Since winning the European Museum of the Year Award in 2004, the Archaeological Museum of Alicante (Museo Archeologico Provinciale di Alicante, MARQ) has been one of the biggest attractions in the city. The museum aims to explain the archaeological processes involved in discovering and understanding the history of the local region and also functions as a research and education facility.
The museum and its permanent collection are made up of eight different exhibitions. Temporary and touring exhibitions are displayed in a separate room. Interactive exhibits and in-depth displays in both Spanish and English make this museum a great place for kids and adults alike.
Learn about underwater, urban and field archaeology in the first three rooms. Three real local dig sites, Lucentum, Petracos and Illeta, are used as examples of investigative archaeology. Apply your recently acquired archaeological expertise throughout the next five rooms and explore the local geography of Alicante. Learn about its prehistory, Iberian Period, Roman times and the Medieval Age. Then, in the final room, see how the social, cultural and environmental influences of these eras have impacted contemporary life.
Use the provided multimedia devices to learn about the different facets of archaeology and to “interact” with the former residents of the city. Despite being an academic museum, MARQ strives to engage children and those without a deep understanding of Spanish history, making for an enjoyable and informative experience for visitors of any age.
The Archaeological Museum of Alicante is located a short distance outside of the city centre. The museum has its own tram stop. Some parking is also available in the area.
The museum is closed on Mondays. The entrance fee covers a full day of informative fun, so come and go as you please throughout the day. Break for a long lunch, as the locals do, and then return to the museum in the afternoon.
