There are around 15 car rental locations in Alicante, making car rentals in Alicante both a convenient and advisable way to get around the city. There are also over 20 public and private parking lots and garages in Alicante, making it very convenient to drive to all the main attractions in the city such as the Basilica of St. Mary of Alicante, the Archaeological Museum of Alicante, and Calle de las Setas. The city is well laid out and easy to navigate, but be aware that if the police catch you arguing with or kissing a passenger, eating, adjusting your makeup, or taking one or both hands off the steering wheel, you could be fined. The Spanish are serious about driving safely.
While visiting, is it worthwhile to rent a car while visiting Alicante?
The Historic area of the city is very walkable, as are some of the other areas of the city, but car rentals in Alicante are still recommended if you want the freedom of also visiting areas just outside the city center and surrounding attractions that are just a short drive away. Lovely destinations like the Parc de l’Ereta, Santa Barbara Castle, and Lucentum are most easily accessed by car rentals in Alicante. The roads are in good condition, there is abundant parking, and the rental rates in Alicante are very reasonable both in and out of peak tourist seasons. Traffic congestion isn't bad most of the year, but is worse during the summer months. The best time to avoid driving on main roads is early in the morning. You can book a cheap car rental in Alicante on our website in advance of your trip.
What different driving laws should I keep in mind while driving in Alicante?
Spain prefers the use of traffic circles rather than traffic lights to maintain traffic flow in the cities, so if you aren’t familiar with these, you might want to study up on them before your trip, especially if you are from the United Kingdom or another country where driving is on the left side of the road rather than the right as it is in Alicante. Seat belts are mandatory for all people in the car, and drinking and driving limits are extremely low, so it’s best not to drink at all if you plan on driving. It is illegal to drive without a shirt, in flip flops, or while your arm is sticking out of the window, so do take care when visiting beach areas that you have proper footwear and clothing before you drive rental cars in Alicante. Spain has been increasing the number of traffic laws in recent years in an effort to reduce accidents, so check with the local driving authority when you arrive to make sure there are no new or additional driving laws you need to be aware of before driving Alicante car rentals.
Will I need a special driver’s license or permit to drive a rental car in Alicante if I’m visiting from another country?
You do not need to get an International Driver’s Permit in addition to your valid driver’s license from your home country to drive car rentals in Alicante as long as it has a photo of you on it. You will need a "Green Card" from your insurance carrier showing that your coverage meets the European Union requirements if you are from a non-EU country. In addition to these, you will need to carry your passport for identification purposes.