Sunday, 24 August 2025, 07:25
Alicante is once again on the tourism map with a revealing fact: it is the number one destination in Spain for car rentals, according to the annual report by the platform DoYouSpain. The province has surpassed Mallorca, which led the ranking until 2022, and has consistently maintained this top position since 2023.
The growth is no coincidence. Between 2023 and 2024, bookings in Alicante increased by 12%, confirming its role as the epicentre of autonomous mobility tourism. All of this has a central hub: Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport, which concentrates most bookings thanks to its strong international connectivity, especially with the British market.
In fact, one in three British tourists renting a car in Spain chooses Alicante as their destination. Overall, the province accounts for around 15% of the total rented vehicles in the country, a figure far exceeding its weight in international tourism (barely 1% of the total, according to the INE). This data highlights the importance of car rentals as a tool to explore the Costa Blanca beyond the crowded destinations.
The profile of the most demanded vehicle focuses on small and functional models, designed for short trips and easy parking. Among the most booked are the Peugeot 2008, Renault Clio, Fiat 500, or Ford Focus, economical options adapted to the visitor.
Although activity peaks in summer, car rentals maintain a stable presence throughout the year. Towns like Denia, Jávea, or Calpe have become natural extensions of the provincial capital’s tourist appeal, thanks to the ease of mobility this type of transport provides, according to DoYouSpain.
The report also points to a general trend: tourism on wheels is growing faster than national tourism as a whole. The digitalisation of the sector, the search for quick getaways, interest in alternative destinations, and the commitment to sustainability explain the rise of a phenomenon that finds its best example in Alicante.