Alicante Town Hall (Ayuntamiento de Alicante)
The Basics
Beyond the immense entry doors is a replica of Salvador Dali’s eye-catching sculpture of Saint John framed by a grand open staircase. Interior design buffs will admire the paintings and furnishings in ornately appointed rooms, especially the Queen Isabel-era Salón Azul. Beyond the original 18th-century structure is a modern wing showcasing the 13th and 16th century walls unearthed during construction.
Travelers may explore Alicante Town Hall during a private walking tour, making visits to historic landmarks such as the mountaintop Santa Bárbara Castle for a view of the coast, and architectural gems like Casa Carbonell and the St. Nicholas of Bari Cathedral, finishing the day with a stroll along the scenic Explanada de España with a glass of enjoying glass of traditional Sangria.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Suitable for solo travelers, couples, families; the Plaza del Ayuntamiento is a popular place to relax and have an ice cream cone.
- Remember to wear comfortable walking shoes, and sun protection.
- Admission is free.
- Tours may include roundtrip hotel transfers.
- Check specific tours for details.
Trip ideas
How to Get There
Alicante Town Hall is located in Plaza del Ayuntamiento, which is on the east side of the Centro neighborhood, two blocks from the beach. Alicante is a great walking city and taxis are readily available as is an extensive public transport network of intercity buses and trams.
When to Get There
Alicante Town Hall is open Monday - Friday, 9am - 2pm. With a mild climate, Alicante is lovely to visit year-round. The best beach weather is June through September, while the spring and fall offer warm weather and less crowds. Throughout the year, Alicante hosts events and festivals, such as San Juan's Bonfires (Hogueras de San Juan) in June, marked by large satirical artistic papier-mâché figures and fireworks, and Carnival, a three-week fiesta of costume parades, music, and dancing in March.
Marking the Sea
Next to Dali’s statue of Saint John, on the first step of the staircase is a small plaque that marks the Cata Cero, the precise reference point from which the altitude above sea level is measured in Spain. Scientists in the 19th century discovered that the difference between low tide and high tide was smaller along the Alicante coastline, and so they chose this step of the town hall as the benchmark of the altitude above sea level for the entire country.
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