Planning to spend 2 days in Alicante Spain and not quite sure how to build your itinerary? Alicante is a wonderful city with plenty of things to explore so you want to make sure you get the most out of it.
I’ve spent a lot of time in Alicante while being based in Costa Blanca for almost a year and I’ve curated the perfect Alicante itinerary for 2 days so that you can enjoy your vacation!
From visiting the Santa Barbara hilltop castle to strolling through the picturesque Santa Cruz neighborhood, this itinerary will introduce you to one of the most beautiful coastal cities in Spain.
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2 Days in Alicante Itinerary – DAY 1
Santa Barbara Castle
Start your Alicante 2-day itinerary by visiting the city’s main attraction, Santa Barbara Castle. Overlooking the city and its coastline, the castle has become an icon of Alicante, yet, it’s completely free to enter.
The castle had an important role in the defense of Alicante during Moorish and Christian times. But there’s evidence that the hill was used as early as the bronze age.
There are several ways to get to the castle. I like to walk up through the Ereta Garden, but if you find it a bit too strenuous, there’s an elevator not too far from the footbridge crossing the road behind Playa del Postiguet.
There’s also a shuttle bus that goes up to the entrance. In summer, the queues can be long both to the elevator and the shuttle bus. There’s no parking at the top, but a taxi can drop you off if you prefer that.
If you travel with your dog, you can take it to the castle, but it can’t come into the chambers and halls where the exhibitions are.
Step inside Basilica de Santa Maria
Basilica de Santa Maria is originally a 13th century Gothic church that was rebuilt after a fire in the 15th century. Today, you can still admire the beautiful Baroque facade. I am especially facinated by the entrance of this church.
Besides visiting the interior, you can walk up to the clock tower. It’s not a spectacular clock tower compared to others I’ve visited in Spain as it’s lower than the surrounding buildings. That’s why the views aren’t great, but you can see the castle hill from one corner.
Have lunch in the old town
There are several restaurants and cafes in the old town around Basilica Santa Maria. I suggest you walk around and look for a nice place that you like.
If you’re looking for something vegan, you can walk to the opposite side of the old town and try Mareando la Huerta or Vegan Bombon. The latter is also gluten-free. They’re both great for lunch.
Visit a museum
After lunch, head to a museum of your choice. There are a few museums in the area near Basilica de Santa Maria.
MACA is a contemporary art museum, just a few minutes walk from there, you find MUGBAG, which showcases Spanish Art in a pretty palace from the 1700s.
There’s also a water museum, Museo de Aguas de Alicante, where you can learn about the history of the water storage system in Alicante.
If you visit Alicante in winter, you might find it interesting to visit the Museu de Betlems which has an interesting collection of nativity scenes from all over the world. It might just be me, but I’ve been obsessed with nativity scenes since I was a kid!
Note that most museums in Alicante are closed on Mondays and close at 14:00 on Sundays.
Stroll around Barrio de Santa Cruz
Barrio de Santa Cruz in Alicante is the most picturesque neighborhood in the city with traditional whitewashed houses and colorful pot plants decorating the narrow streets.
Make sure you don’t miss out on Calle San Rafael to take pictures of the House with the Blue Pot Plants (it’s nice to leave a tip too as they spend a lot of money and time keeping it pretty).
From there, you can walk to Ermita de Santa Cruz which offers sweeping city views.
2 Days in Alicante Itinerary – DAY 2
Walk along the Esplanade
The Esplanade in Alicante, Rambla de Méndez Núñez, is an iconic promenade in the city with its wavy design and many market stalls.
It’s a great place to start the morning by browsing the stalls for unique items to bring home. It’s also a great stretch for breakfast or a coffee if you don’t have any at the hotel.
Take a boat trip
Just past the Esplanade, you reach the marina. There, you’ll find boats leaving for small excursions. Whether you just want to take a 30-minute round around the port or if you want to explore Tabarca Island is up to you.
If you don’t want to take a boat trip, you can chill at the beach instead or walk in the sand along the water to take in the sound of the waves.
Visit a museum
Next, I suggest you visit a museum of your choice. Whether you want to visit one of the ones I mentioned yesterday or another one.
I really enjoyed the archaeological museum a lot. There are different sections for different parts of history from pre-historic to the modern age, and even an underwater archaeology section.
One museum that’s still on my bucket list is the Museu de les Fogueres which is all about the history of the Fiesta de San Juan and there’s a collection of bonfire figures.
If museums aren’t your jazz, maybe you’d rather spend your time shopping, nibbling at the food market, or spending more time in the old town.
Spend the rest of the day in the old town
The rest of the day, stroll around the old town, grab a bite to eat when you get hungry, and take in the city’s energetic vibe.
Don’t miss out on the Town Hall Square, there are a couple of cafés there if you want to grab a drink. There’s also some street art throughout the old, narrow streets worth seeing.
I recommend visiting the Co-cathedral of San Nicolás de Bari, it’s a pretty church dating back to the 1600s.
You might also enjoy the Mushroom Street of Alicante’s Old Town, it’s a bit old, but still quite cool – at least if you’re a big kid like I am!
Alicante also has an impressive theater with plenty of different theater performances and concerts you might like.
Where to stay in Alicante
If you plan to stay a night, there are plenty of places to stay, and choosing the right place might feel a little overwhelming.
Fret not, I’ve done the research and have listed my favorites for every budget below so that you can focus on your 2-day Alicante itinerary.
🐾LUXURY: Hospes Amérigo – stay in a 19th-century Dominican Convent in the heart of the city. Enjoy the rooftop spa and take in the simply unmatched views of the old town. Rooms are bright and modern and the staff goes the extra mile to meet the guests’s needs. They are also pet-friendly which I love!
MID-RANGE: Port Alicante City & Beach – enjoy the vast outdoor area and several pools this modern hotel has to offer. Round off the evening with a drink at the rooftop bar with sweeping views of Alicante.
BUDGET: Reina Victoria Velázquez – stay in a lovely aparthotel in a quiet neighborhood just a few steps away from Alicante Old Town’s vibrant streets. Make sure you upgrade to a room with a jacuzzi and terrace!
If you’re using the city as a base, you might want to check out these day trips from Alicante too.
How to get to Alicante
Alicante is easily accessible from all over Europe flying into Alicante Airport (ALC/LEAL). If you don’t rent a car for pickup at the airport and need a shuttle into the city, make sure you book in advance.
But it’s also easy to reach the city by bus and train from other major cities.
You also get there easily from other nearby places like Torrevieja, Elche, and Villajoyosa by bus (or 43 minutes by tram from Villajoyosa.)
If you drive to Alicante, there is free parking near the train station, but we usually find a spot near the port if we come early in the morning or late in the evening.
However, if you want to save yourself the extra walk, there are several paid underground parking houses in the city, though I recommend looking for a hotel with parking for ease.
Getting around Alicante
Alicante is a small city and very walkable, but there is a bit of a steep climb to the castle. Luckily, there’s both a shuttle bus and an elevator you can opt for if you don’t feel like getting sweaty.
I always enjoy walking around the city as there are always some new corners I haven’t seen before so don’t be afraid of letting yourself get lost in the old town.
Best time to visit
Alicante is a popular summer destination. But when you visit a city for just a couple of days, there isn’t much time for the beach anyway so I’d say any time is a good time to visit Alicante.
August is the most crowded month as it is the main vacation month for the Spanish. Personally, I’d try to avoid August as it gets very crowded.
My top choices are probably the fall and spring months, but winter in Alicante is fabulous too with the Christmas markets and fiestas like Three Kings parades and the carnival happening.
Summing up this Alicante 2-day itinerary
Summing up, there are so many nice things you can do when visiting Alicante for 2 days. This two-day itinerary gives you a good taste of what Alicante is and has to offer.
After all, it’s one of the most popular weekend breaks in Spain and a sought-after destination for winter sun in Europe with over 300 days of sun a year.
Happy travels!