Alicante is the official reference point for measuring sea level across all of Spain.

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: This Mediterranean port city hides a surprising secret at the base of its City Hall staircase. Known as the zero point, this location serves as the national benchmark for calculating elevation throughout the country, thanks to the remarkably stable tidal patterns of the sea that laps against its historic shores.

Alicante, a city with roots stretching back over 7,000 years, has evolved from a prehistoric settlement on the slopes of Mount Benacantil into a major modern hub. Its name is a linguistic echo of its past, derived from the Arabic Laqant, which itself traces back to the Greek Leuké, meaning white. Throughout history, the region has been shaped by diverse influences, from Phoenician and Greek traders who introduced iron and the alphabet, to the Roman era of Lucentum and the subsequent centuries of Visigothic and Moorish rule.

The city's modern identity is defined by its climate and its geography. As one of the driest cities in Europe, it experiences over 3,000 hours of sunshine annually, with an average rainfall of just 284.5 mm. This arid environment, combined with the moderating influence of the Mediterranean, creates a unique semi-arid climate. While the city is largely flat, it is punctuated by orographic features like the Benacantil hill, which is crowned by the Castle of Santa Bárbara—a site that has watched over the city since ancient times.

Economic life in Alicante has fluctuated significantly over the centuries. After a period of decline following the War of the Spanish Succession, the city saw a late 19th-century recovery fueled by international trade. In the 20th century, the city navigated the turbulence of the Spanish Civil War, eventually becoming a center for tourism and services. Today, it hosts the European Union Intellectual Property Office and serves as a vital transit point, with its airport outranking others in the Valencian Community. Despite its growth, the city remains deeply connected to its traditions, from the evening paseo along the marble-tiled Explanada de España to the preservation of its historic quarters like the Barrio de la Santa Cruz.

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