Alicante is a city in south-eastern Spain on the Mediterranean Costa Blanca. It is the capital of the province of the same name in the Valencian Community and the region’s second-largest city after Valencia: at 1 January 2025 it had 366,221 residents. Below we cover where Alicante is, what the climate is like and when to go, which beaches to visit and what to see, how to get there and which towns are nearby. If you are thinking not of a trip but of living in the city, everything about residence permits, neighbourhoods, prices and taxes is in the article moving to Alicante.
Where is Alicante
Alicante stands on the Mediterranean shore, in a bay between headlands in the south-east of the Iberian Peninsula. The country is Spain, the autonomous community is the Valencian Community and the province is Alicante. The city lies between Valencia to the north and Murcia to the south; the province’s coastline is called the Costa Blanca, the “White Coast”. The official languages are Spanish and Valencian, though Spanish is heard more often on the city’s streets. Above the centre rises Mount Benacantil with Santa Bárbara Castle, and at its foot are the Explanada de España promenade and the city beach.
Alicante climate and weather
The climate is Mediterranean and dry: mild winters, hot summers, and rare rain that falls mostly in autumn. The city gets a lot of sunshine — almost 2,900 hours a year. January in Alicante compared with other cities is covered in our guide to winter in Spain.
To compare with other Spanish cities by winter and summer temperatures, sunshine and rain, see our ranking of the climate of Spain by region and city.
When is the best time to visit Alicante
The swimming season runs from June to October, with the warmest water in August and September. July and August are the peak: hot and humid, with full beaches and hotels and high prices. May, June, September and October are the best time to combine the beach with sightseeing. In winter the sea is too cool for swimming, but the days are often warm and sunny, which makes the city popular for wintering. The main festival is the Hogueras de San Juan (Bonfires of St John), from 20 to 24 June: giant figures displayed all over the city are burned on the last night; since 1983 the festival has been designated of International Tourist Interest.
Alicante beaches
The beaches start right in the centre. In 2026 four of the city’s beaches received the Blue Flag, a mark of clean water and good facilities.
- Postiguet — the city beach by the promenade and at the foot of the castle, within walking distance of the centre.
- San Juan — a long sandy beach in the north of the city, on the tram line, with a wide promenade.
- Saladares-Urbanova — a quiet beach in the south, near the airport, with fewer people.
- Tabarca — a beach on a small island off the coast, reached by boats from the ports of Alicante and Santa Pola.
The rocky coves of Cabo de las Huertas and Albufereta are good spots for snorkelling.
What to see in Alicante
- Santa Bárbara Castle on Mount Benacantil — the best views of the city and the sea; you can go up by lift from a tunnel near Postiguet beach.
- Explanada de España — a palm-lined promenade paved with a wave-pattern mosaic.
- Santa Cruz quarter — old white houses with flowers on the hillside.
- Basilica of Santa María and Co-cathedral of San Nicolás — the historic centre.
- MARQ Archaeological Museum — one of the best archaeology museums in Spain.
- Tabarca Island — fortress walls, a fishing village and a marine reserve.
- Central Market — an early 20th-century building with fresh fish, vegetables and local sweets.
What is near Alicante
- Elche — the second city of the province, 245,557 residents; its palm grove is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. More in the guide to Elche.
- Benidorm — a skyscraper resort to the north, reachable by tram.
- Calpe — a small town by the Peñón de Ifach rock — Calpe.
- Torrevieja — a resort town to the south with a pink salt lake and a large Russian-speaking community — Torrevieja.
- Guadalest and Alcoy — mountain towns in the interior of the province.
How to get to Alicante
Alicante-Elche Airport handled almost 20 million passengers in 2025: there are flights from Madrid, Barcelona and dozens of European cities, and buses run into the city. From Madrid the high-speed train is convenient; from Valencia, the train or the motorway along the coast. The TRAM d’Alacant serves the city and the coast: six lines to San Juan, El Campello, Benidorm and Dénia. There are no direct flights from Russia — entry rules are in the article visa to Spain.
Living in Alicante
Alicante is one of the Spanish cities most popular with foreigners: they make up 21% of the city’s residents and almost a quarter of the province’s population. The province has the country’s largest Russian-speaking community — 22,979 Russian citizens and 32,831 Ukrainian citizens at 1 January 2025. The city is home to the EU Intellectual Property Office and the University of Alicante. Which residence permit to choose, which neighbourhood to live in, what housing and schools cost and which taxes apply is covered in the article moving to Alicante.
Frequently asked questions about Alicante
Where is Alicante?
In Spain, on the south-eastern Mediterranean Costa Blanca, between Valencia and Murcia. It is the capital of the province of Alicante in the Valencian Community.
What country is Alicante in?
Spain. The city is part of the autonomous Valencian Community and is the capital of the province of the same name.
What is the population of Alicante?
366,221 at 1 January 2025. It is the second-largest city in the Valencian Community after Valencia, and the whole province has 2,030,037 residents.
What language is spoken in Alicante?
The official languages are Spanish and Valencian. In everyday life the city mostly speaks Spanish, while Valencian is taught in schools.
When is the best time to go to Alicante?
For a beach holiday, June to October, with the warmest water in August and September. To combine the sea and sightseeing without the heat, choose May, June, September or October.
What is the weather like in Alicante in winter?
Mild: the average January temperature is 11.7 °C, and days are often sunny. Rain is rare in the city, with about 311 mm falling over the year.
Does Alicante have beaches?
Yes, right in the city. In 2026 the Blue Flag went to Postiguet, San Juan, Saladares-Urbanova and the beach on Tabarca Island.
Tell us your situation — we reply within the hour
