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Alicante digital nomad guide

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Nomad score 7.3/10

38.3436, -0.4882 Europe/Madrid #409

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Researched Updated Oct 22, 2026 Last changed Oct 31, 2026 About guide entries

Essentials

City
Alicante (Alacant), capital of Alicante province in the Valencian Community, Spain. 1
Population
366,221 inhabitants on the municipal register at 1 January 2025, official from 31 December 2025. 1
Internet Speed
Spain median fixed broadband was 364.56 Mbps down in the September 2026 Ookla index. Alicante tourism describes city fibre and 5G as widely available; a city-only median is not published. 7 9
Currency & Banking
Euro (EUR). ECB reference on 19 October 2026: 1 EUR = 1.1225 USD (1 USD = 0.8909 EUR). Cards are widely accepted. 11 12
Tap Water
Safe to drink. Aguas de Alicante (AMAEM) tests the supply under Royal Decree 3/2023 and files results with the health ministry. The water is hard, so many people filter it. 5
Power
230 V, 50 Hz, Type C and F (Europlug and Schuko). 12
SIM Card
Buy at an Orange or Movistar shop and register with a passport or NIE. Orange Prepago 10 is €10 for 28 days (80 GB, 15 GB EU roaming, physical SIM or eSIM). Movistar Prepago Plus is €10 for 28 days (60 GB). 2 3
Accommodation
Hotels, coliving and furnished apartments. The tourism board points remote workers at the centre, Cabo de las Huertas and Playa de San Juan. 9
Cashless Friendly
Yes. Cards and contactless payment are normal in shops and restaurants. Some taxis still take cash as well as cards. 12 13
Short Term Rentals
Furnished tourist apartments in the centre, Cabo de las Huertas and Playa de San Juan, plus hotels. 9
Best Area to Stay for Tourists
The old town (Santa Cruz and El Barrio), the Explanada and Postiguet beach. 9 13
Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
The centre, for coworking on Plaza Portal de Elche and Avenida Maisonnave, or Playa de San Juan and Cabo de las Huertas for a beach apartment. 9

Working and Networking

Best Coworking Space
portalSeis (Plaza Portal de Elche 6): hot desk from €160 a month excluding VAT. The tourism board also lists uLab at Plaza de San Cristóbal 14; neither operator page published a day pass. 9 14 33
Networking Events
Alicante Nomad Summit, each April: a week of talks, workshops and coworking for remote workers. Distrito Digital is the regional tech campus. 9
Social Events for Expats
Alicante Nomad Summit each April is the main in-person gathering, with the coworking rooms on Plaza Portal de Elche and Avenida Maisonnave the rest of the year. 9

Transportation

Best Taxi/Ride App
Cabify runs private-hire cars and metered taxis. Its base rate starts at €0.93 per km and €0.21 per minute, before demand and the €1.20 airport pickup supplement. 10
Bike/Scooter Rental
Alicante-Terminal has bicycle rental. A current public bike-share or scooter fare for the city was not published. 13
Best Beach Nearby
Playa de San Juan (Platja de Sant Joan), the long beach north of the centre, on the tram. City beaches are regularly awarded Blue Flags. 9 39
Top Regional Airline
Vueling, Air Nostrum and Air Europa at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández (ALC). Air Nostrum lists Ibiza; Air Europa lists Madrid and Palma. 8
Top International Airline
Ryanair, easyJet, Norwegian, Vueling, Wizz Air and Jet2 are among 43 airlines at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández (ALC). 8
Highway Access
AP-7, the Mediterranean motorway. The El Hondo access notes leave Alicante on the AP-7 toward Torrevieja, exit 730. 26
Main Train/Transit Hub
Alicante-Terminal, Avenida de Salamanca. AVE, Avlo, Ouigo and Iryo stop here. Madrid is about 2 to 2.5 hours; Valencia is just under 2 hours. 13 34
Public Transport Passes
TAM Móbilis monthly pass: €35 for unlimited Zone A tram and bus travel for 30 days from the first validation, plus €4.40 for the personalised card. 4
Regional Travel
TRAM d'Alacant runs the coast north through Benidorm toward Dénia. Renfe from Alicante-Terminal reaches Valencia in just under 2 hours, Elche in about half an hour and Murcia in under 1.5 hours on Cercanías. 13

Health and Wellness

Best Hospital
Hospital General Universitario Dr. Balmis, Avenida Pintor Baeza 12, telephone 965 933 000. Public general hospital, 807 beds. 15

Food and Drink

Best Food Delivery App
Glovo delivers restaurant meals in Alicante, and supermarket groceries on the same app. 29
Best Local Dish to Try
Arroz alicantino and arroz con costra (rice with a sausage-and-egg crust). Wikivoyage still quotes a menú del día around €10. 13
Affordable Shopping Spots
Mercado Central, Avenida Alfonso X el Sabio 10. Monday to Friday 07:00-14:30; Saturdays and holiday eves 07:00-15:00. 18 35
Grocery Delivery
Glovo delivers supermarket groceries in Alicante, on the same app as restaurant meals. 29
Bar/Nightlife Area
Calle Castaños for the first terraces, then El Barrio (Calle Labradores, Calle San Isidro and Plaza de San Cristóbal). Muelle de Levante in the port runs later. 13
Wine Bars
DO Alicante: Monastrell reds, Moscatel and the aged sweet Fondillón, poured in old-town bars. A dedicated tasting-room price list was not opened. 13
Street Food Stalls
El Muelle Live, Muelle de Levante 12, runs Saturday street-food stalls with free live music from 11:00. 13
Popular International Cuisine
Restaurants cluster on Calle Castaños, Calle San Francisco and Calle Mayor, including British menus on tourist streets. Glovo lists American, Italian, Japanese, Arabic and other kitchens. 13 29

Culture and Attractions

Must-See Landmarks
Castillo de Santa Bárbara, on Mount Benacantil, is free. The lift from Postiguet is €2.70. From 5 September to 14 November it is open 10:00-20:00. 16 17 51
Museums & Art Venues
MARQ, Calle Indalecio Prieto: €6 (€3 on Sundays and holidays); winter hours from 15 September 2026 are Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-19:00, Sunday 10:00-14:00, closed Monday. MACA, Plaza de Santa María 3, is free (Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-20:00). 19 20 36 37 53
Historical Sites
Basílica de Santa María, next to MACA, and the Roman site of Lucentum (MARQ ticket €3, half price on Sundays and holidays). 19 42
Religious Sites
Concatedral de San Nicolás de Bari, Calle San Nicolás, and the Basílica de Santa María in the old town. 41 42
Annual Events
Fogueres de Sant Joan, the official city fiesta, 20-24 June (International Tourist Interest). The Cremà of the monuments is at midnight on 24 June, started by the palmera fired from the castle. Fireworks continue on Postiguet from 25 to 29 June. 6
Cultural Districts
Santa Cruz and El Barrio, the old town under the castle, and the Explanada along the port. 9 13
Theater Venues
Teatro Principal, Plaza Chapí. The October 2026 to January 2027 season is on sale (box office 12:00-14:00 and 17:00-21:00, telephone 965 202 380). 21 38
Local Markets
Mercado Central, Avenida Alfonso X el Sabio 10: Monday-Friday 07:00-14:30, Saturdays and holiday eves 07:00-15:00. Saturday midday the ground-floor stalls turn into a tapas gathering. 13 18 35
Music Scene
Sala Stereo, Calle Pintor Velázquez 5, near the Mercado Central: about 280 people, indie, rock and electronic shows, with late DJ sets on Friday and Saturday. 13
Art Galleries
MACA, Plaza de Santa María 3, free entry, and the Lonja del Pescado exhibition hall on Avenida de Loring. 20 37 50
Historic Buildings
Alicante City Hall, Plaza del Ayuntamiento 1, on the main square of the old town. 44
Local Heritage
The castle on Mount Benacantil, above the Carthaginian and Roman town (Akra Leuka, later Lucentum), and the Santa Cruz street plan under it. 13 16

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Nearby Nature Escapes
Tabarca, the Valencian Community's only inhabited island and a marine reserve, by boat from Alicante port. Cruceros Kontiki publishes a €24 adult return. 9 32
National Parks Nearby
No national park in the province. The nearest in the national network is Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada, in Granada and Almería. Closer day trips are Parque Natural El Hondo, between Elche and Crevillent (AP-7 exit 730), and Serra Gelada at Benidorm. 26 27 45 46
Cycling/Walking Paths
Explanada de España, the marble seafront promenade. El Hondo's blue route is a 16 km bike loop from the visitor centre at San Felipe Neri. 26 40
Scenic Viewpoints
The terraces of Castillo de Santa Bárbara on Mount Benacantil, over the bay and Postiguet. Entry to the castle is free; the lift is €2.70. 16 17 51
Birdwatching Locations
Parque Natural El Hondo, between Elche and Crevillent, via AP-7 exit 730 toward San Felipe Neri. The red bird route is 5 km and needs a booking; the other paths are open. Visitor centre: Finca El Rincón, 966 678 515. 26 45
Bonfire-Friendly Spots
The city fires are the commissioned Fogueres monuments, burned at midnight on 24 June. They are neighbourhood sculptures, not casual beach fires. The official fiesta is 20-24 June. 6

Other Services and Amenities

Parcel Delivery Service
Correos, including the centre office on Calle San Fernando. 49
Language Classes
Escola Oficial d'Idiomes d'Alacant, Carrer de Wenceslao Fernández Flórez, Sant Blas: the public official language school. 48
Libraries & Study Spots
Biblioteca Pública del Estado Azorín, Paseíto de Ramiro 15. Monday-Friday 09:00-20:30. Summer 2026 (20 July-4 September) is mornings only, 09:00-14:30. 22 43
Casino & Gaming Halls
Casino Mediterráneo is in Benidorm, on Avenida del Mediterráneo, not in Alicante. 52

Business

Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
Municipal appraisal average €2,279 per m² in April-June 2026 (1,213 valuations), citywide rather than a centre-only series. A 40 m² studio at that rate is about €91,160. 25
Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
San Vicente del Raspeig, the neighbouring municipality just north, averaged €1,974 per m² in the same April-June 2026 appraisals. A 40 m² studio at that rate is about €78,960. 25 47
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
Same municipal appraisal average, €2,279 per m² in April-June 2026 (the series is not split by size). A 60 m² flat at that rate is about €136,740. 25
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
San Vicente del Raspeig averaged €1,974 per m² in April-June 2026. A 60 m² flat at that rate is about €118,440. 25 47
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
Same municipal appraisal average, €2,279 per m² in April-June 2026. An 80 m² flat at that rate is about €182,320. 25
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
San Vicente del Raspeig averaged €1,974 per m² in April-June 2026. An 80 m² flat at that rate is about €157,920. 25 47
Corporate Tax
25% standard corporate income tax. 30 31
Dividend Withholding Tax
19% withholding on dividends. Savings income is then taxed on a 19-30% scale. 30 31
Tax System
Residents (183 days in the calendar year, or a centre of vital interests in Spain) are taxed on worldwide income. Non-residents are taxed on Spanish-source income. 30 31
Highest Income Tax Bracket
47% on the state scale above €300,000. With the Valencian regional share the effective top is about 54%. 30 31
VAT
21% standard IVA. 30 31
Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
Yes. They apply when a Spanish resident holds more than 50% of an entity taxed at less than 75% of the Spanish equivalent. 30 31
Property Tax
IBI on urban property is 0.62042% of the cadastral value under the 2026 ordinance (BOP 20 November 2025). Rustic property is 0.73150%. 24
Property Transaction Tax
On a resale, ITP is 9% for deeds from 1 June 2026, or 11% when the property or right is worth over €1 million. New-builds are charged IVA instead of ITP. 23
Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
Qualifying inbound workers can opt into the impatriados regime: 24% on Spanish-source employment income up to €600,000, for the year of arrival and the next five, if they were not resident in the previous five years. The published eligibility is an employment contract or a director role. Residents who do not opt in are taxed on worldwide income after 183 days. 28 30

About these guide entries

Method
Researched
Last updated
Oct 22, 2026
Last changed
Oct 31, 2026

Checked against the sources below and compared with similar cities. Numbers in the list point to these sources.

  1. Ayuntamiento: padrón 1 Jan 2025, Alicante 366,221Official
  2. Orange Prepago 10, €10 / 28 daysOfficial
  3. Movistar prepago and SIM registrationOfficial
  4. TAM Móbilis monthly pass €35Official
  5. Aguas de Alicante tap-water controlsOfficial
  6. Fogueres de Sant Joan, 20-24 JuneOfficial
  7. Ookla Spain fixed median, September 2026Index
  8. Aena ALC airline listOfficial
  9. Alicante tourism: coworking, nomads, TabarcaOfficial
  10. Cabify Alicante tariffsOfficial
  11. ECB euro reference rate 19 Oct 2026Official
  12. Wikivoyage Spain: plugs and cardsSecondary
  13. Wikivoyage AlicanteSecondary
  14. portalSeis hot desk from €160 excl. VATListings
  15. Ministry of Health: Hospital Dr. BalmisOfficial
  16. Castillo de Santa Bárbara, free entryOfficial
  17. Castle lift €2.70Official
  18. Mercado Central hoursOfficial
  19. MARQ admissionOfficial
  20. MACA hours, free entryOfficial
  21. Teatro Principal season Oct 2026-Jan 2027Official
  22. Biblioteca Azorín hoursOfficial
  23. Valencian ITP 9% from 1 Jun 2026Official
  24. Alicante IBI ordinance, urban 0.62042%Official
  25. MIVAU appraisal values, Q2 2026Secondary
  26. Parque Natural El Hondo guideOfficial
  27. Parque Nacional de Sierra NevadaOfficial
  28. AEAT impatriados regimeOfficial
  29. Glovo Alicante meals and groceriesOfficial
  30. PwC Spain tax summarySecondary
  31. Agencia TributariaOfficial
  32. Kontiki Tabarca return €24Official
  33. OSM uLab, Plaza San Cristóbal 14Secondary
  34. OSM Alicante-TerminalSecondary
  35. OSM Mercado Central de AlicanteSecondary
  36. OSM MARQSecondary
  37. OSM MACASecondary
  38. OSM Teatro PrincipalSecondary
  39. OSM Playa de San JuanSecondary
  40. OSM Explanada de EspañaSecondary
  41. OSM Concatedral de San NicolásSecondary
  42. OSM Basílica de Santa MaríaSecondary
  43. OSM Biblioteca AzorínSecondary
  44. OSM Ayuntamiento de AlicanteSecondary
  45. OSM Parque Natural El HondoSecondary
  46. OSM Serra Gelada, BenidormSecondary
  47. OSM San Vicente del RaspeigSecondary
  48. OSM EOI Alicante, Sant BlasSecondary
  49. OSM Correos, Calle San FernandoSecondary
  50. OSM Lonja del PescadoSecondary
  51. OSM Castillo de Santa BárbaraSecondary
  52. OSM Casino Mediterráneo, BenidormSecondary
  53. MARQ winter hours from 15 Sep 2026Official

Change history

    • Grocery Delivery Mercadona or Carrefour online apps Glovo delivers supermarket groceries in Alicante, on the same app as restaurant meals.
    • Gyms & Fitness Centers DreamFit (Centro Comercial Plaza Mar 2) - ~€32/month not set
    • Highest Income Tax Bracket 47% (for income over €300,000) 47% on the state scale above €300,000. With the Valencian regional share the effective top…
    • Highway Access AP-7 (Mediterranean Highway) and A-31 (to Madrid) AP-7, the Mediterranean motorway. The El Hondo access notes leave Alicante on the AP-7…
    • Historic Buildings Ayuntamiento de Alicante (City Hall) - Baroque civil architecture Alicante City Hall, Plaza del Ayuntamiento 1, on the main square of the old town.
    • Historical Sites Basilica of St Mary (oldest active church in Alicante) Basílica de Santa María, next to MACA, and the Roman site of Lucentum (MARQ ticket €3…
    42 more changes
    • Internet Speed Average fiber speed 300-600 Mbps; 5G coverage extensive Spain median fixed broadband was 364.56 Mbps down in the September 2026 Ookla index…
    • Language Classes Viva la Lengua (Calle Mayor 11) Escola Oficial d'Idiomes d'Alacant, Carrer de Wenceslao Fernández Flórez, Sant Blas: the…
    • Laundry Services Lavanderia Autoservicio Speed Queen (Calle Pintor Gisbert 28) not set
    • Libraries & Study Spots Biblioteca Pública Azorín Biblioteca Pública del Estado Azorín, Paseíto de Ramiro 15. Monday-Friday 09:00-20:30…
    • Local Brewery Althaia Artesana (Local Altea brewery found in Santa Cruz bars) not set
    • Local Heritage The 'Cara del Moro' (Moor's Face) rock formation on Mount Benacantil The castle on Mount Benacantil, above the Carthaginian and Roman town (Akra Leuka, later…
    • Local Markets Mercado de Artesanía de la Explanada Mercado Central, Avenida Alfonso X el Sabio 10: Monday-Friday 07:00-14:30, Saturdays and…
    • Main Train/Transit Hub Alicante Terminal (AVE high-speed trains to Madrid in 2h 15m) Alicante-Terminal, Avenida de Salamanca. AVE, Avlo, Ouigo and Iryo stop here. Madrid is…
    • Museums & Art Venues MACA (Museum of Contemporary Art) and MARQ (Archaeological Museum) MARQ, Calle Indalecio Prieto: €6 (€3 on Sundays and holidays); winter hours from 15…
    • Music Scene Sala Stereo (Live indie and rock concerts) Sala Stereo, Calle Pintor Velázquez 5, near the Mercado Central: about 280 people, indie…
    • Must-See Landmarks Castillo de Santa Bárbara (Free entry, panoramic views) Castillo de Santa Bárbara, on Mount Benacantil, is free. The lift from Postiguet is €2.70…
    • National Parks Nearby Serra Gelada Natural Park (45 mins drive near Benidorm) No national park in the province. The nearest in the national network is Parque Nacional…
    • Nearby Nature Escapes Tabarca Island (Spain’s first marine reserve) - Ferry costs ~€20 roundtrip Tabarca, the Valencian Community's only inhabited island and a marine reserve, by boat…
    • Networking Events Alicante Digital Nomads & Expats (Meetup.com group) Alicante Nomad Summit, each April: a week of talks, workshops and coworking for remote…
    • Parcel Delivery Service Correos (main office: Plaza Gabriel Miró) and SEUR Correos, including the centre office on Calle San Fernando.
    • Popular International Cuisine Katana (Asian Fusion in the Central Market) Restaurants cluster on Calle Castaños, Calle San Francisco and Calle Mayor, including…
    • Population Approximately 337,482 366,221 inhabitants on the municipal register at 1 January 2025, official from 31 December…
    • Power 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets 230 V, 50 Hz, Type C and F (Europlug and Schuko).
    • Property Tax IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) - ~0.4% to 1.1% of cadastral value IBI on urban property is 0.62042% of the cadastral value under the 2026 ordinance (BOP 20…
    • Property Transaction Tax 10% ITP (Transfer Tax) for resale properties in the Valencian Community On a resale, ITP is 9% for deeds from 1 June 2026, or 11% when the property or right is…
    • Public Transport Passes Bono 10 (10 trips for ~€8.70) valid for Bus and TRAM Zone A TAM Móbilis monthly pass: €35 for unlimited Zone A tram and bus travel for 30 days from…
    • Regional Travel ALSA Bus for regional trips (e.g., Benidorm, Valencia) TRAM d'Alacant runs the coast north through Benidorm toward Dénia. Renfe from…
    • Religious Sites Concatedral de San Nicolás de Bari Concatedral de San Nicolás de Bari, Calle San Nicolás, and the Basílica de Santa María in…
    • SIM Card Orange, Movistar, Vodafone, Yoigo; Prepaid SIMs roughly €15-€20 for 100GB+ Buy at an Orange or Movistar shop and register with a passport or NIE. Orange Prepago 10…
    • Scenic Viewpoints Mirador de Santa Cruz The terraces of Castillo de Santa Bárbara on Mount Benacantil, over the bay and Postiguet…
    • Short Term Rentals Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agencies like Alicante Holiday Lets Furnished tourist apartments in the centre, Cabo de las Huertas and Playa de San Juan…
    • Social Events for Expats InterNations Alicante events and 'Alicante Expats' Facebook Group Alicante Nomad Summit each April is the main in-person gathering, with the coworking rooms…
    • Street Art Calle de las Setas (Mushroom Street - whimsical urban design) not set
    • Street Food Stalls The Food Street (San Vicente del Raspeig area, near University) El Muelle Live, Muelle de Levante 12, runs Saturday street-food stalls with free live…
    • Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €120,000) Municipal appraisal average €2,279 per m² in April-June 2026 (1,213 valuations), citywide…
    • Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. €1,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €72,000) San Vicente del Raspeig, the neighbouring municipality just north, averaged €1,974 per m²…
    • Table Tennis Spots Parque Lo Morant (Public outdoor tables) not set
    • Tap Water Drinkable but high mineral content; most locals prefer bottled or filtered (Brita) Safe to drink. Aguas de Alicante (AMAEM) tests the supply under Royal Decree 3/2023 and…
    • Tax System Spanish residents taxed on worldwide income; non-residents on Spanish-sourced income Residents (183 days in the calendar year, or a centre of vital interests in Spain) are…
    • Tech Repair Services Quo Telecom (Calle Quintana 22) not set
    • Theater Venues Teatro Principal de Alicante Teatro Principal, Plaza Chapí. The October 2026 to January 2027 season is on sale (box…
    • Top International Airline Ryanair, EasyJet, Norwegian (Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport) Ryanair, easyJet, Norwegian, Vueling, Wizz Air and Jet2 are among 43 airlines at…
    • Top Regional Airline Vueling (Hub at ALC Airport) Vueling, Air Nostrum and Air Europa at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández (ALC). Air Nostrum…
    • VAT 21% (Standard rate), 10% (Reduced for restaurants/hotels) 21% standard IVA.
    • Vegan/Vegetarian Options Bocallena (Calle de los Labradores 14) - Creative plant-based tapas not set
    • Wine Bars Vino y Más (Calle San Sebastian) - Focus on Monastrell grapes DO Alicante: Monastrell reds, Moscatel and the aged sweet Fondillón, poured in old-town…
    • Yoga & Wellness Centers Prana Yoga Alicante (Calle de Segura 21) - ~€12 per drop-in not set

    content removed, pending a page that shows the place is open: Banking for Expats, Budget Accommodation, Best Cafe for Work, Yoga & Wellness Centers, Gyms & Fitness Centers, Laundry Services, Vegan/Vegetarian Options, Best Dessert Spots, E-commerce/Online Store, Local Brewery, Street Art, Cooking Classes, Tech Repair Services, Table Tennis Spots, Community Centers, Gaming Lounges.

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