Explanada de España
Alicante's best-known promenade, a palm-lined boulevard by the harbour paved with nearly seven million tricolour marble tiles that ripple like waves. It's free, and dusk is the best time to walk it, with café terraces and street musicians filling the boulevard.
The Explanada de España is Alicante's best-known promenade: a boulevard beside the harbour, lined with palm trees and paved with nearly seven million tricolour marble tiles arranged in a wave pattern. Access is free, and dusk is when it's busiest, with café terraces, street musicians and strollers of every age.
What to see
The star here is the ground itself: the undulating mosaic of red, cream and black tiles that runs the length of the promenade, best appreciated on a slow walk. The row of palms offers shade, and the boulevard opens onto a view of the marina, with its moored boats and the Mediterranean beyond.
The atmosphere
The Explanada is a living promenade: terraces for a drink, buskers, and a craft market that often livens up the evenings. It is a place to take your time.
Visiting tips
- The best time is late afternoon and sunset, when the heat eases and the boulevard comes to life.
- Entry is free; pair it with a wander through the nearby Santa Cruz quarter or the climb up to Santa Bárbara castle.
- Wear comfortable shoes: the polished marble can be slippery when damp.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to pay to stroll along the Explanada de España?
No, access is free. It's Alicante's most iconic promenade, right beside the port.
What's special about the Explanada's pavement?
It's paved with nearly seven million tricolour marble tiles (red, cream and black) that form a hypnotic wave pattern.
When is the best time to visit the Explanada?
At sunset, when it becomes the social heart of the city, with terraces, musicians and strollers.
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