ALICE results from Run-1 and Run-2 and perspectives for Run-3 and Run-4

A review of ALICE is presented focusing on its physics programme and results from the Run-1 and Run-2 data taking periods. Among the four major LHC experiments, ALICE is devoted to the study of the Quark-Gluon Plasma produced in ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions (Pb–Pb), but it is also collecting data in smaller systems (pp and p–Pb). This review focuses on the main results collected so far, including the characterization of the QGP via soft and hard probes, and the production rate of light nuclei and hypernuclei. Finally, the perspectives after the detectors upgrades to be performed during 2019-2020 are presented.