Car Hire in Alicante & the Costa Blanca
Alicante sits on the Mediterranean coast as the capital of the Costa Blanca — a region of beaches, castles and mountain villages that stretches from Valencia to Murcia. The city itself blends a modern waterfront, a medieval castle on Mount Benacantil, and a historic old quarter that fills with colour in the evening. Hiring a car here opens up the coastline, the inland Marina Alta and the wine country of the Vinalopó Valley, all within an hour or two of the city centre.
The Costa Blanca is one of Spain's most visited coasts, and Alicante is its natural gateway. North of the city, the coast runs through resort towns like Benidorm, Altea and Calpe before reaching Denia and the ferry ports to the Balearics. Inland, the mountains hide villages like Guadalest, perched on pinnacles above reservoirs, and the Algar Waterfalls, where natural pools fill with locals in summer. South towards Murcia, the coast becomes quieter and the development thinner. A rental car is the practical way to reach the places that bus routes do not serve.
Right-hand traffic
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Euro (EUR)
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Alicante-Elche Airport, city centre, rail station, hotel
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Yes — AP-7 carries tolls; N-332 coastal road is free
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Match collection to the actual itinerary
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Alicante-Elche Airport Pickup
Alicante-Elche Airport is the main arrival point for Costa Blanca visitors and the busiest car rental hub in the region. Suppliers position desks in or near the terminal, and the fleet ranges from compact city cars to estates and SUVs suited to mountain roads. The airport connects to the A-31 and N-338, putting you on the motorway towards Benidorm or inland to Murcia within minutes. Confirm whether your supplier offers a meet-and-greet service or requires you to walk to an off-airport compound.
City Centre or Hotel Handover
Alicante city centre and selected hotels offer alternative pickup points for travellers already in town or arriving by train. The city centre is compact and walkable, but parking is limited. If you are staying in a beachfront hotel, some suppliers will deliver the vehicle to the property. City offices typically have shorter hours than the airport and may close on Sundays, so match your pickup time to their schedule.
Plan the handover, price and first drive
Alicante is a city that rewards early mornings. The Santa Bárbara Castle catches the first light before the heat builds, and the fishermen's quarter near the port is active long before the cafés on the Explanada open. With a car, you can be in the mountains by mid-morning, swimming in a waterfall by noon, and back for paella on the beach by evening.
The Costa Blanca has a reputation for high-rise resorts, but that is only part of the coast. North of Benidorm the headlands become rockier, the beaches smaller, and the villages more Spanish than international. Altea's old town is a maze of white houses and blue-domed churches. Calpe's Peñón de Ifach dominates the skyline. Denia feels like a working port that happens to have beaches.
Inland, the landscape flips entirely. The villages of the Marina Alta sit on ridges above valleys of almond and cherry orchards. Guadalest is the most dramatic — a castle and museum complex balanced on a pinnacle, with a reservoir below and mountains behind. The road up is narrow and steep; the view from the top is one of the best in the region.
Your rental voucher controls the handover. The details on it — pickup location, fuel policy, included cover, driver requirements — are what the counter staff will check. Read it before you arrive, keep it during the rental, and refer to it if anything at pickup does not match what you booked.
Check the conditions behind the price
The selected supplier’s terms and booking voucher control the rental. Review them before payment and again before collection.
Total payable price
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Deposit and payment card
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Excess and cover
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Fuel policy
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Mileage and territory
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Extras and return
Price additional drivers, seats, after-hours service and one-way return before payment.
Choose for people, bags and roads
A category normally represents a group of similar cars, not a promise of one exact model.
- Compact: convenient for couples and tighter parking.
- Intermediate: more room for bags and longer journeys.
- Family or SUV category: useful only when the required capacity justifies it.
- Transmission: select automatic explicitly if manual is unsuitable.
Practical planning before departure
Motorways and coastal roads
The AP-7 is the fast toll route north to Valencia and south to Murcia. The N-332 runs parallel along the coast, passing through towns rather than around them — slower, but more scenic and free. For mountain villages like Guadalest or the Algar Waterfalls, you will leave the main roads for winding local routes. Allow extra time for traffic around Benidorm in peak season.
Parking in Alicante and the coast
Alicante's city centre has metered street parking and several underground car parks near the Explanada and the port. Beach resorts fill their parking in July and August; arrive early or use hotel parking if available. Historic village centres like Altea or Villajoyosa have very narrow streets and are best explored on foot after parking on the outskirts.
Fuel policy
Most suppliers operate full-to-full or full-to-empty. Full-to-full is the transparent option: return the car with a full tank or pay the supplier's refuel rate, which is typically above pump price. The nearest petrol station to Alicante-Elche Airport is on the N-338 approach road — fill up before you reach the terminal to avoid airport forecourt prices.
Mountain and inland driving
The roads to Guadalest, the Algar Waterfalls and the higher villages of the Marina Alta are narrow, steep and shared with cyclists. Drive defensively, use laybys to let faster local traffic pass, and avoid these routes in heavy rain or fog. The views are worth the caution — reservoir panoramas, citrus groves and terraced hillsides that change colour through the seasons.
Local access, road and operating conditions can change. Check current signs, your supplier instructions and the linked source before travelling: Spain official tourism information.
Build a realistic first journey
Alicante to Benidorm and the northern coast
Follow the N-332 or AP-7 north through El Campello, Villajoyosa and Altea to Benidorm. Beyond Benidorm the coast continues to Calpe, Moraira and Denia, with ferry connections to Ibiza and Mallorca. The inland diversion through Guadalest adds a castle and reservoir viewpoint before dropping back to the coastal road.
Inland — Guadalest and the Algar Waterfalls
Head north on the CV-70 and CV-755 towards the village of Guadalest, built onto a rock pinnacle above a turquoise reservoir. Continue to the Algar Waterfalls near Callosa d'En Sarrià, where a series of natural pools and falls make a popular summer swimming stop. The roads are narrow and winding; allow extra time and drive carefully.
South towards Murcia and Cartagena
The N-332 and AP-7 continue south to Murcia, with quieter beaches at Santa Pola, Guardamar del Segura and La Manga del Mar Menor. Cartagena, an hour south, is a historic naval city with Roman ruins and a modernist waterfront. This stretch is less developed than the northern Costa Blanca and suits travellers looking for lower-key coastal driving.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Alicante?
EU and EEA licence holders can drive in Spain on their domestic licence. Some non-European licences are accepted, but many suppliers require an International Driving Permit as well. Check the terms shown at checkout for your specific booking.
Can I pick up at Alicante Airport and return in another city?
One-way rentals are available from Alicante to other Spanish cities, but almost always carry a surcharge. The fee varies by supplier and destination. Enter your preferred return city in the search box to see which suppliers offer one-way and at what cost.
Is it easy to drive in Benidorm?
Benidorm's grid of high-rise streets and one-way systems can be confusing for first-time visitors. Parking is scarce in summer and expensive in the centre. Many visitors park at their hotel or in a municipal car park and walk or use local transport for short trips.
What documents do I need at pickup?
Bring your driving licence, a credit or debit card in the main driver's name, your passport or ID, and the rental voucher. If you bought additional cover through a separate provider, carry the policy document. The rental desk will take a copy of the licence and place a security hold on the card.
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