If you're craving golden sands, a sun that never clocks off, and a city that serves up both sangria and skyline views, Alicante is your Mediterranean main squeeze

Destination Highlights

• A cosmopolitan city

• Home to a picturesque marina

• Buzzing nightlife

• A choice of beaches

🌞 Good to Know

• 🏖️ Best Beach: Playa del Postiguet – city-centre convenience meets soft sands and calm waters.

• 🍺 Pint Price: Around €3.65 (£3.10), but savvy sippers can find it for as low as €2.50 (£2.15) in local haunts.

• 🏰 Fun Fact: Santa Bárbara Castle sits atop Mount Benacantil, offering panoramic views and a dash of history.

🚍 Getting around

• 🚶 On Foot: the city centre is compact, making it perfect for exploring on foot.

• 🚌 Bus: extensive network with routes covering the city and suburbs.

• 🚋 Tram (TRAM): connects Alicante with nearby towns like San Juan and Benidorm.

• 🚖 Taxi: readily available; apps like Pidetaxi can be handy.

• 🚴 Bike & Scooter Rentals: ideal for cruising along the beachfront.

What are the best beaches to relax at on your holidays to Alicante?

Whether you fancy kicking back with your beach read or getting your kit off at one of the quiet nudist beaches, we’re not exaggerating when we say that Alicante has a beach holiday to suit everyone. Don't believe us? Keep reading:

• Playa del Postiguet – smack-bang in the city centre, this beach is perfect if you want to go from shopping to sunbathing in 60 seconds. It’s got soft golden sands, calm waters, and ice cream stands on speed dial — ideal for families and first-time visitors.

• San Juan Beach – a little further out but totally worth the tram ride, San Juan is Alicante’s superstar beach. Think wide, clean sands, plenty of room to spread out, and water sports galore. Great for active beachgoers and sun worshippers who like a side of volleyball with their tan.

• Albufereta Beach – this one’s a quieter, more chilled-out stretch that attracts locals looking to dodge the crowds. The water here is super calm, making it fab for a relaxed swim or a lazy afternoon nap under a brolly.

• La Almadraba – tucked away and a bit of a hidden gem, this small beach has a more intimate feel and is a favourite for snorkelers and couples looking for a romantic spot to watch the sunset (or just sneak in a smooch).

• Cabo de las Huertas – not exactly your classic sun-and-sand affair, this rocky cove-filled area is for the explorers. It’s a hotspot for snorkelling, sunbathing au naturel, and generally living your best boho beach life. Bring your rock shoes and your sense of adventure.

What are the top hotels to stay at on your Alicante holidays?

Alicante is a holiday fave for both simple city breaks and all-out Summer holidays, with a wide range of hotels to show for it. Whether you're looking last-minute or on a bargain hunt for something cheap and cheerful, we've grabbed a few options for you to get started with:

• Spa la Romana: simplicity is key at this lush country house setting, it might not be close to the beachfront, but it is close to the village of La Romana - so city street strolls are guaranteed.

• NH Alicante: does a rooftop pool tick all your boxes? Then this place won’t disappoint, we're talking a rooftop terrace where you can enjoy a swim whilst looking out at the city - sounds like heaven really is a place on earth.

• Hospes Amerigo: in the mood for a luxury holiday though (who isn’t?), then this five-star is your best bet, offering a central base whilst still being just a short walk from the beach.

• Melia Alicante: for a truly unforgettable Alicante holiday though, it has to be this crowd-pleasing hotel located along the beach. It comes complete with a large swimming pool, a kids club for the little ones and an exclusive adults-only area known as The Level - and yes, it's as boujee as it sounds complete with separate guestrooms and a private infinity pool. It’s the best of both worlds under one roof!

Your Alicante holidays travel guide

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Things to do for families in Alicante

Alicante is a playground for little ones and grown-ups alike. Start your family adventure with a trip to Santa Bárbara Castle, where kids can run around the ancient ramparts while you soak in sweeping views of the coastline. History lesson disguised as a fun day out? Tick. For a splash of culture, head to the Museo de Hogueras, where colourful papier-mâché figures from Alicante’s famous fire festival bring local traditions to life in a way that’s both entertaining and educational for your family holidays.

Need some downtime? Parque El Palmeral is a leafy oasis with waterfalls, playgrounds, and duck ponds – perfect for a picnic or letting the kids burn off some ice cream-induced energy. If you've got mini marine biologists in tow, take a boat trip to Tabarca Island, where they can snorkel in crystal-clear waters and explore cobbled streets that look like something out of a storybook.

💖 Things to do for couples in Alicante

Whether you're newly loved-up or celebrating decades of romance, Alicante is made for couples holidays. Kick things off with a dreamy sunset walk up Mount Benacantil, where the view from Santa Bárbara Castle is the ultimate backdrop for a couple’s selfie—or even a sneaky proposal. Afterwards, make your way down to the Explanada de España, Alicante’s iconic marble-tiled promenade. Stroll hand-in-hand beneath swaying palms, then stop at a waterfront bar for a glass of chilled vino.

Looking to turn up the charm? Book a sunset sail around the bay or whisk your other half away to a nearby vineyard for a wine tasting tour—you'll both be toasting to your excellent taste in holiday spots. And when night falls, snag a candlelit table in the old town, where cobbled streets and traditional tapas joints set the mood just right.

🎉 Things to do for groups in Alicante

Got your gang together and ready to make some memories? Alicante’s buzzing social scene is the perfect setting for group holiday shenanigans. Start your escapades with a bar crawl through El Barrio, the city’s lively old quarter, where the sangria flows freely and the music keeps going until the early hours. Prefer to party on the water? Charter a boat party and dance under the sun with beats, drinks, and maybe a splashy dive into the Med.

Daytimes are best spent beachside—San Juan Beach is perfect for group volleyball, paddleboarding, or just sunbathing in synchrony. And for a slower pace, head to the Central Market and graze your way through local cheese, olives, and fresh pastries. Grab goodies for a DIY beach picnic or bring them back to your Airbnb for an al fresco feast.

🥘 Things to do for foodies in Alicante

If your stomach sets your itinerary, Alicante won’t disappoint. This is the land of arroz a banda, a local rice dish that’s like paella’s punchier cousin, and it's a must-try whether you're in a seafront restaurant or a backstreet bodega. Fancy learning the secrets behind it? Join a local cooking class and whip up your own rice dish, complete with jugs of homemade sangria to sip as you stir.

The Central Market is foodie heaven, with rows of fresh seafood, fragrant spices, and every kind of jamón imaginable. Grab a few bits and find a sunny bench to sample your haul. Tapas tours are another top choice—hop from bar to bar trying grilled octopus, creamy croquetas, and fiery patatas bravas. And if you want to eat like a local, keep your eyes peeled for bustling spots filled with Spanish chatter. That’s where the real magic (and the best churros) happen.