Alicante is a city that instantly feels magical, with iconic venues tucked among historic walls and lively neighborhoods. From the views at Saint Barbara Castle to the bustle of Paseo de la Explanada and the old battlements along the Promenade, every corner tells a story. Beyond the well-trodden paths, quieter areas hide treasures that locals know well and visitors often overlook. These spots aren’t always shown in social feeds, yet they reward curious explorers with genuine, unpolished charm.
In these lesser known corners, residents of Terraza de Alicante enjoy discovering enclaves and curiosities that rarely appear in travel guides but easily deserve a visit. Las Cigarreras is a standout example where the café sits inside a former tobacco factory, playing on the witty double meaning of its name. The insect imagery evokes cicadas and the center of Alicante culture, a place to sip coffee before or after exploring the city center.
The complex hosts concerts, screenings, talks, and exhibits, and the inside café opened its doors in January 2015. It is a truly unique building, designed by Tomas Amat and Pablo Belda with engineer Jose Andres Lluch coordinating the project. Today the cicada is temporarily closed and covered in artwork, but restoration will soon reveal it to visitors once more.
The artwork captures the insect through a striking sculpture: a white Corian head leads into a wooden body with a metal frame forming the legs.
Architects describe the area as a new hub for meetings and exchanges that links the site’s old identity with its current use, honoring the place, nature, and community. The sculpture and surrounding spaces invite people to pause, reflect, and interact in a city that loves both its past and its present. It is often described as a bug perched in the garden, a playful nod to the building’s nickname and its ongoing role in urban life.
The retro vibe this weekend
This weekend the cultural center hosts events celebrating video games and eighties culture, drawing fans who relive classic arcade eras and the glow of retro consoles. Retroalakant is the event title, born from the collaboration between Las Cigarreras and Jorge Selfa, with LandAlicante bookstore contributing a collection of vintage volumes dedicated to the era.
New retro happenings in Alicante
On Saturday, September 16, from 10:00 to 20:30, and Sunday morning from 10:00 to 14:00, enthusiasts of video games, consoles, board games, and 80s and 90s literature gather for arcade battles, workshops, charity tournaments, author signings, and more. It is a weekend designed for lovers of the era to share memories and discover curiosities hidden in the city’s corners.