Santa Bárbara Castle overlooking Alicante. Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons
Eco Hoteles en Alicante
Alojamientos sostenibles on Spain's sun-drenched Costa Blanca — book with IMPT and remove 1 tonne of CO₂ per booking
Por Qué Alojarse en Alicante?
Alicante is the beating heart of Spain's Costa Blanca — a Mediterranean port city that blends sun-soaked beaches, a formidable 9th-century castle, and a palm-fringed marble promenade into one irresistible package. Perched between mountains and sea on Spain's southeastern coast, Alicante enjoys over 300 days of sunshine a year and an average annual temperature of 19°C, making it a year-round destination for sun-seekers and culture lovers alike.
Founded by the Greeks as Akra Leuke and later fortified by the Moors, Alicante carries layers of history in its honey-coloured stone streets. The Old Quarter — El Barrio de Santa Cruz — is a whitewashed maze of flower-draped balconies that tumbles down the slopes of Mount Benacantil below the iconic Santa Bárbara Castle. The castle itself, one of Europe's largest medieval fortresses, offers panoramic views across the Mediterranean all the way to Tabarca Island on clear days.
Beyond the Old Town, Alicante's Explanada de España unfurls as one of Spain's most beautiful waterfront promenades, its 6.5 million marble tiles creating a rippling wave pattern in terracotta, cream, and black. The city's food scene is firmly rooted in the sea — arroz a banda (rice cooked in fish stock), fideuà (a noodle-based paella), and fresh-caught red prawns from nearby Santa Pola define the local table. Alicante's marina hums with activity day and night, and the long golden sweep of Playa de San Juan, just 8 km north, is widely considered one of the best urban beaches in Spain.
Cómo Aprovechar Alicante
Arriving in Alicante is straightforward — Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC) sits just 9 km southwest of the city and handles flights from across Europe year-round. The C6 airport bus runs every 20-40 minutes and drops you at Plaza del Mar on the waterfront in about 20 minutes for under €4. Alternatively, the new TRAM connection from the airport links directly to Alicante's light rail network, giving access to the coast all the way up to Dénia.
Once in the city, Alicante is remarkably walkable. Most of the main attractions — the castle, Old Town, Explanada, marina, and Postiguet Beach — sit within a compact 1.5 km radius. The city's TRAM system is excellent for reaching Playa de San Juan (Line 4/L5, ~15 minutes) and coastal towns further north. For day trips, the narrow-gauge railway to Dénia (Line 9) is a scenic 2.5-hour coastal journey, while Tabarca Island — Spain's smallest permanently inhabited island — is a 50-minute ferry ride from the marina.
The best strategy for exploring is to dedicate mornings to culture — the MARQ archaeological museum, the Co-Cathedral of San Nicolás, and the MACA contemporary art museum are all world-class — then spend afternoons at the beach, followed by evening tapeo through the Old Town's tapas bars. The Calle de los Labradores and surrounding streets around Plaza del Carmen are where locals go for the city's best montaditos and local wines from the D.O. Alicante region.
Dónde Alojarse — Best Areas in Alicante
El Barrio (Old Town)
The historic heart at the foot of Santa Bárbara Castle. Whitewashed houses, winding lanes, flower-filled balconies. Perfect for culture lovers who want nightlife and tapas bars on their doorstep. Walking distance to everything.
Playa del Postiguet
Alicante's city beach — golden sand, calm Mediterranean waters, framed by the castle above. Beachfront hotels here offer sea-view rooms and sunrise swims. Ideal for families and beach-first travellers.
Playa de San Juan
A 6 km stretch of fine golden sand 8 km north of the centre. Resort-style hotels, chiringuito beach bars, and excellent water sports. Connected by TRAM — the best urban beach in Alicante for serious beach days.
Explanada & Marina
The central waterfront strip between the marina and the Explanada promenade. Close to restaurants, the casino, and ferry terminal. Busy and vibrant with great transport links — suits those who want to be in the thick of it.
Top Eco Hoteles en Alicante
Qué Hacer en Alicante
🏰 Santa Bárbara Castle
Perched 166 m atop Mount Benacantil, this vast 9th-century Moorish fortress is Alicante's defining landmark. Explore the dungeons, walk the battlements, and enjoy sweeping views of the Mediterranean. Free entry; reachable by lift from Postiguet Beach or on foot from the Old Town.
🌴 Explanada de España
Alicante's iconic waterfront promenade stretches 500 m alongside the marina, paved with 6.5 million marble tiles in a wave pattern. Lined with palm trees, cafés, and artisan stalls — it's the city's social artery day and night.
🏖️ Playa del Postiguet
The city's central beach curves gently at the foot of Santa Bárbara Castle. Fine golden sand, calm clear water, and a palm-lined promenade with chiringuitos make it an urban beach that punches above its weight.
🛥️ Tabarca Island
Spain's smallest permanently inhabited island lies 22 km offshore. A former pirate refuge turned marine reserve — crystal-clear waters, a fortified 18th-century village, and some of the Mediterranean's best snorkelling. Ferries depart from Alicante marina (50 min each way).
🏛️ MARQ Archaeological Museum
Housed in the former San Juan de Dios Hospital, MARQ was named European Museum of the Year in 2004. Its immersive exhibits cover 100,000 years of history across the province — from prehistoric cave art to Roman Lucentum and medieval Iberian culture.
🎨 MACA Contemporary Art Museum
Set in Alicante's oldest surviving civil building (1685), MACA houses a superb collection of 20th-century Spanish art featuring Miró, Dalí, Chillida, and Picasso alongside Eusebio Sempere's geometric masterpieces. Free entry.
🍷 Mercado Central
A two-storey modernist building on Avenida Alfonso el Sabio, Alicante's central market is a cathedral to Mediterranean produce. Fresh seafood from Santa Pola, local wines from D.O. Alicante, jamón ibérico, and the region's famous turrón await.
⛵ Alicante Marina
One of Spain's largest marinas, with 860 berths and a vibrant promenade of restaurants, bars, and the Casino Mediterráneo. Inicio to the Volvo Ocean Race start on multiple occasions — a great spot for sunset drinks with superyacht views.
Recommended Rutas & Guided Experiences
Santa Bárbara Castle Walk
Start at Plaza del Carmen in the Old Town and follow the well-signed path winding up the northern face of Mount Benacantil. The climb passes through pine groves with sea views before reaching the castle's imposing walls. From the summit, you can see the entire Bay of Alicante and, on clear days, Tabarca Island. Descend via the southern path to Postiguet Beach for a well-earned swim.
Explanada to Playa de San Juan Coastal Walk
This flat, paved coastal walk starts at the Explanada de España and follows the waterfront north past the marina, the Volvo Ocean Race museum, and along the base of Serra Grossa. Continue through the residential Albufereta district before emerging onto the 6 km sweep of Playa de San Juan. Stop at a chiringuito for grilled sardines before taking the TRAM back to the centre.
El Palmeral Park Loop
Alicante's largest urban park sits at the southern end of the city, just inland from the port. Winding paths lead through groves of date palms, past waterfalls and ornamental ponds, with views of the Mediterranean beyond. The park has dedicated jogging trails and children's play areas — an oasis of calm away from the beach crowds.
Nearby Cities
Preguntas Frecuentes
What's the best area to stay in Alicante?
The Old Town (El Barrio) is best for culture and nightlife, Playa del Postiguet for beachfront access, the Explanada/Marina area for central convenience with transport links, and Playa de San Juan for a resort-style beach holiday 8 km north of the centre.
How many days should I spend in Alicante?
3 to 4 days is ideal to cover Santa Bárbara Castle, the Old Town, Explanada, MARQ museum, and a day trip to Tabarca Island. Many visitors use Alicante as a base to explore the Costa Blanca over 5-7 days.
Is Alicante expensive compared to the rest of the Costa Blanca?
Alicante city hotels are affordable — 4-star from €70-120/night, budget from €40. Slightly more than Benidorm but cheaper than Altea or Jávea. With IMPT you pay the same as Booking.com plus 5% cashback in IMPT tokens.
How do I get from Alicante Airport to the city?
The C6 bus runs every 20-40 min from ALC airport to the waterfront (20 min, ~€3.85). Taxis take 15 min (~€20-25). The airport is just 9 km from the city centre.
Can I book eco-certified hotels in Alicante with IMPT?
Yes — IMPT gives you access to 8M+ hotels worldwide including Alicante's eco-certified properties. Every booking removes 1 tonne of CO₂. Same price as Booking.com, EUR5 free credit on first booking, 5% cashback in IMPT tokens.