Flights to Alicante

For many travellers, Alicante is simply the airport you fly to when you're going to Benidorm. To those in the know, it's a city that's teeming with stunning cultural attractions and a pulsating nightlife. Book your flights to Alicante with Airinme.com today. 

Wander the streets of El Barrio, the historic quarter, to soak up the atmosphere of this vibrant city on Spain's famous Costa Blanca. Explore its Moorish castles and visit its museums for insight into the region's thrilling past, or take a scuba driving trip to witness what lies beneath its warm waters. Whatever you do in Alicante, you'll discover it's much more than just an airport. Book your Alicante city break with Airinme.com. 

Things to do in Alicante 

1. Start your city break in Alicante with a stroll around the Old Town, or El Barrio as it's known. Here, you'll find the central square Explanada de Espana and Rambla de Méndez Núnez, but take a map with you so you don't get lost amidst its historic streets.
2. Atop Mount Benacantil, Alicante's very own hill in the city, is the Castle of Santa Barbara. It's one of the largest medieval fortresses in Spain with great views of the town below. If you're a fan of castles, San Fernando Castle on Mount Tossal is also worth a visit.
3. Want to know more about Alicante's history? The Archaeological Museum is one of the city's most popular attractions and a great place to find out more about the its history going back as far as the Stone Age.
4. To see more of Alicante's fascinating architecture, don't miss a trip to St. Mary's Church, noted for its Baroque facade and Rococo altar, and the striking San Nicolas Cathedral near the Old Town.
5. You don't need to go to Benidorm to enjoy one of the region's famous beaches. Playa del Postiguet offers up glistening sand in the shadow of Mount Benacantil. Or take the tram to Playa  de San Juan for four and a half miles of fine white sand and an 18-hole golf course.
6. Want to see what's below those azure Costa Blanca waters? Book a scuba diving trip to explore the breathtaking array of marine life within reach of Alicante.
7. Around an hour's drive up the coast and close to Benidorm is Guadalest Valley. Although it's one of Spain's busiest tourist attractions, the unparalleled beauty of Guadalest and its cliff-hanging castle is a must-see for any traveller in the area.
8. Looking for another great day trip from Alicante? Take an excursion to Tabarca, a tiny island that's a protected marine reserve. Here, you'll find crystal-clear blue waters, as well as a variety of marine and bird life.
9. Many Spanish cities celebrate Fogueres de Sant Joan – the Bonfires of Saint John – festival in June, but the biggest celebrations take place in Alicante, when the city is ablaze with bonfires and fireworks.
10. And no trip to Alicante is complete without a good night out. The Old Town and the Port are the major nightlife centres, though its chiringuitos (beach bars) throw great parties every summer too.

Shopping in Alicante

Holidaymakers in Alicante and its nearby resorts will find a variety of great boutiques, markets and shopping centres across the city. 

El Barrio

For souvenirs and traditional handicrafts, head to El Barrio, the historic quarter of Alicante. Here, you'll see several stalls selling jewellery, leather handbags and shoes. What's more, the famous Explanada de Espana market takes place here every summer. 

Shopping Centres

Alicante boasts a great range of lively shopping centres. Gran Via has more than 100 shops, while Panoramis offers shoppers a lovely view of Alicante harbour. 

Mercado Central

An essential stop for food-lovers, this historic two-floor food hall is the best place in Alicante to shop for local cheese, fruit and vegetables, as well as fresh fish and meat. 

Eating in Alicante

Whether you're new to Spanish food or you can tell your patatas bravas from your ajoblanco, eating out in Alicante is an unforgettable treat. 

Tapas

You'll find tapas bars all over Alicante, serving everything from olives and gambas pil pil (prawns with chilli and garlic) to mussels and snails. For an authentic experience, spend an evening hopping from one tapas bar to another to sample a range of dishes. 

Paella

Paella alicantina – rice cooked with saffron, chicken, shellfish and red peppers – is the town's most famous dish, and can be found in almost every restaurant. Don't leave town without sampling it, but make sure you try some of Alicante's many other arroz (rice) specialities as well. 

Insider's Tips 

Call 112, the Pan-European Emergency number, if you need an ambulance, police or the fire service in Alicante. This number is free to call from any phone. 

Alicante has two railway stations. The main train station connects the city to major Spanish hubs, including Valencia and the Spanish capital, Madrid. The Narrow Gauge Railway Station, near the harbour, runs trains to major Costa Blanca Resorts, including Benidorm and Denia. 

Although you can explore Alicante city centre on foot, car hire is recommended for travellers planning to take many day trips to the surrounding areas.

Getting from Alicante Airport 

By bus

A bus runs from Alicante Airport to the city centre every 20 minutes from 6.40am to 11pm every day of the year. This bus also connects with stops on Alicante's tram route.

Additionally, there are bus routes that connect the airport with major towns and resorts nearby, including Benidorm, Murcia and Torrellano. 

By taxi

Radio Taxi Elche is the airport's official taxi operator. They also operate an information desk at the airport between June and September. You can book Malaga airport transfers online with the company too. 

Car hire

Why not hire a car at Malaga airport and drive directly to your destination? Car rental desks at the airport include Europcar, Sixt, Hertz and Centauro.