By Adrian | Travel Fables — Guidebook Gone Rogue Edition
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🧙♂️ Fable Disclaimer: The following “tips” are not legally binding. Or helpful. Or, in some cases, possible. For real advice, check the sensible part of the website!
If you’re planning a visit to Alicante, Spain, prepare yourself for a wildly unforgettable experience. This coastal gem delivers heat, history, and more drama than a reality TV reunion — which is why we’ve assembled this totally-not-official list of the top 10 things to do in Alicante Warning: may include seagull combat and cava-induced epiphanies.
Table of Contents
1. Climb Santa Bárbara Castle and Question All Your Life Choices
High atop the city, one of the top things to do in Alicante is to hike up to Santa Bárbara Castle. Everyone says, “You must visit the castle!” Nobody says, “You’ll feel like Frodo climbing Mount Doom in flip-flops.”
Bring water. And snacks. And emotional resilience. At the top, you’ll find panoramic views of Alicante — and your soul leaving your body. Worth it.
Bonus tip: shout “I am the king of paella!” from the battlements. Locals will ignore you. Tourists will applaud.
2. Order Tapas Confidently, Then Panic
Among the top things to do in Alicante is to eat your weight in tapas. You walk into a tapas bar. You want to fit in. You say “una cerveza” like you’ve just come back from six months in Barcelona.
Then they ask if you want boquerones, albóndigas, or pimientos de padrón and you black out from menu anxiety.
Order one of everything. Regret nothing. Except the pimientos. One of them is always a spicy demon seed. It’s tradition.
3. Attempt to Pronounce “Explanada de España” Without Summoning a Demon
Strolling down this iconic marble promenade is one of the top 10 things to do in Alicante. You’ll take 37 photos. You’ll try to say its name to a taxi driver. You will fail.
Try: “That long path thingy by the water, with the marbley bits?”
He’ll know. He’s used to your kind.
4. Take a Dip in the Mediterranean — Become One With Salt and Regret
Cooling off at the beach is one of the classic top things to do in Alicante. The beaches here are golden and warm and inviting. But beware: the Mediterranean doesn’t play. One minute you’re frolicking. The next, you’re saltier than a Spanish anchovy and your swimsuit has become a distant memory.
Bring a towel. And maybe backup trousers.
5. Buy a Hat You’ll Deeply Regret by Day Three
Fashion fails are inevitable. Purchasing questionable beach hats is apparently one of the top things to do in Alicante. You’ll feel like Hemingway. You’ll look like a confused British uncle on safari.
It’s fine. Alicante forgives. But Instagram never forgets.
6. Try Local Cava and Make Wild, Ill-Advised Plans
Sipping cava at a rooftop bar? Classic. It’s high on the list of top 10 things to do in Alicante. Spanish bubbly is cheap and delicious. After three glasses, you’ll think moving to Alicante is a brilliant idea.
You’ll Google real estate. You’ll announce your new life to your WhatsApp group.
By morning, all you’ll have is a headache and a saved listing for a suspiciously cheap studio “with rustic charm and 14 cats.”
7. Visit the Archaeological Museum (Because Air Conditioning)
When the heat becomes unbearable, heading to the MARQ (Alicante’s archaeological museum) is definitely one of the top things to do in Alicante. Yes, it’s educational. Yes, it’s well-curated.
But also: it’s cold inside. And after five hours in the sun, you’ll want to lie on the floor under an ancient Roman helmet and rethink your sunburn-related decisions.
8. Engage in a Standoff With a Seagull
The most underrated of the top 10 things to do in Alicante? Survive the beach seagulls. They are many. They are bold. They have tasted tourist panic and they will never go back.
If you eat chips on the beach, you are now in a psychological war.
Do not blink. Do not run.
Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to reason with them in English.
9. Try to Blend In With the Locals — Fail Beautifully
Making a valiant attempt at local style is one of the brave top 10 things to do in Alicante. You’ll wear white linen. You’ll walk slowly. You’ll attempt to say “gracias” with the right lisp.
But you’ll still be sweating, sunburnt, and asking Google Maps where the nearest shade is.
The locals will smile. Not at you — at your effort. It’s endearing. Like a dog trying to do taxes.
10. Vow to Come Back Next Year (And Mean It This Time)
When all is said and done, simply returning is one of the most authentic top 10 things to do in Alicante.
Because even with the heatstroke, the seagull trauma, and the tapas-induced identity crisis… Alicante gets under your skin.
Probably due to the sand. But also the vibes.
You’ll leave sun-drunk, cava-happy, and dreaming of doing it all again — just with better footwear.
Some Useful Resources For Your Top 10 Things To Do In Alicante
Booking.com – Great for comparing hotels, especially if you want to stay near the Explanada de España or with views of Santa Bárbara Castle (to judge future climbs).
Viator – Ideal for booking guided city tours, sunset catamaran sails, or skip-the-line access to local museums (yes, some people do line up for archaeology).
Trainline – The easiest way to book regional trains to and from Alicante — including connections from Madrid or Valencia, with zero station drama.
DiscoverCars – Handy if you’re planning to explore further down the Costa Blanca or accidentally drive up a mountain looking for paella.
GetYourGuide – Great for quirky experiences — like wine tastings in old town cellars, cooking classes with local chefs, or a Segway tour (because why not?).
Radical Storage – Perfect if you’re beach-hopping or waiting for a late check-in. Drop the bags and reclaim your dignity (and shoulders).
Trip.com – Good for bundling hotels and flights — especially useful if you’re adding Alicante to a multi-city Spain trip.
Vrbo – Ideal for groups and families looking for self-catering apartments close to the sea or the central markets (a.k.a. tapas central).
Klook – Useful for booking travel cards, attraction passes, and activities in advance — so you can focus on sangria, not spreadsheets.
Expedia – Best for comparing flight + hotel packages, especially if you’re flying into Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport.
Trivago – Quick way to spot hotel deals across Alicante’s beach, city, and hillside districts in one go.
Agoda – Often shows exclusive rates — particularly useful if you’re booking from Asia or planning a last-minute sun escape.
VisitCostaBlanca.com – The official Costa Blanca tourism site for updated festivals, events, beach info, and local tips.
AlicanteTurismo.com – Alicante’s official tourism board site — with maps, cultural updates, museum passes, and what’s on during your stay.
