Wondering if it’s worth visiting Alicante in winter? Short answer: YES! But is it what you’re looking for? Well, you better find out.
Located in eastern Spain, fairly south in the country, the city enjoys mild winters and plenty of days of sun.
After living in the area for a few months, including winter, I’ve become quite fond of this time of the year in Alicante.
Besides the beaches, there are surprisingly many fun things to do in Alicante that are perfect for the cooler winter months.
There are lovely Christmas vibes throughout December to early January and fantastic hiking opportunities in the surrounding mountains boasting some of the most incredible hikes in the Valencia region.
In this post, I’ll go through the best things to do in Alicante in winter and what to expect from winter in Alicante, like actual weather expectations.
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Alicante winter weather
Alicante winter weather is generally mild with average temperatures going down to 12-13 degrees throughout December-February which are the coldest months.
But what does this actually mean?
Felt temperatures are very different from the sun to the shade and while you can easily walk around with a t-shirt on a hot, sunny day, you need a warm jacket in the shade on the same day.
So my best advice is to dress in layers so you easily can take on/off clothes throughout the day and make sure you have a warm coat for the evenings. Trust me, it gets cold at night!
The winter in Alicante also comes with the odd winter storms where torrential rain floods the streets for an hour or two before it runs down the drains. To avoid the roads at these times, make sure you plan for some museum and cafe breaks in your itinerary.
Reasons to visit Alicante in the winter
The mild temperatures
I’ve already talked about the temperatures in Alicante, so by now you already know that it’s a big reason to travel to Alicante during winter when most of Europe is cold and dark.
It’s basically perfect sightseeing temperatures. If you’re looking for winter sun in Europe, Alicante is a fantastic option!
Christmas vibes
The Christmas vibes in Alicante are lovely around the marina and in the old town, and I especially loved the giant nativity scene.
It’s the biggest nativity scene I’ve seen in my entire life. And that isn’t so strange. With statues as tall as the buildings, I wasn’t surprised to learn that the nativity scene is in the World Guinness Book as the “Largest Nativity Scene Figurines.”
Alicante apparently has a nice Christmas Market where you can find lovely Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers.
We still haven’t found this Christmas Market. The last time we tried to locate it, Google Maps led us straight into the police station. So whether there is a Christmas Market or not, remains to be confirmed.
Besides, the city is covered in Christmas lights and if you have kids in tow, don’t miss out on the Kids Christmas Village on the marina.
Perfect time for hiking
If you’re planning a bit more than a weekend in Alicante and love the outdoors, I have great news for you!
Winter is the perfect time for hiking. There are phenomenal hikes in nearby areas like Sierra de Crevillente and the mountains of Calpe, but if you’re looking for something exceptional, don’t miss out on Pasarela de Relleu.
Easily one of the best hikes in Alicante, this wooden walkway takes you through a mesmerizing gorge, 60 meters above the ground.
But there are also a whole lot of beautiful coastal walks in towns like Calpe.
Fewer tourists
One of my favorite reasons to visit Alicante exactly in winter is that there are way fewer tourists than over the summer.
While Alicante caters to tourists all year round and Costa Blanca in general has a large number of expats and people escaping the cold to spend the winter there for winter sun, I still notice a more local vibe.
It’s nice to walk around without crashing into half-naked tourists on the promenade looking for a photo opportunity by every palm tree.
But the locals are also upset about the overtourism in the high season, especially the Airbnbs in local neighborhoods with tourists partying all night and not respecting that people live there and have to get up for work in the mornings.
So with sustainable tourism in mind, the winter is absolutely the best time of the year to visit Alicante, but of course, be mindful of the locals all year round.
Things to do in Alicante in winter
There are plenty of things to do in Alicante in winter and now, I’ll let you in on my favorite winter activities and things to see in the city.
See the nativity scenes
Alicante has some pretty cool nativity scenes in December and through the 6th of January. You’ll see some in the churches, but heading to Plaza del Ayuntamiento is an absolute must.
I’ve never seen a bigger nativity scene in my life with statues higher than the buildings. It’s definitely worth seeing, though it’s hard to take a picture that does it justice.
Stroll around the Santa Cruz neighborhood
Santa Cruz neighborhood in Alicante is the city’s oldest and most charming neighborhood. The streets are decorated with colorful pot plants and there are especially some homes that have taken it seriously.
It’s a fantastic area to walk around and take pictures. I especially love it over the Christmas period as there are Christmas decorations and holiday lights.
Don’t miss out on the house with the blue pot plants and generally, Calle San Rafael is the best street to walk up.
Hit the museums
Winter in Alicante is the perfect time of the year to explore the museums. And Alicante truly boasts a vast variety of fun museums you can explore.
Among my favorites, there’s the Archaeological Museum and the Bonfire Museum. There’s also a Museum of Illusions which I haven’t been to yet, but it seems pretty cool. The MACA Museum is the place to be if you’re into contemporary art.
Try the rides at the Feria de Navidad
The Feria de Navidad in Alicante is a fun Christmas fair which is set on the Rabasa fair ground and usually lasts from the end of November or beginning of December until the last half of January.
It’s a fun fair with many different rides and stalls selling food and drinks. They’re open both in the daytime (12:00-14:00) and in the evening from 18:00 until late.
See the sunset from Santa Barbara Castle
Winter is the perfect time of the year to walk up to Santa Barbara Castle as it’s not too hot for the steep uphill hike.
I love the views from the castle at sunset. No matter where you go, you’ll be rewarded with epic views from different parts of Alicante and the sunset is always magical.
Go ice skating
Alicante has an ice skating rink open during the festive season. It’s not actually ice, but a plastic-looking material that makes the skates slide as if it were ice.
You can rent ice skates and it’s 8 Euros for half an hour on the “ice”. Gloves are mandatory and if you don’t bring your own, you must pay an extra 2 Euros for gloves.
We didn’t go skating as planned when we went there because the lights were broken so it looked a bit gloomy.
They said they would be repaired the next day, but Persi the van had to go to the mechanic, so we couldn’t stay longer. Hopefully, we’ll get the chance to go back later this winter.
Take a boat trip
The winter months are perfect for a boat trip in Alicante, whether you opt for a short scenic cruise around the marina or you want to explore Tabarca Island.
On a sunny day, it’s the perfect weather to be on a boat and feel the breeze of the sea.
I recommend that you pre-book trips to Tabarca Island so you can start planning your itinerary and don’t waste time trying to find a boat on the same day.
Have brunch at Mareando La Huerta
For brunch, I love the eco-food restaurant Mareando La Huerta. It’s nice to sit both outside and inside and they’re dog friendly.
There are heaps of vegan and vegetarian options on the menu and the place is really nice.
They have a great brunch menu, we’ve been there several times and tried different things of the vegan options on the menu and have loved all of it. Besides, we’ve always experienced great service.
See all the Christmas lights
As in any city in Europe, when you travel in the holiday season, there are glittering Christmas lights in the streets creating a warm and lovely atmosphere in the evenings.
I love walking around Alicante taking in all the Christmas lights and holiday cheer. There are also many cute shops, bars, and restaurants where you can enjoy the holiday spirit.
Walk through the children’s Christmas Village
Alicante is home to a really cool little children’s Christmas Village on the waterfront just next to the marina.
We’ve walked through it a few times and it’s really cute with different rides for kids, and Santa comes to receive childrens’ wishes. Besides, there are letterboxes to send off the kids’ Christmas wishes.
Have a coffee at Vegan Bombon
Vegan Bombon is a cute little vegan and gluten-free cafe we really enjoy. They’ve got some lovely cakes, croissants, and empanadas that are great for accompanying your coffee.
As they have inside tables, it’s perfect for a grey day too to escape the cold. We also found the guy working there really pleasant and nice to talk to.
See the Reyes parade
The Spanish don’t really celebrate Christmas until the 6th of January, on Epiphany Day. This is when they exchange gifts and the Three Kings who brought gifts for the Baby Jesus, come bearing gifts to all Spanish children on this day.
The evening before, on the 5th of January, the Spanish celebrate the arrival of the Kings with a huge parade and Alicante is no different.
Big floats, people dressed as famous cartoon figures and fairytale figures, music, dance, and a whole lot of candy fill the streets. If you happen to be in Alicante on the 5th of January, don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Hike Pasarela de Relleu
One of my favorite winter activities in Alicante is to go hiking. While there are many epic hikes in Alicante, you might not have time to do them all, so I’ll share my absolute favorite with you, the Pasarela de Relleu.
This is not for the faint-hearted, but for the rest of us, it’s a truly unique hike. The wooden path is pinned 60 meters above the ground in one of the most stunning gorges near Alicante.
We hiked a 3-hour loop from Relleu village, but if you don’t feel like it, there’s a parking lot about a 15-20-minute walk from the walkway.
There’s a 3.50 Euro fee to enter and you’ll get a mandatory helmet for the walk. I recommend booking entry in advance as they only allow 20 people in every 15 minutes, especially on weekends and public holidays, it fills up a week or two in advance.
You can read more about how to get a ticket and do the hike in this guide I wrote.
Go on a day trip to Altea
One of the best day trips from Alicante is to the charming white village of Altea. Being a whitewashed hilltop village on the seaside, there are plenty of things to do in Altea and it’s become one of our favorite destinations on Costa Blanca (I feel like I’m saying that a lot!)
Walk around the streets and take in the beautiful views, shop in the many boutiques, and step inside the many art galleries.
Reflections on winter in Alicante
Altogether, winter in Alicante is fabulous. With fewer tourists, you get more space to experience the city and attractions like Santa Barbara Castle and the museums won’t be that crowded.
With mostly nice weather and temperatures above zero, it’s a truly lovely escapade from colder countries.
Happy travels!