Alicante

A day trip to Alicante from Moraira

Alicante (Alacant) is the provincial capital, about 55 minutes to an hour from Moraira on the AP-7, which has been toll-free along the Costa Blanca since January 2020. A day out in Alicante is about the old town below the castle hill, the promenade along the harbour, the covered market and the archaeological museum. The castle and the city beach each have a page of their own; below is what else there is to do in town.

The Explanada and the old Santa Cruz quarter

The Explanada de España is the promenade along the marina, around half a kilometre long and lined with four rows of palm trees. Its undulating paving is made up of some 6.5 million marble tiles of 4 by 4 centimetres in red, white and blue, largely marble from the province itself.

Behind the Explanada the old town begins. The Santa Cruz quarter climbs the flank of Mount Benacantil: steep, narrow lanes with flowers on the walls, reachable on foot only. By the chapel at the top there is a viewpoint over the old town, the harbour and the sea.

Castle and beach in brief

Above the city stands the Castillo de Santa Bárbara, on the 166-metre Benacantil. You can walk up (about 30 minutes, from the town hall or from the beach) or take the lift, whose entrance is on Avenida Juan Bautista Lafora, opposite the beach. At the foot of the mountain lies Playa del Postiguet, the city beach.

A ride in the lift costs €2.70 in 2026; for over-65s it is free. The last ride up leaves 40 minutes before closing.

The Mercado Central and the MARQ

Mercado Central

Address: Avenida Alfonso X el Sabio 10, Alicante
Telephone: +34 965 14 07 63
Opening hours: Mon–Fri 07:00–14:30, Sat 07:00–15:00; closed on Sunday
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The 1921 market hall has nearly 300 stalls of fish, meat, vegetables, fruit and local specialities. Come in the morning, when the choice is widest.

MARQ, Museo Arqueológico de Alicante

Telephone: +34 965 149 000
Opening hours: Tue–Sat 10:00–19:00, Sun and public holidays 10:00–14:00; closed on Monday (winter times)
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The provincial archaeological museum shows finds from across the province and runs temporary exhibitions; until May 2027 there is one on gold from the indigenous cultures of Colombia. Tickets and prices are on the museum’s own website.

Combine it with

South of Alicante lies Santa Pola, where the boat to the island of Tabarca leaves; there is more about that under Santa Pola and Tabarca. On the way back, Villajoyosa is almost on the route.