Alicante (Spain)

Alicante (aka Alacant/both are official city names) is a port city in Spain on Costa Blanca, as well as the capital of Alicante Province and of Alacanti comarca. Alicante is also a major Mediterranean port (cargo and ferry), with city population around 330,000. By population (around 760,000), Alicante Metro is ranked Spain's 8th-largest.

By annual passenger shipping traffic, Alicante is one of Spain's major ports (for both cruise vessels and ferries), with more than 70 calls/visits by cruise ships and estimated 100,000+ passengers plus 40,000+ crew annually. Studies show that the average expenditure per cruise tourist is EUR 300+, including expenses on hotels, shopping, and excursions (before/after the voyage).

Port Alicante (locode ESALC) serves regularly scheduled ferry connections linking Spain with Algeria (Oran, Algiers, Mostaganem) and the Balearic Islands (Mallorca), the latter route being operated from Denia (to the northeast of Alicante).

In December 2022, Global Ports Holding (UK-based cruise port operator company/currently ranked the world's largest) announced winning the public tender and being awarded by the Alicante Port Authority a 15-year concession of Alicante Cruise Port (2023 thru 2038). The facility is operated via a joint venture consortium (80:20) between Global Ports Holding and Sepcan SL Maritime (Servicios Portuarios Canarios). The port concession deal was signed in March 2023.

In 2023, the Port reported a record year with scheduled 86 cruise ship calls and estimated 200,000+ tourists. The booked berthings included both stopovers and homeporting (embarkation/debarkation). In 2023, MSC Cruises increased/doubled its homeport operations by basing here two liners (MSC Lirica, MSC Orchestra) for a total of 25 roundtrip voyages out of Alicante. Of the 86 visits, 7 were maiden - by cruise ships making their inaugural calls in Alicante.

Among the city's most notable features are Castell de Santa Barbara (9th-century castle on Mt Benacantil, overlooking the city) and the Port. The latter was a subject of controversy in 2006–2007 as the residents successfully battled to keep it from being changed into an industrial estate. Santa Barbara Castle's La Torreta Tower is its oldest part, while the walls and part of the lowest zone were constructed during the 18th century.

The promenade Explanada de Espana is lined by palm trees and paved with 6.5M marble floor tiles that create a wavy form. The Promenade is one of the most beautiful promenades in Spain and extends from Port of Alicante to Gran Vía, ending at the statue of Mark Hersch. For Alicante's residents, Explanada de Espana is the meeting place for traditional Spanish paseo, or evening stroll along the waterfront, and a venue for musical concerts. At its end is a monument by the artist Banuls of the 19th century.

Just a few kilometers from the city is Tabarca Island. Once a haven for Barbary pirates, today it is a beautiful tourist attraction.