Alicante

Why come: As diverse as Barcelona, it’s a great combination of a beautiful city, beautiful Mediterranean beaches and, in my opinion, exceptionally good value for money restaurants.

Travel from England: Easy. Direct flights are available every day and the 15km journey from the airport to the city centre is quickly accessible by taxi or bus.

When to travel: Alicante has a pleasant Mediterranean climate, so the best time to travel is spring or autumn, although winters are mild and sunny. I recommend avoiding July and August when it is hot and humid and the city is full of tourists. The local midsummer festival, Festival de San Juan, is worth experiencing with bonfires in the centre of town and 10 metre high Fallas statues that are burned on Saturday to Sunday night.

Note: The beaches in the Alicante region, unlike in Barcelona and Valencia, for example, do not have freshwater showers.

Similar destinations: Barcelona, Malaga, Valencia.

Most Interesting Areas in Alicante

Passeig Esplanada: A really beautiful promenade between the centre and the sea full of nice terraces where to enjoy refreshments or a little tapa under the palm trees. The promenade is a mosaic of more than 6 million small stones made in the shape of waves in three different colours.
When: a short walk would be good for the digestion

Casco Antiguo: The old town of Alicante with charming alleys and some chill bars and restaurants, but in my opinion modest compared to the old parts of most Spanish cities. Higher up on the hillside there are some really nice little streets, which also offer a great view of Alicante city and harbour.
When: you don’t know where to start

San Juan: In my opinion, the best beach in the larger cities of Mediterranean Spain! Fine sand, really clear water and an adjacent boulevard full of terraces. Without the disturbing traffic. The best way to get from Alicante is by taxi (about 15€) or tram (lines 3&4).
When: in the mood for a lovely day at the beach

Castillo de Santa Barbara: A medieval castle, accessible by lift from the beach side. Pretty handy, isn’t it? The best views in town, and without the painful climb of hundreds of metres. You can walk down from the west/central side to watch the sunset, or stop for a picnic, as I did many times. At the same time, you can conveniently descend into the old town.
When: you like beautiful scenery

Cabo de las huertas: A little peninsula, a few kilometres away from the centre, has nice little coves where you can relax with a book in hand or go for a swim.
When: to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city

How to get around Alicante

By foot: the city centre, the old town, the castle and the beach (Playa del Postiguet) are all within a kilometre, making Alicante an excellent walking destination. There are plenty of pubs everywhere for a refreshing stop!

By taxi: taxis are a little less frequent in the larger towns, but there are usually taxis at the taxi rank and the PideTaxi app helps.

Public transport: trams are reasonably fast (lines 1&3), as are some buses. Some, however, are downright slow and the intervals are long. Google Maps shows you the easiest way to get to your destination in Alicante.

By bike: There are few cycle paths compared to Barcelona and Valencia, but Playa del Postiguet, for example, is very accessible in the direction of San Juan.

OTHER DESTINATIONS