Alicante is a Mediterranean port city in the Valencian Community, built on largely flat terrain below a cluster of hills — the Benacantil, the Tossal and the Serra Grossa — with the sea on its eastern edge. The climate is mild in winter and hot and humid in summer, and the city is one of the driest in Europe.
For a visitor, the useful geography is simple. The historic core and the port sit at the foot of the Benacantil, the city's main market and central streets are a short walk inland, and the beaches and newer tourist complexes lie to the northeast at Albufereta and Playa de San Juan de Alicante. This guide covers which of those areas to base yourself in, and what kind of accommodation each one tends to offer.
Best areas to stay in Alicante
1. The historic centre, around the Iglesia de la Santa María
This is the old town, close to the beach and to the city's oldest church, and it puts you within walking distance of the port, the central market and the streets around the Rambla. It suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants to spend the trip on foot rather than in transport.
Accommodation here leans towards small guesthouses and bed-and-breakfast-style places, often in refurbished older buildings, with some larger hotels on the surrounding streets. Streets in this part of the city are narrow and the ground rises towards the Benacantil, so check how far uphill your address sits if you have luggage or limited mobility.
2. The port and Plaza del Puerto area
The waterfront around the port is where the city meets the sea, close to the Plaza Puerta del Mar and the Plaza del Puerto. It suits travellers who want sea views and a short walk to both the old town and the marina, and it is convenient for anyone arriving by cruise ship.
This is where you find the larger full-service hotels, including some with pools and spas. It is flat and easy walking, and the historic centre is directly inland, so you can combine the two areas on foot.
3. The Rambla and central market area
The Rambla Méndez Núñez and the streets around the central market form the commercial heart of the city, between the old town and the modern centre. It suits visitors who want to be central and well connected, and who prefer a business-style hotel base to a guesthouse.
Accommodation here is mostly mid-range and upscale chain hotels, several with fitness centres and on-site dining. This area is flat and central, which makes it a practical base if you plan to use the train station and move around the region as well as the city.
4. Near the train station
The streets immediately around the railway station are central and practical rather than scenic. This suits budget travellers, backpackers and anyone arriving or leaving by train who wants to walk to their accommodation with a pack.
You find the cheapest beds here, including hostel-style accommodation with shared dormitories and guest kitchens. It is less than a five-minute walk from the station and still within reach of the centre on foot, so it works as a low-cost base without cutting you off from the sights.
5. Albufereta and Playa de San Juan de Alicante
These are the city's beach areas to the northeast, where large buildings and tourist complexes were developed from the late 1950s onwards. They suit travellers who want a beach-focused stay, families, and anyone happy to base themselves outside the historic centre.
Accommodation here is oriented towards the holiday trade, with hotels and apartment complexes rather than small guesthouses. The trade-off is distance: you are away from the old town and the port, so plan on using transport to reach the centre rather than walking.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: hostel-style accommodation with shared dormitories and private singles or doubles, guest kitchens, common rooms and roof terraces; simple budget hotels with non-smoking rooms and free Wi-Fi. Mostly found near the train station and in the central streets.
- Mid-range: small bed-and-breakfast guesthouses, some with kitchen and laundry facilities and roof terraces, and chain hotels with on-site snack bars or restaurants, fitness centres and paid public parking. Concentrated in the historic centre and around the Rambla and central market.
- Splurge: full-service hotels with outdoor pools, spas, saunas, fitness centres and on-site restaurants, some in converted historic buildings, with private parking and higher parking charges. Mostly around the port and the central streets.
Best area for a first visit
The historic centre around the Iglesia de la Santa María is the best base for a first visit. It puts the old town, the beach and the port within walking distance, so you can see the city on foot without depending on transport. Expect small guesthouses and refurbished buildings rather than large resorts, and note that the ground rises towards the Benacantil.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay in the centre or at the beach?
The centre keeps you within walking distance of the old town, the port and the market. Albufereta and Playa de San Juan de Alicante are beach areas developed for tourism, but they sit away from the centre and are better suited to a beach-focused stay.
Where do budget travellers tend to stay?
Near the train station, which is centrally located and less than a five-minute walk from the station itself. That area has the cheapest beds, including hostel-style accommodation with shared dormitories and guest kitchens.
Is the city walkable, or do I need transport?
The centre, the port and the Rambla are flat and close together, so you can cover them on foot. The old town rises towards the Benacantil, and the beach areas to the northeast are far enough that you should plan on using transport.
When is the best time to visit?
Winters are mild and summers are hot and humid, with high air humidity during the summer months. The city is one of the driest in Europe, with little rain concentrated in equinoctial periods.
Compare live prices for your dates with the booking tools on this page before you decide.