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Alicante occupies a distinctive Mediterranean coastal position in southeastern Spain's Valencian Community, nestled between the Serra Gelada mountain range to the north and the agricultural plains of the Vega Baja to the south. The city's urban character blends historic quarters with modern tourism infrastructure along its 10-kilometer coastline, creating a compact urban core that transitions abruptly into semi-arid hinterlands. Situated at approximately 10 meters above sea level, Alicante's geography features a natural harbor protected by Cabo de las Huertas and the island of Tabarca offshore, which influences local wind patterns crucial for air quality. The surrounding landscape includes the dry riverbed of the Río Seco running through the city and the nearby salt flats of Santa Pola, while the broader region encompasses the industrial belt of Elche to the north and extensive citrus groves in the Camp de l'Alacantí. This urban-rural gradient means pollution sources shift from vehicle emissions in the dense city center to agricultural burning and dust from fallow fields in peripheral areas. The city's location in a sheltered bay can trap pollutants during atmospheric stagnation, though sea breezes typically provide natural ventilation. Proximity to the Mediterranean moderates temperatures but also introduces marine aerosols that interact with urban emissions, while the surrounding mountains can create microclimates that affect pollution dispersion patterns.

Alicante's air quality follows distinct seasonal patterns shaped by its Mediterranean climate. During winter (December-February), cooler temperatures and occasional thermal inversions in the sheltered bay can trap vehicle emissions and residential heating pollutants, particularly during calm periods when sea breezes diminish. Sensitive groups should monitor air quality on still winter mornings when particulate matter may accumulate. Spring (March-May) brings improving conditions as increased sunshine and more consistent winds from the east and southeast disperse pollutants, though occasional calima dust events from Africa can temporarily degrade air quality in April or May. Summer (June-August) features generally excellent air quality despite peak tourism, as strong sea breezes and thermal convection efficiently ventilate the urban area, though ozone levels may rise on hot afternoons when sunlight interacts with vehicle emissions. Autumn (September-November) sees transitional conditions with occasional Saharan dust intrusions and the return of more variable winds, while agricultural burning in surrounding areas after harvests can contribute to particulate matter. The cleanest air typically occurs during spring and early summer when maritime winds are strongest, while the most challenging periods for sensitive groups are winter stagnation episodes and during African dust events. Residents with respiratory conditions should limit outdoor exertion during calima episodes and on winter days with little wind, favoring coastal promenades where sea breezes provide natural air purification.