Car rental in Alicante

Alicante offers more than beaches—explore mountains with traditional villages, vast vineyards, and ancient castles. Reaching these destinations by public transport is challenging, as buses run infrequently and routes don't cover all points of interest. Many parts of the province are best explored with your own vehicle, giving you freedom from fixed schedules.

Renting a car in Alicante provides easy access to remote Costa Blanca beaches and allows you to discover mountain villages like Guadalest.

Benefits of Renting a Car in Alicante with Localrent

Renting through Localrent is a straightforward way to get the right vehicle for your Alicante trip. The platform brings together local rental companies, offering extensive choice for different needs and budgets. Key advantages of Localrent include:

1. Transparent final booking price displayed upfront, with no unwelcome surprises at pickup
2. Many options with deposits up to just €450
3. Filters for quick vehicle selection by body type, price, payment methods, unlimited mileage, and other criteria
4. Wide selection of cars available without requiring a credit card
5. Diverse fleet from compact city models to crossovers, minivans, mid-range sedans, and luxury convertibles

Find your ideal vehicle on Localrent for trips around Alicante and the province.

Requirements for Renting a Car in Alicante

To rent a car in Alicante, prepare three documents: your passport, valid driver's license, and the voucher you'll receive after booking payment.

Minimum requirements at most companies include age 22-25 years and 1-2 years driving experience. Drivers aged 26+ with 2-3 years experience have the widest vehicle selection. Always verify requirements for your chosen vehicle and apply filters during your search to see only suitable options.

Driving in Alicante

Traffic in Alicante, particularly in the city center and coastal zone during summer, is busy but generally well-organized. Expect narrow streets in the historic district and heavy flow during peak hours:

Peak congestion periods:

• Morning rush: 7:30 am to 9:00 am
• Evening peak: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Be prepared for roundabouts at major exits and junctions—vehicles already on the roundabout have priority. The waterfront and beach roads see significant bicycle traffic.

Beyond the city, conditions change. Highways are in excellent condition but tolled. Mountain roads leading into the province often feature narrow serpentine routes with sharp turns and limited visibility. Smooth driving technique and appropriate vehicle selection are essential—choose a car with at least a 1.4L engine. Secondary roads to vineyards or remote beaches may have inferior surfaces.

Speed Limits

• Urban areas: 50 km/h, reduced to 30 or 20 km/h in special attention zones (near schools)
• Rural roads: 90 km/h
• Highways: 120 km/h

Low beams or daytime running lights are mandatory in tunnels and poor visibility conditions. We recommend using them during daytime highway driving as well.

Local driving style can be characterized as confident, occasionally assertive, but generally predictable by European standards. Maintain proper distance; honking without necessity is uncommon. Road signs follow international standards, and markings are typically clear. At uncontrolled intersections, priority goes to traffic from the right unless signs indicate otherwise.

Parking in Alicante

In central Alicante, especially in the old town and tourist zones near the waterfront, parking spaces are scarce. The regulated SER zone (Servicio de Estacionamiento Regulado) operates here. Streets are marked with colored lines:

• Blue indicates paid parking for all users
• Green designates resident parking
• Yellow markings mean strict no-stopping or no-parking zones

Important: Parking on sidewalks or in prohibited areas frequently results in fines or vehicle towing.

Payment in the SER zone follows a zonal system. Maximum parking duration and rates are posted on street payment machines. Pay by coins, bank card, or mobile app.

Free parking in the center is virtually non-existent, especially during peak season. Free zones can be found on the central periphery, for example near Mercat Central d'Alacant or slightly north of Parc del Tossal. The farther from the sea and old town, the better your chances of finding free street parking—but expect a walk.

On Sundays and holidays, SER zone parking is usually free for all except certain high-traffic tourist streets. Always verify signs at payment machines. SER restrictions typically lift in the evening (around 8:00 pm or 9:00 pm) until morning (approximately 8:00 am to 9:00 am), though this varies by zone.

In the old town, parking is often physically impossible or extremely difficult due to street width. Underground parking facilities are your best option.

Fuel Stations in Alicante

Throughout Alicante and Spain, fuel stations operate on a self-service principle, though some have attendants. Most stations operate 24 hours and feature shops, cafés, and tire inflation machines.

Most Spanish stations use a self-service post-payment system. After refueling, go to the cashier, state your pump number, and pay by card or cash.

Booking a Car in Alicante: Step-by-Step Guide

Start by selecting rental dates and pickup location in the city, if this matters to you. If returning the car to a different city, specify this as well. Then:

1. Use filters to narrow choices by transmission type, car class, engine size, brand, or important conditions like rental without credit card or unlimited mileage
2. Review cards for suitable options. Note included mileage, insurance details, technical specifications, and available payment methods
3. Add options if needed: child seat, additional insurance, cross-border travel, or second driver service
4. Specify exact pickup/return time and location, enter primary driver details, contact phone, and email
5. Pay the advance online by bank card. After payment confirmation, you'll receive a voucher by email

At pickup, carefully inspect the vehicle with the rental representative. All identified damage must be recorded in the handover document. Only then sign the rental agreement and pay the remaining balance plus deposit

Where to Go: Alicante Area Highlights

Alicante is not just beautiful beaches but a starting point for exploring Spain's contrasting province. Within an hour's drive, discover white mountain villages, medieval castles, natural parks, or quiet Costa Blanca coves. Recommended destinations:

1. Guadalest. Medieval village built on a 500-meter rock. Key attractions include the 11th-century San José Castle, rock tunnel, and viewing platform overlooking the reservoir. The village has four small museums, with the ethnographic museum particularly interesting. The serpentine road requires a car with at least a 1.4L engine.
2. Altea. White town with a historic center of 300 houses. Main points include the Església de Santa Maria del Consol d'Altea church with its dome of 40,000 blue tiles, waterfront promenade, and fishing port. Convenient parking is available near the Old Town entrance.
3. Villajoyosa. Town featuring colorful 19th-century fishermen's houses. The historic center retains its medieval character with fortress wall ruins, the Gothic Asunción church, and an ancient Roman-era tower. The town is also home to the Valor chocolate factory, where you can visit the museum and sample treats. Nearby is Terra Mítica theme park, dedicated to ancient Mediterranean civilizations.
4. Xàtiva. This ancient city preserves its medieval spirit in two fortresses. The lower castle—Castillo Menor—was built by the Moors during their rule in Spain, while the upper castle—Castillo Mayor—towers over the town, revealing panoramas of white houses with red-tiled roofs and historic churches. The fortress complex features ancient defensive walls, a city history museum, and a viewing terrace café. Xàtiva's historic center is a labyrinth of narrow streets, unexpected squares, and shaded avenues.
5. Santa Pola Salt Lagoons. Natural park combining industrial salt production with wetland conservation. The area divides into production zones and natural lagoons serving as habitat for flamingos and other waterfowl. Visitors can observe birds from special platforms along marked trails. The park is open year-round, but peak bird activity occurs during migration periods—autumn through spring. An information center features exhibits about the local ecosystem.

For unique natural formations, head to the iconic Peñón de Ifach rock in Calpe. History enthusiasts and landscape lovers will appreciate Elche with its vast palm forest and medieval Altamira Castle. To experience an authentic Valencian mountain town, visit Alcoy—its Sant Jordi arched bridge and historic center make a strong impression.

Where to Pick Up Your Rental Car in Alicante

When placing your order, specify your preferred pickup location. Main pickup points in Alicante:

• Alicante Airport (ALC)
• In-city rental offices
• Hotel or specified address delivery

Not all vehicles are available at all locations. Check specific options for your chosen model in its Localrent card. To immediately see cars available at your desired location, use the "Specify location" filter during your search.

Tips and Recommendations for First-Time Renters in Alicante

Driving here is comfortable, but certain aspects warrant advance consideration. Narrow historic center streets require a compact model—a large crossover complicates parking and navigation.

In summer, air conditioning is essential, not luxury: even in May, temperatures easily reach +30°C. On coastal roads during summer, expect traffic jams, especially weekend mornings toward beaches and afternoons returning to the city.

If planning trips to Guadalest, Xàtiva, or mountain villages, choose a car with at least a 1.4L engine. Serpentine roads and climbs to Xàtiva Castle require power reserves, especially with air conditioning and passengers. For travel within Alicante, take a small car. It easily navigates narrow streets and fits any parking space.

FAQs About Car Rental in Alicante