Where To Park In Alicante

A port city on the Costa Blanca and the capital of the province of the same name, Alicante is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain. With a unique historic centre of narrow streets and colourful houses, the city has managed to freeze time, retaining its seaside village feel. In the evening, the city retains its lively side, offering a variety of opportunities to have a great time.

How to park in Alicante?

If you choose to travel to Alicante by car, this is the best option, as public transport, especially if you're only visiting the city for a short time, will limit your movements. However, you will need a few tips for parking so that you can spend your weekend in complete peace.

Cheap parking in Alicante

Free parking in the city is scarce and limited to the peripheral areas of the city, and there is no guarantee of finding your car unscathed as there are no controls in these parking areas. A good alternative is the low-cost car parks, which can also be found in central areas and are recognisable by the blue stripes on the ground. These car parks offer an attractive rate of €0.60 for the first hour and €1.80 for the second hour. However, even this type of parking is not the ultimate solution: you can park for a maximum of 2 hours, after which you will have to move your car to avoid a fine. Parking hours in these zones are 09:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 20:00 Monday to Friday and 09:00 to 14:00 on Saturday.

Safe parking in Alicante

If you want to spend your visit in the city without having to constantly think about the state of your car when you return to pick it up or checking your watch to make sure that the two hours allowed on the blue lines have not already passed, we recommend that you search, compare and book the most useful parking space for your needs through Parkimeter. Below in the article you will find a handy itinerary of what not to miss in the city, with several references to the various car parks that are located in the areas of interest.

What to visit in Alicante?

What to visit in Alicante, a city known for its golden beaches, but there is much more. The first site we recommend you visit is the Castle of Santa Barbara, which dominates the city from its 166 metres high, it is the oldest medieval castle in Spain. It is the result of a construction that began in 1300, but has undergone several transformations over the centuries. The oldest part is the 'turret'. From here you will enjoy an unparalleled view of the city and its coastline. The site is easily accessible on foot, so we recommend that you park your car a little earlier so that you can enjoy a quiet walk to the castle. The nearest car park is the Lopez Osaba car park, located on the slopes of the castle.

As is often the case with churches in Spain, these are built on top of previous Arab mosques, as was the case with the beautiful Basilica de Santa Maria, located in a beautiful tree-lined square, which has been upgraded to Basilica status in recent years. Inside, it has a minimalist structure with a single nave. You can easily reach this area by car and park at the IC - Vicente Inglada car park, which is just 5 minutes from the Basilica.

Another church worth visiting is the Church of Saint Nicholas, in Renaissance-Herrerian style. The main sights here are the unmistakable blue dome, the chapel of communion and the cloister. While in the cloister you can relax and discover an oasis of peace, in the chapel you can admire what has been described as the most beautiful Baroque chapel in Spain. Parking your car here is also not a problem, because if you park it at the SABA Maissonnave car park, you'll reach the church in just 7 minutes on a leisurely walk through the centre.

The beaches

A large part of summer life in the city takes place near the beaches. These are easy to reach as they are located right in the centre and offer a variety of attractions and, above all, free beaches. Obviously there are several beaches in the city, the first and most popular among the Alicante people is the Postiguet beach. Located below the Santa Barbara Castle, it is easily accessible on foot if you leave your car at the Lopez Osaba car park, which is just a 5-minute walk from the sea. Another famous beach, but slightly off-centre, is the beach of San Juan, which offers various attractions such as football pitches, tennis courts, volleyball, all topped off with a fabulous sea and fine sand. But if you want to relax far from the crowds that usually crowd these areas, just a few metres away is the beach of Cabo de la Huertas, which has become a favourite beach for nudists due to its privacy.

In the evening?

If you're in Alicante you should take a walk on the paseo that distinguishes this city, we're talking about the Explanada d'Espana. Here you'll find a pavement studded with more than 6 million red, white, and black marble tiles to create the famous waves of the pavement. Here you will also find bars, shops, and in summer, street performers who make this place magical.

What to eat in Alicante?

The staple of the city's cuisine is rice, accompanied by meat, vegetables, and fish. In short, we recommend you try the rice all'alicantina prepared with tuna, prawns, garlic, tomatoes and peppers. As for desserts, the city is famous for its nougat, said to be the best in the world, made from freshly roasted almonds, which can be eaten on its own or with ice cream.

Alicante City Market

The Central Market, with over 200 stalls, is the nerve centre of the city. Erected in 1911, the market is magnificent to visit, especially on Friday and Saturday mornings when the city's inhabitants and traders create a particularly lively atmosphere. The market is open Monday to Friday from 07:00 to 14:30, Saturday from 07:00 to 15:00. Sunday closed. The market is easily accessible by car, and you can park just 2 minutes away from the market in the Poeta Quintana car park, via Parkimeter.

So what are you waiting for to get to and experience this magnificent city, which will enrapture you with its beauty and the warm welcome of the locals.