a view of a city with a mountain in the background

Alicante Province

Alicante Province is the southern Costa Blanca, with beaches, the resort of Benidorm, and mountain villages and medieval castles inland.

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Alicante Province lies on Spain's Mediterranean coast, in the south of the Valencian Community, and its capital is the city of Alicante. The coast is known as the Costa Blanca, one of Spain's main holiday areas, with beaches and resorts. Benidorm, the best-known resort, was Spain's pioneer of mass tourism and is nicknamed the Mediterranean Manhattan for its skyscrapers. The province has 141 municipalities in nine comarcas, and each comarca has its own capital town and character.

Inland, the land climbs into mountains. Aitana, at 1,558 m, is the province's highest peak. Guadalest village and the Fuentes del Algar springs are reached through mountain valleys, and the Route of the Castles of Vinalopó links medieval castles across the interior. Elche, about 23 km from Alicante, is known for its palm grove, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Coastal winters are mild, while inland winters are colder and can bring snow, so pack warm clothes for mountain areas. On the southern coast, rain is scarce and falls mostly in spring and autumn.

Alicante Province in five

Choose the airport by your baseAlicante-Elche suits Alicante, Benidorm and the south; Valencia can be closer for Dénia and the northern tip. Compare flights, then check the road or train time to your town.Alicante travel guide
Use the TRAM before a car on the coastTRAM lines run from Alicante up to Benidorm and on toward Dénia, which saves parking in summer. Check the timetable, since journeys are slow but the views are good.Benidorm travel guide
Rent a car for hill villages and covesGuadalest, Altea, Calpe and many small beaches are slow by public transport. Pick up at the airport, and avoid driving into old towns where lanes are narrow.Costa Blanca
Skip peak August beaches if you canAugust brings heat, crowds and the highest room prices. September keeps the water warm with calmer sand, and spring suits hiking above the coast.Dénia travel guide

Things to do in Alicante Province

See all attractions in Alicante Province

A beach with palm trees and houses on a hill

Sight · Alicante ProvinceCastillo de San José

Sight · Alicante ProvinceCastillo de la Atalaya

Sight · Alicante ProvinceHuerto del Cura

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Alicante ProvincePut the places you like in Alicante Province on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Alicante-Elche (ALC); Valencia (VLC) for the north
Getting there: AVE or train to Alicante; coach to the coast towns
Getting around: TRAM and buses on the coast; car for villages and coves
Best base: Alicante for transport, Dénia or Altea for quieter streets
Time needed: 1 week for one base with day trips

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good

JanuaryClear3 rainy daysHigh16°Low9°Winter sun
FebruaryClear3 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Almond blossom
MarchClear8 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°Mild, hiking
AprilClear6 rainy daysHigh19°Low13°Warm, green
MayClear4 rainy daysHigh23°Low17°Beach opens
JuneClear2 rainy daysHigh27°Low21°Hogueras fires
JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh30°Low24°Hot, crowded
AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Hot, crowded
SeptemberClear5 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Warm sea
OctoberClear6 rainy daysHigh24°Low18°Mild, sea warm
NovemberClear5 rainy daysHigh19°Low13°Quiet, mild
DecemberClear4 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Mild, lights

Average daily high and low in Alicante, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Alicante Province

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 17°
Humidity: 73%
Wind: 12 km/h
Chance of rain: 13%

Alicante

09:48 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+1

Today22°14°13%Monday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 13%.
Tue20°15°38%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 38%.
Wed19°14°23%Wednesday: Rain. High 19°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 23%.
Thu21°13°16%Thursday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 16%.
Fri22°13°3%Friday: Rain. High 22°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 3%.
Sat23°16°8%Saturday: Rain. High 23°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 8%.
Sun22°17°15%Sunday: Rain. High 22°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 15%.

Updated 07:08 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Alicante Province

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

JunBonfires of Saint John in AlicanteAlicante, a day trip

Day trips by train

Elcheabout 20–30 min by train from AlicanteA UNESCO palm grove and a calm old center.
Guadalestabout 45 min by car from BenidormA hilltop village above a turquoise reservoir.
Déniaabout 1–1.5 hours from BenidormA castle, a fishing port and the ferry to the islands.Read the guide

Before you go to Alicante Province

Car for coves and villagesPick up at Alicante or Valencia airportCompare car hire

Boat, village and wine toursDay trips without drivingCompare day trips

eSIM for the Costa BlancaMaps on coast roads and hill lanesRead the guide

Insurance for a beach holidayMedical cover and car-hire excessRead the guide

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Rules for Alicante Province, checked

Spain is in the Schengen Area. Check your entry requirements on the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (exteriores.gob.es) before you fly.Source
Non-EU travelers may be fingerprinted and photographed at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check the European Commission's EES page for current rules.
Ramblas are dry riverbeds that fill fast in torrential rain. Stay out of them during storms and check weather warnings on AEMET (aemet.es).Source
Dial 112 for police, ambulance or fire anywhere in Spain.

Plan around Alicante Province

All of Spain

Cities, regions and entry rules for visitors

Read the guide Alicante

The airport city with a castle and a beach

Read the guide Benidorm

High-rise beaches and theme parks

Read the guide Costa Blanca

Resorts, cliffs and old ports

Read the guide Dénia

Old port, castle and the ferry to Ibiza

Read the guide Murcia Province

Next region south, with quieter beaches

Read the guide

Alicante Province FAQ

What is the best base on the Alicante coast?

Alicante for transport and a city feel, Benidorm for beaches and theme parks, Dénia or Altea for quieter streets. Pick by what you want in the evenings; the coast between is easy by car.

Do you need a car in Alicante Province?

Not if you stay in Alicante or Benidorm, where buses and the TRAM cover the main sights. A car helps for hill villages, small coves and the northern tip near Calpe and Jávea.

When is the best time to visit the Costa Blanca?

April, May, September and October for warm days and quieter beaches. July and August are hot and busy, and winter is mild enough for walking if swimming is not the plan.

Is Alicante or Valencia the better gateway?

Alicante-Elche is closer to the southern coast. Valencia suits Dénia and the northern tip, plus a city break. Compare flights and ground transfer times before deciding.

How many days do you need in Alicante Province?

A week lets you base in one town and take three or four day trips. Four days cover Alicante, Benidorm and one hill village or Elche.