Planning a day trip to Alicante Spain but not sure where to start? Don’t worry, I’ve been to the city several times and have curated this one-day Alicante itinerary so that you can get the most out of your first-time visit.
Alicante is one of the most popular coastal cities in Spain and it’s not so hard to see why with its enchanting hilltop castle, lively old town, and beautiful coastline.
While I definitely suggest spending a few days in Alicante, you can absolutely get through the main sites in a day. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly what to see in Alicante in 1 day and all the travel planning tips you need to plan the perfect day trip.
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Hi, I’m Linn Haglund, the face behind Brainy Backpackers. I’ve been based in Spain for the last 10+ years, and travel locally and abroad whenever I have a chance. I’m passionate about responsible travel, slow and off the beaten path travel, and outdoor activities, especially hiking. I’m currently slow traveling in my van Persistence (Persi among friends) with my fiancée Mohammed and rescue puppy Atlas. I’m excited to help you explore this planet responsibly!
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One day in Alicante itinerary
With 1 day in Alicante, you have more than enough time to experience the essence of the city by strolling around the old town and taking your time at the castle taking in the city’s best views.
After several day trips to Alicante, I found the following itinerary to be the best way to utilize the day, but feel free to move the castle first or last.
Check out the market stalls at the Esplanade
I like to start the day in Alicante by strolling along the market stalls at the palm tree-lined esplanade, also known as Rambla de Méndez Núñez, and looking for unique finds.
There are clothes, jewelry, different accessories, crystals, and unique handmade items from all across the world.
If you feel like a coffee or breakfast, there are several restaurants along the esplanade too where you can grab something to fuel up for the first part of the day.
Stroll along the marina to the beach
When you’re done with the market, cross the road and walk the last bit down along the marina to see the boats. I love this area, there’s a casino and a large hotel between the marina and the beach.
And there, you´ll be rewarded with the classic Alicante Castle views.
Walk through the Ereta Garden
There are different ways to get to the castle, but from the beach, you can walk up to the castle through Ereta Garden, which is what I enjoy the most.
It’s a bit of a strenuous walk, but you’ll be rewarded with epic views of the city and the cruise port and there are several nice places to enjoy them.
At the top, you reach one of the castle gates and enter another garden with a trail taking you through plants and trees while the views open up to the inland of Alicante with a beautiful backdrop of mountainous surroundings.
Once you enter the gate, you can follow the castle wall down for a few meters and enter another gate that takes you on the castle walls for more views if you want to before continuing up to the castle. I think the detour is well worth it for the views!
If you want to avoid the hike uphill, you can take the elevator or shuttle bus up to the castle and walk down Ereta Park on the way back to the old town.
Explore the castle
First things first. Alicante Castle, which is called Santa Barbara Castle, is free to enter and the castle grounds are dog-friendly (but your pooch can’t enter the halls and rooms.) We’ve taken Atlas several times and he loves it!
The castle has an intriguing history starting with the Moors in the 9th century and ending long after the Christian reconquest. Eventually, it was severely damaged during the late 1600s and late 1800s.
However, there’s evidence that this hill has been used by Romans and even all the way back to the bronze age. Not so strange considering the strategic point with 360 views and an incredible overview of the coastal area.
You can explore the three levels of the castle which were built in distinct times and different halls and rooms to learn more about the castle’s history.
Make sure you check the updated opening hours here.
Lunch
After getting down from the castle, I suggest grabbing lunch in the old town. There is a myriad of restaurants to choose from.
We’ve tried a few, but one that we really loved for brunch and lunch is “Mareando La Huerta“. They focus on healthy food and have some solid vegan options.
Stroll around the old town
After lunch, you have plenty of time to stroll around the old town and take in the energetic vibes of Alicante.
While I really love getting lost in the streets and coming across hidden gems in Alicante, I highly recommend going on this walking tour of the old town to get a local’s perspective and learn more about the city’s history and the different sites you go to.
Some of the highlights in Alicante Old Town are the 18th-century Town Hall and its cute little square, the 17th-century Co-cathedral of Saint Nicholas of Bari, and the Basilica Santa Maria.
And don’t miss out on the Mushroom Street, it’s really cute and fun for both kids and adults alike!
There are also plenty of great cafés and bars to grab a drink and people-watch throughout the afternoon, I especially love going into the back streets as there are some great finds around.
How to get to Alicante
Alicante is easily accessible for a day trip with an airport making it a great place to spend your first or last day of your Costa Blanca road trip itinerary. 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. This makes Alicante one of the most popular day trips from Valencia with the fast train taking only 2 hours and 9 minutes.
But you also get there easily from other nearby places like Torrevieja, Elche, and Villajoyosa by bus (or 43 minutes by tram from Villajoyosa.)
This bus tour also takes you from L’Albir or Benidorm on a day trip to Alicante without any organization once you reach the city so you’re free to follow this itinerary.
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 the evening before (whether we stay in the van or a hotel for the night.)
However, if you want to save yourself the extra walk, there are several paid underground parking houses where you can leave the car for the day.
Best time to visit
Alicante is a predominant summer destination. But visiting Alicante in one day doesn’t give you much beach time unless you’ve already seen the city and only want to lounge on the beach.
So any time is a good time to visit Alicante really. That said, I’d try to avoid July and August if you can, just because they’re the most busy months and 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.
Where to stay
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 one day in 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!
Reflections on a day trip to Alicante
Summing up, a day in Alicante is just enough to experience the city and visit the castle grounds. It’s a wonderful city worth seeing even if you spend your vacation in other destinations like Valencia or nearby beach towns like Villajoyosa, Denia, and Santa Pola.
Still not convinced? Read my post answering whether Alicante is worth visiting or not.
Happy travels!