Alicante Compass
Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me.
Real guides on living in Alicante — from someone who actually does.
"Nobody hands you a manual when you decide to build a life in Alicante. You figure things out — sometimes quickly, sometimes the hard way. This is my version of that manual.
Moving to Alicante — or even just spending serious time here — throws things at you that no guidebook covers. Getting your head around the healthcare system, figuring out the paperwork in Spain, finding a school for your kids. I've been through most of it myself, and this is where I write it all down. Real situations, honest impressions, and the kind of practical detail I wish someone had handed me on day one.
Whatever your situation as an expat in Alicante — I hope something here makes it a little easier."
Moving to Alicante — or even just spending serious time here — throws things at you that no guidebook covers. Getting your head around the healthcare system, figuring out the paperwork in Spain, finding a school for your kids. I've been through most of it myself, and this is where I write it all down. Real situations, honest impressions, and the kind of practical detail I wish someone had handed me on day one.
Whatever your situation as an expat in Alicante — I hope something here makes it a little easier."
Petro
Alicante Compass
Figured It Out So You Don't Have To.
I did it in two months with no Spanish. This is the full story.
Prices are up. Agents are everywhere. And most locals can't afford to buy. Here's what's actually going on.
Rent, utilities, food, school, healthcare and more. Written by someone who lives here with a family of three, not a travel blogger passing through.
292 stalls, 11,100 sq metres, and over 100 years of feeding the city. What to buy, when to go, and what most visitors walk straight past.
Now you know what to expect. Go experience it.
Keep exploring:
Best Beaches
in Alicante & Costa Blanca
From hidden turquoise coves to vast golden sands — find your perfect beach on the Alicante, Costa Blanca.
Moving to Alicante?
Read This First.
Neighbourhoods worth considering, the ones to avoid, real costs, bureaucracy, and what daily life in Alicante actually looks like.
Parks & Nature in Alicante
Parks, nature reserves, and outdoor spots worth pulling yourself away from the sand for.
Stop Guessing. Start Planning.
A small selection of tools that make Costa Blanca travel easier. Some links are affiliate — meaning I earn a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. I only include services I'd genuinely recommend.
Hotels, apartments, and villas across the Costa Blanca. Summer fills up fast — the good spots go first.
Alicante Airport (ALC) connects to most major European cities year-round. Compare and lock in the best price before it moves.
The Costa Blanca stretches 200km. A rental car is the only way to actually see it — buses don't go where the good stuff is.
Day trips, boat tours, and guided excursions across the Costa Blanca — handpicked and worth your time.
Hi, I’m Petro, the face behind Alicante Compass.
This guide is free and always will be. Running it takes time, fuel, and a lot of coffee — researching places that don't show up on Google Maps, verifying details that other sites get wrong, and writing guides I'd actually want to read myself. If Alicante Compass has saved you time, money, or given you one moment worth remembering — I'd be grateful for your support. Every contribution keeps me on the road and the content free for everyone.
Ask Petro Directly
No question is too small. If you can't find the answer on the site, send me a message — I'll get back to you personally.
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