Archaeological museums in Alicante

Visiting Alicante’s archaeological museums is one of the best ways to understand the history of a strategically placed region, which acts as a gateway to the Mediterranean.

A range of fascinating civilisations have passed through these lands, from the Iberians at the impressive La Serreta site in Alcoy to the Romans who built the city of Lucentum at Tossal de Manises. Wherever you go, there are traces of this past to uncover.

Thanks to finds as significant as the Guerrer de Moixent at La Bastida de les Alcusses (which you can see at the Archaeological Museum of València) and the Tesoro de Villena, Alicante’s archaeological museums have brought together, preserved and shared a rich and compelling history. And it’s one that’s well worth discovering!

Where to visit archaeological museums in Alicante

You’ll find a good number of archaeological museums across Alicante, and we’ve brought together some of the most noteworthy to create a list that takes you on a journey through the centuries:

• Alicante Archaeological Museum (MARQ): this museum takes a forward-thinking approach to presenting the region’s earliest history, with outstanding pieces such as the Dama de Cabezo Lucero and the Dama de Guardamar.

• The Museum of Ethnology and Archaeology, in Callosa d'en Sarrià: a small but carefully curated collection offering an insight into everyday life in centuries past.

• Elda Archaeological Museum: Iberian remains and traces of a Byzantine basilica come together in a museum you can easily include in a route alongside the castle and the Shoe Museum.

• Archaeological and History Museum of Elche Alejandro Ramos Folqués (MAHE): an interactive museum set across two historic buildings, where you can learn more about the magnificent Dama de Elche, a true jewel of Iberian art.

• Archaeological and Ethnological Museum of Finestrat: travel back to the Palaeolithic through this fascinating collection housed in an interesting 19th-century building.

• Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum of Gata de Gorgos: alongside a range of compelling artefacts, you’ll also find very ancient fossils here.

• Guardamar del Segura Archaeological Museum (MAG): prehistoric animals from the Pliocene sit alongside traces of Phoenician culture in this museum not to be missed.

• Vilamuseu, Municipal Museum of Villajoyosa: home to remains from the Poble Nou necropolis, the Roman villa of Plans and the Islamic cemetery of l’Almiserà.

• Monforte del Cid Iberian-Roman Museum: from the Neolithic to Roman times, this museum offers a journey through a wide range of intriguing objects.

• The Archaeological Museum of Orihuela: have you heard of the Idol of Orihuela? Here’s your chance to discover more about it.

• Dámaso Navarro Archaeological and Ethnological Museum of Petrer: more than 12,000 pieces await, including an impressive Roman mosaic.

• Gratiniano Baches Archaeological-Ethnological Museum in Pilar de la Horadada: discover extinct animals alongside an interesting collection of Roman-era objects.

• Municipal Archaeological and Palaeontological Museum of Rojales: fossils and ancient artefacts come together in this engaging archaeological museum.

• The Sea Museum in Santa Pola: the city’s earliest history is told through finds from sites such as the Casa Romana del Palmeral and the ancient Portus Ilicitanus, among others.

• Villena Museum: home to the Treasure of Villena, with more than 60 pieces made of iron, silver and gold, including materials from a meteorite!

• Xaló Ethnological and Archaeological Museum: step back into prehistory and explore the tradition of raisin production.

• Soler Blasco Municipal Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum of Jávea: we round off this selection with a visit to a museum housed in a building of notable architectural value.

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