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Alicante
The provincial capital of the Costa Blanca — a real Spanish city with beach, port, castle and full services on your doorstep.
Suited to: Families · Remote workers · Students · Professionals · Retirees
- Costa
- Costa Blanca
- Province
- Alicante
- Population
- 366,221
- residents
- British Community
- ~1,500
- city
- Airport
- Alicante–Elche
- ~12 km
- Train
- AVE high-speed rail
- Madrid
Updated 14 Oct 2026 · Facts checked against INE and the padrón · How we check
Photo by Dean Milenkovic on Unsplash
Decide
Is Alicante right for you?
Who it suits
- FamiliesExcellent
Safe city, good schools (including international), university, beach, cultural activities. Less touristy than Benidorm or Torrevieja.
- RetireesGood
Excellent healthcare, mild climate, walkable city centre, cultural life, good transport. Less British community infrastructure than resort towns.
- Remote workersExcellent
Growing tech scene, co-working spaces, good broadband, international airport, AVE to Madrid/Barcelona. City lifestyle.
- StudentsExcellent
University of Alicante (~30,000 students), vibrant nightlife, affordable rent (by Spanish standards), beach.
- ProfessionalsGood
Port city with logistics and maritime jobs. Tech sector growing. Tourism and service industries. Salaries lower than Madrid/Barcelona but so are costs.
Costs
What it costs in Alicante
Typical figures, each with its source and date. Prices move, so check before you commit.
- Typical rent
- ~€890 a month
- 70 m² flat, Alicante province average (€12.7/m²)
- Source: idealista, September 2026
Guides
The Alicante guides
The place
About Alicante
Alicante is one of Spain's most liveable cities. With 366,000 residents, a major university, a bustling port and beaches within walking distance of the city centre, it offers a genuine urban Spanish lifestyle without the intensity of Madrid or Barcelona.
The city's skyline is dominated by the medieval Santa Bárbara castle, perched on a rocky outcrop above the old town. Below it, the Explanada de España promenade, the marina and Postiguet beach create a Mediterranean cityscape that feels both Spanish and cosmopolitan.
For British relocation planners, Alicante is the Costa Blanca's counterpoint to the resort towns: a real city where people work, study and live year-round. The foreign community is large and diverse — not just British — and the city has a growing tech and startup scene that attracts younger professionals.
Practicalities
Practicalities
Getting there
- Provincial capital on the central Costa Blanca, Alicante province.
- Alicante–Elche Airport ~12 km (major international hub — direct flights from 17 UK cities).
- AVE high-speed train to Madrid ~2h 10min; Barcelona ~4h 20min+ (Euromed).
- Major port with ferry connections to Algeria and Balearic Islands.
- TRAM-train to Benidorm and Denia.
Renting and buying
City market — wide range. City centre €2,000–2,800/m². Outlying neighbourhoods lower. Strong rental demand from students and port workers. New build active. More affordable than Valencia or Barcelona.
Looking for an estate agent, lawyer or gestor? Browse local businesses in Alicante
First admin steps
- Padrón: Register at Alicante city hall.
- NIE/TIE: National Police in Alicante.
- Healthcare: Register at your local centro de salud after padrón. Hospital General Universitario Dr. Balmis for major care.
- Tourist rental: VT licence required under Valencian law.
- Language: Spanish in administration. Valencian also used. English less common in official settings than in resort towns.
Not sure which visa or residency route fits? Compare the routes for British movers
Map
Alicante on the map
Pins show the town, its nearest airport and the towns nearby. Positions are approximate.
Stay
Where to stay in Alicante
Hotels, apartments and holiday lets for a scouting trip, with live prices. Zoom out to see the towns nearby.
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Get help
Get help in Alicante
English-speaking businesses and the offices you will deal with.
Local businesses
Featured listings are paid placements.
Town finder
Not sure Alicante is the one?
Answer three questions to see how Alicante fits, and which towns to look at as well.
Questions
Alicante: common questions
Is Alicante a good place to retire from the UK?
Good. Excellent healthcare, mild climate, walkable city centre, cultural life, good transport. Less British community infrastructure than resort towns.
Is Alicante good for families?
Excellent. Safe city, good schools (including international), university, beach, cultural activities. Less touristy than Benidorm or Torrevieja.
How much does property cost in Alicante?
City market — wide range. City centre €2,000–2,800/m². Outlying neighbourhoods lower. Strong rental demand from students and port workers. New build active. More affordable than Valencia or Barcelona.
Which airport is closest to Alicante?
Alicante–Elche (~12 km)
Can you get to Alicante by train?
AVE high-speed rail — Madrid (~2h 10min), Barcelona (~2h 45min)
How big is the British community in Alicante?
~1,500 (city)
How do I register on the padrón in Alicante?
Register at Alicante city hall.
Compare
Compare Alicante
Nearby towns
Benidorm
~45 km north · Famous resort, beaches, nightlife, entertainment. Very British.
Elche
~25 km west · UNESCO World Heritage palm groves, footwear industry, lower costs.
Torrevieja
~50 km south · Major British community, salt lakes, beaches, lower prices.
Last updated: 14 Oct 2026