Gran Alacant
Gran Alacant sits high on the cliffs overlooking the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean. It is in a fantastic location just minutes south of the vibrant and fashionable city of Alicante and north of the traditional resort of Santa Pola.
Essentially a big urbanisation, Gran Alacant has several commercial areas, the biggest one of which is just off the N332. There are two great playgrounds for children and lots of cycling and walking routes around the surrounding area, including a stunning cliff top walk to the lighthouse with many viewpoints which look out over the Island of Tabarca. The fine sandy beach stretches north to Arenales del Sol and south to the start of the scenic drive to Santa Pola, along which there are a number of ‘chill out’ beach bars. The Tourist Train is a great way to discover Gran Alacant as it runs through the area connecting the commercial centres, play areas, cliff top walkways and the beach.
Places of interest & ideas of things to do in Gran Alacant
- Village Centre: municipal buildings and facilities, small parade of shops, eateries and children's playground.
- Centro Commercial Gran Alacant: the largest collection of shops and eateries within Gran Alacant.
- Market: small Thursday morning street market.
- Parque Sierra Santa Pola: small park with children's playground, adult fitness facilities and kiosk.
- Lighthouse: cliff top walk along to lighthouse.
- Viewpoint: stunning views across to Tabarca Island.
- Beach: long sandy beach connecting to Arenales del Sol.
- Promenade: long promenade from the beach at Gran Alacant to Arenales del Sol.
- Tourist Train: follows a route around Gran Alacant stopping 11 times at the commercial centres, beaches and lighthouse.
- Scenic Drive: from Arenales del Sol to Santa Pola, the road follows the sea below the impressive cliffs.
Ideas of places to twin Gran Alacant with day or night
- Visit the lively markets in the La Marina Urbanisations which are held every Thursday and Sunday mornings, then park at the start of the lighthouse walk and enjoy the short stroll along the top of the cliffs with stunning views over the Mediterreanian to the island of Tabarca.
- A great day out especially for children. Spend the morning exploring Gran Alacant by taking the tourist train around its route, hopping on and off at any of its 11 stops. There is the cliff top walk to the lighthouse, 2 children's playgrounds and the beach to choose from. Then make the short drive to Santa Pola and visit the Aquarium before enjoying an evening at the Santa Pola Park (open summer only) which is packed full of children's funfair rides.
- Start the day in Santa Pola with a walk along its stunning beach front promenade, stopping for a morning coffee. Then enjoy the short scenic drive just metres from the sea with plenty of pull-ins to admire the view. Take your time. The drive finishes at the start of the promenade at Arenales del Sol, have another walk along this or spend some time on the beach.
Places of Interest
Gran Alacant Beach
N38o14.434 W0o31.021Parking: is on the side of the road and is free
From here: walk along the wooden walk ways over the sand dunes onto the beach.
Gran Alacant Beach Car Park
N38o14.265 W0o31.153Parking: is in the car park area and is free.
From here: walk out of the car park area and turn left for the wooden walk ways that lead onto the beach.
Top tip: the car park gets very busy during high season, so come early or take the tourist train from the centro comercial.
Gran Alacant Commercial Centre Front Entrance
N38°14.006 W0°32.949- A number of large supermarkets and some service shops
- Great selection of restaurants, cafes and bars
- Some childrens fair ground rides and play area
Top tip: this is one of the stops for the tourist train, it is schedualled to leave here at 25 mins past the hour, tickets cost 2€ for one circuit .
Gran Alacant Commercial Centre Nova Mar
N38°14.428 W0°31.600- Selection of restaurants, cafes and bars
Gran Alacant Commercial Centre Orden
N38°13.974 W0°31.732- A supermarket and a restaurant
Gran Alacant Commercial Centre Plaza Reino Unido
N38°13.505 W0°31.237- Convenience store and a few service shops
- Selection of restaurants bars and cafes
Gran Alacant Commercial Centre Sueno Azul
N38°13.885 W0°31.455- Selection of restaurants bars and cafes
- Some service shops
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Opposite small Thursday morning market
Gran Alacant Commercial Centre Top
N38°13.612 W0°31.409- Selection of service shops including a pharmacy
- Some restaurants and bars
Gran Alacant Lighthouse
N38o13.031 W0o31.049Parking: is on the side of the road and is free.
From here: walk along the road to the turning circle and then follow the path to the lighthouse.
Top tip: parking is limited here, so you can park at the Centro Comercial and take the tourist train (charges apply). To park right beside the lighthouse take the turning on the N332 between Gran Alacant and Santa Pola which is marked with the sign post that says El Faro Santa Pola.
Gran Alacant Market Small Thursday Morning
N38°13.885 W0°31.455Parking: is on the side of the road and is free, it get busy here on market days so you might have to park further away and walk.
From here: the market is on the opposite side of the road.
Gran Alacant Parque Sierra Santa Pola
N38o13.807 W0o31.608Parking: is on the side of the road and is free.
From here: the park which contains a childrens playground, adult fitness equimpment and a kiosk, is opposite here.
Gran Alacant Promenade Arenal
N38o14.520 W0o31.012Parking: is on the side of the road and is free
From here: walk along the promenade into Arenales del Sol where there are lots of shops, cafes and restauarants, or down onto the beach.
Gran Alacant Tourist Train
N38o13.989 W0o32.945Parking: is in the car park and is free
From here: this is one of the the 11 stops for the tourist train. It opperates during most of the year and is schedualled to leave here at 25 mins past the hour, tickets cost 2€ for one circuit. For more information about the route and timetable take a look at the official website.
Gran Alacant Viewpoint
N38o13.031 W0o31.049Parking: is on the side of the road and is free.
From here: walk along the road to the turning circle and then follow any of the paths to the lighthouse. There are benches at both viewpoints eitherside of the lighthouse, but the best views of the Island of Tabarca are to be found at the viewpoint just past the lighthouse.
Top tip: parking is limited here, so you can park at the Centro Comercial and take the tourist train (charges apply).
Gran Alacant Village Centre
N38o13.616 W0o31.363Parking: is in the car park and is free.
From here: the small parade of shops and resturants is opposite, the library, townhall and childrens playground are beside the car park.
Santa Pola Scenic Drive Northern Point
N38°13.496 W0°30.784From here: this is the coordinate for the northern point in Gran Alacant of the coastal road which runs beside the sea underneath the cliffs from Santa Pola.
Top tip: it gets very busy especially during high season, so is sometimes best avoided in the summer.
Santa Pola Scenic Drive Southern Point
N38°11.781 W0°30.928From here: this is the coordinate for the southern point in Santa Pola of the coastal road which runs beside the sea underneath the cliffs from Gran Alacant.
Top tip: it gets very busy especially during high season, so is sometimes best avoided in the summer.
