Alicante, Spain travel guide

A castle on a rock, palm-lined promenades and city beaches: the Costa Blanca's most liveable base.

Best time to visit: April-June and September-October
Average daily budget: $90 to $190 USD
Ideal trip length: 3 days

Alicante wears the Mediterranean lightly. Santa Bárbara castle sits on Mount Benacantil right above the city, the marble-waved Explanada de España runs along the harbour, and Postiguet beach is a five-minute walk from the old town's tapas bars. It's cheaper and more everyday-Spanish than the resorts around it, which makes it an excellent base for Tabarca, Guadalest and the Costa Blanca coast. Joy Plus balances beach time, old-town nights and boat trips.

Alicante itinerary

Day 1, Get oriented

Morning: Climb to Santa Bárbara Castle. One of Spain's largest medieval fortresses, sitting 166 m above the sea. Take the lift from Postiguet beach up, then walk down through the old town for the best views.

Afternoon: Explore Casco Antiguo (El Barrio), The old town below the castle: narrow lanes, painted houses, the Basílica de Santa María and the densest tapas and nightlife.

Evening: Stroll the Explanada de España. Six and a half million marble tiles in a red, black and cream wave pattern, shaded by palms and lined with terraces. Best at sunset.

Day 2, Go deeper

Morning: Ferry to Tabarca island. A flat, walled Mediterranean islet 45 minutes offshore, with clear protected waters, a tiny village and excellent caldero rice.

Afternoon: Explore Explanada / Puerto, The famous wave-patterned marble promenade, the marina and waterfront restaurants.

Evening: Eat your way through El Barrio. The old town's tapas bars serve Valencian rice dishes, salazones (cured fish) and cold Mahou for a fraction of Barcelona prices.

Day 3, Hidden side

Morning: Day-trip to Guadalest and the Algar waterfalls. A castle village perched over a turquoise reservoir plus swimmable falls make the classic inland Costa Blanca combination.

Afternoon: Explore Playa del Postiguet, The city beach right under the castle, walkable from anywhere in the centre.

Evening: Barrio de Santa Cruz, the flower-covered hillside lanes below the castle.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Best neighbourhoods

Casco Antiguo (El Barrio): The old town below the castle: narrow lanes, painted houses, the Basílica de Santa María and the densest tapas and nightlife.
Explanada / Puerto: The famous wave-patterned marble promenade, the marina and waterfront restaurants.
Playa del Postiguet: The city beach right under the castle, walkable from anywhere in the centre.
Playa de San Juan: The long, wide sandy beach 20 minutes north by tram, with better swimming and more space.

Must-do experiences

Climb to Santa Bárbara Castle: One of Spain's largest medieval fortresses, sitting 166 m above the sea. Take the lift from Postiguet beach up, then walk down through the old town for the best views.
Stroll the Explanada de España: Six and a half million marble tiles in a red, black and cream wave pattern, shaded by palms and lined with terraces. Best at sunset.
Ferry to Tabarca island: A flat, walled Mediterranean islet 45 minutes offshore, with clear protected waters, a tiny village and excellent caldero rice.
Eat your way through El Barrio: The old town's tapas bars serve Valencian rice dishes, salazones (cured fish) and cold Mahou for a fraction of Barcelona prices.
Day-trip to Guadalest and the Algar waterfalls: A castle village perched over a turquoise reservoir plus swimmable falls make the classic inland Costa Blanca combination.

Hidden gems

Barrio de Santa Cruz, the flower-covered hillside lanes below the castle.
MARQ archaeological museum, one of Spain's best-designed regional museums.
Cabo de las Huertas coves for snorkelling away from the main beaches.
Mercado Central for turrón, salazones and cheap counter lunches.

Daily budget

$90 to $190 USD per day.

What to eat

Arroz a banda and caldero rice dishes
Salazones: cured tuna roe, mojama and anchovies
Turrón from nearby Jijona
Horchata and Alicante wines from the Vinalopó valley

Getting around

The centre, old town, Explanada and Postiguet beach are all walkable. The TRAM light rail runs from Luceros up the coast to San Juan, Benidorm and Calpe, which covers most Costa Blanca day trips cheaply. City buses and taxis fill the gaps, and Alicante-Elche airport is 20 minutes away by the C-6 bus. A hire car helps for Guadalest and inland villages.

Safety

Alicante is a safe, easygoing city. The main issues are pickpockets on the Explanada, at the Mercado Central and on packed summer beaches, plus bag theft in the old-town nightlife at weekends. Don't leave belongings unattended on the sand. Summer heat is serious, so carry water on the castle climb and avoid midday sun.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Alicante?

Three days covers it well: one for the castle, old town and Explanada, one for the beaches at Postiguet and San Juan, and one for Tabarca island or a Guadalest day trip. Stay longer if you're using it as a base for the wider Costa Blanca.

Is Alicante worth visiting?

Yes. It's an authentically Spanish city rather than a resort, with a dramatic hilltop castle, a walkable old town, good beaches inside the city and prices well below Barcelona or Madrid. It's also one of the sunniest cities in Europe.

When is the best time to visit Alicante?

April-June and September-October give warm sunshine, swimmable sea and manageable crowds. July and August are hot and busy, though the Bonfires of Sant Joan in June are spectacular. Winter is mild at 16-18°C and very quiet, good for city sightseeing but cold for swimming.

How do you get to Tabarca island from Alicante?

Ferries leave from the Alicante marina and take about 45 to 60 minutes, running most frequently from June to September and reduced or weather-dependent in winter. Book a return in advance in summer and check the last departure carefully, the island has very limited accommodation.

Is Alicante or Benidorm better?

Alicante is the better base for most travellers: a real city with history, culture, good food and beaches, without the high-rise package-resort feel. Benidorm has bigger beaches and a more intense nightlife scene. The two are 45 minutes apart by TRAM, so you can sample both.

How do you get from Alicante Airport to the city?

The C-6 airport bus runs to the centre in about 20 to 25 minutes for under €5, every 20 minutes from early morning to late night. A taxi costs roughly €20-€25 and takes 15 minutes. There's no direct train from the airport.

Is Alicante safe for solo travellers?

Yes. It's a relaxed, safe Spanish city where solo dining at tapas bars is completely normal and the old town stays lively into the night. Watch your belongings on the beach and in crowded promenade areas, and use licensed taxis after late nights in El Barrio.

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