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Is Alicante Worth Visiting? The Answer Surprised Me!

ByTina Riegelnegg Updated on

Before going to Alicante, I was ready to write a post about how itā€™s not worth visiting, expecting a super touristy coastal town like Albufeira in the Algarve (which by the way I don’t think is worth visiting).

However, when I arrived in Alicante, I was surprised by how beautiful and authentically Spanish the city is. Yes, there are touristy spots and the beach is way too crowded in summer, so I wouldn’t recommend it as a beach destination, but there are so many other great things to do in Alicante.

In this post, I’ll share why I think Alicante is worth visiting, along with some negatives, so you can decide for yourself, “Is Alicante worth visiting?”

Reasons to Visit Alicante

Impressive Castle on a Hilltop

View of Santa Barbara castle in Alicante, you can see a bit of the castle walls, the city, the harbour and the ocean
Look at that amazing view from the castle!

One of the main reasons I think Alicante is worth visiting is because of its impressive castle on a hilltop of Mount Benacantil. The Santa Barbara Castle, or Castell de Santa BĆ rbara, offers stunning views of the port city and the sea.

Walking up to the castle and enjoying the views was one of my favorite things to do in Alicante. You can explore the ruins, learn about its history, and enjoy the views for free.

There’s no entrance fee, but drink vendors, toilets, and a souvenir shop are available. That’s hard to find, as usually you either have to pay an entrance fee or there are no amenities.

Most Picturesque Neighbourhood in Spain

A house with many blue pots with plants in them hanging on the outside wall of the building
The most photographed house of the Santa Cruz neighbourhood

Another reason Alicante is worth visiting is the beautiful and picturesque old town, Barrio de Santa Cruz. This area is known for its colorful houses, narrow streets, and flowers hanging from the walls.

Before visiting, I saw pictures and thought there would be just a couple of nice houses with flowers and the rest would look normal. But it turns out there are multiple narrow streets all filled with these beautiful houses. It was a pleasant surprise.

Sandy Beaches and Crystal Clear Water

Postiguet Beach, the main beach in Alicante, is both a pro and a con for visiting Alicante. The positive side is that the beach looks stunning, golden sand, crystal clear water, and the imposing Santa Barbara Castle in the background.

Outside of the summer season, I’m sure the beach is a reason for visiting Alicante. In summer, it might be a reason not to. When I visited in July, the sand and water were packed with people.

Great Base to Explore Costa Blanca

Alicante is a great base to explore the rest of Costa Blanca as it’s well-connected by train, bus, and guided tours. You can easily take day trips to other coastal towns like Villajoyosa or Denia, or venture inland to visit charming villages like Guadalest.

Here’s a quick list of the best Alicante day trips:

Beautiful Weather Year-Round

Alicante is an amazing destination for a sunny getaway, offering up to 11 hours of sunshine a day in July, the sunniest month. The Mediterranean climate means winters are mild, while summers are hot.

The hottest month is August with an average temperature of 27ĀŗC (80ĀŗF), the coldest month is January with average temperatures of about 11ĀŗC (51ĀŗF).

Tasty Vegan Options

a hand holding an aƧai bowl, in the back you can see a promenade lined with palm trees
An aƧai bowl is my favorite snack on a hot day

When you travel for vegan food, Alicante is a great place to be. There aren’t just 4 all-vegan restaurants in Alicante, there is even a vegan supermarket and a lot more vegan options options. It’s definitely very easy to be vegan in Alicante.

Reasons Not to Visit Alicante

Crowded Beaches in Summer

A very overcrowded beach with a mountain in the background. The overcrowded beach might want to make you answer the question "Is Alicante worth visiting?" with no
The beach gets very crowded in summer

The main reasons not to visit Alicante is because the beaches can be extremely crowded in summer. If you’re looking for a quiet and peaceful beach destination, Alicante may not be the best choice during peak season.

Limited Public Transportation Options

Getting to Alicante is very easy, thanks to its international airport, which connects you easily to many destinations. Itā€™s also straightforward to travel to other cities in the beautiful Costa Blanca.

However, if youā€™re keen on exploring more remote spots like Guadalest, you’ll need to either rent a car or join a guided tour to make the most of your visit. Public transportation options are limited in these areas.

Tina walking away from the camera on the city walls of Alicante, she's turning around to look into the camera
I really enjoyed my time in Alicante

Final Thoughts: Is Alicante Worth Visiting?

In conclusion, Alicante is definitely worth visiting for its beautiful views, picturesque neighborhoods, and great vegan options. However, if you’re looking for a quiet beach destination, it may not be the best choice.

Ultimately, it depends on your travel preferences. I loved my time in Alicante and was surprised by how much the Spanish city offers beyond the beach. Give Alicante a chance ā€“ you might be pleasantly surprised too!

And once you’re there, don’t forget to visit some other beautiful towns on the Costa Blanca as well.

Read more about Costa Blanca:

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Charming street in Alicante with white buildings adorned with colorful decorations, potted plants, and an outdoor seating area, leading up to a rocky hill. Text reads 'Worth Visiting? Alicante' with a Spanish flag and 'veganderlust.com' at the bottom.
Is Alicante Spain Worth Visiting?
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Tina Riegelnegg

Tina Riegelnegg is the founder of Veganderlust. She started this blog in 2022 to share her experiences in order to help other travellers have the best experience and find the best vegan food while travelling. So far Tina has been to 31 countries on 5 continents.

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