Named after the capital city of Alicante, this province is a popular tourist destination due to its fantastic array of quality coastal resorts offering cheap holidays for those living in mainland Europe. Locations such as Benidorm, Torrevieja, and Alicante itself have some amazing beaches, huge hotel complexes, and first class  amenities and nightlife.

Aside from the bustling tourist destinations, Alicante has a great deal to offer for the budding tourist. This province has a range of interesting islands waiting to be explored, some gorgeous inland towns and villages, and a series of historical buildings and sites. Attractions such as the Thermal spas of Mula, the Castles of Vinalopo and the myriad of bridges in the town of Alco are relatively unknown but are waiting to be explored.

The following list represents some of the best and most beautiful places to go in Alicante:

The Best Places to go in Alicante

Visit El Campello

Located just a short drive to the east of Alicante, the resort of El Campello is a beautiful and relaxing place to visit on the Costa Blanca. This resort is known for its fantastic fish market and gorgeous bustling marina. Furthermore, there is a host of high-quality hotels and apartments lining the stretch of golden beach. The Playa Can Campello, in fact, is also a major draw – the sand is warm and soft and the waters are cool and refreshing. The town of El Campello itself is a great place to walk through and has several stunning public parks, squares, and historical buildings. Discover how to take a drive to El Campello here.

Visit the bustling resort of Benidorm

Benidorm is one of the most popular locations in Alicante and it draws a huge amount of European holidaymakers every year. This city is famed for having the most skyscrapers per capita in the world and its high-rise skyline is a major landmark of the region. If you are looking for a fun night out, a few drinks and a cabaret show then this is the place to visit! Benidorm boasts a mind-boggling myriad of bars, clubs, and restaurants offering cheap food and drink and free shows until the early hours of the morning.  Take a view from the top of Benidorm here

Sail to the historic island of Tabarca

This delightful and historical island can be found off the coast of Alicante in-between Torrevieja and Alicante and is accessible via regular ferries and boat trips. Tabarca is known as the smallest permanently inhabited island in Spain and has a population of just under 70 residents. This gorgeous island has a charming town that features some amazing architecture and world class cafes and restaurants. Furthermore, the eastern side of the island is open plains and has several trails that cover its perimeter – the views here are fantastic and there are a couple of historical buildings that have stood for hundreds of years.  Discover more about Tabacara here

Visit the gorgeous costal region of Calpe

Calpe is a region of the Costa Blanca that is approximately an hour’s drive to the north east of Alicante and 30 minutes from Benidorm. This region features some fantastic scenery and landscapes, but also some world class resorts and beaches. For those who seek adventure, it is possible to hike to the top of the Penyal d’lfac which is the iconic rock that sits on the edge of the coast – here you are granted with sublime views of Calpe and the Mediterranean Sea. Furthermore, the region is famed for its salt flats, bird sanctuary and La Peca tower.  Find out how have a lovely day out in Calpe.

Relax at the thermal spas in Mula

Mula is a small town located approximately an hour’s drive from Murcia. This small town retains much of its traditional charm and has a population of 17,000. Surrounded by farmland and agricultural plains, this town is a true retreat and is the perfect place to visit if you want to rejuvenate and relax. In Mula, you can find a myriad of thermal spas that offer a range of relaxing treatments and allow the use of their divine thermal baths. Consider taking a day trip to this idyllic town and revitalizing your mind, body, and soul.  Learn more about this awesome place with volcanic hot water.

Visit the charming haven of La Nucia

High up in the mountains surrounding Alicante and Benidorm you can find the quiet and beautiful town of La Nucia. You can reach this mountain town in under an hour from Alicante and 15-20 minutes from Benidorm. Once you reach La Nucia, you will be astounded by the sublime views across to the surrounding fertile landscapes – you can see for miles on a clear day. Due to its relative isolation, La Nucia is the perfect place to see how the locals live and soak up some traditional food and entertainment.  Discover what makes this town so special

Explore the historic castle in Vinalopó

The route of the Castles of Vinalopó is a historical route that has been travelled for hundreds of years. This route offers a fantastic way to see the countryside and experience some of the histories of the Alicante region of Spain. Castles within the route include:

  • Atalaya Castle in Villena
  • Banyeras Castle
  • The hillside Biar Castle
  • Altamira Palace in Elche

These castles provide an interesting mix of Arabic and Christian architecture from many different times periods and offer insight into the rivalry between the Kingdoms of Valencia and Castile. Find out more about the tour castles of Vinalopó.

Visit Alcoy – The city of the bridges!

Due to its location on the Serpis River, Alcoy has a plethora of fantastic bridges that allow its inhabitants to safely cross from one side of the town to the other. Located approximately 50 minutes to the north of Alicante, this amazing town is a prime location for a day trip. More than 5 bridges span the river including:

  • The Puente Fernando Reig
  • The Puenta de Cervantes
  • The Puente de San Jorge
  • The Canalejas Viaduct

Aside from the bridges, the town also has several historical buildings including Barchell Castle and the Torre de Na Valora. Learn more about Alcoy here.

As you can see, Alicante is practically bursting with fantastic attractions and gorgeous traditional towns. From the dazzling lights of Benidorm to the ancient castle of Vinalopó there is something for everyone’s tastes. To make the most of the sites Alicante has to offer it is advisable to consider hiring a car from a respectable company such as Drivalia. Hiring your own car gives you complete freedom and will allow you to explore this gorgeous region of southern Spain at your own leisure.