ALICANTE ONE DAY ITINERARY: THINGS TO DO IN ALICANTE, SPAIN

Here’s the perfect Alicante one day itinerary for anyone planning to visit this charming Spanish town!

Alicante was one of the stops on our cruise, and we really enjoyed our day there. Like every town on the Spanish coast, it’s absolutely lovely, with amazing beaches, a charming old town, and great food. Keep reading to discover the only Alicante one day itinerary you’ll need!

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WHERE IS ALICANTE

Alicante is a coastal city in southeastern Spain, located about halfway between Valencia and Murcia. It’s an incredibly charming destination on the Mediterranean coast!

IS ALICANTE WORTH VISITING

If you like a relaxing holiday, Alicante is definitely worth visiting. It’s a great place to go if you want warm weather, good beaches, and an easy, friendly city to explore. It’s not very big, so it won’t take long to see the main sights, and it’s not too demanding. On top of that, the city has tasty local food, a calm atmosphere, and plenty of sunshine. Two to three days are enough to explore it fully, but you can also see a lot in just one day, so it’s perfect for a day trip.

HOW TO REACH ALICANTE

You can reach Alicante easily by air, train, bus, or car. Most visitors fly into Alicante–Elche Airport, which is well connected with many European cities and located quite close to the city.

If you’re already in Spain, you can take high-speed trains or buses from cities like Madrid and Valencia. Buses are more budget-friendly, while trains tend to be more comfortable. If you’re driving, the route is smooth and easy, and you can reach Alicante from Valencia in just about two hours.

Finally, you can also visit Alicante on a cruise, as we did. The cruise port is right in the city, and it’s only about a 15-minute walk from the ship to the city centre.

WHERE TO STAY IN ALICANTE

There are several great areas to stay in Alicante. I would recommend the Old Town because it’s full of charming streets, offers easy access to restaurants, and keeps you close to all the main sights. If you prefer a more relaxed stay, choose a hotel near the beach, where you’ll get beautiful sea views and quick access to the water. For a more budget-friendly option, you can stay in the residential neighbourhoods just outside the centre, which are still well connected by tram and bus.

BEST THINGS TO DO: ALICANTE ONE DAY ITINERARY

These are the best things to do in a day in Alicante, but you can also spread them out over a few days if you want to mix in some beach time!

Visit the Santa Barbara Castle

Start your day with a visit to Santa Barbara Castle. This fortress is Alicante’s most popular and impressive landmark. There are a few ways to reach it. First, you can hike up to the fortress. It takes about 30 minutes, and your visit is completely free since there’s no entrance fee. If you don’t feel like hiking, you can take the lift. There’s an elevator near El Postiguet Beach that takes you straight to the castle, and it costs €2.70 one way. You can also drive up or take a taxi!

At the top, you can explore the castle and its courtyards and enjoy some truly amazing views. Set aside about an hour to look around, that’s all you need. However, keep in mind that as the most popular attraction, the castle draws quite a crowd. If a cruise ship is in town, the queue for the lift can be up to an hour long (trust me, I’ve experienced it!). Try to arrive before 10 a.m., when the castle opens, to secure a good spot in line if you plan to use the lift.

Stroll along the Explanada de España

This, along with Santa Barbara Castle, is one of Alicante’s most popular attractions. It’s a gorgeous promenade with 6,600,000 tricoloured marble tiles, so it creates a stunning visual! The promenade is lined with palm trees, hotels, and restaurants, and it has a wonderfully relaxing atmosphere. Be sure to stop for a drink and enjoy the beautiful views of both the promenade and the sea!

Explore Barrio de Santa Cruz

If you want to get lost in the most beautiful streets of Alicante, visit Barrio de Santa Cruz. You’ll need to put in a bit of effort to explore this area, as it’s uphill with many steep stairs, but it’s absolutely worth it for the whitewashed houses covered in flowers, the colorful streets, and the great viewpoints. It’s full of excellent photo spots, and streets like Calle San Rafael and Calle San Antonio are definitely worth a visit.

Explore the town

While the streets of Barrio de Santa Cruz are the most picturesque, there’s still plenty to see in the city center, so make sure to leave time for it. First, you must visit Calle de las Setas, or Mushroom Street, which features several large mushroom sculptures along the road. They’re fun for photos, though some of them look a bit worn since they’ve been there for quite a while.

Next, don’t skip Plaza de Gabriel Miró, the perfect place to relax for a moment. It’s absolutely gorgeous, with lots of greenery, huge trees, and a lovely fountain in the middle. Also, make your way to Plaza de Toros, one of Spain’s oldest functioning bullrings, which is still used for bullfighting. You can take a tour and explore the entire bullring if you’re interested!

Eat at their Central Market

If there’s one place in every Spanish town where you know you’ll find great food and drinks, it’s the local market. Alicante’s Central Market is housed in a beautiful building and offers plenty of delicious options. You can grab lunch, pick up a snack, or buy some edible souvenirs to take home. You don’t need to spend a long time here, but don’t skip it because it’s the heart of the town!

Visit Postiguet Beach

Finally, visit the famous Postiguet Beach. If you only have one day, I’d recommend exploring the town first and then using the rest of your time to relax at the beach. This gorgeous sandy beach is perfect for a beach day, with calm, shallow waters and all the amenities you could need. While swimming, you’ll also get incredible views of Santa Barbara Castle.

CONCLUSION: ALICANTE ONE DAY ITINERARY

Alicante is a small town, so if you really try, you can see most of it in just one day. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, plan to stay at least 2–3 days. I highly encourage you to explore as much as possible in a single day and finish your day at the gorgeous beach!