Alicante: Central Market Food & Tapas Tour with 10 Tastings

Summary

Wander Alicante’s market, taste tapas with locals, hear stories

You’ll taste your way through Alicante’s lively central market with a local guide—sampling cheeses, orchard-fresh fruit, Mediterranean fish, handmade sweets, and regional wines. Meet vendors whose families have worked these stalls for generations and enjoy 10 different tastings plus drinks. Expect laughter, stories, and flavors that linger long after you’ve left.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I didn’t expect to start my morning in Alicante surrounded by the smell of ripe peaches and the clatter of fishmongers’ knives. But there we were—just inside the central market, where our guide Rosa grinned and handed me a wedge of cheese before I’d even had coffee. She knew every stallholder by name (and they knew her), which made me feel less like a tourist and more like some distant cousin being shown around.

We stopped at ten different places—honestly, I lost count after the third bite of salty jamón. There was this old bakery tucked behind a row of olive sellers; Rosa said it’s been there for over a hundred years. The baker winked as he handed over a tiny almond pastry dusted with sugar. It melted on my tongue—sweet but not too much—and I still think about that taste when I see almonds now. At one point, someone offered us a sip of local wine; it was barely noon but nobody seemed to mind.

The best part was probably talking to the vendors themselves. One woman explained how her family brings vegetables straight from their orchard outside Alicante—she let us try a tomato that tasted like sunshine (I know that sounds silly but it really did). The market was noisy, warm, full of people waving or laughing or just arguing about prices in rapid Spanish. Vegetarian options were easy—they swapped out fish for extra cheese or grilled peppers without making it awkward.

By the end, I felt both full and kind of connected—to the city, to these people who’ve been selling food here for generations. If you want a real Alicante food tour with locals who actually care about what they’re serving (and aren’t shy about pouring you another glass), this is it. We said goodbye outside under bright blue sky and I realized I didn’t want to leave just yet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Taste Alicante's local food and tapas

• Meet at Alicante central market
• Visit 10 historic food places
• Try fruits and vegetables from orchard
• Taste meat from local farms
• Sample Mediterranean fish dishes
• Enjoy cheeses and handmade sweets
• Drink typical alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
• Learn history of products and sellers
• Discover hidden places in central market
• Understand Mediterranean diet benefits

Top questions

How many tastings are included in the Alicante food tour?

The tour includes 10 different tastings across various stalls in Alicante’s central market.

Does the Alicante tapas tour include drinks?

Yes, drinks are included—both alcoholic (local wines) and non-alcoholic options are available.

Are vegetarian options available on this Alicante food tour?

Yes, pescatarian and vegetarian options are available upon request during the tour.

Where does the Alicante food & tapas tour start?

The tour begins at the central market in Alicante city center.

Is the Alicante food tour suitable for children or people with mobility needs?

The experience is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels; infants can use strollers or prams.

How many stops are included in this day trip?

You’ll visit 10 different food places within the central market area during the tour.

What kinds of foods are sampled on this Alicante tapas tour?

You’ll try cheeses, meats from local farms, Mediterranean fish, fresh fruits and vegetables from nearby orchards, handmade sweets, and more.

How long have some stalls been open in Alicante’s market?

Some stalls visited on this tour have been operating for over 100 years.

What’s included

Your day includes guided tastings at ten different food stalls inside Alicante’s central market—with samples ranging from orchard-fresh fruit to cheeses and handmade sweets—plus four local wines or soft drinks. Vegetarian choices are available if you ask ahead. All logistics are covered so you can just show up hungry and curious.