Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Alicante is a vibrant coastal city located in the southeast of Spain, known for its beautiful beaches, rich history, and lively culture. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 335,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is about 100 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD. Major banks include Banco Santander, BBVA, and CaixaBank. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Generally drinkable but bottled water is recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Movistar, Vodafone, and Orange with good coverage. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Revolut and N26 are popular among expats, alongside traditional banks. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, Spotahome, and local rentals. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted; however, keep some cash for smaller vendors. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Available through Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agencies. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel La Familia is a popular budget option. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The Old Town (El Barrio) is recommended for its attractions and nightlife. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | San Juan Playa offers beach access, coworking spaces, and a lively atmosphere. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Work INN is one of the best coworking spaces in Alicante, offering good facilities and networking opportunities. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Fabrica de Hielo is a trendy café with reliable Wi-Fi and a creative ambiance. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup.com and local Facebook groups often host networking sessions for digital nomads. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Alicante Expat Community regularly organizes social gatherings and events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Bolt and Uber are available for on-demand transportation. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Companies such as Lime and eCooltra offer bike and scooter rentals. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | San Juan Beach is one of the best, located about 15 minutes from the city center. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Air Nostrum operates regional flights from Alicante. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Ryanair and Vueling provide low-cost international flights. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | AP-7 and N-332 highways offer excellent access to surrounding areas. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Alicante Terminal is the main train station connecting to major cities. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Monthly transit passes are available for €42 covering local buses, trams and metro. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Frequent trains and buses connect Alicante with cities like Valencia and Murcia. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital General Universitario de Alicante is the main healthcare facility in the region. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Center Alicante offers a variety of classes for wellness enthusiasts. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and Anytime Fitness are popular gym chains in the area. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Clean & Go is a convenient laundromat option. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Glovo and Just Eat are top food delivery services. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Alicante's famous dish is Rice with Octopus (Arroz con Pulpo). |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Great options include El Canto, a vegetarian restaurant with various dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Pastelería La Mare de Déu offers delightful pastries and desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Mercado Central de Alicante is a vibrant food market with fresh produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon and El Corte Inglés provide extensive e-commerce options. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Mercadona and Carrefour offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Calle Castaños is the main nightlife street with various bars and clubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Cervecería La Fábrica offers local brews and is popular among expats. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Casa de la Bodega is a notable wine bar with a selection of local wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Alicante Street Food Festival, held monthly, features a variety of food stalls. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Pizzeria Da Marco serves delicious Italian dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Castle of Santa Barbara offers stunning views and historical significance. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | MARQ Museum showcases archaeology and history in an engaging way. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Explanada de España is a picturesque promenade lined with palm trees. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Basilica of Santa Maria is a stunning gothic church worth visiting. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Hogueras de San Juan is the most famous festival celebrated in June. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | El Barrio is the city's cultural heart, known for its nightlife and cultural events. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Principal hosts a variety of performances throughout the year. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Mercado de Babel is a popular destination for local products. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music is prevalent at venues like Casa de la Música. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Several murals and street art pieces can be found around the city, particularly in the Old Town. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Alicante Cooking Class offers an introduction to Spanish cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Cultural Space Las Cigarreras hosts art exhibitions and workshops. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Bishop’s Palace is a notable historical structure worth visiting. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Alicante is known for its Moorish influences seen in architecture and cuisine. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Font Roja Natural Park offers hiking opportunities and stunning landscapes. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Sierra de Mariola Natural Park is accessible and offers a variety of trails. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The coastal promenade stretches for miles, ideal for walking and biking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The viewpoint at Castillo de Santa Barbara offers breathtaking views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The wetlands in El Hondo Natural Park are excellent for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas at San Juan Beach allow bonfires during permitted times. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Correos and DHL provide reliable parcel services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Cool Things offers various tech repair services in the city. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local parks like Parque de Canalejas have tables for public use. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Instituto de Idiomas Alicante offers language courses for expats. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca Municipal de Alicante is a great place for reading and studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centro Municipal de las Artes provides cultural activities and community events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gaming Lounge Alicante caters to gamers with various setups. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Mediterráneo Alicante offers gaming and entertainment. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €100,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €1,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €72,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €168,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €132,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €240,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €200,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 19% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Spanish tax system applies based on residency, with worldwide income basis. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Up to 47% |
| 🧾 VAT | 21% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Spain has provisions affecting taxation of foreign income. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, annual property tax based on cadastral value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Generally around 10% for property purchases. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Tax incentives such as reduced taxation on certain income types are available. |