Alicante in 5 days
If you’re looking for a holiday destination with amazing beaches and crystal-clear waters, lively streets where the people are friendly and enjoy a good time in the bars and terraces, with utterly captivating neighbourhoods and fascinating museums, Alicante should be your number one choice for a five-day break.
By following our itinerary, you can enjoy it all in a relaxed manner and without missing a single detail. Are you ready to get the most from your Costa Blanca experience?
Itinerary day 1
10:00-12:00
Castle of Santa Bárbara
This fortress of Moorish origin is one of the emblems of the city of Alicante. It stands in the centre of the city, on a mountain top nicknamed Cara del Moro [the face of the Moor] from which the views of the city, with the harbour in the foreground, are truly spectacular.
12:30-13:30
Barrio de Santa Cruz
This barrio [neighbourhood], situated just below the castle of Santa Bárbara, is one of the city’s oldest and most traditional neighbourhoods. All the streets are embellished with thousands of flowers and plants: there is not one house that doesn’t have hanging baskets or images of the Virgin Mary.
14:00-15:00
Monastrell Restaurant
Holding a Michelin star and headed by María José San Román, this cutting-edge restaurant with its imaginative tapas is a very safe bet for lunch in Alicante. It has a bar and a dining room.
15:30-16:30
Alicante Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum, known as MARQ, shows the rich historical and cultural heritage of the Costa Blanca with its impressive collection spanning different eras and civilisations. In addition, this museum utilises audiovisual and interactive media to provide explanations to visitors.
17:00-18:00
El Postiguet Beach
Close to the Paseo de la Explanada lies the capital’s main beach. This offers all the facilities of a blue flag beach, along with areas for sports, a children’s play area, and beach bars where you can have a drink and a snack.
18:30- 19:30
Paseo de la Explanada
Running parallel to Alicante’s harbour, this seafront promenade is another of the city’s iconic sights. Outstanding features are its 4 rows of palm trees and the mosaic patterns on the ground. In addition, along the promenade there is a host of craft shops, cafes and ice-cream parlours.
20:00-21:00
Nightlife in the El Mercado district and surrounding area
As the sun begins to set, so the terraces and bars come to life. We recommend you have a look around the Mercado area, Calle Castaños, and the area known as El Barrio if you’d like a taste of authentic Alicante nightlife.
21:00-23:00
Nou Manolín Restaurant
This prestigious establishment, which has been awarded a plethora of prizes, is famous for its tapas bar which uses produce from eastern Spain. Whether you want tapas or you’d prefer to try dishes from the menu, we can recommend a visit here.
Itinerary day 2
10:00-11:00
La Santa Faz Monastery
This famous place of pilgrimage (known as the monastery of La Verónica) houses one of the three folds of the veil which Jesus Christ used to wipe his bloodied face. It is said to have worked several miracles.
11:30- 12:30
Playa San Juan
This is Alicante’s most popular beach, almost 7 km long and 100 metres wide. It has plenty of amenities, as well as leisure and restaurant facilities. The beach is ideal for families.
13:00-14:00
Return trip along the coast
Alicante’s coastline boasts countless lovely beaches and coves where you can relax in the sun, go for a refreshing dip, or simply stretch your legs. From the lighthouse at the Cape of Las Huertas to El Postiguet beach, there’s lots to explore.
14:30-15:30
El Gosto del Gourmet Restaurant
Typical Mediterranean cuisine, with good ingredients and rice dishes, is their speciality. It’s just a stone’s throw from El Postiguet beach — and, as well as the excellent tapas, the quality-price ratio is unbeatable.
16:00-17:00
Alicante’s bullring
Built in 1847, this bullring has seen some of the greatest figures in Spanish and international bullfighting. It is considered one of the most important bullrings in Spain and was the first to house a bullfighting museum.
17:30- 19:30
San Fernando Castle
The castle was built in 1813 during the War of Independence, and was intended to be both a prison and a defensive bastion for the city. However, it was not used as the French never occupied Alicante.
20:00- 22:30
Open Restaurant
This is one of the city’s trendiest establishments because of its work ethic — and its kitchen is completely open to the public. The cooks tour the dining room where the guests are enjoying the flavours as well as the kitchen activity in a laid-back atmosphere.
Itinerary day 3
10:00- 12:00
Carabassí beach
This lovely peaceful beach, backed by sand dunes and pines, is one of the essential stops on any visit to Alicante. Take the opportunity to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this golden sandy beach.
12:30- 15:30
Santa Pola
Just over 20 minutes’ drive from Alicante is the coastal town of Santa Pola. We recommend you take a stroll through its historic quarter (where the castle-fortress stands), and appreciate the peacefulness of the salt flats. Along the way, you’re bound to find some tempting places to have lunch.
16:00- 19:00
Elche
The town of Elche, famous for its oasis of palm trees and its defensive structures of Moorish origin, is worth a visit and is only a few minutes from Alicante. Don’t miss the Santa María de Elche basilica or El Palmeral.
19:30- 20:30
Shopping in Alicante
The streets of Alicante’s historical quarter are packed with little shops to browse in. The area between Avenida Federico Soto and La Rambla is also very popular with shoppers, particularly at the weekend.
21:00-23:00
TK Restaurant
If you’re visiting as a couple, this romantic restaurant specialising in the Arab cuisine of North Africa is sure to be a hit. The atmosphere is friendly and the dishes will transport you to the scenes of One Thousand and One Nights.
Itinerary day 4
10:00- 11:00
La Caleta beach
You will find this small, hidden cove just before arriving at Villajoyosa. The perfect place to relax in the sun, or to go snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters.
11:00- 11:45
L’Esparelló beach
Very similar is L’Esparelló beach, which lies just beyond La Caleta. According to legend, it was from here that the souls of the Moors began their last journey to paradise.
12:00- 12:45
Bol Nou beach
This is another pretty little cove on the Costa Blanca. It lies close to the other two already mentioned, and is backed by a cliff.
13:00- 17:45
Villajoyosa
And so we arrive at the charming town of Villajoyosa (La Vila Joiosa in the Valencian language), with its pretty, colourful houses facing the Mediterranean — and a fascinating history. What is more, it is the perfect size to visit in a single day.
18:15- 19:30
Cala Racó del Conill
For a feeling of complete liberation, we recommend this small, secluded nudist cove. In this area, the water really is crystal clear, so we recommend you take the opportunity to go diving and snorkelling.
20:30- 22:30
Steki Restaurant
This Mediterranean cuisine restaurant is characterised by its Mexican and Greek influences. A genuine fusion of culinary styles. Located in one of the city’s oldest areas, this restaurant is as welcoming inside as it looks from the outside.
Itinerary day 5
10:00- 14:00
Excursion to the Island of Tabarca
Only 22 kilometres from the capital (or a 50-minute boat trip), the ancient pirates’ refuge is one of Alicante’s most romantic spots. With barely 10 inhabitants all year round, it is a beautiful, peaceful place to go diving and snorkelling.
14:15-16:00
Gloria Restaurant (Tabarca)
Specialising in rice and seafood dishes, and fresh fish. This establishment is a mere stone’s throw from the beach, and its sea views make it a delight for all the senses.
17:30- 20:00
Las Cigarreras
This former tobacco factory is now a centre promoting cultural, creative, artistic and leisure activities. If you like contemporary art, we do recommend you drop in.
20:30-22:30
Circo Restaurant
Of course, your trip wouldn’t be complete without a succulent burger. In this charming establishment, you’ll find reasonably priced burgers with a superb combination of flavours.