Alicante isn’t just about beaches and sunny skies; it’s a treasure trove of local markets, culinary delights, and historic sights. If you enjoy shopping for fresh ingredients, sampling regional flavors, or exploring on foot with a knowledgeable guide, Alicante offers a variety of tours that combine culture, cuisine, and community. We particularly love the Alicante: Paella and Sangría Workshop with Market Visit for its lively market experience and fun hands-on cooking, or the Semi-Private City & Castle Tour for a relaxed, small-group exploration of iconic sights. Whether you’re a foodie, history lover, or just looking to soak in local life, Alicante’s market tours won’t disappoint.
Quick Overview
Our list covers a variety of shopping and market tours in Alicante, from interactive cooking classes that include visits to bustling markets, to guided city walks with cultural and culinary stops. Highlights include immersive experiences like Paella and Sangria cooking classes, private tours of historic landmarks combined with traditional tapas tastings, and specialized visits to local markets for tasting local wines and vermut. Each offers a unique way to understand Alicante’s flavor and history, fitting different interests and budgets.
1. Alicante: Paella and Sangría Workshop with Market Visit
At number 1 on our list, this 3.5-hour hands-on cooking class combines a visit to Alicante’s famous Central Market with the chance to prepare your own authentic paella and sangria. Led by a local chef, the experience begins with exploring the market to select the freshest ingredients—a highlight for food lovers who enjoy seeing local produce and chatting with vendors. The chef then guides your small group through making different paella flavors—seafood, meat, or vegetarian—and teaches you how to craft a perfect sangria, which you get to enjoy with your meal.
What makes this experience stand out is the personalized approach, with a relaxed atmosphere and the chance to take home the recipes. Reviewers praise Federico’s patience and knowledge, noting that the shopping, cooking, and tasting are all fun and educational. The small group size and local guide ensure an intimate, authentic encounter with Alicante’s culinary traditions. The price of $56 for a memorable 3.5-hour experience offers excellent value considering the gourmet food and skills gained.
Bottom Line: If you’re keen to combine market shopping, cooking, and a taste of local life, this workshop is a fantastic choice, especially for those who want a hands-on culinary adventure.
2. Alicante Paella Cooking Class, Tapas, Drinks and Market
Coming in at number 2, this 4-hour experience offers a comprehensive dive into Alicante’s food scene. You’ll visit a local market to buy ingredients for your paella, then join a hands-on cooking class with a local chef. Alongside preparing your own paella—be it seafood, meat, or vegetarian—you’ll enjoy traditional tapas and sample local drinks such as wine or sangría.
What elevates this tour is the immersive market visit, which provides insight into how locals select the freshest ingredients. Guests frequently mention the friendly atmosphere and how they appreciated the chef’s passion. The tour’s reviews highlight the “delicious final dish,” and many say it felt like a family lunch with a small group. For $56, you gain not just a meal but a cultural experience that’s fun and educational.
Bottom Line: Perfect for foodies who want to cook, taste, and learn about Alicante’s culinary traditions in a lively, participatory setting.
3. Paella & Sangria Cooking Class in Alicante with Market Visit
Ranked third, this 3.5-hour class emphasizes local flavors and market interactions. You’ll shop for ingredients at Alicante’s market, then prepare homemade paella, sangria, and tapas with guidance from a chef. The small-group setting—limited to 15 participants—ensures plenty of individual attention and the opportunity to pick up valuable cooking tips.
What makes this tour stand out is the personalized approach and the focus on Spanish cuisine. Reviewers mention the “fabulous time” and how Fred, the guide, was “kind, talented, and fun.” The experience is perfect for those who want an intimate, authentic lesson on how to make classic dishes, including choosing the right ingredients from vendors.
Bottom Line: A great fit for travelers who enjoy interactive cooking and want to deepen their understanding of Spanish gastronomy, with the bonus of support from a friendly chef.
4. Alicante Semi-Private Tour: City, Castle, Market & Tapas Walk
At number 4, this small-group walking tour (max 12) offers a relaxed exploration of Alicante’s main sights. Beginning at the City Hall, your guide leads you through historic neighborhoods, including the Santa Barbara Castle, which provides panoramic views of the city. You’ll walk through the bustling Central Market, sampling local tapas and sipping regional drinks along the way.
This tour is perfect for those interested in history, architecture, and local flavors without the rush of bigger groups. The guide, Paola, is praised for her knowledge and helpfulness, turning the walk into a lively, informative experience. The mix of sightseeing and tastings makes it a well-rounded introduction to Alicante’s culture.
Bottom Line: Ideal for travelers who want a personalized, multi-sensory experience blending historic sights with tasty bites, all in a small-group setting.
5. All of Alicante with the Castle, Market, and Tapas
Number 5 offers a half-day tour that packs in Alicante’s top highlights. Small groups (up to 8) explore the Santa Barbara Castle, historic squares, and visit the Central Market for tastings. You’ll walk through local shops and bars, sampling typical products and enjoying the city’s vibrant atmosphere.
Led by an official guide, this tour combines culture, history, and cuisine in about 3.5 hours. Reviewers appreciate the personalized attention and the chance to see both famous landmarks and hidden corners. The focus on local foods adds a tasty dimension to the sightseeing.
Bottom Line: This tour suits travelers wanting a flexible, rundown of Alicante’s sights with plenty of opportunities to sample regional specialties.
6. Alicante: Bullring and Central Market Gastronomic Tour
Number 6 focuses on history and cuisine in tandem. In about 2.5 hours, you’ll explore the Alicante Bullring and Central Market with a private guide. Along the way, you’ll learn about bullfighting culture and sample some of the best Mediterranean products.
This tour is a great pick for those interested in cultural history combined with gastronomy. The reviews highlight the guide Joel, whose storytelling makes the visit both informative and fun. Tasting local Mediterranean cuisine at the market adds a flavorful twist to the experience.
Bottom Line: Perfect for travelers who want a quick but rich dive into Alicante’s cultural and culinary traditions, especially if they’re curious about bullfighting.
7. Alicante: Central Market Guided Food Tour with Tapas Bars
This 2.5-hour guided food tour combines a walk through the Central Market with visits to two tapas bars. Expect to sample regional foods and learn about local eating habits from a knowledgeable guide. This tour emphasizes eating and drinking in a lively, social setting, perfect for those who want to experience Alicante’s food culture firsthand.
Guests mention the abundance of food and the opportunity to go behind the scenes at local bars. The tour’s smaller size encourages interaction and a relaxed pace. It’s great for food lovers who enjoy tasting in a fun, informal environment.
Bottom Line: A delicious choice for those wanting a taste-focused experience that combines market visits with social tapas hopping.
8. Alicante traditions and tasting at the market
Finally, at number 8, this 2-hour tour focuses on local flavors and culinary traditions. You’ll visit Alicante’s central market, sampling vermut, wine, and traditional tapas. Afterwards, explore the old town and enjoy more local bites at a popular bar with an authentic atmosphere.
This experience is ideal for travelers looking for a quick but flavorful introduction to Alicante’s food scene. The reviewer highlights the delicious vermut and insider knowledge shared by the guide, making it a compact but enriching food adventure.
Bottom Line: Best suited for those short on time but eager to taste local specialties and learn about Alicante’s culinary roots.
How to Choose the Perfect Alicante Shopping & Market Tour
When selecting from these options, consider your budget, time available, and interests. For a full culinary immersion and hands-on experience, the Paella and Sangria Workshop or the Paella Cooking Class, Tapas, and Market are excellent choices. If you prefer a more historic and cultural exploration, the Semi-Private City & Castle Tour offers a relaxed way to see Alicante’s sights and sample local flavors.
For those interested in cultural history combined with gastronomy, the Bullring and Market Tour provides a quick but rich experience, while the Guided Food Tour with Tapas Bars is perfect for casual, social eating.
Finally, if your goal is to maximize variety in a short time, the All of Alicante Tour offers a compact overview of city highlights paired with tastings. Booking early is advised, especially for popular classes and small-group tours.
Alicante offers a wonderfully diverse range of shopping, culinary, and cultural experiences. Whether you’re eager to learn how to cook authentic paella, explore the city’s iconic sights, or simply savor regional flavors, there’s a tour that fits your style. With so many options, you’re sure to find a memorable way to experience this lively Spanish city.