If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to live in Alicante, here’s the honest version — from someone who’s done it. We moved here shortly after Covid, when masks were still mandatory and Spain’s restrictions were far stricter than those back in the UK, where we came from.
We didn’t choose to live in Alicante by chance. We built a spreadsheet and listed everything we wanted in a place to call home — proximity to the sea, good weather, a lively but manageable population, strong transport links, and an airport close enough that visiting friends wouldn’t need a five-hour trek. Alicante didn’t come top in every category, but when we looked at the balance of everything, it came out as the clear winner. Years later, we still think it’s a serious contender for one of the best places to live in the world. It’s less impersonal than Barcelona and far calmer than Madrid — though we love both those cities too.
From Mercado to the Centre
We began our new life here in the Mercado neighbourhood, named after the grand indoor market at its heart. It’s a quirky, lively little quarter — full of independent shops, small restaurants and a handful of excellent bars that most tourists miss. The rhythm of daily life feels authentically local, and you start to recognise faces quickly; it’s one of those places that still belongs to the people who actually live in Alicante. Later, we bought and renovated a flat near the old bus station, right in the city centre. It was a project full of dust, noise and bureaucracy, but it was worth every headache.
To live in Alicante city centre means being in the middle of everything. There’s always something happening — parades, concerts, processions, or fireworks that seem to appear out of nowhere. Parking is rarely a concern, mostly because we walk everywhere, though we do have the rare luxury of a private space beneath our building.
Getting Around
One of the great pleasures of choosing to live in Alicante is how simple it is to get around. The C6 airport bus loops through the city every twenty minutes and takes just twenty minutes to reach the terminal. The train to Madrid can be astonishingly cheap if you book early enough, and the tram system makes trips up and down the coast effortless.
We occasionally head to Benidorm for a weekend — it’s an easy tram ride and a completely different world for a couple of nights of light-hearted fun. Having the choice of calm and chaos so close together is one of the understated luxuries of life here.
Festivals, Sport and the Outdoors
When you live in Alicante, you soon realise the city takes its celebrations seriously. The Hogueras festival in June is the headline event — a week of art, fire, and noise — but the calendar is full: Semana Santa’s solemn processions, the Three Kings parade in January, Carnival night in February, and dozens of smaller fiestas across the year.
It’s also a deeply sporty city. The climate and the sea make it almost impossible not to be active. There are miles of dedicated bike lanes, and the bike park up at El Palmeral is perfect for a kids who like a bit of adventure. On the beaches — especially Postiguet, the lively city beach — you’ll see volleyball games, paddle-boarders and early-morning joggers. We’ve even sunbathed there on New Year’s Day. If you like to keep fit and enjoy sunshine, to live in Alicante is to have both on your doorstep.
Culture and Leisure
To live in Alicante is to discover a city that quietly surprises you. The art museums are excellent, with MACA showcasing works by some of Spain’s greats. The castle of Santa Bárbara towers above everything and, although the climb from the old town is steep and it’s rewarding — not least for the cafés at the top where you can enjoy a well-earned cold beer and panoramic views.
For music lovers, the ADDA auditorium regularly hosts world-class orchestras and local ensembles. There are flamenco bars tucked into side streets if you prefer something more traditional, and the casino on the marina glitters under the lights.
And then there’s Tardeo, Alicante’s much-loved social invention — an afternoon of terrace drinks that slide lazily into evening. It’s perfect for those who like their fun without the 7 a.m. finish. Though, of course, if you want that, Alicante will oblige.
Shopping, Schools and Everyday Life
Daily life when you live in Alicante feels remarkably easy. Each barrio has its own municipal market with its own characters and rhythms, but the Mercado Central remains the grand dame — noisy, fragrant and full of local colour. You can wander its aisles for hours, discovering what locals actually eat.
And then there’s Mercadona — Spain’s beloved supermarket chain. It’s everywhere, efficient, and weirdly comforting once you get used to it. Everyone shops there, from students to abuelas, and it’s the place you truly start to feel local.
But, of course the last word in quality shopping always goes to El Corte Ingles (and we have two of them in Alicante)
Schools are excellent, with several of Spain’s top international schools on the city’s edge, and healthcare in Alicante is first-rate. The public medical centre is undergoing major modernisation, and private healthcare is reliable and widely available.
The Bureaucracy and the People
Anyone planning to live in Alicante should be prepared for a little bureaucracy. Even for us — and even though Anabel is Spanish — the paperwork was daunting at first. After years in the UK, she wasn’t used to the stamps, forms and queues either. But you learn. The trick is patience, humour, and good advice from those who’ve done it before.
The people make it all worthwhile. We’ve met friends from every background — Spanish, British, Dutch, Scandinavian, Latin American — and the community spirit here runs deep. Alicante is big enough to offer variety, yet small enough that you still bump into familiar faces at cafés and fiestas.
Why We Still Think We Chose Well
The city has changed even in the short time we’ve been here. More international restaurants have opened, new apartments have gone up, and prices have climbed. The “cheap Costa Blanca” image doesn’t quite fit anymore, but the quality of life more than makes up for it.
To live in Alicante today is to enjoy a city that balances tradition and modernity, local flavour and international flair. It’s a place that keeps its identity while embracing change. We took a calculated leap — armed with our spreadsheet and some optimism — and it’s turned out to be one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.
Between the sea, the sunshine, the people and the everyday pleasures, to live in Alicante is to find that rare combination of comfort, culture and community. It’s not just a place we live — it’s a place we love.
