Where is Alicante Spain?
Alicante is a mid-sized city located in southeastern Spain, in the region of Valencia, on the Mediterranean coast known as Costa Blanca. Aptly named the White City or the City of Light, Alicante is a jewel of a city surrounded to the north and south by a string of wide sandy beaches and beautiful towns.
Being a favorite beach resort town for Spaniards, Alicante is easily accessed by car, located within a two-hour drive from Valencia and a four-hour drive from Madrid. The Spanish city also has numerous direct connections by air with cities throughout Europe, thanks to the International Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport, making it a great vacation destination as well as the perfect home base to explore other parts of Europe.
A great commuter train system connects Alicante to the surrounding suburbs and Murcia, while long-trip high-speed trains allow you to visit the larger cities of Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid. It is also easy to get around Alicante using the local trams and buses, which also connect the city to some of the other towns along the Costa Blanca. Last, but not least, there are regular ferry rides to the popular Balearic Islands of Ibiza and Mallorca for fun weekend getaways.
Living in Alicante Spain
A wonderful place to live and retire for those who enjoy being in warmer weather, near the beach year-round, the Alicante area resembles in many ways Florida’s beachside cities such as Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood. Waterfront promenades, wide golden beaches, palm trees, and high-rise hotels and condo buildings exude that laid-back Floridian retirement feel with the occasional spring break vibe.
Alicante offers plenty of big city amenities such as supermarkets and large stores, public transportation, hundreds of dining options, and cultural attractions, but retains a small-town friendliness with boutique local shops and intimate mom-and-pop cafes.
Not surprisingly, a sizable share of foreigners lives in Alicante. It is estimated that about a quarter of its 350,000 residents are foreign, most of whom are from North Africa, South America, Europe, and North America. Because of this diversity, you can manage just fine living in Alicante with basic Spanish or Catalan language skills.
The sunny Mediterranean climate is one of the main draws for moving to Alicante. The average temperature in the winter months is in the upper 50s to low 60s Fahrenheit, with plenty of sunny days year-round, making it a great destination for snowbirds from the colder climates of Northern Europe, the UK, Canada, and the Northern United States.
One of the reasons that make Spain an attractive country to retire in is the availability of high-quality healthcare. Alicante is a great example of this, with several hospitals in the area, including Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, the Hospital San Vicente de Raspeig, and Hospital Vithas Medimar de Alicante.
Things to do in Alicante Spain
If you are planning a visit to Alicante, you will want to hit the most popular sights first. Here are our top picks for visitors:
1. Santa Barbara Castle
Alicante’s most recognizable landmark is Castillanno de Santa Barbara, a medieval fortress perched on top of Mount Benacantil. Offering a piece of history with breathtaking 360 views of the Mediterranean Coast, the fifteenth-century castle is totally worth the climb.
For those who want to visit the hilltop castle but aren’t willing or able to walk all the way up, there are other ways to reach the beautiful landmark. You can also drive to the top, but the fastest and easiest way is taking the high speed elevator. The cost to ride the lift is 2.70 euros and the entrance is by Postiguet Beach.
2. Promenade of Spain
Not too far from the city center, Explanada de Espana is a waterfront promenade much beloved by locals and tourists alike. It is one of the most famous walkways in Spain where you can enjoy a nice evening stroll, among tall palm trees and planted flowers, walking on marble mosaic tiles arranged in wave patterns.
Outdoor terrazas entice passersby with the smell of fried churros and hot tapas to enjoy a pleasant lunch or snack by the sea. During good weather, there are street vendors selling souvenirs and handmade local goods.
3. Mushroom Street
For a fun afternoon of shopping and picture-taking, head over to El Carrer dels Bolets aka Mushroom Street, a fantastic yellow brick alley dotted with towering mushroom statues. This instagrammable section of San Francisco Street is a great photo opportunity that is sure to put a smile on your face.
4. Central Market
Foodies will surely enjoy a stop at Mercado Central in the heart of Alicante for some well-priced fresh food and local produce. Like many other European Markets, Mercado Central is a lively lunch and grocery shopping spot located in a beautiful eclectic building.
5. San Juan and Muchavista Beaches
San Juan Beach is one of the top attractions near Alicante, located a short ride north of the city. Best visited from May through September, when it’s animated and in full swing, this wide golden sand beach is a great retreat to spend a sunny afternoon any time of the year.
For those living in Alicante Spain, there is no shortage of things to do, even after you’re done with the main tourist sights:
6. Food scene
Alicante is home to hundreds of amazing quality restaurants serving traditional Spanish foods as well as international dishes. Whether you’re into fine dining, tapas bars or sushi, Alicante’s food scene will not disappoint.
7. Watersports
A favorite pastime for Alicante residents is water sports. The mild weather and easy access to the calm sea have helped Alicante develop into a great destination for water sports, from kayaking, parasailing, and catamaran cruises to tubing and banana boat rides.
8. Old Town
Alicante has many lovely neighborhoods to explore as a local. The hillside neighborhood of Barrio de la Santa Cruz (aka Old Town) is a vibrant area for dining, shopping and nightlife that you could never get tired of.
Pedestrian-only narrow streets and the sound of families having dinner on San Rafael Street give it an intimate small-town vibe. It helps that it’s also one of the prettiest neighborhoods in the entire country, with colorfully painted houses adorned with Spanish tiles and lots of potted flowers.
Cost of living and real estate in Alicante Spain
Living in Alicante is affordable and enjoyable. Daily life expenses are reasonably priced, with a lunch for two typically between $20 and $30, and dinner under $50. A monthly pass for public transportation is around $40. For reference, the cost of living in Alicante Spain is about 30% lower than in Boca Raton, Florida, for instance, and 25% lower than in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Alicante can range between $600-$800 depending on location. The average price to buy a house in Alicante is $164 per square foot. In other words, a 1,000-square-foot apartment in Alicante Spain would cost about $164,000 and a 2,000-square-foot house $328,000 on average. Compare this with a median home value of $613,000 in Boca Raton, FL or almost $800,000 in Scottsdale, AZ.
Buying property in Alicante is more affordable than in many other popular Spanish cities. For instance, home prices in Alicante are 60% lower than real estate prices in Barcelona, 20% lower than in Valencia, and 30% lower than in Malaga.
