Arrive at Alicante Harbour by boat and join the 80,000 visitors who dock here each year. Since the 1980s, when the city’s maritime industry was transferred north to Valencia, Alicante Harbour has been a tourist haven. Cruise ships, ferries and pleasure craft are constantly arriving here each week. Search the bustling area around the harbour to take your pick from a range of bars and restaurants. Many attractions on the east coast of Spain are just a boat ride away.
Make sure you explore the harbour before you board a ship. La Explanada de España, the harbour’s sunny esplanade, features restaurants serving fresh seafood. Notice the marble tiles that form a wave pattern on the path as you walk along.
Watch the colourful sunset on the Mediterranean Sea while sipping a cocktail at one of many bars in the area. Once the sun goes down, a festive mood fills the streets as bar-goers hop between packed establishments.
Spend a day on the sea by booking a tour or a charter from one of many companies operating out of the harbour. A catamaran is a good vessel for exploring the Spanish coastline. Otherwise, take a ferry to Tabarca Island, which lies only 1 hour away. See the entirety of the tiny, car-free town centre and then explore the open plain and marine reserve that make up the rest of the island.
Find great beaches only a short walk from Alicante Harbour. Avoid swimming in the area immediately around the harbour because of the heavy boat traffic. Just a 10-minute walk up the coast will bring you to clear water and nearly a kilometre (0.6 miles) of sand.
Many of Alicante’s main streets lead to the harbour. Explore the area on foot or come by car. Parking is plentiful and mostly free in the area. Alicante Harbour is open daily and can be accessed free of charge.
