Alicante is one of the strongest bases on the Costa Blanca for digital nomads who want a real city, good transport, beaches, coworking spaces, cafés, restaurants and year-round services.
It is more urban than towns like Altea, Calpe or Villajoyosa, and it has a more practical daily-life setup than many smaller coastal destinations. For remote workers who want a balance between city convenience and Mediterranean lifestyle, Alicante is one of the easiest places on the Costa Blanca to settle into.
It is not the quietest or most charming option in the region, and some areas can feel busy or touristy, especially in summer. But if your priorities are transport, services, work infrastructure, international connections and access to both beaches and a city centre, Alicante is hard to beat.
Best for: city life, coworking, transport, beach access, restaurants and longer stays without needing a car.
Less ideal for: very quiet retreats, village-style living, low-season seclusion or people who want a small coastal town atmosphere.
Why Alicante works well for digital nomads
Alicante is not just a holiday city. It is a functioning provincial capital with a historic centre, train station, airport access, tram connections, universities, hospitals, shopping areas, residential neighbourhoods, beaches and a growing ecosystem of cafés and coworking spaces.
That makes it different from many Costa Blanca towns that are beautiful but more limited for day-to-day remote work. In Alicante, you can live without a car, move around by tram or bus, work from a coworking space, find international food, go to the beach after work and travel to other parts of Spain or Europe with relative ease.
For many remote workers, Alicante sits in a useful middle ground:
- more urban and better connected than Altea or Calpe;
- more compact and beach-friendly than Valencia or Madrid;
- more city-like than Benidorm;
- more practical for coworking and transport than most small towns on the Costa Blanca.
It is a good choice if you want Mediterranean weather and coastal living, but you still need the services and rhythm of a city.
Lifestyle and atmosphere
Alicante has a mixed personality. Around the old town, marina, Explanada de España and Postiguet Beach, it can feel touristy and lively. Around Luceros, Mercado and Ensanche, it feels more like a real Spanish city. In San Juan Beach, Albufereta and Cabo Huertas, the lifestyle becomes more residential, spacious and beach-oriented.
This variety is one of Alicante’s biggest strengths. You can choose between:
- a central urban lifestyle close to cafés, restaurants and coworking spaces;
- a beach-focused stay near San Juan or Albufereta;
- a practical residential base near Luceros or Ensanche;
- a quieter local setup in areas outside the most tourist-heavy streets.
For digital nomads, the city works especially well if you enjoy walking, cafés, evening terraces, public transport, beach breaks and occasional weekend trips. It is also a better option than many smaller towns if you want social opportunities, language exchanges, events or a more international atmosphere.
The trade-off is that Alicante is not as calm as smaller Costa Blanca towns. It has traffic, busy streets, summer crowds and a more urban feel. If your idea of remote work is total silence, mountain views and village life, Alicante may feel too active. But if you want convenience and variety, it is one of the most reliable choices in the region.
Best areas to stay in Alicante
Choosing the right area matters a lot in Alicante. The city is compact enough to be manageable, but the lifestyle changes significantly depending on whether you stay in the centre, near the beach, around the tram lines or in a more residential district.
Alicante city centre / Centro
The centre is the most practical area for first-time visitors and short-to-medium stays. You are close to restaurants, cafés, shops, transport, the marina, the old town and many services. It is also one of the easiest areas if you do not want to rent a car.
This is a good base if you want to be able to walk almost everywhere and keep your daily routine simple. The downside is that it can be noisier and more expensive than outer neighbourhoods, especially close to the old town or nightlife streets.
Best for: first-time stays, walking, restaurants, cafés, transport and city convenience.
Luceros / Mercado
The Luceros and Mercado area is one of the most useful bases for remote workers. It is central, well connected and practical, but often feels slightly more local than the most tourist-facing streets near the marina.
Luceros is especially convenient because it connects well with the TRAM network. Mercado is also good if you like being near food shops, cafés and everyday services. This area can work very well for remote workers who want to be central without staying directly in the busiest tourist zone.
Best for: transport, daily life, central convenience and access to coworking/cafés.
Old Town / Postiguet
The old town and Postiguet area is the most scenic central option. You are close to the beach, the castle, the marina and the most attractive parts of Alicante for visitors.
It can be a great choice for shorter stays or if you want the classic Alicante experience. However, it can also be busier, noisier and more tourist-oriented. For longer stays, it is worth checking the exact street carefully before booking.
Best for: beach access, short stays, old-town atmosphere and scenic walks.
Ensanche-Diputación
Ensanche-Diputación is a practical residential and commercial area near the train station, shops and central services. It may not be as picturesque as the old town, but it can be very convenient for longer stays.
This area suits people who care more about daily practicality than postcard views. It is also useful if you plan to travel by train or want easy access to the city centre without being in the busiest nightlife streets.
Best for: longer stays, train access, practical city living and services.
Example accommodation in this area: Eurostars Centrum Alicante.
San Juan Beach / Playa de San Juan
San Juan Beach is one of the best areas if your priority is beach lifestyle rather than city-centre energy. It offers a long beach, more space, a residential feel and tram connections back towards Alicante.
This area can be excellent for remote workers who want morning walks, beach breaks, a healthier routine and a quieter base. The trade-off is that you are not in the centre. Depending on your exact location, you may rely more on the tram, bus, bike or car.
Best for: beach lifestyle, longer stays, outdoor routines and more space.
Albufereta / Cabo Huertas
Albufereta and Cabo Huertas offer a more residential coastal lifestyle between Alicante city and San Juan Beach. These areas can work well for people who want sea access without staying in the historic centre.
They are generally better for a quieter rhythm, coastal walks and a more local residential feel. As with San Juan, the exact location matters because some parts are better connected than others.
Best for: quieter coastal living, sea access and residential stays.
Example accommodation nearby: Hotel Albahía Alicante.
San Juan town / Sant Joan d’Alacant
San Juan town is separate from Alicante city and different from Playa de San Juan. It can be useful for people who want a quieter residential base, access to services and proximity to the beach area without being directly in the city centre.
It is less convenient for a short city break, but it may work for longer stays if you prefer a more residential rhythm.
Best for: residential stays, quieter living and access to the northern side of Alicante.
Example accommodation: Hotel Villa San Juan.
Cost of living in Alicante
Alicante is not the cheapest place on the Costa Blanca, but it can still be more affordable than larger Spanish cities such as Madrid, Barcelona or parts of Valencia, depending on your lifestyle and the season.
For digital nomads, the biggest variable is accommodation. Short-term rentals, central apartments and beach-area stays can become expensive during high season. Longer stays outside the peak summer months are usually more realistic.
Daily life can be manageable if you live like a resident rather than a tourist. Local supermarkets, markets, menú del día lunches, public transport and walking can keep costs under control. Eating out frequently in tourist-heavy areas, staying near the beach in summer or booking accommodation week by week will increase your budget quickly.
Alicante is best viewed as a mid-range Costa Blanca base: more expensive than many inland towns, often more practical than smaller coastal villages, and usually more affordable than Spain’s largest urban centres.
Internet and remote work environment
Alicante is generally a good city for remote work. Fibre internet is common in apartments, cafés are widely available, mobile coverage is usually strong and there are several coworking spaces for people who need a more reliable setup.
As always in Spain, the quality of your work environment depends heavily on the accommodation you book. Before committing to a longer stay, ask for:
- a real internet speed test;
- a photo of the desk or work area;
- confirmation of heating/air conditioning;
- noise information, especially in central streets;
- whether the building has construction nearby.
For serious work, a coworking space is often a better solution than relying only on cafés. Cafés are useful for short sessions, admin tasks, coffee breaks or light laptop work, but they are not always ideal for long calls or full workdays.
Best coworking spaces in Alicante
Alicante has a stronger coworking scene than most towns on the Costa Blanca. This is one of the main reasons it works well for remote workers who need structure, community or a professional setup.
The following places are useful starting points. Ratings and reviews can change, so always check the latest information before choosing a plan.
ULab
ULab is one of the best-known coworking options in Alicante and a natural first place to check if you want a professional workspace rather than relying on cafés. It is especially relevant for people who need a more structured workday, meeting space or a reliable business environment.
Best for: serious work sessions, coworking plans, networking and a more professional setup.
Impact Hub Alicante
View Impact Hub Alicante on Google Maps →
Impact Hub Alicante is a good option to look at if you value community, events and a more connected coworking atmosphere. It can suit remote workers who want more than just a desk and prefer to be around other professionals.
Best for: community, events, professional networking and collaborative work.
terretUp Coworking
View terretUp Coworking on Google Maps →
terretUp Coworking is another strong option for people who want a dedicated work environment in the city. It is worth checking if you are comparing monthly plans, desk availability or a quieter alternative to the largest coworking spaces.
Best for: focused work, local coworking atmosphere and longer work routines.
Coworking Luceros12
View Coworking Luceros12 on Google Maps →
Coworking Luceros12 is interesting because of its central location around one of Alicante’s most useful transport points. For remote workers who want to be close to TRAM, buses and the city centre, this kind of location can be very practical.
Best for: central location, transport access and practical workdays.
Pixel-Coworking
View Pixel-Coworking on Google Maps →
Pixel-Coworking may appeal to remote workers looking for a smaller or more focused coworking setup. It is worth comparing with the bigger spaces if you prefer a less corporate feel.
Best for: focused laptop work, smaller workspace atmosphere and local coworking.
Best coffee shops to work from in Alicante
Coffee shops in Alicante are useful for short laptop sessions, coffee breaks, writing, planning and light work. They are not a replacement for a coworking space if you need long video calls or a guaranteed quiet desk, but they can be part of a good remote-work routine.
Before settling in with a laptop, check the atmosphere, table space, plug availability and whether the café seems laptop-friendly at that time of day. A good rule is to use cafés respectfully: order properly, avoid taking large tables during peak times and move to a coworking space for long work blocks.
Point Bianco
View Point Bianco on Google Maps →
Point Bianco is a strong candidate for coffee lovers looking for a highly rated café in Alicante. It can work well for relaxed mornings, coffee breaks and casual laptop time, depending on how busy it is.
Best for: specialty coffee, casual work sessions and relaxed breaks.
Madness Specialty Coffee
View Madness Specialty Coffee on Google Maps →
Madness Specialty Coffee is one of the better-known coffee names in Alicante and a useful stop if you care about coffee quality. Because popular cafés can get busy, it is better for shorter sessions than treating it as a full-day office.
Best for: specialty coffee, central coffee breaks and short laptop sessions.
Swallow – Specialty Coffee
View Swallow – Specialty Coffee on Google Maps →
Swallow is another useful specialty coffee option, especially if you are looking for a better coffee experience than a generic café chain. It is a good place to check for a focused morning or a relaxed work break.
Best for: specialty coffee, quality breakfast and lighter work sessions.
Coffee Berry Specialty Coffee & Brunch
View Coffee Berry Specialty Coffee & Brunch on Google Maps →
Coffee Berry Specialty Coffee & Brunch is worth considering if you want coffee and food together. Brunch-style cafés can be useful for remote workers who prefer a slower morning routine before starting a focused work block.
Best for: coffee, brunch, casual work and relaxed mornings.
Cafetales Specialty Coffee
View Cafetales Specialty Coffee on Google Maps →
Cafetales Specialty Coffee is another option for people building a rotation of laptop-friendly coffee stops in the city. It is useful to have several cafés in mind so you can adapt depending on where you are staying.
Best for: coffee breaks, short work sessions and exploring different parts of the city.
GLUTTONI CAFE
View GLUTTONI CAFE on Google Maps →
GLUTTONI CAFE can be useful if you are looking for a café with strong reviews and a more relaxed stop for coffee or casual laptop time. As always, check the current atmosphere before planning a long session.
Best for: coffee, casual laptop time and relaxed breaks.
Healthy food and restaurants
Alicante has a solid food scene, from traditional tapas and rice dishes to modern healthy cafés, vegetarian restaurants and casual international options. For digital nomads staying longer than a weekend, this matters: having reliable places for healthy lunches, quick meals and non-touristy food makes daily life much easier.
The following places are useful starting points if you want healthier or lighter options.
3F Greens
View 3F Greens on Google Maps →
3F Greens is a strong option if you want a modern healthy-food stop rather than a heavy restaurant meal. It can work well for lunch, lighter dinners or a reset after several days of tapas and eating out.
Best for: healthy bowls, lighter meals and easy weekday lunches.
Açai & Co.
View Açai & Co. on Google Maps →
Açai & Co. is useful for smoothies, bowls and quick healthy options. It suits remote workers who want something lighter during the day without turning lunch into a long restaurant meal.
Best for: açai bowls, smoothies and light daytime food.
El Gosto del Gourmet
View El Gosto del Gourmet on Google Maps →
El Gosto del Gourmet is more of a general restaurant option, useful if you want something beyond a basic café meal. It can be part of a broader food rotation for longer stays in Alicante.
Best for: restaurant meals, Mediterranean food and eating out with friends.
Mareando la Huerta
View Mareando la Huerta on Google Maps →
Mareando la Huerta is a useful option for people who like vegetable-forward food and Mediterranean-style cooking. It fits well into a long-stay routine where you want healthier restaurant options.
Best for: fresh food, Mediterranean flavours and healthier meals.
Falafelmania Restaurante Vegetariano y Vegano Oriental
View Falafelmania on Google Maps →
Falafelmania is useful for vegetarian and vegan-friendly meals with Middle Eastern flavours. It is a good option if you want something casual, filling and different from Spanish menus.
Best for: vegetarian food, vegan-friendly meals and casual lunches.
MAKALU VEGGIE
View MAKALU VEGGIE on Google Maps →
MAKALU VEGGIE is another strong vegetarian-friendly option to keep in mind. It can be especially useful for remote workers who prefer plant-based meals or want healthier choices during a longer stay.
Best for: vegetarian meals, plant-based food and healthier dining.
Gyms and fitness in Alicante
Alicante is a good city for staying active. You have gyms, beach walks, running routes, outdoor training possibilities and easy access to the sea. If fitness is part of your remote-work routine, Alicante offers more options than most smaller Costa Blanca towns.
For longer stays, check whether gyms offer flexible memberships, day passes or monthly plans without long commitments.
Titan Fitness Alicante
View Titan Fitness Alicante on Google Maps →
Titan Fitness Alicante is a strong option to check if you want a serious gym environment. It may suit people who are used to structured training and want more than a basic hotel gym.
Best for: strength training, regular workouts and serious fitness routines.
Gym Atlas
View Gym Atlas on Google Maps →
Gym Atlas is another highly rated option to consider for regular training. It can work well if you want a local gym rather than relying only on outdoor exercise.
Best for: consistent gym routines, weights and general fitness.
HIT Fitness Club
View HIT Fitness Club on Google Maps →
HIT Fitness Club may appeal to people who prefer more dynamic training, classes or a fitness-club feel rather than just open-gym access.
Best for: functional training, classes and active routines.
Costa Blanca Gym
View Costa Blanca Gym on Google Maps →
Costa Blanca Gym is another established option for people comparing gyms in Alicante. It is worth checking if the location fits your accommodation area.
Best for: general gym access, regular workouts and local fitness.
Transport and getting around
Transport is one of Alicante’s biggest advantages over many Costa Blanca towns. You can live in the city without a car, especially if you choose your accommodation carefully.
Airport access
Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport is one of the main reasons Alicante works well for international remote workers. It gives the city a level of connectivity that smaller towns cannot match.
The C6 airport bus connects the airport with central Alicante, including key stops such as the train station area, Plaza de los Luceros and Puerta del Mar. This makes arriving without a car relatively easy.
Useful link: Vectalia C6 Alicante Airport Bus.
TRAM Alicante
The TRAM is very useful for digital nomads because it connects Alicante with several important areas and towns. From Luceros, you can reach places such as San Juan Beach, El Campello, Benidorm and other points along the Costa Blanca network.
This is especially useful if you want Alicante as your main base but still plan to explore places like Villajoyosa, Benidorm, Altea, Calpe or Dénia over time.
Useful link: TRAM d’Alacant.
City buses and TAM
Alicante also has an urban and metropolitan bus network. For longer stays, it is worth understanding the TAM transport system and checking current fares, passes and recharge options.
Useful links:
Walkability
Central Alicante is very walkable. If you stay around Centro, Luceros, Mercado, Ensanche, the old town or Postiguet, many daily needs can be handled on foot.
For San Juan Beach, Albufereta or Cabo Huertas, you will probably use the tram, bus, bike, taxi or car more often. These areas can still work very well, but they feel less compact than the city centre.
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Download Nomad Journey on the App StoreBeaches and nature
Alicante gives you easy access to the sea without giving up city services. Postiguet Beach is the most central beach and is useful for quick walks, swims or breaks between work sessions. San Juan Beach is larger, more spacious and better for longer beach days or regular exercise.
For nature and views, Santa Bárbara Castle is one of the easiest escapes from the city centre. You can also use Alicante as a base to explore the wider Costa Blanca, including El Campello, Villajoyosa, Benidorm, Altea and other coastal towns by tram or car.
This is one of Alicante’s main strengths: you do not have to choose completely between city life and coastal living.
Social life and international community
Alicante is one of the better places on the Costa Blanca for meeting people. It has students, locals, expats, remote workers, language exchanges, coworking spaces, events, bars and restaurants.
It will not feel like a major global digital nomad hub in the same way as Lisbon, Barcelona or Valencia, but it has more social infrastructure than most smaller towns in the region.
If community is important to you, coworking spaces are a good starting point. Language exchanges, fitness classes, expat groups and local events can also help you build a routine. Alicante is especially suitable for people who want a balanced social life rather than a party-only destination.
Alicante vs Benidorm for digital nomads
Alicante and Benidorm are both practical Costa Blanca bases, but they feel very different.
Alicante is better if you want a real city, airport access, coworking spaces, train connections, a more urban lifestyle and a broader restaurant/café scene. It is also more convenient if you plan to travel often or want a wider range of neighbourhoods.
Benidorm is better if you want a very practical beach resort setup, lots of year-round services, strong international amenities, easy coastal living and a compact environment with everything close by. It can also be more convenient for people who want a resort-style lifestyle with a large English-speaking presence.
A simple way to decide:
- choose Alicante if you want city life plus beach access;
- choose Benidorm if you want beach-resort convenience and a very established international environment;
- choose Altea, Villajoyosa or Calpe if you want something quieter and more scenic.
Pros and cons of Alicante for digital nomads
Pros
- Real city infrastructure with beaches nearby.
- Good airport access.
- Coworking spaces and coffee shops.
- Walkable central areas.
- TRAM connections to other Costa Blanca towns.
- Good restaurant and healthy food options.
- More social opportunities than smaller towns.
- Possible to live without a car in the right area.
Cons
- Can be busy and touristy in central areas.
- Accommodation can become expensive in high season.
- Not as quiet or scenic as smaller towns like Altea or Calpe.
- Some beach areas are less convenient without transport.
- Cafés are not always ideal for full workdays.
- Summer heat and crowds can affect daily routines.
Who Alicante is best for
Alicante is a strong choice for remote workers who want:
- a city base on the Costa Blanca;
- easy airport access;
- coworking options;
- cafés and restaurants;
- beach access without being isolated;
- public transport;
- a more international atmosphere;
- weekend trips along the coast;
- longer stays without needing a car.
It is especially good for solo remote workers, couples, freelancers, hybrid professionals and digital nomads who want practicality before pure charm.
Who Alicante is not ideal for
Alicante may not be the best fit if you want:
- a very quiet village atmosphere;
- low-cost inland living;
- a small artistic town like Altea;
- a resort-style English-speaking environment like Benidorm;
- mountain isolation;
- a car-free stay directly beside a quiet beach;
- a place that feels hidden or undiscovered.
It is a practical, lively coastal city — not a remote retreat.
Nearby Costa Blanca towns to explore
One of the advantages of basing yourself in Alicante is that you can explore other Costa Blanca towns relatively easily.
Good nearby options include:
- El Campello — quieter beach-town living close to Alicante.
- Villajoyosa — colourful coastal town with a more local feel.
- Benidorm — practical beach-resort base with year-round services.
- Altea — scenic, artistic and slower-paced.
- Calpe — beaches, sea views and nature.
- Dénia — food, expats, beaches and a more settled coastal lifestyle.
This makes Alicante a good first base if you are still deciding where on the Costa Blanca you might want to stay longer.
FAQ
Is Alicante good for digital nomads?
Yes. Alicante is one of the best Costa Blanca cities for digital nomads because it combines beaches, coworking spaces, coffee shops, public transport, airport access and year-round city services.
Can you live in Alicante without a car?
Yes, especially if you stay in central areas such as Centro, Luceros, Mercado, Ensanche, the old town or Postiguet. For San Juan Beach, Albufereta or Cabo Huertas, public transport is available, but location matters more.
What is the best area to stay in Alicante for remote workers?
For first-time remote workers, Centro, Luceros, Mercado and Ensanche are usually the most practical areas. San Juan Beach and Albufereta are better if you want a more beach-focused lifestyle.
Does Alicante have coworking spaces?
Yes. Alicante has several coworking spaces, including ULab, Impact Hub Alicante, terretUp Coworking, Coworking Luceros12 and Pixel-Coworking.
Are cafés in Alicante good for working remotely?
Alicante has many good coffee shops, especially for short laptop sessions and casual work. For long calls or full workdays, coworking spaces are usually a better option.
Is Alicante better than Benidorm for digital nomads?
Alicante is better if you want city life, coworking, airport access and transport connections. Benidorm is better if you want a very practical beach-resort base with strong international services and a more compact resort lifestyle.
Is Alicante expensive for long stays?
Alicante is generally mid-range for the Costa Blanca. Accommodation is the biggest cost, especially in central or beach areas during high season. Longer stays outside peak summer are usually more affordable.
What are the best nearby towns to visit from Alicante?
Good nearby towns include El Campello, Villajoyosa, Benidorm, Altea, Calpe and Dénia. The TRAM network makes several Costa Blanca towns accessible from Alicante.