There are so many amazing places to visit in Spain, and if you’re lucky enough to based in Alicante, whether permanently or on holiday, there are plenty of fantastic destinations within a three-hour drive.
To give you some inspiration for your next trip we’ve listed below some of the best places near Alicante o visit within a 3 hour drive, along with some suggestions of places to stay and things to do…
(And if you don’t want to drive that far, check out this blog post of places to visit within an hour of Alicante!)
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Valencia
Distance from Alicante to Valencia: 170 km
First up on our list of places to visit within a 3 hour drive of Alicante, is Valencia – one of our favourite Spanish cities!
Valencia is a vibrant port city with an incredible mix of ultra modern and traditional architecture. If you’re looking for a location where you can explore both the old and the new, then Valencia should definitely be high up on your list.
You can spend all day just exploring the City of Arts and Sciences, a futuristic complex of buildings that includes an opera house, museum, cinema, and aquarium. From here you can walk through the popular Turia Park up to the historic old town with its beautiful plazas, ancient towers, and impressive Gothic architecture. And if that’s not enough, Valencia also has some beautiful long sandy beaches with a promenade full of bars and restaurants.
When it’s time for dinner, don’t forget that Valencia is the birthplace of paella, and it’s here where you will find the most traditional versions of this delicious Spanish dish!
Things to do in Valencia:
- Explore the city with a 24 or 48 hour hop on hop off bus ticket
- Go on a 3 hour guided bike tour of the city
- Take a segway tour of the old town and gardens
Places to stay in Valencia:
Booking.comMurcia
Distance from Alicante to Murcia: 84 km
Murcia is a historic university city with a rich cultural heritage. For a look at the amazing architecture in this city, you can explore it’s cathedral and the elegant Casino de Murcia, with styles ranging from Gothic to baroque.
While visiting Murcia make sure you try its famous dish, Zarangollo which is made from scrambled eggs with zucchini, onion, and occasionally potatoes.
If you like to shop, on the outskirts of the city you will find two of the largest indoor shopping malls in the area, with restaurants, cinemas, and more. And finally, if you’re looking for some relaxation, the city is also home to some of the best spas in Spain.
Things to do in Murcia
- Spend the day at the Terra Natura park
- Join the Mysteries and Legends Tour of Murcia
- Visit the Catedral de Murcia
Places to stay in Murcia
Booking.comJávea
Distance from Alicante to Javea: 96 km
Jávea (known as Xabia in Valencian) is a beautiful coastal town boasting some of the best beaches and coves along the Costa Blanca. You can spend the day swimming or sunbathing on the beautiful sandy beaches, or explore the natural beauty of the nearby Montgó Natural Park.
Make sure you take some time to stop at the towns many viewpoints for some of the best views out to sea in this part of Spain.
You can have dinner in one of the many restaurants looking out over the beach or port, and spend an evening drinking cocktails in the bars along the promenade.
Before you leave, don’t forget to also visit the old town, with its narrow stone streets, historic buildings, and traditional bars and restaurants.
Things to do in Jávea
Places to stay in Jávea
Booking.comMojácar
Distance from Alicante to Mojácar: 232 km
Mojácar is a lovely, picturesque town on the southeast coast of Spain in the province of Almería. If you are looking for a traditional Pueblo Blanco, Mojácar Pueblo is well known for its Old Town with beautiful white-washed houses overlooking the stunning Mediterranean coastline. Meanwhile, if you are looking for somewhere to eat, drink, and party, Mojácar Playa is home to many restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as the long sandy beaches.
Whether you are in search of relaxation or adventure, Mojácar has a lot to offer and is definitely worth a visit.
Things to do in Mojácar
- Day trip to Cabo de Gata Natural Park and Mojacar
- Visit Macenas Castle
- Learn about Mojácar’s history at the Museo Casa de la Canana
Places to stay in Mojácar
Booking.comDenia
Distance from Alicante to Denia: 91 km
Denia is a charming coastal town located in the province of Alicante, on the eastern coast of Spain. Known for its beautiful sandy beaches with crystal clear waters, and excellent seafood cuisine caught locally, Denia is a popular holiday destination for both locals and tourists alike
The town of Denia has a rich history dating back to Roman times, which you can learn more about at the castle and see first hand by wandering through the historic old town.
Things to do in Denia
- Go on a sunset criuse around the coastline
- Go on a segway tour of Denia
- Join the Mysteries and Legends of Denia tour
Places to stay in Denia
Booking.comLorca
Distance from Alicante to Lorca: 143 km
Lorca is a charming city located in the province of Murcia. Lorca is an old city (it has been inhabited for more than 2,500 years) known for its rich history, diverse culture, and incredible architecture. There are many historical sites in Lorca to visit, such as the medieval Lorca Castle and the Parroquia de San Patricio, one of the most beautiful churches in the city. In fact, you could spend all day just wandering around the city looking up at the amazing old buildings.
Lorca is also known for its festivals, including the famous Semana Santa celebrations, which are considered to be some of the most spectacular in the country, so if you are planning a visit then Easter could be a good time!
Things to do in Lorca
Places to stay in Lorca
Booking.comCartagena
Distance from Alicante to Cartagena: 129 km
Cartagena is a port city located on the southeastern coast of Spain, in the province of Murcia. It boasts a rich history dating back to the Carthaginians in 227 BC, which you can see around the city in the impressive Roman ruins and ancient walls.
The vibrant city center offers colorful narrow streets, bustling markets, and delicious cuisine. You can explore lots of museums, beautiful beaches, and iconic landmarks such as the modernist City Hall and the iconic lighthouse of Cabo de Palos.
Things to do in Cartagena
- Explore the Roman Theater
- Join a walking tour with food and drink tasting
- Go on a panoramic double decker bus tour
Places to stay in Cartagena
Booking.comAlbacete
Distance from Alicante to Albacete: 167 km
The city of Albacete is located in the southeast of Spain, in the region of Castilla-La Mancha. With a population of approximately 180,000 people it’s the largest city in the province of Albacete, home to several universities and a great night life.
With stunning architecture and plenty of green spaces, Albacete is a lovely city to spend some time exploring. Known for its rich history, dating back to the Bronze Age, Albacete is famous for it’s production of knives which you can learn more about in the town’s museum.
Things to do in Albacete
- Visit the Catedral de Albacete
- Visit the Museo de la Cuchillería de Albacete
- Visit the Plaza de Toros de Albacete
Places to stay in Albacete
Booking.comGuadix
Distance from Alicante to Guadix: 299 km
Last on our list of places to visit within a 3 hour drive of Alicante, and the furthest, is Guadix.
Guadix is a small city located in the province of Granada, in the region of Andalusia, southern Spain. It has a population of approximately 20,000 people and is known for its unique cave dwellings, which have been carved into the soft hillsides and used as homes for centuries. In fact, there are still around 3000 people living in cave houses in Guadix today.
The town is also known for its beautiful and historic architecture, with many landmarks to see including the 16th-century cathedral and the Arab castle of La Peña.
If you like outdoor activities, Guadix is a popular destination for hiking and rock climbing, thanks to its location in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Things to do in Guadix
- Visit the amazing Mystery Man exhibition
- Visit the Guadix cathedral
- Join the Guadix Cave Trains tour
Places to stay in Guadix
Booking.comThese are just some of the amazing places to can visit within a 3 hour drive of Alicante, but we hope this list has given you lots of inspiration for planning your next trip!
Ready to book your holiday to Alicante?
If you’re ready to book your Alicante trip, these links may help…
- Find great value flights and accommodation at Expedia
- Rent a car with RentalCars.com
- Check hotel reviews at TripAdvisor
- Book your tickets, tours and excursions at GetYourGuide
