What to see in Alacant
Alacant (Alicante) is the great city of the southern Valencian Community: a provincial capital, a bright port city facing the Mediterranean, with a lively historic centre and urban beaches a step from downtown. It lies about 170 km from València and, despite the affectionate rivalry between the two, it's a getaway that deserves more than a single day.
Its symbol is Santa Bárbara Castle, a fortress set atop Mount Benacantil, with Arab origins dating back to the 9th century. From its highest esplanade, the "Macho del Castillo," the panorama over the bay runs a full 360º. At its foot is the Santa Cruz quarter, a maze of lanes with white-and-blue houses smothered in flowers, and along the sea runs the Explanada de España, an avenue of palms and rippling marble paving that is the heart of local life. Don't miss the co-cathedral of San Nicolás or the basilica of Santa María.
From València, the Euromed or mid-distance train links the two cities in around an hour and a half to two hours: comfortable and direct. By car it's about two hours along the AP-7. Once there, almost everything is walkable.
Local tip: head up to the castle at sunset, when the light gilds the city; the lift, carved into the rock, saves you the climb. Afterward, go tapas-hopping through the Barrio. To keep exploring the south, combine it with Benidorm or Torrevieja.
What to see in Alacant
- Castillo de Santa BárbaraCastle · FREE~500 m from the Town Hall
A medieval fortress on Mount Benacantil, 166 metres above the sea, with views over the city, the port and the Mediterranean.
- Explanada de EspañaMonument · FREE~350 m from the Town Hall
Alicante's best-known promenade, a palm-lined boulevard by the harbour paved with nearly seven million tricolour marble tiles that ripple…
- Barrio de Santa CruzTown · FREE~300 m from the Town Hall
Alicante's oldest quarter, a maze of steep little lanes with whitewashed houses, flower pots and bursts of colour at the foot of the castle.
- Basílica de Santa MaríaMonument · FREE~200 m from the Town Hall
Alicante's oldest church, built between the 14th and 16th centuries over a former mosque.
- Concatedral de San Nicolás de BariChurch · FREE~100 m from the Town Hall
Alicante's co-cathedral is one of the masterpieces of Herrerian Renaissance architecture in the Valencian Community, built between 1616 and…
- Monasterio de la Santa FazChurch · FREE~50 m from the Town Hall
This 15th-to-17th-century monastery on the outskirts of Alicante guards the relic of the Holy Face, a cloth said by tradition to have wiped…
- Iglesia de Santa María de los Ángeles (San Juan de Alicante)Church · FREE~150 m from the Town Hall
An 18th-century Baroque church in the nearby town of Sant Joan d'Alacant, renowned for its extraordinary cycle of mural paintings.
- MARQ — Museu Arqueològic Provincial d'AlacantMuseum~900 m from the Town Hall
Provincial archaeology museum housed in the former San Juan de Dios hospital (1926-1929), designed by architect Juan Vidal Ramos.
- MUBAG — Museu de Belles Arts GravinaMuseum · FREE~150 m from the Town Hall
Fine-arts museum set inside the Palace of the Count of Lumiares, an 18th-century gem in the old town.
- MACA — Museu d'Art Contemporani d'AlacantMuseum · FREE~150 m from the Town Hall
Contemporary-art museum beside the Santa María basilica, built around the Casa de la Asegurada (1685), the city's oldest public building…
- Castell de Sant FerranCastle · FREE~1.1 km from the Town Hall
Fortress built on Mount Tossal during the Peninsular War (designed in 1809 and finished around 1813) to strengthen Alicante's defences…
- Mercat Central d'AlacantMonument · FREE~550 m from the Town Hall
Large covered food market opened in 1921, designed by architect Enrique Sánchez Sedeño in an eclectic style with Valencian Art Nouveau…
- Casa CarbonellMonument · FREE~100 m from the Town Hall
Stately building inaugurated in 1925 facing the Explanada, designed by Alicante architect Juan Vidal Ramos for textile magnate Enrique…
- Teatre Principal d'AlacantCool venue~400 m from the Town Hall
The city's main theatre, opened in 1847 to a design by architect Emilio Jover Pierron.
- Parc de l'EretaViewpoint · FREE~250 m from the Town Hall
Terraced park on the slope of Mount Benacantil, right below Santa Bárbara castle.
- Pozos de Garrigós (Refugio Antiaéreo nº 13 - Museo de Aguas)Monument · FREE~150 m from the Town Hall
Below the slope of Mount Benacantil, by the entrance to Ereta park, lie 19th-century cisterns carved into the rock that became an air-raid…
- Playa del Postiguet (Alicante)Beach & nature · FREE~800 m from the Town Hall
Alicante's urban beach, at the foot of Santa Bárbara castle and beside the old town.
Around Alacant
- Lucentum (Tossal de Manises)~4.3 km from the Town Hall
- Parc d'El Palmeral~4.1 km from the Town Hall
- Illa de Tabarca~20.1 km from the Town Hall
- Cala Cantalar (Cap de l'Horta)~5.1 km from the Town Hall
Also in Alacant
🚆 How to get there from València
Compare all towns by transport →
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Alacant from València?
By train on Renfe's Euromed and Intercity services from Joaquín Sorolla station, by bus with ALSA, or by car along the coastal AP-7, which is currently toll-free.
How long does it take from València to Alacant?
The train takes about 2 h 15 min to 2 h 30 min. A direct bus is around 2 hours, and by car on the AP-7 it's about 170 km and roughly 1 h 45 min.
What is there to see in Alacant?
The highlights are Santa Bárbara Castle on Mount Benacantil, the Explanada de España promenade, the old town of the Santa Cruz quarter, San Nicolás Co-cathedral and the Basílica de Santa María, plus the MARQ archaeology museum and the MUBAG fine-arts museum.
Is Alacant worth visiting with kids?
Yes. The climb up to Santa Bárbara Castle, Postiguet beach right by the centre, and the family-friendly MARQ make Alacant an easy day out with children, though at about 170 km it's best planned with time to spare or as an overnight trip.
Alacant has a fuller guide on our sister site, dedicated to Alicante province.See it on FindeAlicante →
🔒 Secret spots
- Hidden gemWater among rocks: a corner of inland Valencia
A landscape of water and rock in the Valencia region. Supporters can read the place name, location and the article’s visit notes.
- Beach & natureWater and birds: a Valencian wetland to explore
A wetland in the Valencia region, with water, vegetation and birdlife. Supporters can read its name, location and the article’s visit notes.
- Hidden gemRock art in the Valencia region
An article about rock art in the Valencia region. Supporters can read the place name, location and the article’s visit notes.
- Beach & natureA Valencian cove for taking in the sea
A cove in the Valencia region with the coastal landscape at its heart. Supporters can read its name, location and the article’s visit notes.
- Beach & natureA Valencian spring for watching the water
A freshwater spring in the Valencia region, explored through observation. Supporters can read its name, location and the article’s visit notes.
- ViewpointA Valencian cave with a view of the landscape
A cave in the Valencia region with a view of the surrounding landscape. Supporters can read its name, location and the article’s visit notes.
- Natural poolA spring-fed pool among ferns
A small pool in inland Valencia. The Spanish guide covers the walking approach and checks before setting out.
- ViewpointA viewpoint above cork-oak woodland
An inland viewpoint in the Valencia region. The Spanish guide explains the forest-track approach and the steep final section.
- ViewpointA viewpoint over a village and its valley
An inland Valencia viewpoint over a village and valley. The Spanish guide locates the path and explains what to check before going.
Comments
Sign in with Google to comment and rate
What did you think? Be the first to share it.