Tabarca
Located off Costa Blanca, Spain's smallest inhabited island has an 18th-century walled town, clear waters with 45m visibility, and a marine reserve home to sea bass and dolphins.
Castle in Alicante
Santa Bárbara Castle
Rising 166 meters above Alicante on Mount Benacantil, this 11th-century fortress spans 400,000 square meters across three levels, with views stretching to Tabarca island.
Santa Bárbara Castle rises 166 meters above Alicante on Mount Benacantil. Walk through its 11th-century Keep, explore the Renaissance water cistern, or watch a theatrical performance in Philip II's Hall while looking out over the Mediterranean Sea.
Views from Mount Benacantil
From the upper terraces, you'll look out over Alicante's bay stretching 8 kilometers north to San Juan beach. The panorama extends east to Tabarca island, 22 kilometers offshore. When you stand on El Postiguet beach and look up at Mount Benacantil, you'll notice its distinctive profile - the rock formations create what appears to be a human face, which locals call "the face of the Moor."
Castle Architecture
The 400,000-square-meter fortress spreads across three levels. At the top, La Torreta contains the 11th-century Keep and Islamic-era foundations. The middle level includes the 16th-century Philip II's Hall, Guard Corps building, and Queen's Bastion. The 18th-century lower level welcomes visitors through the Revellín del Bon Repós entrance gate.
Getting to the Castle
Take the elevator from Avenida Juan Bautista Lafora, across from El Postiguet Beach, or walk up two paths to the castle: one starts at the City Hall, winding through narrow streets of the old town, while another begins at El Postiguet Beach. Both paths take about 30 minutes.
Events and Culture
Throughout the year, actors in period costumes lead tours through the castle's corridors, telling stories of medieval sieges and Renaissance court life. Musicians perform evening concerts on the terraces, and local chefs organize Mediterranean dining events. Inside, the Museum of the City of Alicante (MUSA) displays five rooms of archaeological finds, medieval weapons, and city documents.
Opening Hours and Practical Information
Visit the castle daily from 10:00 to 18:00 between November and February. Spring and autumn hours extend until 20:00 and summer hours (June to September) run until 23:00. The elevator makes its final ascent 40 minutes before closing and last descent 20 minutes before closing.
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What else to see in Alicante?
Archaeological Museum of Alicante
Located in a former hospital, this award-winning museum uses holograms and digital displays to present 100,000 years of history, including Roman streets and underwater excavations.
Hogueras de Alicante
This six-day June festival fills Alicante's streets with 30-foot satirical monuments, daily firework displays, and street parties before all 80 sculptures burn on June 24th.
Alicante Museum of Contemporary Art
This restored 17th-century granary houses 800+ artworks, including pieces by Picasso, Dalí and Miró. Three floors display Spanish modern art in a baroque building from 1685.
Explanada de España
A 600-meter marble promenade along Alicante's waterfront, with 6.5 million tiles forming wave patterns. Palm trees shade paths near Casa Carbonell's ornate domes and La Concha auditorium.
Mercado Central de Alicante
Built in 1921, this modernist market has 300 family-run stalls across two floors, with fresh Mediterranean produce, local red prawns, and tapas bars under a grand stained-glass dome.
Parque El Palmeral
This 72,000-square-meter Mediterranean garden has 2,000 palm trees, artificial lakes for rowing, multiple playgrounds, and a BMX track. A tunnel connects to calm beaches nearby.
Playa de San Juan
This 7-kilometer Mediterranean beach near Alicante has calm waters and golden sand. Visitors can join volleyball games, cycle along palm-lined promenades, or explore rocky coves at Cabo de las Huertas.
