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City Cards · Costa Blanca, Alicante province · Alicante
City Card No. 02 · COSTA BLANCA
Alicante
The gateway to the Costa Blanca, and a real city in its own right.
GUIDE FOR THE COSTA BLANCA
Airport (ALC)
Nearly 150 direct routes, 30+ countries
Passengers 2025
Close to 20 million, Spain’s 5th busiest
Rent, 60 m² flat
€830 a month
Character
Working harbour, historic old town
The short version
Alicante’s airport is one of the strongest practical arguments for this coast.
Ryanair, easyJet and Vueling all treat Alicante as a focus city, so family visits and getting home for a wedding or an emergency is a short, affordable flight.
It is more than the airport town for Jávea and Altea: the Explanada de España, Santa Bárbara Castle and an active marina, with the University of Alicante bringing younger, international energy. Rents are noticeably lower than Barcelona, Madrid or even Valencia.
Alicante suits you if
- International connectivity is a real priority for you
- You travel often or work remotely with trips abroad
- You want authentic Spanish city life, real neighbourhoods and local markets
Look elsewhere if
- You want polished resort infrastructure (look at Jávea or Altea)
- You want a close-knit international community in a small town
Money
What living here costs
| Item | Typical cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Flat of 60 m² | €830 a month |
| Family flat of 90 m² | €1,250 a month |
| Single person budget, Costa Blanca | €1,100–1,500 a month |
Flat sizes use asking rents on idealista for September 2026 (Alicante €13.9 per m²; Spain average €15.1). Signed rents are often a little lower, and furnished, sea-view or new-build homes cost more. Other figures are indicative ranges for planning, not quotes.
The trade-off
A working city, not a resort.
Tourist infrastructure is less polished than in Jávea or Altea. Families who want a close-knit international community often live in a smaller coastal town and use Alicante as their airport and city day out.
Guides for this area
First 90 Days on the Costa Blanca €12.99
Coast or Inland? €12.99
Private and International Schooling on the Costa Blanca €12.99
Weighing Alicante?
Alicante city, or a quieter town nearby?
Start with a free discovery call. We tell you honestly whether it is worth going further.
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