Alicante province

The province of Alicante is full of contrasts, where whitewashed villages, UNESCO gems and monuments with centuries of history coalesce with beaches, coves and evocative inland landscapes. 

Alicante may be known around the world for its sunshine and the Costa Blanca, but the story does not end at the water’s edge. It is also one of Spain’s most mountainous provinces, which means you can spend the morning following a trail high above the valleys and still find yourself beside one of its coves later that day. Use this guide to discover the province and start planning a trip full of brilliant moments. 

Tourism in Alicante province 

Things to see and do on a trip to Alicante province: beaches 

The regions of La Marina Baixa and La Marina Alta are home to some of the loveliest stretches of coastline in Alicante province. A few days in Benidorm should certainly feature in your plans, where you can soak up the famous Benidorm buzz and make the most of mile upon mile of white sand. 

You could also explore the Benissa-Calp Ecological Trail which takes you past rocky coves brimming with marine life, or finally see Portitxol Cove in Jávea, which is one of the most photographed on this tranche of coast. Some of our islands lie in Alicante’s waters too, while anyone keen to get out on the Mediterranean will find a wide choice of sailing and water sports centres and professionals. 

Things to do in Alicante province: ideas and activities 

There’s always something going on in Benidorm and Alicante, where food, entertainment and days out give you lots to choose from. Orihuela and Alcoy are well worth adding to your plans too, while Elche brings UNESCO World Heritage into the mix. Together with the province’s monuments, they offer all sorts of ways to delve into Alicante’s past. 

Castles tell another chapter of that story, and you can plot a route between them, stopping at Villena, Sax or Santa Bárbara Castle in Alicante. Go further back still and you’ll reach the ancient rock paintings of La Sarga and Pla de Petracos, as well as the archaeological site of Illeta dels Banyets. 

Towns and villages in Alicante province 

El Castell de Guadalest, Villajoyosa and Altea are among the towns and villages that deserve a place on your Alicante itinerary. Further inland, smaller gems such as Agres, Rojales and Benimantell are also waiting to be discovered. 

Following the landscapes of Vall de Pop, or seeking out small towns and villages along walking routes with water, gives you a glimpse of a quieter, more traditional side of Alicante province. 

Things to do in Alicante province: nature 

As we’ve already mentioned, Alicante is exceptionally mountainous, with valleys, ravines and rivers that make nature a big part of any trip here. We could go on, but here are a few landscapes to get you started.

• Peñón de Ifach Natural Park 

• Montgó Natural Park 

• Serra Gelada Natural Park 

• Serra Mariola Natural Park 

• Carrascal de la Font Roja Natural Park 

• El Hondo Natural Park 

• Marjal de Pego-Oliva Natural Park 

• Salinas de Santa Pola Natural Park 

• La Mata-Torrevieja Lagoons Natural Park 

• Puigcampana and Ponotx Protected Landscape 

• Cathedral of Hiking in La Vall de Laguar 

• Sierra de Bernia y Ferrer  

• Sierra de Aitana

How to plan a trip around Alicante province 

The province of Alicante has an airport, marinas and excellent connections by land, so putting your trip together shouldn’t take much doing. If you want to get to know the province in more depth, dip into our itineraries and video blogs, where you can filter by province and see what takes your fancy.​​​​​​​