Alicante is a city that can be experienced with all five senses: history, sea, gastronomy and a special light that envelops everything.
If you are planning a getaway or are already in the city, at Bacacay Restaurantin the heart of Alicante, we want to help you to discover the 10 must-see places to visit in Alicante and complete the day with a good table.
Santa Barbara Castle
The Santa Barbara Castle is, without a doubt, one of the great symbols of Alicante and one of the most essential visits of the city. It rises imposingly over the Benacantil mountainat more than 160 meters above sea level, offering spectacular views of the Mediterranean, the harbor and the city center..
Its origin dates back to Muslim times, although much of the current fortress was developed between the fourteenth and eighteenth centuries. Throughout its history, the castle has been the scene of battles, sieges and key events that have marked the future of Alicante. Walking along its walls is a real journey through time.
The enclosure is divided into three main areas:
- La TorretaThe oldest part, with medieval remains and privileged views.
- The Queen's Bastionwhere defensive structures and esplanades are preserved.
- El Revellín del Bon RepósThe lower and main access area.
In addition to its historical value, the castle hosts exhibitions, guided tours and cultural events throughout the year, making it a living and dynamic place, not just a static monument.
How to get there
- Elevator from Juan Bautista Lafora Avenue (convenient and fast option).
- On footFor the more active, through the Ereta Park or the old town.
- Carwith access to an area close to the site.
Local Council: Visit it at sunsetwhen the sky is tinged with shades of gold and orange. Afterwards, go down to the historic center or to the port and enjoy a relaxed dinner. It's the perfect way to end a day of sightseeing... and an excellent excuse to discover the local gastronomy.
Alicante Central Market
The Alicante Central Market is one of the most authentic and vibrant places in the city. Located in a spectacular building modernist of the early twentieth centuryis not only a place to shop, but also a meeting point where tradition, closeness and love for the product can be breathed.
Inside you will find fish and seafood fresh from the Mediterranean SeaThe restaurant offers a wide selection of local products that define the culinary identity of Alicante, including fruits and vegetables from Alicante's orchards, salted fish, rice, spices, sausages and a wide selection of local products that define the culinary identity of Alicante.
The market has more than a hundred stalls, many of which are managed by families for generations working the product with the same care and knowledge.
For those who love cooking, the Central Market is an essential visit. And for those who enjoy eating well, too: here you can understand why Alicante's gastronomy is based on respect for the product and well-worked simplicity.
From Bacacay RestaurantWe particularly value this type of market, because good cuisine is always born from good raw materials..
Local CouncilVisit it in the morning, when the activity is at its peak and the atmosphere is more authentic. Afterwards, take a stroll through the center and enjoy a lunch or dinner where the product is still the protagonist.
3. Archaeological Museum of Alicante (MARQ)
The Archaeological Museum of Alicante (MARQ) is considered one of the most innovative and award-winning archaeological museums in Europe. Its modern and educational approach makes it an essential visit for both families and history lovers who want to understand the past of the province of Alicante in a clear and entertaining way.
In contrast to traditional museums, MARQ is committed to a interactive museographyThe tour, with audiovisuals, recreations, explanatory panels and scenographies that help visitors to place themselves in each historical period. From Prehistory to the Modern Age, the tour allows visitors to learn how the different civilizations that have passed through these lands have lived: Iberians, Romans, Muslims and Christians.
The MARQ is especially recommended if you visit Alicante with children, as its visual and dynamic approach captures the attention of the little ones, turning learning into a fun experience.
Spend the morning visiting the museum and then return to the city center for a relaxing lunch. It's a perfect way to combine culture and gastronomy during your stay in Alicante.
4. St. Nicholas of Bari Cocathedral
The St. Nicholas of Bari Cocathedral is located in the historic center of Alicante and is one of the most important religious buildings in the city. Built between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries on the remains of an ancient medieval temple, it stands out for its sober elegance and its marked style. herrerian baroque.
Its exterior, discreet and austere, contrasts with the harmony of its interior, where the big blue domevisible from different points of the urban helmet, and its lateral chapels. The temple is dedicated to San Nicolás de Bari, patron saint of the city, which reinforces its cultural and spiritual importance for the people of Alicante.
One of the most special spaces of the cathedral is its cloisterA quiet and luminous place that invites to meditation and rest. It is a perfect place to take a break during the tour of the center and enjoy the serene atmosphere it offers, away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby streets.
Local CouncilTake advantage of your visit to stroll through the streets of the historic center and discover the most authentic atmosphere of the city before sitting down for lunch or dinner.
5. Esplanada de España Promenade
The Esplanada de España Promenade is one of the most emblematic and photographed spaces in Alicante. Located next to the port and just a few steps from the historic center, this promenade is famous for its wavy mosaiccomposed of more than six million tesserae in shades of red, white and black, evoking the movement of the sea.
Flanked by tall palm trees and always lively, the Esplanade is the perfect place for strolling leisurelyenjoy the sea breeze and soak up the Mediterranean atmosphere. Along the route it is common to find street artists, craft stalls and musicians who bring a cheerful and friendly air, both during the day and in the evening.
Thanks to its location and relaxed atmosphere, the Explanada is ideal for whet your appetite before sitting down to enjoy a nice lunch or a quiet dinner in the city center.
Local CouncilWalk the promenade at sunset, when the sunlight reflects on the mosaic and the sea. It is the perfect time to continue the gastronomic experience and put the finishing touch to the day.
6. Barri Vell - Santa Creu
The Santa Cruz neighborhoodalso known as Barri Vell - Santa Creuis the most picturesque and charming neighborhood of Alicante. Located on the slopes of Mount Benacantil, at the foot of the Castle of Santa Barbara, this old neighborhood retains the most authentic essence of the city.
Your white houses decorated with flowerscolorful balconies and steep, narrow streets create a very special atmosphere, reminiscent of traditional Mediterranean villages. Strolling through Santa Cruz is to do it aimlessly, being surprised by small corners, improvised viewpoints and quiet squares where time seems to stand still.
In addition to its historical and cultural value, the Santa Cruz neighborhood offers some of the best views of the old town and the harborThis makes it an ideal place to take pictures and enjoy the urban landscape from another perspective.
Local CouncilVisit it in the afternoon, when the heat is milder and the light enhances the colors of the neighborhood. Then, go down to the center to enjoy a quiet dinner and complete a day full of Mediterranean flavor.
7. El Carrer dels Bolets
The Mushroom Street (El Carrer dels Bolets), known officially as San Francisco Streetis one of the most original and fun spaces in Alicante. Popularly called El Carrer dels BoletsThis pedestrian street has become a lively spot for families as well as for those looking for a different kind of stroll through the city center.
Its main attraction is the giant mushroom sculpturesThe bright colors and eye-catching shapes surprise young and old alike.
Thanks to this unique decoration, the street invites you to stop, take pictures and enjoy a relaxed and casual atmosphere.
If you are traveling with children, this street becomes an almost obligatory stop.
And if not, too: its lively atmosphere and location make it an easy fit on any route through the city.
Local CouncilVisit the Calle de las Setas in the mid-afternoon, when the atmosphere begins to liven up, and continue the walk towards the center to enjoy a good lunch or dinner without haste.
8. Basilica of Santa Maria
The Basilica of Santa Maria is the oldest church in Alicante and one of the historical buildings with the greatest heritage value in the city. It is located in the old town, very close to the City Hall and the Museum of Contemporary Art, which makes it a regular stop on any cultural route.
The temple was built between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries on the remains of an ancient Muslim mosque, after the Christian reconquest. This overlapping of cultures is reflected in its architecture, where the following coexist elements of the Valencian Gothic style with additions later baroqueespecially visible in its imposing covers.
Despite its historical relevance, the Basilica of Santa Maria retains a close and welcoming character, which invites you to visit it calmly and appreciate the architectural details that often go unnoticed at first glance.
Local CouncilIncludes a visit to the basilica within a walk through the old town. It is an ideal area to continue the day with a quiet lunch or dinner and enjoy the most authentic atmosphere of the city.
9. Museum of the Bonfires
The Bonfire Museum is the perfect place to understand one of the most important and beloved traditions of Alicante: the Bonfires of San Juan. This museum allows you to discover the origin, evolution and significance of a festival declared of International Tourist Interest.
Inside, the following are exhibited ninotsThe exhibition includes sketches, models, photographs and original elements that show the creative process of the bonfires, authentic works of ephemeral art that combine satire, social criticism and great craftsmanship. Through its rooms, the visitor understands how these figures come to life every June before being consumed by fire.
The museum also highlights the work of the foguerers artists and the importance of the different elements that make up the festival: the commissions, the music, the parades, the gunpowder and the festive atmosphere that pervades the city during those days.
Local CouncilIf you visit Alicante outside the Hogueras dates, the museum is the best way to experience the festival all year round. Afterwards, nothing better than continuing the experience with a lunch or dinner celebrating the local gastronomy.
10. Port of Alicante
The Port of Alicante is one of the most pleasant places to put the finishing touch to a day of sightseeing in the city. Located at the foot of the Castle of Santa Barbara and next to the Esplanade of Spain, it combines to perfection sea, leisure and Mediterranean atmosphere.
During the day, the port is ideal for leisurely strolling, watching the boats and enjoying the open views of the sea. In the evening, the atmosphere is transformed: terraces, music and warm lighting create a perfect setting to relax and unwind while watching the sunset.
At night, the Port of Alicante becomes one of the liveliest spots in the city, with options to have a drink, listen to live music or simply enjoy the promenade. It is a place frequented by both visitors and locals, which gives it an authentic and lively character.
Local CouncilEnjoy the port at sunset and complete the day with a quiet dinner in the center of Alicante. It is the perfect way to close a day full of discoveries.
Enjoy Alicante... and savor the moment at Restaurante Bacacay
After touring these 10 places to visit in AlicanteThere is no better plan than sitting down to enjoy the local gastronomy.
At Bacacay RestaurantWe are waiting for you with a careful cuisine, cozy atmosphere and a perfect location to complete your experience in the city.
Alicante can be visited... but it can also be tasted.
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