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Sunny day view of Plaza Puerta del Mar in Alicante. Casa Carbonell building with twin domes and Santa Bárbara Castle on the rocky hilltop in the background.

Alicante Compass

Explanada & Marina: The Pulse of Alicante

Come for the castle view. Stay because you forgot to leave.

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Every time I walk onto the Explanada de España in Alicante, something resets. It doesn't matter how many times I've been here — the marble waves underfoot, the palm trees, the view stretching out towards the Mediterranean. It always feels like the first time.

If you're visiting Alicante for the first time or the tenth, this is the place that will stay with you. Scroll down for everything you need to know — and enjoy.

Petro — AlicanteCompass
Petro

Alicante Compass

Explanada de España & Alicante Marina — Visitor Guide

Wavy marble tiles, luxury yachts, boat trips to Tabarca, and the best walking routes — everything worth knowing before you arrive.

What makes the Explanada de España special?
6.5 million marble tiles in three colours mimicking Mediterranean waves — one of Spain's most recognisable promenades. Slippery when wet. Canalejas Park at the end has 130-year-old Ficus trees keeping shade 3–5°C cooler. Casa Carbonell facing the port dates to 1924.
What is the best time to visit the Explanada de España?
Early morning (8:00–10:00) for quiet and good photos. Evenings (20:00–23:00) for the real Alicante atmosphere — restaurants, families, street performers. Avoid midday in July and August. Sunday mornings for the craft market and a local feel.
What's worth seeing at Alicante Marina?
Ocean Race Museum — free entry, VR simulator and boat tour €5 each. Bronze Icarus the Surfer statue in the water. Best view of Santa Bárbara Castle from sea level at the tip of Muelle de Levante — yachts in foreground, castle on the hill behind.
How do I get to Tabarca Island from Alicante?
Boat from Muelle de Levante, Alicante Marina. Journey 45 minutes each way. €24 return per person — children under 4 free but must be added to online bookings. Multiple departures daily in high season. Go early — the island gets crowded by midday.
Is there a market on the Explanada de España?
Yes — craft and artisan market on weekends and public holidays, late morning to early evening. Handmade jewellery, leather, ceramics, art prints. More active in spring and summer. Best visited in the morning before crowds arrive. No fixed stalls — vendors vary weekly.
Are the restaurants on the Explanada de España worth it?
Yes — the setting makes them worth it. Budget €20–30 per person for a full meal, €3–4 for coffee and pastry. Menú del día Monday to Friday €20–25. Restaurants on the promenade charge 20–30% more than one street back. Dining peaks 21:00–23:00.
Where should I park near the Explanada de España?
Open-air at Playa del Postiguet €1.20–1.80/hour, fills by 11am in summer. Underground options: Parking Casino Mediterráneo €1.80–2.20/hour, Parking Mundo de los Niños €1.50–2.00/hour, Parking Regus €1.50/hour. All within short walk of the promenade.

Explanada & Marina: The Waterfront Aesthetic

From the iconic 6.5 million marble waves to the sleek lines of luxury yachts. Explore the visual soul of Alicante's promenade through our latest shots.

Plaza Puerta del Mar with Casa Carbonell building and Santa Bárbara Castle, Alicante
Alicante Marina waterfront with Casa Carbonell building in the background
Alicante Puerta del Mar with Casa Carbonell and the waterfront promenade
Yachts moored at Alicante port Marina with the Explanada promenade in view
Luxury yachts moored at Alicante Marina port
Alicante Marina with yachts, palm trees and Mediterranean coastline
Panoramic view of Alicante Marina yacht club and waterfront
Alicante Marina promenade with Gran Sol hotel and Santa Bárbara Castle
Gran Sol hotel viewed from Alicante Marina promenade
Alicante Marina waterfront promenade with Gran Sol hotel view
Alicante Marina waterfront promenade lined with palm trees
Casino Mediterráneo and luxury yachts at Alicante Marina
Casino Mediterráneo building with yachts moored at Alicante Marina
Café on the pier at Alicante Marina with harbour view
Alicante Marina amusement park with Santa Bárbara Castle on the hilltop in the background
Pedestrian crossing at Alicante Marina with city palm trees
The iconic wavy marble tile walkway of Explanada de España, Alicante
Palm tree shadows cast on the marble tiles of Explanada de España, Alicante
Explanada de España promenade lined with tall palm trees, Alicante
Restaurants and cafés with terraces on the Explanada de España, Alicante
Pedestrian crossing on the Explanada de España with Casa Carbonell in the background
Hippy market stalls selling handicrafts and souvenirs on the Explanada de España
Market stalls near the Meliá Hotel with Santa Bárbara Castle visible in the background
Tabarca Island ferry Kon-Tiki moored at Alicante port
Tabarca Island ferry Kon-Tiki Vision Submarina — glass-bottom boat at Alicante Marina
Catamaran boat tours departing from Alicante Marina port
The Ocean Race monument at Alicante Marina — global headquarters for the round-the-world sailing race
Fountain at Plaza Puerta del Mar, Alicante
Alicante waterfront promenade walking path along the Mediterranean
Alicante city centre street with palm trees and a Porsche
Tourist information signs near Postiguet Beach pointing to key Alicante landmarks
Meliá Hotel Alicante on the waterfront

The Explanada de España is great — but don't just stop at the marble waves. Walk the entire length of the Muelle de Levante, the pier at Alicante Marina where the big yachts are moored. It's the best spot in Alicante for an unobstructed view of Santa Bárbara Castle and a proper sea breeze away from the city noise.

Oh, and if someone tries to sell you a ‘designer’ watch on the sidewalk — just keep walking. You're here for the views, not the knock-offs.

Petro — AlicanteCompass
Petro

Alicante Compass

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