Your Complete Car Rental Guide for Exploring Alicante with Ease
Alicante is a city on the Mediterranean coast, the capital of Valencia and a favorite holiday destination for both Spaniards and foreigners. In the summer, tourists flock here on cruise ships and fill the streets with colorful polyphony.
ALC Airport is heavily loaded at high season as people fly here from as far away as Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Berlin or Marseille. To get from the airfield to the city, it is worth contacting Bookingautos, renting a car and not having to face the difficulties associated with moving around 10 km on your own.
Also, as a traditional coastal destination, Alicante is connected with other Spanish cities via high-speed trains and buses.
When traveling in a rental car, familiarize yourself with the route in advance and keep to the AP7 motorway if you are coming from the Mediterranean, and the A31 if you are coming from the center of the country.
What to see in Alicante?
Because we are talking about a city of just over 300,000 people, its attractions are within walking distance and can be explored in one or two days.
Santa Barbara Castle
This icon of Alicante is perched atop Mount Benacatil and offers fantastic views of the bay and mountains inland.
If you rent a car, you can drive up to the castle along the road that starts on Vazquez de Mella Avenue. It is worth going inside the castle and seeing the architectural details of different eras. The oldest part - Torre del Omenahe - dates back to the 14th century, and the most modern - to the 18th. You can read about the construction of the castle at Wikipedia.
Santa Cruz District
This labyrinth of alleyways lies on the slopes of Mount Benacatil, under the gaze of the castle. The eyes of tourists will see one-story houses and flowering gardens. This oldest area of the city is photographed and trendy. Don't forget to take a look at the colorful decorations on the façades and walk up to the viewing platforms to admire the view of Alicante.
San Nicolás Cathedral- de Bari
Coming down from the Santa Cruz quarter in the heart of the city, you will see the Cathedral, which seems to be lost between the buildings. The architecture is not embellished, but the white stone makes the walls sparkle in the sun.
Town Hall
A curious detail of this building is the zero level, or the point that indicates the location of Alicante at sea level. The heightof other cities and towns in Spain is measured from it.
Foger Museum
Valencian festivals Fallas bonfires are known everywhere. In Alicante, a similar event is celebrated in June, during the festival of San Juan, on the occasion of the shortest night of the year. Giant figures of papier-mâché "ninota" are exhibited on the squares, and on a festive night they are burned, and this event becomes the peak moment of the celebration. As in the Valencian Fallas, some figures will have to be "pardoned" and avoid burning. They are then exhibited in the Voger Museum, which is dedicated to the history of these festivals. More information about visiting the museum can be found on the city's website: www.alicanteturismo.com.
Where to go near Alicante?
Resting from walking, visit Postiguet Beach, which will help you get away from the hustle and bustle. An equally good solution would be to get out for a day or two in the vicinity of the city.
Caves of Canelobre (Busot)
These caves are located 24 kilometers from Alicante, on 700 meters above sea level on the slopes of Cabezo d'Or. The heightof the arches gives this place amazing acoustics, so music shows are held here. To get to Canelobre in a rented car, get directions to the village of Busot. Before entering the caves there is a car park with vertical signs, one of them leads towards Pla de la Graia - the starting point of the tour.
Torrevieja and La Mata Lagoon Natural Park
The lagoons of La Mata, which Torrevieja is proud of, are the largest in the country. They are separated from one another by the Chaparral River and connected by the artificial Acequion Canal. To get to La Mata, rent a car and follow the N-332 road to your destination.
The best restaurants in Alicante
Most of the bars and restaurants where you can try local cuisine are concentrated in the center.
El gosto del Gurmet (+34 603 25 15 89, Gravina Street, 4). This restaurant is a good option for lovers of classic Valencian-style paella.
Steki (+34 69355 06 77, Argenzsola Street, 8): The traditional wooden walls of the interior of the restaurant feel classic, while the menu carries flavors and ingredients from different continents, but meals are prepared with local produce. You can see the full list on the official website: stekirestaurante.es.
Nou Manolín (+34 965 61 64 25, Villegas Street, 3): The restaurant opened in 1971 and has been receiving awards and accolades ever since.
Where to park in Alicante?
Free parking in the center is not easy, because in recent years it has become pedestrian, which means nearby areas will be an acceptable option for parking a car.
Doctor Sapena Street. This parking area is located in the north of the city, next to the Archaeological Museum. The city center is a 20-minute walk away.
Trafalgar Street and surroundings. We are talking about narrow streets with several free parking spaces. Finding where to park your rental car in the area is difficult, but worth a try.
Benalua-Alipark. This gigantic wasteland behind the train station, where the city council has allocated 400 parking spaces, is the best place for free parking.
Among paid parking lots, the price of which starts from 3 euros per hour, are the following:
Maisonnave. This car park with multiple entrances and exits is located on the street of the same name, 15 minutes from the sea.
Plaza de Canalejas. Parking in the center of the city's port is popular despite the relatively high cost.
Plaza del Puerto. The car park is located in front of the Meliá Hotel near Postiguet Beach.
Comfortable holidays and the opportunity to get acquainted with Valencian culture, history and traditions - this is what Alicante will give to every traveler.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Sixt
Most popular car class
Mini
Average price
27 € / Day
Best price
19 € / Day
Average cost for 7 days of rent:
January
€90
February
€87
March
€101
April
€148
May
€138
June
€190
July
€223
August
€166
September
€101
October
€103
November
€102
December
€199
* Prices are based on orders processed over the previous 2 years.
The best month to rent a car in Alicante is November. There are fewer tourists and a lot of available cars. You can book a compact class model at a price from €22. This is 31% cheaper than the average during the year.
The best time to rent a car in Alicante is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €22, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
Convertible cars in Alicante are in high demand during the summer. This is not surprising. After all, a trip on such a car gives a feeling of freedom and independence, allows you to relax and forget about the problems of the world around you. Although you should be prepared for an increase in rental prices and possible problems with the range of available cars. If we talk about the price Audi A3 Convertible - it will be from €72 per 1 day.
We offer a wide range of vehicles to suit every budget:
Economy cars - a great solution for everyday trips;
Premium segment - for those who love quality and comfort;
Business class is ideal for people who are used to being first.
Convertibles, SUVs and station wagons, as well as minivans and sedans are in demand among customers. The choice of car depends not only on personal tastes, preferences and its cost. Rental conditions are important, which in some cases should be taken into account in the first place.
In Alicante budget cars like Ford Fiesta or Fiat 500 can be booked for €28-€41 per day. This is provided that the contract is concluded on the spot. If you choose the same cars in advance on our website, you will save. Cars with a class: Toyota Camry, VW Tiguan, Ford Foxus Estate - will cost an average of €28 per day. You can also find minivans, luxury cars, business class cars and electric cars. Rental costs from €41 up to several hundred euros per day.
In recent years in Alicante the demand for electric rental cars has been growing steadily. Their popularity is due to the presence of numerous free parking lots and recharging stations. You will be able to rent Mercedes EQC in Alicante by selecting start and end dates of the rental in the search filter.
Documents needed to rent a car
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
10 Key Tips for a Smooth Car Rental Experience
Download desired area of Google maps for offline access
The presence of an offline navigator allows you to save on roaming. It is enough just to download the necessary maps from Google Maps and get directions even without a network connection. To do this, enter the phrase "OK MAPS" in the application, select the desired area and download offline maps to your smartphone.
Book a car 6 weeks in advance
Alicante is a popular holiday destination and the car rental service is in great demand here. Therefore, it is recommended to book a car in advance. When booking online, you know exactly which car, for what price and under what conditions you will get in Alicante. The main advantage of early booking is the cost savings. The less time left before the start of the rental, the higher the cost of the rental becomes. The optimal period for booking in rental companies is 6 weeks before receiving the car. If you book early, two days before receiving the car, you can cancel the order without any penalties.
Which car to choose for rent
The compact model is relevant for city trips in Alicante. It can be Fiat 500 or Ford Fiesta. Mountain routes require a more powerful four-wheel drive vehicle - Ford Foxus Estate or similar model. You can order an SUV for just €43 per day;
What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance advice
Rental companies in Alicante may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Check out the fuel policy
When you pick up your car, you may be asked to pay for a full tank of fuel right away. This condition will suit you if you plan to travel long distances. For a couple of trips around the city, you don’t need so much fuel, and therefore it doesn’t make sense to overpay. Pay attention to the fuel policy when booking a car. If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Mileage without limits
The rental company may set a daily mileage limit. You will have to pay extra for exceeding the limit. Please check this condition before booking. It is possible that a more expensive rental option will turn out to be more profitable in the end: it will not require any additional expenses. To filter cars with unlimited mileage - use the "Mileage" filter in the search results.
Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Alicante, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
How to choose a rental company
It is recommended to rent a car in trusted companies, that is, in those whose services you have already used. You can also focus on the rating of our site, which is displayed next to the name of the company in the search results.
Ceteris paribus, preference should be given to larger companies that have a high level of service and a large selection of cars. The best rental companies in Alicante are sixt with an average rating of 9.8 points and budget (rating - 9.7).
Getting a car at a rental office
Getting a rented car in Alicante is as follows: You show the manager a voucher, as well as the necessary documents - a passport and an international driver's license. The manager draws up a lease agreement, after which the agreed amount of the security deposit will be blocked on your bank card. Before receiving the car, it is necessary to inspect it, fix the existing damage and inform the manager about them.
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Car rental reviews: Alicante
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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