Sun, Sand & City: The Best Things to Do in Alicante and the Costa Blanca

Most visitors treat the Costa Blanca as a choice: a lively city or a beach holiday. In 2026, with summer crowds at record levels and Benidorm’s high-rises dominating the photos, it is hard to see that Alicante offers both within a few kilometres. This guide shows how to combine the two without wasting days on the wrong bus or the wrong beach.

Alicante’s Old Town and Castle

Alicante is a working Spanish city with a palm-lined seafront, not a resort. Start on the Explanada de España, a promenade paved with about 6.6 million marble tiles in a wave pattern. Walking it at sunset, with the tiles glowing orange and the harbour masts clinking, is the best free thing in town.

From there, head up through the Barrio de Santa Cruz. Its steep, whitewashed lanes are packed with potted geraniums and painted doorways. At the top, the Castillo de Santa Bárbara sits 166 metres above the sea. Entry is free, and a lift from Postiguet beach saves the climb for around €3. Go early or late, since the stone walls hold heat in summer, and the views reach all the way to Tabarca on clear days.

Two indoor stops are worth your time. The Mercado Central, a 1920s modernist building, is the place to see local produce. The MARQ archaeological museum is one of Spain’s best, and it is cool and quiet on a hot afternoon.

Beaches: City Sand or Hidden Coves

Postiguet is the city beach, a five-minute walk from the old town. It is convenient and busy, with fine golden sand and gentle waves. For more space, take the TRAM to Playa de San Juan, a 7 km stretch of wide sand with clean water and plenty of beach bars.

For something quieter, go to Cala del Moraig near Benitachell or the coves around Jávea. These have rocky entrances and clear water. Bring water shoes, since the pebbles and rocks are rough on bare feet. In August, sea temperatures reach around 26°C, and by June the water is already comfortable for swimming.

Tabarca Island: The Island Day Out

Tabarca is a tiny walled island, the only inhabited one in the Valencian Community. Ferries leave Alicante’s port and take about an hour, with return tickets typically costing €20–€25. A shorter crossing leaves from Santa Pola.

The island has a small village, rocky swimming spots, and a marine reserve where snorkelling is excellent. Most day trippers eat caldero, a rice dish cooked in fish stock, in one of the village restaurants. Book your lunch table when you buy your ferry ticket, as places fill up by noon in July and August.

Costa Blanca Towns Worth the Trip

The coast north of Alicante rewards a few focused stops rather than a rushed tour.

• Altea: a hilltop old town with a blue-tiled church dome, cobbled lanes, and sea views. Come for the artisan shops and quiet evenings.
• Calpe: dominated by the Peñón de Ifach, a 332-metre rock. The hike to the top takes about two hours return and is free, but wear proper shoes. Access can be restricted on very windy or busy days.
• Dénia: a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, known for its red prawns, and the port for ferries to Ibiza and Formentera.
• Guadalest: an inland village with a castle on a rock above a turquoise reservoir. It is touristy but photogenic, and the mountain drive is part of the appeal.

Benidorm gets mocked, but its two main beaches are wide, clean, and well run, and the skyline is oddly impressive. It also has the Terra Mítica and Aqualandia parks for families.

Where to Eat

Rice is the star here. Order arroz a banda, cooked in fish stock and served with aioli, or arroz con costra, a baked rice with an egg crust from nearby Elche. Piripi, near the Explanada, is a well-known spot for quality rice dishes. For tapas, try Nou Manolín on Calle Villegas, where the counters are crowded and the plates arrive fast, or walk the bars of Calle Castaños in the evening. The air smells of grilled prawns and garlic, and the noise rises as the night goes on.

Leave room for dessert. Turrón de Jijona, a soft almond nougat, is made in the hills just north of Alicante and sold in shops across the city. In Dénia, buy red prawns directly from the port-side restaurants.

Getting There and Getting Around

Alicante-Elche airport (ALC) is about 10 km from the centre. The C-6 bus costs under €4 and takes around 25 minutes. A taxi to the centre is usually €20–€25.

By train, Alicante has fast connections to Madrid. Renfe’s AVE, Ouigo, and Iryo all run Madrid–Alicante in roughly 2 hours 20 minutes, with advance fares from around €20–€60. From Valencia, Euromed and Alvia services take around 1 hour 50 minutes. Long-distance buses from ALSA are cheaper but slower.

Along the coast, the TRAM d’Alacant runs north from Alicante to Benidorm and, via the L9 connection, on to Dénia. It is slow but scenic, and avoids parking problems in summer. For Guadalest, Jávea’s coves, and quieter spots, a rental car is the easiest option.

Day Trip or Overnight?

From Madrid or Valencia, Alicante works as a day trip if you start early. You could see the castle, the Explanada, and have lunch, but you will spend four to five hours on trains, so it feels rushed. A one-night stay is much better.

For the full experience, plan 3 nights in Alicante, with side trips to Tabarca and one or two coastal towns. If you add Altea, Calpe, and Dénia, 5 to 6 nights is more comfortable. Alicante makes a good base because the TRAM, trains, and boats all start here.

2026 Budget Reality

Alicante is cheaper than Barcelona or Málaga, but coastal towns can be pricey in July and August. These are typical daily costs per person, excluding flights:

• Budget (€60–€90): hostel bed or basic room (€30–€50), menú del día, tapas, public transport, free beaches.
• Mid-range (€120–€180): three-star hotel or apartment (€80–€130), a rice lunch (€20–€30), the Tabarca ferry, a rental car for a day.
• Comfortable (€250+): four-star beachfront hotel (€160–€250 in summer), dinner with wine (€45–€70), private boat trips, and car hire throughout.

A sunbed pair on a beach costs €10–€20 a day in peak season, so bring a towel if you want to save.

What Has Changed Since 2024

Alicante city paused new tourist-apartment licences in 2024, and Spain’s national registry for short-term rentals has applied since 2025. Expect fewer listings and slightly higher prices, and check that your host shows a registration number. The EU’s Entry/Exit System has also been rolling out biometric checks for non-EU visitors, including UK travellers. This can add time at passport control at Alicante airport in summer, so allow extra time on departure days.

No regional tourist tax applied in Alicante province at the time of writing, but rules change, so confirm with your accommodation.

For timing, May, June, and late September are best, with highs around 24–29°C and thinner crowds. July and August regularly pass 31°C, and the old town empties in the afternoon heat. Winter is mild at around 17°C, with many places open but some beach bars closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alicante worth visiting?

Yes. Alicante combines a walkable old town, a free hilltop castle, city beaches, and good rice dishes at lower prices than Barcelona or Málaga. It is also an easy base for the Costa Blanca, with trains, trams, and ferries starting in the city, so you can see a lot without hiring a car.

How many days do you need in Alicante and the Costa Blanca?

Three nights covers Alicante’s castle, old town, beaches, and a Tabarca day trip. Add two or three more nights if you want to visit Altea, Calpe, Dénia, and Guadalest at a relaxed pace. A single day from Madrid or Valencia is possible but leaves little time for the sea.

What is the best beach in Alicante?

For convenience, Postiguet is five minutes from the old town. For space and clean sand, Playa de San Juan is better and is reached by TRAM. For clear water and a quieter atmosphere, head to coves such as Cala del Moraig or around Jávea, though these are easier with a car.

Can you visit Alicante and the Costa Blanca without a car?

Yes, for most of the main places. The TRAM connects Alicante with San Juan, Benidorm, Altea, Calpe area connections, and Dénia, while buses cover other towns. A car is only really needed for remote coves and inland villages like Guadalest, where public transport is limited.

When is the best time to visit the Costa Blanca?

May, June, and late September offer warm weather around 24–29°C, comfortable sea temperatures, and fewer crowds. July and August are hottest and most expensive, with high accommodation prices and busy beaches. Winter is mild at about 17°C and good for city sightseeing, but beach days are less reliable.

📷 Featured image by Shell Chapman on Unsplash.