Alicante has the most varied urbex in the Spanish Mediterranean — a province that combines the most sought-after tuberculosis sanatorium in the Valencian Community, a 19th-century utopian socialist colony abandoned since the Civil War, and first-generation tourist hotels of the Costa Blanca that never opened their doors. Discover the 5 best abandoned places in Alicante, selected from our Urbex Spain Map — 600+ GPS locations across Spain.
Why Alicante Is an Exceptional Urbex Destination
The province of Alicante concentrates three unique types of abandonment: the healthcare heritage of the Mediterranean mountain tuberculosis sanatoriums, the tourist heritage of the first-generation hotels of the Costa Blanca, and the historical-social heritage of the inland agricultural colonies. The Mediterranean climate slows deterioration and allows interiors to be preserved longer than in northern Spain.
1. Preventorium of Aigues de Busot – Aigues, Alicante — Luxury Spa Hotel from 1816 Converted into a Children's Tuberculosis Sanatorium, the Most Sought-After Abandonment in the Valencian Community (Known Place)
The Preventorium of Aigues de Busot is the most sought-after urbex spot in the Valencian Community — with 390 monthly searches for "Preventorio Busot" according to Urbex Maps 2026. Originally built as a luxury spa hotel in 1816 taking advantage of the hot springs of Cabezón de Oro, it was acquired by the State in 1936 and converted into a children's tuberculosis sanatorium, finally closing in the 1970s. A monumental multi-story building with long corridors, ruined rooms, deteriorated marble stairs, a chapel, and partially accessible underground tunnels. Legends about the "White Lady" and paranormal phenomena have added a layer of mystery that multiplies visits. Access is restricted — photograph it from the outside while enjoying the spectacular view of the Alicante mountains.
🔗 Source: El Viajero Fisgón – Preventorio de Aigues de Busot Alicante
2. Santa Eulalia Colony – Villena, Alicante — 19th-Century Agricultural Community Inspired by Utopian Socialism, Winery, Church, Casino, Abandoned Since the Civil War (Known Place)
The Santa Eulalia Colony in Villena is a 19th-century agricultural community built following the principles of utopian socialism — with a theater, grocery store, flour factory, alcohol factory, post office, gardens, warehouses, school, train station, a casino, and the counts' palace. It was practically abandoned after the Civil War. In the main mansion, the living room, office, library, 12 rooms, and central courtyard are still distinguishable. A 19th-century company town that aimed to be self-sufficient and was frozen in time with all its buildings intact. Documented on the carte-urbex.com blog as one of the best abandoned sites in the province.
🔗 Also read: Top 5 Abandoned Sites in Spain →
3. Bella Vista Hotel – Calpe, Costa Blanca — Built in the 1970s, Never Opened, Empty Rooms with Views of the Peñón de Ifach (Known Place)
The Bella Vista Hotel in Calpe is one of the most extraordinarily ironic abandonments on the Costa Blanca — built in the 1970s with direct views of the Peñón de Ifach, one of the most photogenic spots in the Spanish Mediterranean, it never opened its doors due to financial problems. Its empty rooms, deserted terraces, and waterless pools create a unique melancholic atmosphere: a hotel designed for tourists to admire the most spectacular view of the Costa Blanca, empty before the first guest could do so. Documented by the carte-urbex.com blog as one of the best abandoned sites in the Alicante province.
🔗 Source: Abandoned Spain – Urbex Spain Community
4. Abandoned Medieval Tower and Castle – Interior Alicante — 13th-14th Century Fortress, Ruined Walls, Mediterranean Mountains (Exclusively on Our Map)
A medieval castle or defense tower from the 13th-14th century inland — the ruined walls on the control hill of the Alicante Mediterranean mountains, the remains of the keep and the cistern still visible among the dry low mountain vegetation. The interior of Alicante has a density of medieval castles and towers of Arab and Christian origin unknown to any coastal tourist traveler; those not part of official visit circuits have been progressively abandoned for centuries in the mountain landscape. GPS coordinates available on our Urbex Spain Map.
5. Abandoned Modernist Estate – Vinalopó Region, Alicante — Early 20th Century Villa, Valencian Tiles, Garden with Century-Old Palm Trees (Off the Radar — Only on Our Map)
An early 20th-century villa in the Vinalopó region — the colorful Valencian tiles still on the facades, the garden with century-old palm trees left untrimmed since abandonment, and the interior with original furniture from Alicante’s industrial bourgeoisie of the first third of the century. The Vinalopó bourgeoisie built their holiday villas with the same ornamental ambition as the Barcelona bourgeoisie: tiles, wrought iron, and gardens designed to impress. Those that have been abandoned are the most specifically Alicante domestic urbex. Find it on our map — with access rating and condition report.
Safety Tips
- Busot Preventorium: restricted access and very deteriorated structures — never attempt to enter the building; the exterior offers equally spectacular photos with no risk
- Extreme heat: the interior of Alicante exceeds 40°C in July and August — visit interior sites in spring or autumn and always carry plenty of water
- Never explore alone — always bring at least one other person and share your location
The urbex code: "Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints."
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most famous abandoned place in Alicante?
The Preventorio de Aigues de Busot — with 390 monthly searches, it is the most searched urbex spot in the entire Valencian Community. A luxury spa from 1816, a children’s tuberculosis sanatorium since 1936, abandoned in the 70s and surrounded by legends about the "White Lady." The monument impresses even from the outside.
What was utopian socialism and what is its connection to the Santa Eulalia Colony?
Utopian socialism was a 19th-century movement advocating the creation of self-sufficient communities where work, housing, and services were organized equally. The Santa Eulalia Colony in Villena was one of the most complete experiences of this movement in Spain: it built all the necessary services for an autonomous community — theater, casino, grocery store, school, railway — around the agricultural exploitation of the Count of Alcudia.
Why are there unopened hotels on the Costa Blanca?
Real estate and tourism speculation in the 60s-80s on the Costa Blanca generated hotel projects that overestimated demand or faced financial difficulties before opening. The Hotel Bella Vista in Calpe is the most spectacular example: built with views of the Peñón de Ifach, one of the most privileged Mediterranean settings, it never welcomed its first guest. The subsequent tourism moratorium and financing difficulties made it impossible to revive the project.
🎯 Summary
Explore the abandoned places in Alicante: from the Preventorio de Aigues de Busot, the most sought-after sanatorium in the Valencian Community, to the utopian colony of Santa Eulalia in Villena and the Calpe hotel with views of the Peñón that never opened. Each of these 5 abandoned sites in Alicante captures a different layer of the province that has sun, beach, and, hidden in the mountains, the most unique urbex in the Spanish Mediterranean.
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