Looking for the best things to do in Alicante?  You’ll be happily surprised.  Like many travellers, we’d only ever used Alicante airport as a gateway to other parts of Spain.  But, after loving my trip to Málaga the year before, we decided to give Alicante a proper visit and loved it.

We booked a last-minute family trip with two teenagers in tow, in search of late October sun.   We were looking for a destination with cheap flights, which wasn’t too far from the UK.  Alicante ticked every box.  It’s compact, easy to explore on foot, full of great places to eat and has a beach right in the city centre.  It’s perfect for exploring, without needing a car.

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Alicante is an ideal destination for a weekend getaway, especially if you’re looking for sunshine without a long journey.  There are regular, direct flights from across Europe, making it super easy to reach.  The airport is only 20 minutes from the city centre, and once you land, getting to the city is easy.

Once in the city, you can walk to all the main Alicante attractions.  The Alicante weather is reliable and sunny, even in late October, so it’s easy to enjoy sightseeing, beaches, and outdoor dining.  It’s ideal for anyone chasing a bit of late-year sun.

So, whether you’re planning a quick Alicante city break, a family holiday, or a longer stay, here are our favourite places and top attractions in Alicante.

10 best things to do in Alicante

If there’s one must-see attraction in Alicante, it’s Santa Bárbara Castle.  Perched high on the top of Mount Benacantil, this large medieval fortress offers breathtaking views of Alicante, the port, and the mountains beyond.

To reach the castle, we walked up through the old town, a steep climb that took about 30 minutes.  It’s scenic though and there’s lots of stops along the way for photos. If you prefer an easier route, there’s a lift just opposite El Postiguet beach.

Once inside the castle, you can explore the ancient ramparts, small exhibitions, and watch a short film on the castle’s history.

Best of all, entry to Santa Barbara Castle is completely free.  You can easily spend a couple of hours exploring and can stop at the café or Michelin- starred Restaurant La Ereta.  You could even extend your visit with a wine pairing experience at the castle.

We loved El Barrio de Santa Cruz, one of the prettiest neighbourhoods in Alicante’s old town.  It’s full of narrow stairways, whitewashed terraced houses, and colourful flower pots.  Each house is bursting with character, especially the famous La Casita de Las Macetas Azules (house of blue flower pots).

Go early before the crowds arrive, but this area is perfect for wandering, taking photos and is a scenic route if you’re walking up to the castle.

The Explanada de España is Alicante’s most famous promenade, a palm-lined walkway running parallel to the sea front.  Its distinctive mosaic pathway, made from over six million red, blue, and cream tiles, forms a wave pattern inspired by the Mediterranean.

It’s lively day and night, filled with cafés, restaurants and gelaterias, and it’s one of the best spots in Alicante for people-watching.   We loved it on Halloween when it was buzzing with locals in fancy dress.  Such a fun atmosphere!

Alicante’s harbour and marina is a sleek, modern area, home to stylish yachts, waterfront restaurants, and even a casino.

From the marina, you get one of the best nighttime views of Santa Barbara Castle, lit up high above the city.  It’s also the departure point for boat trips or ferries to Tabarca Island, one of the most popular day trips from Alicante.

Located right by the harbour, the Ocean Race Museum celebrates the world-famous Round the World Sailing Race, which has started in Alicante since 2008.  The museum is highly interactive with videos, exhibits and a virtual reality racing team experience.

We popped in at the end of the day and was surprised by how interesting it is. Learning about life on board the race boats is a real insight – it’s no easy feat at all.  Even if you’re not a sailing fan, it’s genuinely fascinating and one of the most family-friendly attractions in Alicante.

Calle de las Setas, or Mushroom Street, is one of Alicante’s quirkiest attractions and a fun stop for families.  Giant mushroom sculptures line the street, the pavement is painted in bright colours and the whole place feels like something out of a fairy tale book.

It’s a quick stop but is a whimsical place to visit and makes some fun photos.  Our teens loved it, even more so as one of them hates mushrooms!

One of the best things about Alicante is that the beach is right in the heart of the city.  We could walk there from our apartment in just a few minutes.

Playa del Postiguet has soft golden sand and calm, shallow water, perfect for a dip or relaxing after sightseeing.  You can hire sunbeds and parasols, though they’re a bit pricey, so we just used our towels.  There are also beach showers, cafés and bars along the promenade, where you can sit and enjoy the beach views.

There are several fantastic museums in Alicante, most of which are free.  If you enjoy art, don’t miss the Contemporary Art Museum of Alicante (MACA).  Housed in a 17^th century house opposite the Basilica de Santa Maria, the museum showcases an impressive collection of Spanish modern art, including works by Picasso, Dalí and Miró.

There is a pleasant courtyard in front of the church, where you can stop for a post-museum drink.

Built in 1912, Mercado Central de Alicante is a must-visit for food lovers and one of the most authentic local experiences in Alicante.  Spread over two levels, this bustling indoor market sells everything from fresh seafood and Iberian ham to colourful fruit, veg, and cheese.

The market is open Monday to Saturday mornings, and you can even join a guided food tour to learn more about Alicante’s regional specialities and sample a few bites along the way.

If you’re in the mood for a walk, try the Vía Verde de las Cantera, a scenic coastal walk following an old railway line from Postiguet Beach to Playa de la Albufereta.

It’s flat and easy, passing through a series of tunnels and offering some lovely views.

You could take you swim wear, as the beach at the end is quieter and perfect for a dip.  We didn’t take ours, but stopped for a drink at Chiringuito de la Albuereta before heading back.

One of the most popular day trips from Alicante is to Tabarca Island, a tiny island just off the coast.  Ferries leave regularly from the port.  Spend the day snorkelling,  exploring the island, and enjoying a fresh seafood lunch before heading back late afternoon.

Another great excursion is to the medieval hilltop town of Guadalest, about an hour’s drive from Alicante.  This village overlooks a striking turquoise reservoir.

You could combine your visit with a stops at Altea and the Algar Waterfalls, making it a perfect day trip if you have a car or join a guided tour.  It looks amazing and comes highly recommended.

We stayed in a self-catering apartment in the heart of Alicante.  With two bedrooms and plenty of living space, it was perfect for our family and just a short walk from Postiguet Beach.  The central location was ideal for popping eating out, shopping and exploring all the top things to do in Alicante on foot.

If you’re looking for luxury accommodation in Alicante, the Hospes Amerigo and Melia Alicante both stand out for their stylish design, rooftop pools and stunning locations.

Or, if you’re travelling on a budget check out La Milagrosa Guesthouse or Hola Hostel Alicante, both offering clean, comfortable rooms in fantastic locations.

Alicante has its own international airport, which makes it an easy and popular gateway to the Costa Blanca.  Flights to Alicante from the UK take around 2.5 hours, making it ideal for a short break or weekend escape.

Although the Easy Jet flights were slightly cheaper, we chose British Airways, as the fare included a carry-on bag, so worked out better for us.  Flights also departed from London Heathrow, which is closer for us and made the whole journey easier.

Getting from Alicante Airport to the city centre is quick and easy, one of the reasons why it’s such a stress-free destination.  The airport is only 20 minutes away from the city centre.

The C-6 airport bus runs every 20 minutes and stops at key locations in the city, including the train station and beach.  Tickets only cost a few Euros and you can buy them on the bus.  There is a pick-up point in Level 2 in the departures terminal.

Alternatively, taxis are readily available outside the arrivals hall and cost about €20 to the city centre.  If you prefer to hire a car, you can compare prices at Discover Cars.

Alicante is very compact and walkable, so it’s easy to explore on foot.  Much of the city centre is pedestrianised, making walking around both safe and enjoyable.

While we were there, we noticed the guided bike tours were really popular.  They look like a fun way to see many of the main Alicante attractions, including the Santa Cruz neighbourhood, the harbour, beach, and even Santa Barbara Castle. For something different, you could also take a Tuk Tuk tour!

If you’d like to explore beyond the city, hop on the Alicante Tram which runs along the coast to Benidorm, Altea, Calp, and Dénia, with plenty of stops in between.  It’s an easy and affordable way to enjoy the Costa Blanca coastline without needing a car.

• Amazing Flamenco experience
• Paella cooking class
• Day trip to Guadalest
• Boat trip to Tabarca Island

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