Top 15 Things to Do in Alicante: Hidden Gems, Travel Hacks & Must-Know Tips

Top 15 Things to Do in Alicante: Hidden Gems, Travel Hacks & Must-Know Tips

Alicante, Spain’s sun-drenched Costa Blanca gem, is more than just beaches and paella. From secret viewpoints to underground tunnels, this guide reveals must-visit spots, hidden gems, and insider hacks to make your trip unforgettable.

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alt="Alicante marina at sunset with yachts, palm trees, and colorful reflections on the water"

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1. Climb to Santa Bárbara Castle – Best View & Secret Tunnel Access

One of Spain’s largest medieval fortresses, Castillo de Santa Bárbara, offers stunning 360° views of Alicante.

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alt="View from Santa Bárbara Castle showing terracotta rooftops and the Mediterranean Sea in the distance"

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alt="View from Santa Bárbara Castle showing terracotta rooftops and the Mediterranean Sea in the distance"

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alt="View from Santa Bárbara Castle showing terracotta rooftops and the Mediterranean Sea in the distance"

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*explore our Summer '25 colection here

🔹 Travel Hack: Most visitors take the elevator, but for a more authentic experience, hike up through La Ereta Park—you’ll be rewarded with secret miradors and fewer crowds.

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alt="View from Santa Bárbara Castle showing terracotta rooftops and the Mediterranean Sea in the distance"

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alt="View from Santa Bárbara Castle showing terracotta rooftops and the Mediterranean Sea in the distance"

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alt="View from Santa Bárbara Castle showing terracotta rooftops and the Mediterranean Sea in the distance"

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alt="View from Santa Bárbara Castle showing terracotta rooftops and the Mediterranean Sea in the distance"

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🛎️ Travel Hack: If you still prefer the elevator, use it for free between 7 PM and 11 PM!

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2. Stroll Along Explanada de España – More Than Just a Walk

Alicante’s most famous palm-lined promenade, paved with 6.5 million mosaic tiles, is an iconic Instagram spot.

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alt="Historic buildings and palm-lined streets in Alicante’s old town during golden hour"

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alt="Historic buildings and palm-lined streets in Alicante’s old town during golden hour"

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🔹 Interesting Fact: The Explanada is built over a secret underground WWII shelter, which you can visit at the Refugios de la Guerra Civil Museum nearby!

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3. Soak Up the Sun at Playa del Postiguet – But Find a Quieter Beach!

This golden-sand beach is steps from the city center, perfect for quick dips.

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alt="Aerial view of Postiguet Beach and the promenade with Alicante’s skyline in the background"

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alt="Aerial view of Postiguet Beach and the promenade with Alicante’s skyline in the background"

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🔹 Hidden Gem: For fewer crowds & turquoise waters, take Bus 22 to Playa de San Juan, Alicante’s real paradise beach!

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4. Discover Alicante’s Old Town (El Barrio) – Don’t Miss Calle San Rafael!

Whitewashed houses, flower-covered balconies, and hidden plazas make El Barrio one of the prettiest historic quarters in Spain.

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alt="Charming streets of Alicante's Old Town, El Barrio, featuring whitewashed houses, flower-covered balconies, and picturesque hidden plazas, capturing the beauty of this historic quarter."

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🔹 Hidden Gem: Calle San Rafael is a picture-perfect street filled with vibrant murals and colorful doorways—an Instagram dream!

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alt="Charming streets of Alicante's Old Town, El Barrio, featuring whitewashed houses, flower-covered balconies, and picturesque hidden plazas, capturing the beauty of this historic quarter."

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alt="Charming streets of Alicante's Old Town, El Barrio, featuring whitewashed houses, flower-covered balconies, and picturesque hidden plazas, capturing the beauty of this historic quarter."

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alt="Charming streets of Alicante's Old Town, El Barrio, featuring whitewashed houses, flower-covered balconies, and picturesque hidden plazas, capturing the beauty of this historic quarter."

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alt="Charming streets of Alicante's Old Town, El Barrio, featuring whitewashed houses, flower-covered balconies, and picturesque hidden plazas, capturing the beauty of this historic quarter."

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🛎️ Travel Hack: Most tourists visit in the evening, but for best photos & quiet moments, go before 10 AM.

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alt="Charming streets of Alicante's Old Town, El Barrio, featuring whitewashed houses, flower-covered balconies, and picturesque hidden plazas, capturing the beauty of this historic quarter."

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alt="Charming streets of Alicante's Old Town, El Barrio, featuring whitewashed houses, flower-covered balconies, and picturesque hidden plazas, capturing the beauty of this historic quarter."

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5. Try Traditional Alicante Food at Mercado Central – But Know What to Order!

This vibrant market is foodie heaven, selling fresh seafood, jamón ibérico, and local cheeses.

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alt="Fresh produce and colorful fruit stands inside Mercado Central in Alicante, bustling with locals shopping"

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alt="Vendor arranging seafood at Mercado Central in Alicante, showcasing the market's lively atmosphere"

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alt="Alicante's Mercado Central market stall with cured meats, cheeses, and local specialties on display"

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alt="Visitors strolling through Mercado Central's vibrant stalls filled with local delicacies and fresh ingredients"

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🔹 Must-Try Local Delicacies:
✅ Dried Salted Fish (Mojama) – Alicante’s “Spanish prosciutto of the sea.”

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alt="Visitors strolling through Mercado Central's vibrant stalls filled with local delicacies and fresh ingredients"

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alt="Vendor arranging seafood at Mercado Central in Alicante, showcasing the market's lively atmosphere"

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✅ Pericana – A smoky sauce made from dried peppers & cod.

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alt="Vendor arranging seafood at Mercado Central in Alicante, showcasing the market's lively atmosphere"

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✅ Turrón de Jijona – Alicante’s famous soft nougat, perfect for gifts!

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alt="Turrón de Alicante – traditional almond nougat dessert sliced and ready to enjoy"

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6. Take a Day Trip to Tabarca Island – But Stay Overnight!

Spain’s only inhabited island is a protected marine reserve, perfect for snorkeling and seafood feasts.

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alt="Crystal-clear waters of Isla de Tabarca seen from a boat, with the island's village and lighthouse in the distance"

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alt="A peaceful boat journey to Isla de Tabarca with the sun shining on the clear waters and the island's lush greenery"

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🔹 Travel Hack: Most visitors leave by 6 PM, but staying overnight lets you experience Tabarca without tourists—pure magic!

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7. Visit the MARQ Archaeological Museum – Alicante’s Secret Underground History

It’s one of Europe’s best archaeology museums, with immersive exhibits on Iberians, Romans, and medieval Moors.

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alt="The MARQ Archaeological Museum in Alicante, showcasing ancient artifacts and the city’s secret underground history, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past."

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alt="The MARQ Archaeological Museum in Alicante, showcasing ancient artifacts and the city’s secret underground history, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past."

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alt="The MARQ Archaeological Museum in Alicante, showcasing ancient artifacts and the city’s secret underground history, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past."

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alt="The MARQ Archaeological Museum in Alicante, showcasing ancient artifacts and the city’s secret underground history, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past."

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🔹 Hidden Gem: Buy a combo ticket to visit the Lucentum Roman Ruins—the original city of Alicante hidden in the modern suburbs!

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8. Enjoy the Views from Parque de la Ereta – Avoid the Crowds at Santa Bárbara!

It’s Alicante’s best sunset spot with panoramic city views, without the tourist rush at the castle.

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alt="Panoramic city views from Parque de la Ereta in Alicante, the perfect spot to enjoy a peaceful sunset away from the crowds at Santa Bárbara Castle."

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🔹 Travel Hack: Bring a bottle of local Alicante wine and have a sunset picnic!

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alt="Panoramic city views from Parque de la Ereta in Alicante, the perfect spot to enjoy a peaceful sunset away from the crowds at Santa Bárbara Castle."

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9. Tapas Night in Calle Castaños – Don’t Miss “Tardeo” on Saturdays!

This lively street is packed with tapas bars & cocktail spots.

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alt="Vibrant street scene in Calle Castaños, Alicante, showcasing bustling tapas bars and cocktail spots during a lively Saturday evening 'Tardeo'."

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alt="Vibrant street scene in Calle Castaños, Alicante, showcasing bustling tapas bars and cocktail spots during a lively Saturday evening 'Tardeo'."

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🔹 Travel Hack: Alicante has a unique “Tardeo” tradition—every Saturday afternoon, locals party before dinner, turning the area into a daytime fiesta!

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10. Explore the Basilica of Santa María – But See the Gargoyle!

Alicante’s oldest church, built on a former mosque, has a spectacular gold altar.

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alt="The Basilica of Santa María in Alicante, highlighting its stunning gold altar and the unique gargoyle perched on the church's facade."

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🔹 Hidden Detail: Look for the scandalous gargoyle at the entrance—it’s mooning the city!

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alt="The Basilica of Santa María in Alicante, highlighting its stunning gold altar and the unique gargoyle perched on the church's facade."

 

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11. Hike to the Mirador de la Serra Grossa – The Locals’ Secret Viewpoint

The best hidden viewpoint in Alicante, with panoramic sea views.

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alt="Panoramic view from the Mirador de la Serra Grossa, Alicante’s hidden viewpoint, offering breathtaking views of the sea and surrounding landscape."

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alt="Panoramic view from the Mirador de la Serra Grossa, Alicante’s hidden viewpoint, offering breathtaking views of the sea and surrounding landscape."

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🛎️ Travel Hack: Go for sunrise—you’ll have the whole place to yourself!

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12. Experience Hogueras de San Juan Festival – Alicante’s Answer to Las Fallas

If you visit in June, this wild fire festival features bonfires, fireworks, and giant sculptures burned at midnight.

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alt="Daytime parade with traditional music and costumes during an Alicante street festival"

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🔹 Hidden Gem: Visit the Hogueras Museum year-round to see past festival creations.

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alt="Locals enjoying fireworks and festivities at night during one of Alicante’s famous celebrations"

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alt="Decorated effigies ready to be burned during Hogueras de San Juan festival in Alicante"

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13. Visit the Contemporary Art Museum (MACA) – Free Entry!

This modern art museum houses works from Dalí, Picasso, and Miró—and it’s completely free!

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14. Explore the Canelobre Caves – Alicante’s Underground Wonder

These impressive stalactite caves, 20 minutes from Alicante, are lit up like a cathedral.

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alt="Stalactites and stalagmites inside the Canelobre Caves, illuminated to resemble a cathedral, showcasing Alicante's underground beauty."

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alt="Stalactites and stalagmites inside the Canelobre Caves, illuminated to resemble a cathedral, showcasing Alicante's underground beauty."

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🛎️ Travel Hack: Book a guided tour at sunset—the lighting inside is magical!

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alt="Stalactites and stalagmites inside the Canelobre Caves, illuminated to resemble a cathedral, showcasing Alicante's underground beauty."

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15. Drink Like a Local – Try Alicante’s Famous Fondillón Wine

Alicante is home to Fondillón, a rare aged wine that was served to European kings centuries ago!

🔹 Where to Try: Head to Bodegas Monóvar for a tasting experience.

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alt="A selection of local Alicante region wines, showcasing a variety of bottles with scenic vineyard background, highlighting the region's rich wine culture."

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Final Travel Hacks to Make Your Alicante Trip Even Better:

✅ Use Public Transport: Buy a Móbilis Card for unlimited bus & tram rides.
✅ Avoid Crowds: Visit off-season (October – May) for better deals & fewer tourists.
✅ Try a Rooftop Bar: The Terraza Sotelo offers stunning city views with cocktails.

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  • A Google Map with Alicante’s must-see places, top & local dining spots, best photo locations, and hidden gems available here📍✨

 

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alt="White T-shirt with 'Explore & Travel Around the World' graphic, featuring a globe and travel-themed design, perfect for wanderlust enthusiasts."

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