Alicante Marina with luxury yachts and Casino Mediterráneo

Stories & Guides

Journal

Honest articles about life on the Costa Blanca — moving here, buying property, finding the best beaches, and eating well in Alicante.

AllExpat Life

Moving to Alicante: First Impressions & What to Expect

A local's first-hand take on settling into Alicante — from language, schools, and safety to healthcare, driving, and a property market at historic highs.

Petro·4 May 2026·5 min read

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Travel Guide

Explanada and Marina — Alicante waterfront

Travel Guide

Explanada & Marina: The Pulse of Alicante

Marble waves, luxury yachts, Tabarca boat trips, where to park and when to visit. Everything worth knowing about Alicante's most iconic waterfront.

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Place Guide

Food & Local Life

The Market That Has Fed Alicante for Over 100 Years

292 stalls, fresh fish, jamón cut to order, and a building that survived a war. The full guide to Mercado Central.

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Moving & Living

Spanish driving licence — DGT practical exam car in Alicante

Moving & Living

Getting a Spanish Driving Licence in Alicante — Expat Guide

The full process from enrolment to passing — theory exam, medical check, practical test, costs and timeline. Done in 2 months without speaking Spanish.

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Moving & Living

Alicante city centre — cost of living guide

Moving & Living

Cost of Living in Alicante 2026 — Real Numbers from a Family of Three

Rent, utilities, food, school, healthcare — real monthly figures from someone who actually lives here, not a travel blogger passing through.

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Moving & Living

Alicante in Winter — What It's Actually Like to Live Here

The tourists leave, the city exhales. Real temperatures, fewer crowds, and a side of Alicante most visitors never see.

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Events & Festivals

Hogueras de San Juan Alicante festival monument

Events & Festivals

Hogueras de San Juan 2026 — Alicante's Wildest Week

Seven mascletàs, bonfires taller than buildings, and at midnight on June 24 — the whole city burns. The complete guide to Alicante's biggest festival.

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Neighbourhood Guide

Moving & Living

Where to Live in Alicante — And Where to Avoid

From San Juan Playa to Juan XXIII — an honest guide to every neighbourhood written by someone who actually lives here.

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Safety Guide

Safety Guide

Is Alicante Safe? A Local's Honest Answer

Petty theft, tourist scams, and how Alicante actually compares to Barcelona and Madrid — an honest, no-nonsense look at safety from someone who lives here.

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Stop Guessing. Start Planning.

A small selection of tools that make Costa Blanca travel easier. Some links are affiliate — meaning I earn a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. I only include services I'd genuinely recommend.

Where to Stay in Alicante

Hotels, apartments, and villas across the Costa Blanca. Summer fills up fast — the good spots go first.

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Flights to Alicante

Alicante Airport (ALC) connects to most major European cities year-round. Compare and lock in the best price before it moves.

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Rent a Car in Alicante

The Costa Blanca stretches 200km. A rental car is the only way to actually see it — buses don't go where the good stuff is.

Rent a Car

Tours & Excursions in Alicante

Day trips, boat tours, and guided excursions across the Costa Blanca — handpicked and worth your time.

Explore Tours

Beyond the Journal.

Keep exploring:

Playa Albufereta beach Alicante with palm trees and calm Mediterranean water

Panoramic view of Playa Albufereta beach Alicante Costa Blanca

Best Beaches in Alicante & Costa Blanca

From hidden turquoise coves to vast golden sands — find your perfect beach on the Costa Blanca.

Explore Beaches→

Altea old town viewpoint with marina port and Sierra Helada mountains

Villajoyosa waterfront colorful buildings and palm trees Alicante

Day Trips from Alicante

The Costa Blanca doesn't end at the city limits. Castles, coves, mountain towns — all within an hour.

Explore Day Trips→

El Palmeral Park Alicante with palm trees and water features

Parque de la Marjal Alicante with flowers and bench

Parks & Nature in Alicante

The green spaces, coastal paths, and quiet corners of Alicante that most visitors walk straight past.

See all parks & nature→

Hi, I'm Petro, the face behind Alicante Compass.

This guide is free and always will be. Running it takes time, fuel, and a lot of coffee — researching places that don't show up on Google Maps, verifying details that other sites get wrong, and writing guides I'd actually want to read myself. If Alicante Compass has saved you time, money, or given you one moment worth remembering — I'd be grateful for your support. Every contribution keeps me on the road and the content free for everyone.

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