My Escapes Spain Costa Blanca Summer Heat Alicante Alluring Alicante Trip Alicante's Top Attractions

Alicante's Top Attractions

Alluring Alicante overflows with a wide variety of attractions, ranging from historical places of interest to a beautiful yacht port...
Nevertheless, it's top attractions are the beaches and it also has a breathtaking panorama!

My mere two days in central Alicante felt barely enough to see the best attractions.
Of course, I've been to the beach, but I also explored the city as much as my time and muscles allowed me.

Here below you'll find a list with the best places to see in Alicante. The top attractions, essentially...
All of these are in the central Alicante area, but I'd like to note that there's also another (more distant) part of the city, the Playa de San Juan - Cabo de Las Huertas area.

#1 Santa Bárbara Fortress

The huge cliff rising 169 m above sea level dominates the landscape - it even seems bigger due to the fact that it does indeed grow towards the sky from the nearby sea's level

This is the Monte Benacantil with the Santa Bárbara Fortress built at its top.
Don't miss out on Alicante's breathtaking panorama from up there!

You can go around the cliff by foot (can be tiring, especially in hot weather), but there's also an elevator accessible through a tunnel from the beaches direction.

#2 Basílica de Santa María

The Basílica of Santa María is another would be a shame to leave out.

It was built between the 14th and 16th centuries over a mosque's remains and for the urban explorer, it's conveniently situated close to the beach and the fortress.

This church is a flat box-like building basically, but the Baroque facade is awe-inspiring complex.
But, the church was built in Gothic style.

#3 Mercado Central

Spanish cities have at least one of these. It's the old central market, the covered market of Alicante.

In it, you'll find the typical small shops, individual sellers promoting their food products. The Spanish jamón and chorizos, curated cheeses are found in adundance.

The building was designed by architect Enrique Sánchez Sedeño, built by architect Juan Vidal Ramos in 1921.

Alicante's Central Market;s style belongs to the Eclectic style with Modernist/Art Nouveau elements.

Tragically, during the Spanish Civil War in 1938, the Mercado Central was bombarded by Italian airplanes (allegedly arriving from Mallorca) fighting on the fascist side. Approximately 300 people died in the bombardment.

#4 Palacio Provincial de Alicante

It's a nice building, but much newer than most would think.
The trained eye of an architecture-crazed person can tell: it's a bit overdone, over-embellished, unlike a building that would have evolved organically. Still, it is beautiful.

OK, I'll tell you: it's from the 1928-1931 period. Very new!

The style is Neoclassical with Baroque ornaments. Designed by Juan Vidal Ramos.

#5 The Ayuntamiento (The Town Hall)

The building is also known as the Palacio Municipal.

It was erected in the 1700's and it's found in the central Santa Cruz district, deep in the old part of the city, not far from the port.

I was lucky, because I caught a parade marching right in front of the building...
Of course, the nearby streets and buildings are also attractive to wander on, especially for urban explorers hunting for street art.

#6 Playa de Postiguet

One of Spain's most beautiful beaches, if not the most beautiful one in the entire countryQ
El Postiguet might as well be the most scenic beach in the entire continental Europe.
If not, it's certainly in the very top. The most beautiful beach I have ever seen (until then, at least!).
But why not check my Postiguet guide and jet-off, go visit Alicante!

#7 Plaza de los Luceros

A scenic square above the metro station with the same name. By the way, "lucero" means "bright shiny star".

There is a fountain in the middle and green plants, grass around.

The Placa de los Luceros monumental fountain was created in 1930 by sculptor Daniel Bañuls Martínez.

My hotel was near, so I passed the Luceros Square by frequently.
Luceros is in fact, a perfect place to pick a hotel.
From here, you can catch the airport bus, the tram/metro, there are small food shops and you can wander down to the central part of the city easily!

#8 Plaza Doctor Balmis

A playful urban relaxation spot is the Plaza Doctor Balmis.
As I've written here, by design - it bears a resemblance with the terrace in Barcelona's Güell Park.

I went there several times when exploring the city. Good for taking a rest. In summer, the weather is warm, so don't worry - the tiles won't feel cold.

#9 Passeig Esplanada d'Espanya (Passeo Explanada de España)

Scenic promenade with palms and covered with coloured tiles suggesting waves. Has a length of around 530 m and runs along the port.

Near it you will find early 20th century buildings (similar to the ones you can see on the main streets of Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona).

The most beautiful one here in Alicante is the Casa Carbonell. Constructed in Historicist style.

#10 The Yacht Port

A nice place to go and chill out is the port area - the yacht port, more exactly.
Lots of restaurants and cocktail bars are found around the area where the yachts float passively.

I do the boat watching whenever I'm in a port city.

#11 Rambla Méndez Núñez

One of Alicante's main streets. Full of interesting buildings, shops and restaurants.
Some simply call it "Rambla".

The Rambla Méndez Núñez runs roughly from near the Mercado Central down to the Esplanada d'Espanya.

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