhabited island and a marine reserve, reached by boat from Alicante harbour — clear water for snorkelling, a walled village and famous caldero fish stew.

La Taberna del Gourmet

Calle San Fernando 10, Alicante

A renowned gastro-taberna in the old town — top-quality seafood, tapas and rices with a vast wine cellar, long a Michelin-recommended Alicante favourite.

MACA — Museo de Arte Contemporáneo

Plaza de Santa María 3, Alicante

Alicante's free contemporary-art museum in the old town's oldest civil building — 20th-century Spanish art including Picasso, Miró and Dalí.

Madness Specialty Coffee

Alicante centre

A cosy speciality-coffee shop for freshly roasted beans and a proper flat white, with cakes and a relaxed brunch vibe.

MARQ — Museo Arqueológico

Plaza Dr. Gómez Ulla s/n, Alicante

An award-winning archaeological museum telling the region's story through immersive, high-tech galleries — a proper rainy-day or midday-heat option.

Mercado Central

Avenida Alfonso el Sabio 10, Alicante

Alicante's grand Modernist covered market — two floors of fish, meat, produce and cheese under a domed hall. A working market and an architectural landmark in one.

Nou Manolín

Calle Villegas 3, Alicante

An Alicante institution since 1979 — a famed ground-floor tapas bar with an open kitchen, and an elegant dining room above for its celebrated arroces (the lobster paella is the signature).

Parque El Palmeral

Avenida de Elche, Alicante

A big, shady palm park on the south side of the city with lakes, waterfalls, walking paths and a playground — a cool green escape from the beach and the heat.

Pelican Club

Playa de San Juan, Alicante

A Miami-styled club and terrace on Playa de San Juan — cocktails, VIP tables and party nights, the glamorous end of the San Juan beach scene.

Piripi

Avenida Óscar Esplá 30, Alicante

Nou Manolín's sister restaurant — market seafood, rices and fish done to the same high standard, with a serious wine list and a lively tapas bar.

Playa de la Albufereta

Playa de la Albufereta, Alicante

A small, sheltered cove between Postiguet and San Juan — quieter and residential, with calm water that suits families.

Playa de San Juan

Playa de San Juan, Alicante

The city's best-loved beach — a long, wide arc of fine sand a few kilometres north, backed by a leafy residential district, the arrocerías and the tram line into town.

Playa del Postiguet

Playa del Postiguet, Alicante

Alicante's golden city beach right below the Santa Bárbara castle — a palm-lined stretch a short walk from the old town and the Explanada, with calm water and beach bars.

Pópuli Bistró

Vía Parque, Alicante

The Gastronou group's relaxed bistró in a villa with a big garden terrace — market produce and Josper-grilled meats and fish, tartares and ceviches. Great for a long lunch.

Sip and Wonder

Alicante centre

A brunch and wine bar doing all-day brunch, speciality coffee and natural wines in a stylish setting — the modern side of Alicante's café scene.

Valencia Once

Calle Valencia 11, Alicante

A four-decade neighbourhood favourite near the bullring where many locals swear the best paella in the city is cooked — unfussy, generous and authentic.

Xeven Beach Club

Playa de San Juan, Alicante

A stylish beach club on Playa de San Juan — sunbeds, cocktails, Mediterranean food and DJ sessions by the sand, a short tram ride from the centre.