Alicante is one of the more straightforward cruise ports on the western Mediterranean circuit: the terminal is in the city, the main sights are walkable, the weather is reliably sunny, and the Castillo de Santa Bárbara above the port is visible from the ship as it approaches. It is not a city that requires planning so much as a city that rewards a slow morning walk from the Explanada to the castle and back.
The Explanada de España, the palm-lined promenade along the waterfront, is genuinely one of the finest urban promenades in Spain, its pavement a mosaic of six million marble tiles in a wave pattern, its cafes and terraces full of locals and visitors in equal proportion. It runs from the cruise terminal along the harbour for 500 metres and connects directly to the marina, the old town, and the castle lift.
The Castillo de Santa Bárbara on Mount Benacantil is the visual anchor of the city. Built by the Moors in the 9th century and expanded by the Habsburgs, it sits 166 metres above sea level and offers views that stretch, on a clear day, to Ibiza and the other Balearic Islands. The lift from the face of the rock is free. The castle itself charges a small entry fee and takes about 60 minutes to walk.
Port of Alicante: Where Ships Dock
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Port Type | Dock |
| Distance to Town | City centre immediate: Explanada steps from terminal |
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Language | Spanish (English widely spoken in tourist areas) |
| Best Known For | The Castillo de Santa Bárbara (a 9th-century hilltop castle with panoramic views over the city and sea), the Explanada de España (one of Spain's most celebrated promenades), and Tabarca Island: a walled 18th-century island with Spain's only marine reserve. |
- Alicante Cruise Terminal , Terminal Marítima, central waterfront
- Explanada de España , Palm-tree promenade, steps from terminal
- Castillo de Santa Bárbara , Hilltop castle above the port
- Barrio Santa Cruz , Historic whitewashed quarter below castle
- Tabarca Island , Walled island: 45 min ferry south
Alicante: Cruise Terminal · View larger map
Getting From the Port to Town
Walking: The Best Option
Free- Walk time: Immediate: Explanada is steps from the terminal
- The Alicante cruise terminal is centrally placed. The Explanada de España begins directly at the terminal waterfront. The old town (Barrio Santa Cruz) and the base of the castle lift are a 10-minute walk. The Castillo is reached by free lift from the face of the rock (Calle Juan Bautista Lafora) or by a path from Santa Cruz. The city is very easy to navigate on foot.
Local Bus
€1.45 per journey- Alicante has a local bus network covering the city and surrounding area. The tram runs from the city centre to Benidorm and other coastal resorts. For the port day, walking is more convenient than buses for the main sights. Tabarca Island is accessed by ferry from the Explanada waterfront.
Taxi
€5 to €10 within city; Tabarca by ferry (not taxi); €30 to €50 to Elche- Taxis are available at the terminal and on the Explanada. For the Elche palm grove (a UNESCO site 20 km south-west), taxis or an organised excursion are practical. Tabarca Island is only reachable by ferry from the Alicante waterfront.
Top Excursions
Alicante; Excursion to Castell Guadalest and Altea free by van
Embark on an unforgettable half-day experience visiting two of the most emblematic and photogenic villages on the Costa Blanca: Guadalest and Altea la Vella. nGuadalest, a picturesque village of medieval origin located on a rocky rock and surrounded by a spectacular mountain environment. Access to t
Book This ExcursionPrivate Tour to Alicante Bullring and Santa Bárbara Castle
VIP guided tour of the Alicante bullring and the Santa Bárbara castle. The visit includes a private guide available in several languages including Spanish, English, Russian and Polish to learn about the history and curiosities of both the square and the castle.nnVisit the most important places in th
Book This ExcursionFrom Alicante: Santa Bárbara Castle, Canelobre Caves & Beach
Escape Alicante’s bustle and discover the region’s natural and historical highlights in comfort with your local Welcomer sharing tips, stories, and personalized insights.nnPrivate & customizable tour with English-speaking driver and hotel pickup/dropoff.nnBegin with a scenic drive to Santa Bárbara C
Book This ExcursionAlicante Must see Attractions Walking Tour With A Guide
Explore the origin of Alicante with your local host as you visit the city's main landmarks, including Barrio de Santa Cruz, Concatedral de Sant Nicolas, and Esplanada d'Espanya. Discover hidden gems and take a break at a special eatery hand-picked by your host. Learn about the city's history, cultur
Book This ExcursionMore Experiences in Alicante
Jet Ski Rental in Alicante to Explore the Coast
Rent a jet ski and enjoy an exciting ride along the stunning coast of Alicante. With options of 30 minutes, 1 hour or even an excursion to the beautiful island of Tabarca with lunch included, each jet ski can accommodate 1 or 2 people. All rentals include a briefing and safety equipment, and for the
Alicante Highlights Tour for Cruise Passengers with Port Pickup
Make the most of your time in Alicante with this 3.5-hour guided shore excursion — the perfect way for cruise passengers to explore the city comfortably and without stress. Your guide will be waiting for you with a sign at the port. You'll be escorted to the tour’s starting point. From there, set of
From Alicante to Tabarca, Santa Pola and entrance to the Pink Lagoon
Tour in one day, Santa Pola with its Roman origin, the most spectacular salt flats with its amazing pink lagoon in Torrevieja, and the famous island of Tabarca. nnWe will begin our adventure in Alicante to head towards Torrevieja, and after a short stop we will enter the Natural Park of the Lagoons
Alicante: The highest cave in Spain with transfer included
Discover the natural beauty of the Canelobre Caves and the charming village of Busot on a private tour from Alicante. Ideal for small groups, this tour by vehicle offers a personalized experience with an expert guide who will share the history and culture of the region. Admire the impressive stalact
The best excursions in Alicante fill up ahead of peak sailings. Compare options and book before you leave port.
Things to Do in Alicante
Alicante’s port day is best done as a circuit: Explanada to the castle (by lift), through the Barrio Santa Cruz (by foot, downhill), lunch at the old town end of the Explanada, and then either a ferry to Tabarca or time in the MARQ archaeology museum in the afternoon.
For passengers who prefer a beach day, Alicante’s Playa del Postiguet is directly adjacent to the castle base: a narrow but pleasant urban beach with calm water, 10 minutes on foot from the terminal. For better beaches, the Playa de San Juan is 7 km north-east (tram from the city centre).
- Castillo de Santa Bárbara. The fortress on Mount Benacantil above the port, with origins in the 9th century and substantial expansions in the 16th. The site covers a large area with three distinct levels of fortification, a museum of the history of Alicante within, and views from the upper ramparts across the city, the port, the Costa Blanca coastline, and on clear days to the Balearic Islands. Reached by free lift from the rock face (Calle Juan Bautista Lafora). Entry to the castle is free; the lift charges around €3.
- Explanada de España. The signature promenade of Alicante: 500 metres of palm-lined walkway along the harbour, its pavement a mosaic of six million marble tiles in wave patterns of black, white, and red. It runs from the cruise terminal along the waterfront to the marina and is lined with cafes, restaurants, and flower sellers. The most pleasant stretch is in the early morning before the heat of the day.
- Barrio Santa Cruz. The old quarter of Alicante, on the hillside between the Explanada and the castle: a whitewashed neighbourhood of narrow lanes, blue shutters, flower pots, and tiled house numbers that climbs up through several levels to the castle base. The neighbourhood has several good tapas bars and restaurants and is the most photogenic part of the city. Walk through it on the way down from the castle.
- Tabarca Island. A small fortified island 18 km south of Alicante, accessible by ferry from the waterfront near the terminal (around 1 hour, around €23 return). The island has an 18th-century walled town (one of the smallest in Spain), a beach on the southern side, and clear water in a marine nature reserve: Spain’s first. Ferries run throughout the day in summer; allow 3 to 4 hours for the round trip and a comfortable visit.
- MARQ (Alicante Archaeology Museum). One of the best regional archaeology museums in Spain, with galleries covering the prehistoric, Iberian, Roman, and medieval periods of the Alicante region. The presentation is modern and engaging, with full-scale reconstructions and interactive displays. Entry around €3 to €6. Located near the old town, 15 minutes on foot from the terminal.
The lift to the Castillo de Santa Bárbara is cut through the rock face and rises 166 metres to the castle. The entrance is on Calle Juan Bautista Lafora, a 10-minute walk from the terminal: signs from the Explanada point you in the right direction. The lift is free and runs throughout the day. Entry to the castle costs around €3. The walk back down through the Barrio Santa Cruz is the recommended return route.
Best Restaurants in Alicante
Ratings from TripAdvisor, verified June 2026.
Suan Thai Restaurant
Cozy Thai restaurant placed in the town center, next to the Rambla Mendez Nuñez. Thai food cooked by Thai's chef Padtranid Runnarud. She will surprise You with her cooking skills and own creations. We use fresh products and will give You a careful attention while you are visiting
#104 of 2,252 Places to Eat in Alicante
View on TripAdvisorDanioti-las Vistas
Italian Restaurant, Mediterranean Cuisine
#101 of 2,252 Places to Eat in Alicante
View on TripAdvisorMonumental Restaurant Alicante
Enjoy the food & glam movement. We want your experience in our restaurants to be memorable, for that reason, we have corners and spaces inspired by the glamorous 20s specially designed so that you can enjoy with your family, with your partner or with friends. Do not miss our dish
#332 of 2,252 Places to Eat in Alicante
View on TripAdvisorRatings & reviews powered by TripAdvisor
Getting Around
Tabarca is a small walled island 18 km south of Alicante, served by regular ferries from the waterfront near the terminal (45 min, around €19 return). Spain’s only marine nature reserve surrounds the island and the water is exceptionally clear. The island has a small 18th-century fortified town, a beach on the south side, and several restaurants. It is a good option for passengers who want clear water and a beach within reach of the port.
Essential Travel Tips
The whitewashed quarter between the castle rock and the lower city is Alicante’s most atmospheric neighbourhood: narrow lanes, blue-shuttered houses, tiled house numbers, and a concentration of good tapas bars and restaurants. Walking down through it from the castle after the visit is the natural circuit. The Calle Mayor at the bottom connects back to the Explanada.
The Palmeral de Elche, 20 km south-west of Alicante, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site: a palm grove of more than 200,000 date palms, planted by the Moors in the 10th century (possibly earlier), that is the largest in Europe. The Huerto del Cura (Priest’s Garden) within the grove has an extraordinary 5-metre specimen with seven trunks growing from a single base. A taxi from Alicante takes around 25 minutes and costs about €25 to €30 each way.
Plan around all-aboard rather than the headline sight, especially in Alicante where the journey back to the ship is part of the calculation. A short packing list works in your favour: layers, water, sun protection and shoes that handle the local pavements.
For first-time cruisers, the call to make in Alicante is shore excursion or independent travel, and the honest answer changes by destination. Walking-distance ports reward independence; long-distance day trips reward the ship’s coach buffer.
Before booking a Alicante excursion, work out what the ship’s price actually buys you: transport, guide, entry, time. If you can replicate most of those yourself, your onboard spending budget keeps its room for a good meal or a souvenir at the end of the day.
Timing a cruise that visits Alicante well comes down to two practical levers: when you book (which affects both price and cabin choice) and how your passport sits against the destination’s entry rules. Both are worth checking before you commit to a sailing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Explanada de España begins directly at the terminal, and the city centre, the castle lift, and the old town are all within 10 to 15 minutes on foot. Alicante is one of the most conveniently placed cruise terminals in Spain: everything of interest is within walking distance.
Yes. The castle is the visual centrepiece of Alicante and the views from the ramparts over the city, the port, and the Mediterranean coastline are excellent. The lift makes access easy and the castle itself has an interesting history across its three levels of fortification. Allow 60 to 90 minutes including the lift and the walk down through Barrio Santa Cruz.
Ferries to Tabarca depart from the waterfront near the Explanada (close to the cruise terminal) throughout the day in summer. The crossing takes about 45 minutes and the return ticket costs around €19. Ferries run frequently enough that you can take the morning boat and return in the early afternoon. The island itself takes about 60 to 90 minutes to explore.
Elche is a city 20 km south-west of Alicante with a UNESCO World Heritage palm grove (the Palmeral de Elche): the largest date palm forest in Europe, with over 200,000 trees planted by the Moors. The Huerto del Cura garden within the grove is the highlight. A taxi takes about 25 minutes each way (€25 to €30): allow 2 hours in Elche for the grove and the old town. It is a good alternative to Tabarca for passengers less interested in beaches.
Alicante is the home of arroz a banda: a Valencian-style rice dish cooked in fish stock and served with alioli: and is one of the best places in Spain to eat paella and rice dishes. Tapas bars in the old town serve tapa sequences with drinks. The Mercado Central (covered market) is a good place for local produce and a light lunch.
The Playa del Postiguet, directly below the castle at the base of the rock face, is a narrow urban beach with calm water and is 15 minutes on foot from the terminal. For better swimming beaches, the Playa de San Juan (7 km north-east, accessible by tram) is wider and less crowded. Tabarca Island’s marine reserve water is clearer than any urban beach but requires the ferry.
Alicante’s cruise terminal is at Muelle 11 in the central harbour. The Explanada de España promenade is a five-minute walk from the gangway, with Castillo de Santa Bárbara accessible by lift through the cliff face just behind the seafront. No shuttle required for the city.
Alicante
Alicante is the most accessible of the Spanish Mediterranean ports: the terminal is in the city, the Explanada is beautiful, and the castle above the port is one of the most satisfying short excursions on the western Mediterranean circuit. For passengers who want more than the city, Tabarca offers clear water and a beach within ferry distance, and Elche’s palm grove is one of the more unusual UNESCO landscapes in Spain. A well-spent morning in Alicante tends to leave passengers wishing they had a few more hours.
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