One of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain, Alicante is a city that is well known for its varied and plentiful attractive features and activities. Ideal for those who want to discover the authentic traditions of Spain and its architecture and cuisine, as well as indulging in the tourist-friendly sights and beaches, Alicante is a destination that really does offer something for everyone.
For those who want to see more of Alicante rather than enjoying a lazy beach holiday, car hire is the very best way to see as much as possible. With varied landmarks and different settings to enjoy, you'll want the chance to travel by car to take it all in. And with the perfect setting on the Mediterranean coast of Costa Blanca, car journeys in Alicante truly offer some of most breathtaking views in all of Spain.
With temperatures in summer reaching in excess of 30C and a year-round average of 18C, hiring a car to see the best of Alicante is advised, as it can be a exhausting to explore its varied terrains and attractions on foot alone and there are many sights to be seen away from the city itself. Holiday Autos offers car hire from a number of leading companies, and compares prices from over 1,500 providers to get the best deals available for you through our website. We also offer free cancellation, no credit card fees as well as a contact centre which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, should you need our assistance with any matter relating to your car hire.
Once you've arrived at Alicante Airport (ALC) and collected your baggage, you'll be able to find the car rental hire desks located ideally next to the exit doors of the main arrival hall of the airport. You will be able to pick up your keys and all relevant documents from here to get started on your journey around Alicante and the Costa Brava. Picking up your car is also a breeze, with the vehicles parked just three minutes away from the exit doors of the arrival hall, meaning you don't even have to take your luggage too far.
Once you've sorted out your car hire from Alicante Airport, all that remains is to explore the very best of what Alicante and the Costa Blanca have to offer. If you're after a traditional Spanish holiday, the beaches around the Costa Blanca are plentiful, and you can enjoy the likes of San Juanthe beach, with its 3km of perfect golden sand and blue seas, or even travel further afield to Benidorm. If this isn't for you, why not explore the fantastic old town of Alicante with its narrow streets and traditional cuisines, or even the fishing villages that bring to life the Mediterranean dream world, dotted along the Costa Blanca coastline?
While Alicante itself is a fantastic place to see with much to do, there are also a number of beautiful little towns nearby that make great days out with only a short drive to take you there. For example, Santa Pola is only a 13km drive from Alicante Airport, and gives the perfect place to soak up the sun in a lovely quiet setting on the coast. The fishing industry is its main form of income, but visitors can also take a day trip by boat to the lovely island of Tabarca, while extreme sports fans can dip their toe in the water with a little bit of kite surfing on the right day.
Other places nearby that have to be visited include El Campello, which is home to a bustling authentic fish market, a busy marina, and some must see golf courses, which enthusiasts will fall in love with.
Car hire while in Alicante means you have the freedom to explore places you would otherwise never be able to reach. One example is Villajoyosa, a quaint little fishing village just 36km north of Alicante. This little village is the sort of quiet Mediterranean setting promised on postcards, and the beautiful painted houses and quiet beaches make it the perfect place for a beautiful day away from Alicante itself.
Going south from Alicante, visitors also have the chance to experience the wonderful little town that is Algorfa. Very few places in the Costa Blanca will have as much of an authentic feel to them as Algorfa does, with its quiet streets and places to relax. The beach at Guardamar is perfect for a lazy day with its fine sand and blue waters, while Algorfa also has something for those who love to hit the greens. Known as a golfer's paradise, it is home to the 5-star La Finca course, which really has to be played by anyone who wants a round in the sun.
No trip to Alicante is complete without taking in some of the more varied attractions and sights it has to offer, and when you have your own car, the freedom to do so opens up many opportunities.
A triangular area of the city enclosed by the Rambla de Mendez Nunez, the Explanada de Espanya, and Mount Benacantil, the old town in Alicante is worth driving to and setting a day aside to discover. The narrow streets will transport you back to times gone by and really give you a feel for the Mediterranean way of life, and it's worth wandering around just soaking up the atmosphere. For those looking for something a little more adventurous, the old town also has a convent and a cathedral to visit, as well as some fine art museums, including the wonderful Gravina Museum of Fine Arts, which showcases the work of some of the best Spanish artists.
Authentic Spanish cuisine is never better than when it's also local, and this is something you need to try for yourself in Alicante. The high-quality rice used in the very best paella dishes is grown nearby across the Costa Blanca, and local restaurants are famed for their execution of the old favourite dish. Nearly all of the restaurants in the area have that popular Mediterranean theme to them, so whether it's tapas or paella you're after, you're sure to find something suitable to your tastes.
From enjoying the best views of the Mediterranean while driving around the city, to seeing the city itself, a visit to Castillo de Santa Barbara, set high above the beaches, offers a truly stunning view of Alicante in its entirety, best enjoyed when the sun is setting over the rooftops. The castle itself, a 16th-century structure, is also worth setting some time aside to explore fully. With a museum exploring the history of Alicante and some temporary art exhibitions to boot, what better way is there to learn about the cultural side of this historic delight?