Alicante is a thriving tourism destination with many fascinating places to visit. As well as its beautiful beaches, the city boasts a burgeoning gastronomic scene, numerous cultural experiences and is well-placed for a number of top day trips.
Although most tourists tend to look at Alicante for a weekend break, this city really is perfect for a one week or longer holiday. It is also one of the best year round destinations to visit in Europe due to the warm weather and sun.
Alicante is blessed with high average temperatures all year round with usually nine hours of sunshine to play with and a minimal chance of rain, you’re able to make the most of what the city has to offer no matter what time you visit.
If you are looking to travel to Alicante I have put together a guide with suggestions for the best things to do during a one week stay here. Although this is a recommended 7 day itinerary, it can easily be adapted for a shorter or longer stay.
Day 1 – Get a real overview of the city
What better way to get your bearings in Alicante than incredible panoramic views of the entire city? Once you’ve checked into your hotel, head up to the lofty heights of Castillo de Santa Bárbara at the top of Mount Benacantil. Perched 166 metres above the city, you can see out over the entire town and the stunning port area.
Start your trip at the Plaza de Carmen in the heart of Alicante and make your way up to the summit. If you’re not feeling up the hike, take the lift up from Avenue de Juan Bautista Lafora. Once at the top, you can explore the castle for free as well as admiring the incredible views.
Afterwards, stroll back down to the old town (very close to the mountain) for a bite to eat and a explore its cloistered little streets. The old town is filled with more traditional Spanish tavernas that are as high on authenticity as they are low on cost.
La Barra del Buen Comer comes highly rated as does the Italian restaurant Spiga. Other sights include the cathedral, the old convent and the town hall.
Day 2 – Relax on the beach, indulge at the harbour
Alicante is famed for its incredible beaches, so it’s only sensible to spend a good portion of your time stretched out on one. Inside the city, you have the very popular Postiguet Beach which stretches out for 900m along the front of Alicante.
The beach has many positives: it’s convenient to get to, there are many bars and cafes nearby, it’s always clean and the backdrop of Monte Benacantil makes for a great picture moment. Of course, all this added together means it can become very crowded.
For a slightly quieter experience, take the Line 4 tram to San Juan beach – one of the finest in Spain. There’s much less going on around the beach itself, but its sensational white sands are the ideal place to spend the day with a picnic, a good book and a cooler full of cold beers.
In the evening, sample some of the city’s fine gastronomy at one of the many restaurants dotted around the port. This is where some of the best – and it has to be said, most expensive – places to eat in Alicante can be found.
Stroll along El Puerto (the port) and pick the one you like the look of. Being a port city, seafood dominates most of the menus and so the Spanish classic Paella is an incredibly popular dish.
Day 3 – Take a trip to Tabarca
Just off the coast of Alicante lies the tiny islet of Tabarca (Nueva Tabarca in Spanish), the only inhabited island in the Valencian region. With no cars and only around 60 inhabitants, it’s a world away from mainland Spain; the reason why so many like it.
The city itself is walled, which is one of the major attractions on the island. As well as this there’s the church of Torre de San José, the Lighthouse and Governor’s House, to explore. The main draw for the island is the crystal clear water that surrounds it and the diverse marine life that lives here. As a result of this, diving and snorkelling are very popular on Tabarca and we suggest that you at least give one or the other a go during your visit to the island.
You can take the daily ferry to the islet from Puerto Deportivo during the week for around £13 (€18), which takes approximately 45 minutes. On the weekend, there are two crossings at the same cost. Taxi boats are readily available for the return trip. During the spring, the island is much less hectic and much more inspiring.
Day 4 – The Canelobre Caves
For something a little different, take a day trip to the impressive caverns of the Canelobre Caves. This particular network is known for its high vaulted interior that domes within like a church. Soaring 70m upwards, this grand cavern is lit up by oranges, blues and purples from the spotlights below.
Sometimes, if you are very lucky, there are intimate acoustic performances within the cave. The domed roof creates the perfect setting for live music – it’s certainly one of the more unique gigs we’ve seen.
In the afternoon, head back to Alicante and over to the Lucentum archaeological museum and learn about the history of the Valencian region.
Day 5 – A day of culture
There’s culture a plenty in Alicante, and not just in its wonderful old quarter and castle. The city has plenty of great museums to choose from, whether you fancy a day soaking up the finer things or just one trip in the afternoon.
Here’s my pick of the best museums in Alicante.
Museu de Fogueres – offers a fantastic insight into the Fiesta de Sant Joan and its importance to the locals in Alicante. Expect costumes, props and photographs as well as an audiovisual tour.
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Alicante – home to an incredible collection of 20th century Spanish art, this museum allows you to enjoy the works of Dalí, Picasso, Miró, and Chillida, among others.
Museo de Bellas Artes Gravina (MUBAG) – spanning from the Middle Ages to the 1920s, MUBAG is Alicante’s go-to museum for fine art. The fact that it is located in an ornate 18th century mansion only adds to the allure.
Day 6 – Beach and an evening out in the old town
After another lazy day on the beach, enjoy a few drinks out in Alicante’s wonderful old town. The heart of the nightlife can be found in the “Barrio” where the bars start to open up as the night goes on. There’s something for everyone in this part of town, whether you are after a few drinks after your meal or fancy a bit of a late one.
As well as the old town, the port is a lively part of the city, but here you’ll find the more up-market places to drink. Between the two you have the casino, if you want to carry the night on a little later. Before departing for Alicante you might also like to learn some useful Spanish phrases and impress the locals.
Day 7 – Admire the churches of Orihuela
If you are interested in history or religion, just outside Alicante, you will find the city of Orihuela, which is known for its magnificent churches and quiet coastline. For your final day on holiday, just spend a few hours walking around this peaceful little place and soak up the religious history.
For a small place, there are a number of fantastic feats of architecture to see: The Arabic Castle, the beautiful Baroque Santo Domingo church and the 14th- century Catholic catharal.
Other Places to Visit
If you have more time There are also other places you could visit nearby to Alicante too if you have more time like the gorgeous city of Valencia or the super touristy seaside resort of Benidorm (as pictured above).
Has my itinerary made you think of spending seven glorious days in Alicante? I certainly want to visit again! If you liked this article you might like to check out more tips on my Spain travel guide. Or view my best Malaga one week itinerary.
