7 Easy Ways to Make Friends in Alicante as a Foreigner in 2026
I remember my first solo trip to Alicante back in 2018, stepping off the train from Madrid with a backpack heavier than my expectations. The air hit me like a warm embrace—salty sea breeze mixed with the faint citrus tang from orange groves clinging to the hills. I'd come for the beaches, sure, Postiguet stretching out like a golden invitation right by the castle, but loneliness crept in fast. As a foreigner fumbling with basic Spanish, I felt like an outsider staring at cliques of locals laughing over cañas in smoky bars. That question haunted me then, and it's one I get asked constantly now, especially with the expat boom expected next year. Alicante's pulling in more remote workers, retirees, and digital nomads, drawn by its endless sun (over 300 days a year) and that perfect blend of Spanish soul and international vibe. But cracking into the social scene? It's not about forcing it—it's about slipping in through the back doors where real connections brew. Over years of returning, crashing with friends I've made, I've distilled it down to seven easy ways that worked for me, and they've held up through post-pandemic shifts. No gimmicks, just paths paved with shared sangria and sunset walks.
1. Kick Off with Friendship Apps for Newcomers
Let's start with the digital gateway, because in 2026, no one's showing up without a phone in hand. Apps to make friends in Alicante for newcomers are a godsend—think Bumble BFF or the Internations app, which feels less swipe-y and more event-focused. I downloaded Internations on a whim during my second visit, and within hours, I was RSVPed to a casual tapas night at a spot overlooking the port. Bumble BFF hooked me up with a Dutch woman named Lisa who'd just relocated for her husband's job; we bonded over hating the same tourist traps and ended up hiking Mount Santa Pola together. These apps shine because Alicante's community is transient—expats cycle through, so everyone's hungry for quick, low-pressure chats.
Pro tip: Filter for "locals only" or "expats + locals" to avoid pure tourist bubbles. Set your profile with a photo at the Explanada de España's mosaic promenade (that palm-lined walkway where buskers strum flamenco at dusk), mention loving arroz a banda, and watch invites roll in. By 2026, expect augmented features like geo-tagged group walks, but the magic's still in those first awkward coffees turning into beach volleyball sessions.
2. Join Language Exchange Meetups
From screens to streets, nothing beats easy ways for expats to meet locals in Alicante like stumbling into language exchange meetups Alicante expats swear by. Picture this: My third trip, I'm at a hole-in-the-wall café called El Español, tucked in the old town's maze of narrow alleys off Calle Mayor.
Calle Capitán Segarra, 10, 03002 Alicante—it's open daily from 8 a.m. to midnight, with a sun-drenched terrace perfect for lingering.I joined a tandem exchange group via Meetup.com, pairing my rusty Spanish with a local engineer's flawless English. We bartered phrases over cortados—me teaching idioms like "raining cats and dogs," him drilling me on Valencian slang like "xava" for chav. That group, now 200-strong on Facebook ("Language Exchange Alicante"), meets twice weekly: Tuesdays at El Español, Thursdays at the beachfront Chiringuito El Xiringuito
Paseo Marítimo, s/n (open 10 a.m.–2 a.m. seasonally). These aren't stiff classrooms; they're chaotic, laughter-filled huddles where someone always brings jamón or patatas bravas. One night, my partner Javier invited me to his family's paella Sunday—suddenly, I had a crew for Las Hogueras de San Juan fireworks. For 2026, with tourism rebounding, slots fill fast; join early and embrace the imperfections, like arguing over verb tenses till the stars pop out. It's raw connection, the kind that turns "hola" into lifelong WhatsApp threads.3. Tap into the Best Expat Groups
If you're craving structure without the classroom feel, dive into the best expat groups Alicante for making friends—those welcoming circles that bridge cultures effortlessly. Internations Alicante hosts monthly mixers, but my favorite's the "Alicante Expats and Friends" Facebook group, now pushing 5,000 members. I stumbled in during lockdown via a post about virtual wine tastings, which morphed into real-life picnics at El Palmeral park (open dawn to dusk, free entry, with shaded paths winding through 20,000 palms—perfect for dodging midday heat).
Their in-person events, like the quarterly "Paella Potluck" at the group's unofficial HQ, O’Leary’s Irish Bar
Avenida Maisonnave, 27, 03010 Alicante (Mon–Thu 4 p.m.–1 a.m., Fri–Sat till 2 a.m., Sun 5 p.m.–midnight), draw a mix: Brits escaping rain, Scandinavians chasing sun, and locals curious about "guiris." I met my hiking buddy Tom there—over pints of Estrella Galicia, we planned our first trail. These groups thrive on shared gripes (like navigating Tragsa bureaucracy for residency) and joys (Santa Faz procession madness). By 2026, expect hybrid events with VR previews, but the heart's in the unpolished chats, spilling onto the street as the bar closes.4. Lace Up for Hiking Clubs
Craving fresh air over bar stools? Hiking clubs Alicante for expats and foreigners are exploding, tapping into the Costa Blanca's rugged backbone. Alicante's not just sand; it's Sierra de Aitana's pine-scented peaks and dramatic cliffs begging for boots. My gateway was the "Alicante Hiking and Walking Group" on Meetup, led by a salty ex-pat Brit named Mike who's logged every trail.
We met at their staple start: Parque de la Ereta
Calle Uruguay, s/n, 03008 Alicante (open 8 a.m.–10 p.m., with picnic areas, a Greek theater ruin for post-hike lounging, and views plunging to the Med). That first ramble, about 8km to the Font Roja reserve, was pure therapy—sweat-soaked chats about life back home, pauses for tortilla scraps, ending with cold cervezas at a finca. The club's calendar (weekly outings, difficulty-rated) suits all: easy coastal paths like Camí de Cavalls or challenging scrambles up Puig Campana. Mike's tales of near-misses (that time a goat herd blocked the path) keep it light. For newcomers in 2026, sign up via their site or Facebook; they pair solos, and the post-hike asados forge bonds tighter than the trails. I still text that crew for trail beta—friendships born in the burn.5. Immerse at the Central Market
Where to socialize in Alicante Spain as an outsider? The Central Market's my secret weapon, a throbbing hive of hawkers and humanity. Mercado Central de Alicante:
Avenida Alfonso X El Sabio, 10, 03002 Alicante—Monday to Saturday 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m., a modernist gem from 1920 with iron-latticed ceilings and stalls bursting with ruby tomatoes, glistening anchovies, and olive oils you dip bread into right there.I wandered in lonely one humid morning, drawn by the chaos: fishmongers bellowing "¡Frescos!", old ladies haggling over garrofón beans. Struck up a chat with Rosa at her cheese stand (she's third-gen, samples cabra al vino till you swoon), and boom—invited to her volunteer shift at a nearby soup kitchen. The market's sensory overload—slippery octopus tentacles, paprika clouds from chorizo slicers, the sizzle of churros frying nearby—hooks you. Chat vendors (they love foreigners' curiosity), snag a stool at the wine bar inside for €2 vermut, and let convos flow to after-market coffees. It's not event-driven; it's organic immersion, turning solo shopping into standing Sunday invites. By 2026, with eco-markets trending, it'll buzz even more.
6. Give Back Through Volunteer Opportunities
Speaking of giving back, volunteer opportunities Alicante to meet people extend beyond markets into heart-tugging gigs. I latched onto Surfrider Foundation Europe’s local chapter, beach cleanups at Playa de San Juan (a 7km stretch north, accessible via bus L1 from Plaza de Luceros; events monthly, check surfrider.eu). Gloves on, picking plastics while chatting with eco-warriors—Germans, Aussies, and Alicanteños united against jellyfish-plagued swims. One cleanup birthed a crew for weekly volleyball.
Or try the animal shelter Gata de la Alegría
Partida Cap Negret, 149 (open Tue–Sun 10 a.m.–2 p.m., adoption events Saturdays). Walking dogs with volunteers, I bonded with Maria over mutts' zoomies, leading to her tapas nights. These slots (2–4 hours) fit nomad schedules, and the shared purpose skips small talk. In 2026, post-COP vibes will amp them up—perfect for meaningful ties. Another spot: Cáritas Diocesana Calle San Agustín, 8 (drop-ins Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–1 p.m.) for sorting donations amid barrio stories.7. Build Lasting Bonds in Book Clubs
Social events for foreigners in Alicante 2026 will peak with festivals, but my steady is book clubs in Alicante to build friendships 2026. The "Alicante International Book Club" meets at Biblioteca Municipal Wielicka
Avenida de Novelda, 2, 03007 Alicante (Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.–2 p.m.—airy modern space with sea views, cozy nooks for debates). Started by a Canadian expat, they dissect Elena Ferrante one month, Camino del Norte guides the next.My first session: Dissecting "The Shadow of the Wind" amid pastries; arguments flew (is it Barcelona or Alicante's ghost?), morphing into wine bar crawls. Monthly, 20–30 folks, hybrid by 2026. Pair it with indie shop Llibreria 47 Grados
Calle Unión, 4 (Tue–Sat 10 a.m.–2 p.m. & 5–8:30 p.m.) for pre-meets. It's intimate—vulnerable shares over pages forge deep roots. I left with four numbers, now annual Hogueras buddies.Wrap It Up: Your Path to Belonging
Tying it all, weave these threads: Apps spark, exchanges deepen, groups anchor, hikes energize, markets immerse, volunteering bonds, books sustain. Alicante's magic? It's forgiving—locals sense sincerity amid the sangria flow. My network now spans barbecues in Mutxamel fincas to New Year's dives off Tabarca Island. For 2026, as crowds swell, start early, show up imperfect, and let the Mediterranean work its spell. You'll not just make friends—you'll build a second home.
