Massive Traffic Disruptions in Alicante This Weekend

Those planning to travel through the centre of Alicante this weekend are advised to leave their cars at home. The city is set to host a marathon of events that will transform the streets into a veritable maze from Thursday 15th to Sunday 18th May. The coincidence of the Belleas del Foc proclamations, the Alicante Film Festival, and the MTRI triathlon will cause traffic disruptions, diversions, changes in public transport, and many areas will be difficult to access for private vehicles.

For this reason, the Councillor for Urban Mobility, Carlos de Juan, has advised drivers to avoid using private vehicles and to opt for public transport to reach the city centre. Another tip to avoid the usual traffic jams caused by street closures is to use the Gran Vía and Vía Parque to bypass the city and access the centre, as well as to use park-and-ride facilities and city centre car parks.

On Friday and Saturday night, the Federació de Fogueres de Sant Joan will organise the proclamation events for the Bellea del Foc, both junior and adult. From Thursday 15th at 10 am, traffic will be restricted at the entrance via the Town Hall to Rafael Altamira Street, extending until 12 pm on Sunday 18th. Additionally, parking reservations will be set up on this street and Jorge Juan Street, as well as one lane of San Fernando Street, between Ingeniero Lafarga and María José Ágreda y Muñoz Streets, both on Friday and Saturday.

The opening gala of the Alicante Film Festival on Saturday 17th will also impact city traffic, with diversions around the Teatro Principal from 7 pm to 9 pm on Teatro Street at the intersection with Bazán Street (only authorised vehicles with actors attending the gala will be allowed). Additionally, from 2 pm to midnight, parking will be prohibited on Bazán Street, between Médico Pascual Pérez and Teatro Street, and on Duque de Zaragoza Street between Bailén and the Rambla.

The closure of Teatro Street will necessitate the diversion of urban bus lines 2, 3, 12, 21, and 22 from Federico Soto Avenue via Alfonso X el Sabio to resume their usual route between 7 pm and 9 pm. Furthermore, this Saturday 17th, Villavieja Street will also be closed to traffic due to the celebration of the International Museum Day from 9 pm to midnight, to facilitate access to the Museum of Contemporary Art of Alicante (MACA).

The MTRI Alicante 2025 triathlon is also taking place this weekend, 17th and 18th May, involving road closures on major city routes. Specifically, on Saturday 17th, restrictions will occur from 7 am to 1 pm on Juan Bautista Lafora, Jovellanos, and Villajoyosa Avenue (quarry) in both directions on both sides of the median. The right lane of Paseo de Gómiz - in front of Postiguet - will also be cordoned off, blocking traffic at Paseíto Ramiro Square and Gravina, Niágara, and Jorge Juan Streets.

On Sunday 18th, the triathlon circuit will be extended from 6 am to 1:30 pm from Paseo de los Mártires along Juan Bautista Lafora and Denia Avenue to the roundabout towards Jaime II Avenue, Rambla, San Fernando, Cervantes, and Puerta del Mar Square, during which these arteries will experience traffic closures in some lanes.