Alicante Museums

This Provincial Archaeological Museum (MARQ) is located in the old Hospital San Juan de Dios and occupies a total surface area of 9,000 sq. metres. Established in 1932, the museum houses an exceptionally priceless collection consisting of 81,000 pieces dating from the Stone Age to the medieval times. Among them, the Lady of Guardamar found on the Iberian settlement of Cabezo Lucero is of particularly interest.

In May 2002 more exhibition rooms and conference centres were established.

In 2004, the museum was declared as the 'European Museum of the Year'. It has gained phenomenal recognition for its revolutionary approach in exhibiting Alicante's past through innovative techniques. This museum is highly recommended as a great educational, as well as an entertaining centre, for both children and adults.

Address: Plaza del Doctor Gómez Ulla, S/N 03013, Alicante, Spain
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm Sunday: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Closed on Monday
Tel.: +34 965 149 000

Located next to the Santa María church, this museum takes its name from the building it is displayed in, dating from 1685. It exhibits some of the finest artwork of Alicante artist, Eusebio Sempere and French artist Juana Alicante who donated a large part of their private art collection to initiate the museum. The collection of twentieth century contemporary art displayed at the museum is an assortment of 117 paintings, sculptures, mixed technique and lithographs of 144 Spanish artists such as Chillida, Dali, Tapies, Juan Gris, Joan Miro, Zobel, Gargallo, Picasso and non-Spanish artists such as Chagall, Vasarely, Agam,Calder, Kandinsky, etc.

Address: Plaza Santa María 3, 03002, Alicante, Spain
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm Sunday: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Closed on Monday
Tel.: +34 965 140 768

Housed in an 18th century mansion, the municipal archives hold the remains of a late-Roman necropolis dating from the 6th to 8th centuries A.D. There are 12th century manuscripts and important documents concerning the town's history, such as the bestowing of a town charter to Alicante by Ferdinand II in 1490. Notable archives include a newspaper dating from the 19th century and photo records.

This Old Quarter museum houses an exhibition room and an auditorium, which are responsible for hosting musical concerts. It is definitely worth a visit, especially as there is no entrance fee.

Address: Palacio Maisonnave, Calle Labradores, 03002 Alicante, Spain

The Nativity Scene museum is located in a 19th century old restored house in the Old Quarter of Alicante. It celebrates the ancient Spanish tradition of having a nativity scene in every home during the celebration of Three Kings. The museum contains a collection of antique cribs, Christmas replicas and examples of Christmas nativity scenes from Spain and all over the world. Also, there are exhibits of all kinds of objects related to Christmas, including a life-sized nativity scene. The Nativity Scene Makers organisation was established in 1959 and ever since then it has cultivated excellent representations of Christmas Nativity exhibitions.

Address: C/ San Agustín, nº 3 - (Casco Antiguo) 03002 Alicante, Spain
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Saturday: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Tel.: +34 965 202 232

The Bullfighting Museum (Museo Taurino) in Alicante exhibits a permanent display of bullfighting highlights dedicated to the most renowned local bullfighters that have shaped the identity of the sport. It pays respect to legends like Vicente Blau “EL TINO, Francisco Antón “PACORRO”, Jose Maria Manzanares and Luis Francisco Espla, through various exhibits focussing on their greatness. The museum also holds a conference room, exhibition lounge and a library along with an audiovisual room in which discussion groups, slide shows and talks about bullfighting are held.

Address: Plaza Sta. Teresa, 3, 03004 Alicante, Spain.

Alejandro Ramos Folqués Archaeological and History Museum of Elche (MAHE) is a very modern museum representing the history of Elche in a technically advanced setting. With interactive exhibitions of archaeological findings and the history behind the Muslim city of Elche, the museum is worth a visit. Furthermore, it holds a variety of cultural workshops, replicas of ancient civilisations and audiovisual shows as well as exhibitions of many more historical objects. This fantastic museum has a low admission fee of just 3 Euros and is free on Sunday.

Address: Carrer de la Diagonal del Palau, 7, 03202 Elche, Alicante, Spain.

The Museo de Bellas Artes Gravina is situated within the Palacio del Conde de Lumiares, which was built during the 17th and 18th centuries. It exhibits over 500 pieces dating from the Middle Ages up until 1920. The exhibition includes the works of famous artists such as Rodrigo de Osona, Salzillo, Vicente Lopez, Emilio Varela, Xavier Soler, Eusebio Sempere, Joaquin Agrasot and Antonio Gisbert, as well as many more.

This Old Quarter museum houses an exhibition room and an auditorium, which are responsible for hosting musical concerts. It is definitely worth a visit, especially as there is no entrance fee.

Address: Calle de Gravina, 13-15, 03002, Alicante, Spain.

The MUA specializes exclusively in Contemporary Art and carries out research activities in this area as well as the diffusion, production, documentation, conservation and teaching of this art. The foundation of the museum's activity is based on the presentation of research results obtained on the University of Alicante campus, the propagation of historic-artistic heritage and the diffusion of 21st-century artistic works with a specific focus on the most modernist forms of expression.

Address: Carr. de San Vicente del Raspeig, s/n, 03690 Sant Vicent del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain.

The Hogueras Museum is dedicated to Alicante's most popular festivals: the Hogueras de San Juan or Saint John's Bonfires. It is located in the Casa de la Festa building where the two streets, Teniente Alvarez Soto and Rambla de Mendez Nunez, come together. Here, we can find a good exhibition of photographs from over the years like the alleged Ninots indultats, or Saved Statues, and also a compilation of traditional costumes and advertising posters plus an audio-visual hall.

Address: Rambla de Méndez Núñez, 29, 03002 Alicante, Spain.

This is the house where the famous poet Miguel Hernández lived. The 20th Century house, now a museum, is a representation of the poet's family life. It has a poultry yard, small patio, and features many objects that played a significant part in Miguel's life, including photographs of him with his family, furniture and personal items. There is no entrance fee to view this house, and it is advised to make an appointment for a guided tour.

Address: Calle Miguel Hernández, 73 03300 Orihuela, Alicante, Spain.