Alicante holidays

Pack your camera. You’ll want to photograph the panoramic views from the ramparts of the Moorish Santa Barbara Castle. Time your visit with incredible lighting as the sun sets. The castle is perched on Mount Benacantil, so getting here requires a steep hike up or riding the lift that’s opposite Playa del Postiguet. You’ll easily spot Alicante’s oldest church, the 13th-century Basilica of Santa Maria, with twin towers and a decorative baroque facade.

For cheap holidays to Alicante, just pack your beach gear. Stroll along the palm-lined Paseo de Gomiz and straight onto the golden sand of Playa del Postiguet. Float in the calm water and gaze at the castle while the kids enjoy slides and climbing frames right on the sand. Take day trips to Costa Blanca’s beautiful beaches, and don’t miss scenic rides on the Alicante Tram along the coast to Benidorm.

In this city, the party starts long before sunset, when your feet are still sandy from the beach. Short breaks to Alicante over the weekend are perfect for hitting the Old Town’s gastrobars followed by dancing all night at clubs surrounding the port. Change scenes easily at nearby towns, including San Juan, for live music clubs featuring Latin and jazz bands.

Colourful tile mosaics and hanging pots decorate houses in the Old Town (El Barrio) quarter of Santa Cruz, the best area to stay in Alicante for historical landmarks. Climb the narrow staircases to reach the Mirador de Santa Cruz for brilliant shots of the castle and the blue dome of the Co-cathedral of Saint Nicolas of Bari. You’ll find local tavernas and shops around almost every corner.  

Good for: Landmarks, shopping, dining

If you’re wondering where to stay in Alicante within steps of the sand, book hotels in the Ensanche Diputacion district, with hotels overlooking Playa del Postiguet. Stroll along the exquisite mosaic surface of La Explanada de Espana to market stalls and bars. The promenade extends to the upscale restaurants of Marina Alicante. 

Good for: Beach, bars, upscale restaurants

Follow your nose to freshly baked bread at Mercado Central (central market) in the best neighbourhood to stay in Alicante for easy access to markets and cafes. You’ll need hours to browse hundreds of stalls, with handicrafts and clothes alongside fruit and veggie stands. Head to the surrounding streets for cafe terraces, tapas bars and more retail shops. Walk to the beach in about 20 minutes from here.

Good for: Markets, cafes, nightlife

Simply stroll around and you’ll run into fun things to do with family in Alicante. Stop for ice creams along the pedestrian Mushroom Street (Calle San Francisco) lined with fantasy mushroom sculptures that kids can crawl inside. Run around the water features and playgrounds of El Palmeral Park for free, or take a tram ride to Benidorm to experience the real-deal water park, Aqualandia.

Shopping in Alicante is a main attraction, so include shopping funds in your budget. Start on palm-lined Rambla Mendez Nunez for designer brands and gift shops. Rest your feet on benches in leafy Plaza Calvo Sotelo after buying jewellery and shoes in surrounding streets. In the case of a rare rainy day, Centro Comercial Plaza Mar 2 is Alicante’s biggest mall, with cinemas for entertainment.

Learn about ancient civilisations and archaeology with interactive exhibits at MARQ, one of the most popular museums in Alicante. Santa Cruz is home to MACA for contemporary art. For a true hands-on experience, visit the Ocean Race Museum, with a virtual ride simulating sailing in a regatta. A great one for kids, the Bonfire Museum (Museo de Fogueres) displays colourful statues and costumes from the yearly fiesta in June. 

Nightlife in Alicante tends to kick off at bars along Calle Castanos for beer and tapas in the afternoon before the music pumps until the early hours. Or you could spend all night at the marina at Casino Mediterraneo Alicante and glamorous clubs. Check the schedule for comedy acts, musicals and special family shows at Teatro Principal de Alicante. 

You’re never far from restaurants in Alicante that serve the city’s speciality ‘arroz a banda’, a saffron-infused paella with prawns and squid. For clusters of restaurants, head to the port, Playa del Postiguet, Mercado and along the Explanada. Don’t forget to make reservations to sample Michelin-starred Mediterranean dishes at the renowned Baeza & Rufete.

It’s easy to find free things to do in Alicante. Download or pick up themed walking route maps from tourist offices for self-guided tours suited to your interests. It’s free to explore the castle and to watch mega yachts come and go at the harbour, both of which are spectacular sunset spots. Pack a picnic to enjoy among sculptures and huge ficus trees in Canalejas Park.