Alicante holidays

The nightlife is legendary during holidays to Alicante, where partygoers happily drift from the beach to lively bars and back again. But the city’s charm stems from a rich history seen in the grand Moorish architecture and wrought iron balconies along cobbled alleyways. Admire it all between visits to galleries and museums.

Alicante holiday highlights

Castles and cathedrals

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.

Seaside adventures

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.

Party hotspots

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.

Alicante: Know before you go

Language

Spanish, Valencian

Currency

Euro (€)

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET) and UTC+2 (CEST)

High season

June – September

Low season

November – February

Find the best time to go to Alicante

Weather in Alicante

April – May: Blue skies and mild weather make spring an ideal time to enjoy Alicante’s outdoor attractions before the summer heat sets in. You can also look forward toquieter beaches.

June – September: Alicante’s summer high season sees temperatures rising upwards of 30°C. And with little to no rain, expect the beaches to be crowded.

October – March: Autumn and winter are generally mild, but you may need a wetsuit if you plan on swimming in the sea. This is a year-round destination, so you don’t have to worry about restaurants and attractions being closed during the quieter months.

Events in Alicante

Moors and Christians Festival (April): Visit the city of Alcoy for this popular festival,which honoursSaint George’s role in a 13th-century battle. The event kicks off with historical re-enactments, parades and live music.

Cruces de Mayo (May): Head to Alicante’s Santa Cruz neighbourhood for this colourful festival showcasing crosses made of flowers. Alongside the beautiful flower displays, you’ll see streets filled with live music, dancing and parades.

Hogueras de San Juan (June): The city celebrates the arrival of summer with music, bonfires and fireworks. Don’t miss the crowning of the ‘Belleza del Fuego’ (Beauty of the Fire) and her ladies-in-waiting.

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The best neighbourhoods in Alicante

Old Town Alicante

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

Postiguet Beach

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

Mercado

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

Things to do in Alicante

Alicante

Family friendly things to do

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

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.

Take in the culture

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

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. 

Places to eat

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.

Free things to do

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. 

Plan your holiday to Alicante

Budget

With the city’s beaches, historic neighbourhoods and parks all free to enjoy, a cheap holiday to Alicante is more than doable. Plan to spend around 15 euros (€) for a meal in an inexpensive restaurant. Thirsty? You can usually find a local beer for under €3. If you need a taxi, a short ride starts at around €6.

Getting around Alicante

You can easily walk between the beach and the Old Town. For families with little ones, try riding the Turibus. Public buses and the Alicante Tram are also convenient for getting around, and both run at night. You can buy tickets at kiosks and stations. Taxis and bike hires are easy to find.

Day trips from Alicante

Altea’s charming old town and pebbly beaches are about a 45-minute drive north of Alicante. And the prehistoric Canelobre Caves on the slopes of the Cabezon de Oro mountain are just over 30 minutes away by car. Keen to explore more mountain scenery? Hit the road to see El Castell de Guadalest’s clifftop castle in just under an hour.

FAQs about Alicante holidays

August is the warmest month in Alicante, with temperatures peaking at 32ºC (90ºF).
How long your trip to Alicante should be depends on where you're arriving from and what you plan to do. If you live nearby, three to five days is plenty of time to visit the leading sights. If you're travelling long-distance, it's worth booking a week or more to discover the city and nearby places.
Plan your Alicante holiday for January and you'll be there at the coolest time of the year. 7ºC (45ºF) is as cold as it gets.
Spanish is commonly used across the city. From friendly greetings to colourful local sayings, you're sure to pick up some new phrases during your city break in Alicante.
The euro (EUR) is the official currency. From tipping to small purchases, having some cash on hand during your trip to Alicante will be useful.
May is when airfares are most affordable, so start looking for Alicante flights and hotels then. Use the cash you save to upgrade to a more luxurious hotel room or even book a rental car for added convenience.
When you go, the airline you fly with, and where you stay will help influence the price you pay for your city break in Alicante. If you want to cut costs, be on the lookout for deals or last-minute offers on Alicante flights and hotels. Travelling on weekdays and booking early are other ways to save.
As long as you stick to the many well-lit tourist areas at night during your holiday to Alicante, it’s considered a safe destination. Exercise normal precautions and keep an eye on your belongings.
With around 5 cm of rainfall, March is the wettest month. If you're going on your Alicante holiday then, you might want to include some indoor fun in your plans. Grab a bite at one of the city's best restaurants, check out an art gallery, or hit the shops for some retail therapy.
Playa del Postiguet and MARQ Archaeological Museum of Alicante are just a glimpse of the adventures waiting for you here. Look up all the things to do in Alicante and see why it should be your next travel stop.
While you’ll find plenty of pricey restaurants near the beach and other tourist locations, just walk a few streets away for local restaurants with cheaper menus. Markets and street food stalls are fantastic for budget-friendly snacks on cheap holidays to Alicante.

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