City in Costa Blanca, Spain
Alicante
Sunny Costa Blanca city with a castle, a palm-lined port and a beach in town, good for sociable, budget-friendly winters. Summers are hot and busy, and the nightlife skews to package-holiday crowds.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$1,910–2,700Comfortable, one person · €1,700–2,400Details
- Value for money45/100Better value than 44% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMar–May, Oct–NovWarmest: Jul, 34°CDetails
- Air quality10 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2013) · Fairly cleanDetails
- Internet263 MbpsFixed broadband, Spain medianDetails
- Tap waterFilter or boilSafe to drink but hard and chlorinated, with a mineral taste; most residents buy bottled or filter it.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$56–113Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and contactless work almost everywhere; market stalls, beach kiosks and small bars may prefer cash.Details
Where to stay in Alicante
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Centro and Old Town (El Barrio) | Tapas, bars and walkable sights; noisy on weekends |
| Playa del Postiguet and the port | City beach, promenade, restaurants and seafront walks |
| San Gabriel | Calmer residential area; good for long stays |
| Albufereta | Quiet beachside area with a wide sandy cove |
| Playa de San Juan | Long beach and expats; short tram ride from the center |
Apps that work in Alicante
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Renfe: High-speed and regional train tickets
- ALSA: Long-distance bus tickets
- Taxis: Metered taxis are cheap and easy at ranks and the airport. Prices to Playa de San Juan are low.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Spain.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and contactless work almost everywhere; market stalls, beach kiosks and small bars may prefer cash.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Many Spanish ATMs charge foreign cards a few euros per withdrawal; Euronet machines cost more. Always decline the conversion.
- Tipping: Not expected. Round up at bars and leave 5–10% for good restaurant service; check whether service is already included.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work almost everywhere. Bizum, used to split bills, needs a Spanish bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen rules: 90 days in any 180 across all Schengen countries; passport issued within 10 years, valid 3 months past departure.
- The EU Entry/Exit System has replaced passport stamps since April 2026: fingerprints and photo at your first entry. Allow extra time.
- ETIAS, the planned €20 online authorisation, isn't required yet (October 2026); check travel-europe.europa.eu for its start date.
Emergency numbers
Police 091 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Phone shops and airport kiosks sell prepaid SIMs (Orange, Vodafone, Digi, Lebara); about €10–25 for 30–100 GB. Passport required to register. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Spain
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.