Where to stay in Alicante

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 convent, and several art museums.

• Castell de la Santa Bàrbara
• Museu de la Ciutat d'Alacant
• Basílica de Santa Maria
• Lucentum Archaeological Site
• Castell de Sant Ferran
• Museu Arqueològic Provincial d'Alacant
• Museu de Belles Arts Gravina
• Museu d'Art Contemporani d'Alacant
• Museu de la Universitat d’Alacant
• Museu d’Aigües d’Alacant

Do

• Teatre Principal
• Auditori de la Diputació d'Alacant
• Epifanía
• Carnaval
• Setmana Santa
• Romiatge de Santa Faç
• Fogueres de Sant Joan
• Moros i Cristians
• Gay Pride
• Kinépolis
• Yelmo Cines
• Platja del Postiguet

Eat

As with the rest of Spain, breakfast is usually light, usually some sort of bread (e.g. toast) or piece of pastry. 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 and 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 dominate, with paella in the frontline.

Drink

Alicante has its own regulated wine region (DO Alicante). Tinto Alicante, made mostly from the Monastrell grape, and Moscatel Alicante are the best-known wines. Also look out for Fondillón, a rare aged sweet wine that is a local speciality. Nights out start late. A typical evening begins with tardeo (afternoon drinks and tapas), moves on to the bars of the old town around midnight, and ends in the clubs of the port or a late-licence venue, often not before 06:00. In summer, much of the action moves to the Explanada and Playa de San Juan. Drinking in the street is not allowed.

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.