Planning a visit to Elche? This city in Alicante province is full of amazing sights and activities that many tourists miss when they rush to the beaches.
With three UNESCO World Heritage sites packed into one city, Elche offers tons of history, nature, and Spanish culture away from the main tourist hotspots.
I’ve put together this guide to help you make the most of your time in this wonderful Spanish city.
Take a guided tour of the historical center and Huerto del Cura
The best way to start your visit to Elche is with a guided walking tour of the historic center and the beautiful Huerto del Cura botanical garden. Elche has three UNESCO World Heritage sites: the largest palm grove in Europe, the Misteri d’Elx performance, and the Puçol Educational Project. A knowledgeable local guide will bring these sites to life and share stories you won’t find in guidebooks.
During the tour, you’ll visit Spain’s first botanical garden and wander among thousands of palm trees. The Huerto del Cura is particularly magical – peacocks stroll freely around the grounds and carp swim in the ponds while you admire not just palm trees but also medicinal plants, flowers, and cacti from around the world.
You’ll also learn about the fascinating discovery of the Lady of Elche, one of Spain’s most famous archaeological treasures. The guides are passionate about their city and will point out hidden spots most tourists miss.
I highly recommend booking this tour for your first morning in Elche through GetYourGuide. The tours run in English and Spanish, and last around 2-3 hours, giving you plenty of time to ask questions and take photos.
Visit the Palmeral of Elche (Palm Grove)
The palm grove in Elche is a UNESCO World Heritage site is the largest palm grove in Europe with more than 200,000 palm trees! It dates back to the Moorish period and gives the city its unique character.
Walking through the palm gardens feels like you’ve been transported to North Africa. The main area to visit is the Municipal Park (Parque Municipal), but you’ll find palm trees all throughout the city.
Wander through Huerto del Cura Garden
This botanical garden within the palm grove is absolutely stunning. The star attraction is the Imperial Palm – a unique palm tree with 7 branches growing from a single trunk, named after Empress Elisabeth of Austria who visited in 1894.
The garden is small but packed with beautiful plants, ponds, and peaceful corners. It’s the perfect place to escape the midday heat.
Marvel at Basilica de Santa Maria
This impressive church with the iconic blue dome was built on the site of a former mosque. The current building mostly dates from the 17th century, but what makes it special is its annual mystery play, the Misteri d’Elx, which has been performed since medieval times.
If you’re lucky enough to visit in August, you might catch this UNESCO-listed choral drama that tells the story of the Virgin Mary’s death and assumption.
Climb the Altamira Castle (Palau dels Altamira)
This medieval fortress used to be a part of a fortification which served Jaime II of Aragon, Ramón Berenguer, Pedro IV and the Catholic Monarchs. It’s now houses the Archaeological and History Museum of Elche. The building itself is fascinating with its imposing towers and walls and fountains.
From the top of Altamira Castle, you’ll get brilliant views over the city and palm groves. Inside, the museum takes you through the history of Elche from prehistoric times to the present day, which brings us to the next thing in Elche to do…
See the Lady of Elche at the MAHE museum (Museu Arqueològic i d’Història d’Elx)
While the original famous bust is in Madrid, the MAHE Museum (Museo Arqueológico y de Historia de Elche) houses an excellent replica of La Dama del Elche (the Lady of Elche) – an iconic Iberian sculpture from the 4th century BC that was found here.
The museum itself is excellent and gives you a good understanding of the city’s rich history. It’s also free to visit!
Open from Monday to Saturday, from 10:00 to 18:00. Sundays and Public Holidays its open from 10:00 to 15:00.
Visit a historic vineyard and winery with tasting
Wine lovers shouldn’t miss the chance to visit one of the area’s historic wineries dating back to 1707. Located in an old house of the Marquises of La Romana, this is a proper authentic Spanish wine experience!
You’ll learn about traditional Mediterranean wine production methods and how they combine ancient traditions with modern technology. The wines produced here are organic and made in limited quantities – you won’t find them in supermarkets.
The highlight, of course, is the tasting of three different wines accompanied by local snacks. The winery also preserves historical rooms with furniture, wine production tools, and household items from the 18th century, giving you a glimpse into the past.
You can book the experience on GetYourGuide here.
Visit La Alcudia Archaeological Site
Just outside the city lies the ancient archeological site of La Alcudia, where the real Lady of Elche was discovered. These ruins show evidence of Iberian, Roman, and Visigothic settlements.
There’s a small museum on site, and it’s fascinating to walk among ruins that span so many periods of history. This place has been inhabited since the Neolithic era!
It costs 5€ for adults to enter, children €2, and free for children under 6.
Relax at the Parque Municipal
This central park is a lovely place to stroll, especially in the evening when locals come out for their paseo (evening walk). There are beautiful fountains, plenty of palm trees, and a small lake where you can rent rowing boats.
It’s particularly magical in the evening when the trees are lit up.
Shop at Elche’s traditional markets
The city has several markets worth visiting:
- Mercado Central: The main covered market with fresh produce, meat, and fish
- Plaza de las Flores: A lovely square with a flower market
- Weekly market: Held on Mondays near the football stadium, this is great for clothes, household items, and souvenirs
Shopping at these markets gives you a real feel for everyday life in Elche.
Enjoy the beaches of La Marina
Elche might not immediately spring to mind as a beach destination, but the city actually extends to the coast at La Marina, about 20 minutes’ drive from the centre.
Here you’ll find several kilometres of beautiful sandy beaches that are much less crowded than those in nearby Alicante or Santa Pola.
Take a day trip to Santa Pola
Speaking of Santa Pola, this fishing town is just 15 minutes away and makes for a brilliant day trip from Elche. It has excellent beaches, a lovely harbour, and some of the best seafood restaurants in the area.
You can also take a boat trip from here to Tabarca Island, a marine reserve with crystal clear waters.
Watch Elche CF play football
If you’re a sports fan, try to catch a match at the Martínez Valero Stadium. Elche CF has had its ups and downs but has played in La Liga (the Spanish top division) in recent years.
The stadium has a capacity of over 30,000 watchers. You can look up tickets on Viagogo’s website.
Sample local cuisine
Elche has some fantastic traditional dishes that you shouldn’t miss:
- Arroz con costra: A rice dish baked with an egg crust on top
- Datiles de Elche: Local dates, often stuffed with almonds
- Pomegranates: Elche is famous for these fruit
The best places to try authentic local food are in the traditional restaurants around Elche old town rather than the more touristy spots.
Visit El Pantano reservoir
Just outside Elche, sits the Elche Dam (El Pantano) a reservoir which is a nice spot for a walk in nature. There’s a restaurant with views over the water, and the surrounding area is good for hiking.
It makes a nice change of pace from the city sightseeing.
Tour the Museo del Palmeral
This small museum is dedicated to the palm groves that define Elche. You’ll learn about the history of palm cultivation, the traditional irrigation systems, and how palm products were used.
It’s not a large museum but provides interesting context for the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Shop at L’Aljub Shopping Centre
If you need a break from cultural sightseeing or the weather isn’t cooperating, this modern shopping centre has all the main Spanish and international brands.
There’s a good food court too, and a cinema that sometimes shows films in original language with Spanish subtitles.
Visit the Rio Safari Elche
Rio Safari Elche is a combined zoo and safari park which is is popular with families. It’s not huge but has a decent variety of animals including elephants, giraffes, and lions.
There’s also a pool area where you can cool off in summer.
Prices are 22,50 € for adults (13-64 years old), 17,00€ for children, and free for under 2 years old.
