Car Rental in Alicante

Why rent a car in Alicante?

Alicante is a great place to rent a car. Located on the Mediterranean Coast, it is near other interesting cities like Valencia and Barcelona, and has a frequent ferry service to and from Balearic Islands. Its beaches attract sun and sea lovers from all over the world, while sites of the area’s past are a delight for history buffs.

Top ways to enter Alicante

• Alicante Airport: Also known as Alicante-Elche Airport, it is served by more than 40 different airlines and is especially popular with low-cost carriers.
• Valencia Airport: Serving the capital of Valencian Community, of which Alicante is also a part of, this airport hosts flights to and from destinations all over Europe, as well as some in North Africa.
• Murcia Airport: Just an hour’s drive from Alicante, the new Región de Murcia International Airport was opened in January 2019 when it replaced Murcia–San Javier Airport.

City facts

• The two main languages of Alicante are Spanish and Valenciano, a local language similar to Catalan. English is well-known among the people working in the service industry.
• Like most Spanish cities along the Mediterranean Coast, Alicante is warm and dry. Winters are generally mild, while summers can get extremely hot, with temperatures rising over 35 °C (95 °F).
• Alicante is known for its lively festivals. The most famous is the Bonfires of San Juan (Hogueras de San Juan), a week-long celebration in June with huge bonfires, fireworks, parades and street parties.

Top sights and activities

• Santa Bárbara Castle. Known for its dramatic mountaintop location (it sits on Mount Benacantil), Santa Bárbara is one of the most spectacular landmarks of Alicante. Dating back to the 9th century when the area was ruled by the Arabic-speaking Moors, it continues to provide stunning views of the city and port below. It is possible to drive to the castle (though finding parking can be a challenge), though you could also walk or take the lift, instead.
• Archeological Museum of Alicante. The museum uses modern technology to tell the story of Alicante’s past, from Stone Age through Iberian and Roman times to modern day. It features more than 80,000 artefacts found in the area. Lucentum Archaeological Site is another site where you can learn more about the area’s history and see the remains of the old Roman city.
• Mercat Central d'Alacan. Also known as the Central Market of Alicante, it's a bustling and historic marketplace located in the heart of the city. Built in the early 20th century, this architectural gem offers a wide variety of fresh local produce, seafood, meats, cheeses and other goods, making it a must-visit destination for both tourists and locals looking to immerse themselves in Alicante's culinary culture.
• Beaches. Obviously, one of the biggest attractions of Alicante is its location right on the Mediterranean, and it indeed has something to offer to every beach lover. Platja del Postiguet Beach is the fun one, Platja de San Juan Beach the most famous one, and Platja dels Arenals del Sol Beach the quiet one.
• Alicante Museum of Contemporary Art. Despite having contemporary in its name, the MACA combines the best of present and past – its collections feature works of such renowned artists as Picasso, Miro, and Braque, among others. Open since 2011, the museum doubles as a venue for various art events. It is closed on Mondays and is open fewer hours on Sundays. Admission is free.

Traffic and parking

• Speed limits - 20 km/h (12 mph) in towns where the road and the sidewalk are at the same level, 30 km/h (18 mph) in towns where the road is a single carriageway per direction. 50km/h (31mph) in built-up areas, 90km/h (56mph) on most standard roads, 100km/h (62mph) on standard roads that are either one-way roads, roads with more than two lanes for at least one direction of traffic and roads with shoulders more than 1.5m wide, and 120km/h (74mph) on motorways (called autovías in Spain).
• The car documentation and insurance always has to be inside a vehicle.
• The driver and all passengers are required to wear seatbelts.
• Children up to the age of 12 and measuring less than 135cm travelling on the front seat of a car must be seated in a child restraint system adapted to their size and weight.
• Unnecessary use of audible warning devices (horns) is prohibited.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.02% for novice drivers.
• The emergency number is 112.

Toll roads

Most of the roads inside the country are toll-free. Toll roads are called ‘carretera de peaje’. On maps and road signs, all toll roads have to include a letter P after the road type. The payment method may vary depending on the road, but most will accept cash. Regardless of the region, the average estimated price is €9.5 ($11.25) per 100km by car. See the official website for prices and more information.

Ideas for day trips

• Elche. Located away from the coast, Elche doesn’t see quite as many tourists as Alicante, but those who do visit get to enjoy one of the most historical cities in all of the Valencian Community. Known for its millennia-old heritage that dates back to the Phoenician times, the city is home to a palm grove that’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The drive from Alicante only takes about 25 minutes.
• Murcia Autonomous Community. Just south of Alicante, this region gets less attention from international visitors, but you should not overlook it otherwise you’ll miss out on interesting towns, ancient Punic sites, and delicious cuisine.  
• Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park. It takes about three hours to reach by car, but the largest protected nature area in Spain (and second in Europe) is a very rewarding destination thanks to its mountains, wildlife, and unique landscapes.
• Villajoyosa. A colorful and historic coastal city known for its brightly colored houses along the waterfront. It's also famous for its chocolate industry — you can visit the Valor Chocolate Museum.
• Benidorm. Benidorm is a bustling seaside resort on the Costa Blanca in Spain, known for its stunning sandy beaches, lively nightlife and high-rise skyline. It's a popular destination for tourists seeking sun, sea and entertainment, with an abundance of restaurants, bars and attractions to enjoy.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Spain is the Ford Fiesta, but travelers tend to also choose the Fiat 500 and the Ford Focus a lot. The most popular car types are economy, compact and mini.

Further destinations

• Barcelona. As known for its beaches and parties as it is for some of the best cultural experiences in all of Europe, Barcelona can only be missed at your own peril. The drive to the capital of the region of Catalonia takes about five hours.
• Valencia. Spain's third largest city can be reached in two hours from Alicante. It is a dynamic blend of modernity and history, known for its futuristic City of Arts and Sciences complex, stunning Mediterranean beaches, and rich cultural traditions such as the lively Fallas Festival.
• Madrid. Very different in atmosphere from Barcelona, but just as relevant in terms of arts and entertainment, Spain’s capital is another fascinating city to visit. A fascinating four-hour drive from Alicante will take you through some of the least explored regions of the country.
• Granada. Known for stunning sites like the Alhambra and other Moorish buildings, Granada is a history lover’s gem – its architecture is really second to none. Located in eastern Andalusia, the city can also serve as a gateway to Sierra Nevada National Park and the rest of the region. The drive from Alicante will take about 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Car rental prices in Alicante

• Premium cars - from $38 per day
• Small cars - from $7 per day
• Medium cars - from $14 per day
• SUVs - from $12 per day
• Large cars - from $18 per day
• Convertibles - from $17 per day
• Vans - from $25 per day
• Station wagons - from $21 per day

Money-saving and other tips

There are ways to be smart about renting a car in Alicante:

• Compare rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Alicante is the cheapest in May when renting a car is about 56% cheaper than the yearly average.