Essentials
- City
- Alicante, Valencian Community, Spain
- Population
- Approximately 337,482
- Internet Speed
- Average fiber speed 300-600 Mbps; 5G coverage extensive
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (EUR). 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks: BBVA, Santander, Sabadell
- Tap Water
- Drinkable but high mineral content; most locals prefer bottled or filtered (Brita)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Orange, Movistar, Vodafone, Yoigo; Prepaid SIMs roughly €15-€20 for 100GB+
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut and Wise are widely used; N26 is popular for local IBAN needs
- Accommodation
- Idealista, Fotocasa, and Airbnb for midterm stays
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards and Apple/Google Pay accepted almost everywhere
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agencies like Alicante Holiday Lets
- Budget Accommodation
- The Market Hostel (Calle San Jose 10) starting at €25/night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- El Barrio (Old Town) and Playa del Postiguet area
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- San Blas (residential/quiet), El Campello (beach proximity), or Diputación (central/connected)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Ulab (Plaza San Cristóbal 14) - €15 Day Pass / €150 Monthly
- Best Cafe for Work
- SIP and WONDER Coffee House (C. de San Jose 10) - High-speed Wi-Fi and power outlets
- Networking Events
- Alicante Digital Nomads & Expats (Meetup.com group)
- Social Events for Expats
- InterNations Alicante events and 'Alicante Expats' Facebook Group
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Cabify and PideTaxi (Uber presence is limited)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Blue Bike Alicante - €12/day; TRAM (Streetcar) for longer distances
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa de San Juan (7km of white sand, 15 mins via TRAM Line 3)
- Top Regional Airline
- Vueling (Hub at ALC Airport)
- Top International Airline
- Ryanair, EasyJet, Norwegian (Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport)
- Highway Access
- AP-7 (Mediterranean Highway) and A-31 (to Madrid)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Alicante Terminal (AVE high-speed trains to Madrid in 2h 15m)
- Public Transport Passes
- Bono 10 (10 trips for ~€8.70) valid for Bus and TRAM Zone A
- Regional Travel
- ALSA Bus for regional trips (e.g., Benidorm, Valencia)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital General Universitario Dr. Balmis (Private: Vithas Alicante)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Prana Yoga Alicante (Calle de Segura 21) - ~€12 per drop-in
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- DreamFit (Centro Comercial Plaza Mar 2) - ~€32/month
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia Autoservicio Speed Queen (Calle Pintor Gisbert 28)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Glovo and Just Eat
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Arroz a banda (Seafood rice dish typically €15-€20)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Bocallena (Calle de los Labradores 14) - Creative plant-based tapas
- Best Dessert Spots
- Heladería Borgonesse (Rambla Méndez Núñez 7) - Famous artisanal gelato
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Central de Alicante (Daily fresh market for local prices)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.es and El Corte Inglés
- Grocery Delivery
- Mercadona or Carrefour online apps
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Calle Castaños (Upscale bars) and El Barrio (Clubs/Pubs)
- Local Brewery
- Althaia Artesana (Local Altea brewery found in Santa Cruz bars)
- Wine Bars
- Vino y Más (Calle San Sebastian) - Focus on Monastrell grapes
- Street Food Stalls
- The Food Street (San Vicente del Raspeig area, near University)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Katana (Asian Fusion in the Central Market)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Castillo de Santa Bárbara (Free entry, panoramic views)
- Museums & Art Venues
- MACA (Museum of Contemporary Art) and MARQ (Archaeological Museum)
- Historical Sites
- Basilica of St Mary (oldest active church in Alicante)
- Religious Sites
- Concatedral de San Nicolás de Bari
- Annual Events
- Hogueras de San Juan (Bonfires of Saint John) in late June
- Cultural Districts
- Santa Cruz (Picturesque white-washed houses, stairs, and flowers)
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Principal de Alicante
- Local Markets
- Mercado de Artesanía de la Explanada
- Music Scene
- Sala Stereo (Live indie and rock concerts)
- Street Art
- Calle de las Setas (Mushroom Street - whimsical urban design)
- Cooking Classes
- Alicante Cook & Taste (Market tours and paella workshops)
- Art Galleries
- Sala de Exposiciones de la Lonja del Pescado
- Historic Buildings
- Ayuntamiento de Alicante (City Hall) - Baroque civil architecture
- Local Heritage
- The 'Cara del Moro' (Moor's Face) rock formation on Mount Benacantil
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Tabarca Island (Spain’s first marine reserve) - Ferry costs ~€20 roundtrip
- National Parks Nearby
- Serra Gelada Natural Park (45 mins drive near Benidorm)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Explanada de España (Palm-lined marble promenade)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador de Santa Cruz
- Birdwatching Locations
- El Fondo Natural Park (30 mins drive from city)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Only permitted during San Juan festival on designated beaches
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correos (main office: Plaza Gabriel Miró) and SEUR
- Tech Repair Services
- Quo Telecom (Calle Quintana 22)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Parque Lo Morant (Public outdoor tables)
- Language Classes
- Viva la Lengua (Calle Mayor 11)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Pública Azorín
- Community Centers
- Centro Comunitario Playas
- Gaming Lounges
- Elite Gaming Center Alicante
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Mediterráneo Alicante (Port area)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €120,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €72,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,750 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €165,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €96,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €200,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €120,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% standard rate (15% for new companies for the first two years)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 19% to 26% depending on amount
- Tax System
- Spanish residents taxed on worldwide income; non-residents on Spanish-sourced income
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 47% (for income over €300,000)
- VAT
- 21% (Standard rate), 10% (Reduced for restaurants/hotels)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applies to foreign income with low taxation
- Property Tax
- IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) - ~0.4% to 1.1% of cadastral value
- Property Transaction Tax
- 10% ITP (Transfer Tax) for resale properties in the Valencian Community
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Beckham Law (Fixed 24% rate) or Spanish Digital Nomad Visa special tax regime