Last Updated on March 26, 2024 by snaphappytravel
When planning a holiday to Alicante, the most difficult part isn’t just choosing what to do and where to stay – it’s deciding how long to spend there.
There’s so much to do in Alicante, from exploring the famed Castillo de Santa Barbara, which dates back to the 9th Century and offers breathtaking views of Alicante city, to wandering the colorful, quirky streets of Barrio de Santa Cruz (my favorite part of the city, FYI!)
It can be hard to fit everything into a few days, so I recommend spending 2 days in Alicante! It’s just enough time to get a feel for the city and tick a couple of must-visit attractions and tours off your list!
I’ve done all the research for you and included a mix of things to do below, from sampling awesome local food at the huge Central Market to wandering the picture-perfect village of Altea on a day trip.
I’ve covered everything to help you have the best 2 days in Alicante!
Is 2 Days Enough for Alicante?
2 days is the ideal number of days to spend in Alicante. It allows enough time to tick off the top tourist attractions here, like Castillo de Santa Barbara, Barrio de Santa Cruz, and the Central Market. A 2-day Alicante itinerary also enables you to go on a half-day trip to either the Vinalopo wine region or the cute village of Altea.
However, if you have more time, i.e., 3 days in Alicante – you’ll be able to squeeze in a boat tour to Tabraca Island. It’s so gorgeous over there!
Related Read: If you’re short on time, you may want to check out my guide to spending one day in Alicante!
Day 1: Castillo de Santa Barbara, Barrio de Santa Cruz & Alicante Harbor
Morning – Castillo de Santa Barbara
Kickstart your 2 days in Alicante with one of the best and most popular things to do in the city – wandering the iconic Castillo de Santa Barbara!
You can walk from the CBD to Castillo de Santa Barbara, which will take about 25 minutes each way, but it is a grueling uphill climb towards the end, so avoid doing this at the hottest time of the day. FYI – if you have a car, you can park in one of the car parks much closer to the top. It’s free admission to the Castillo de Santa Barbara.
At 166 meters above sea level, the views from here are unbelievable! The Castillo was built way back at the end of the 9th Century, and over the years, the archaeological remains of the Bronze Age, Iberian and Roman, have been unearthed here. It is filled with history and such a great way to spend a couple of hours.
We spent a whole lot of time admiring the views from the top and taking lots of photos. There is a restaurant and a little kiosk on site for refreshments, which is a welcome sight in the heat of the Summer!
You can see the Castillo on a private guided tour like this one, which also visits other Alicante highlights – like Carbonell House, Barrio de Santa Cruz and the ‘Explanada de España,’ promenade. It’s 3 hours long and costs €70 per person. It starts at 10 am from Passeig Esplanada d’Espanya but it must be booked in advance.
Afternoon – Barrio de Santa Cruz
A 15-minute walk from the Castillo will have you at your next stop on this 2-day Alicante itinerary. And this cute and colorful neighborhood is the oldest part of the city. Barrio de Santa Cruz is nestled at the foot of Benacantil Hill and you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back in time as you climb this neighborhood’s narrow streets which lead up towards Castillo de Santa Barbara Castle.
At night, the atmosphere is lively as locals head to the Barrio’s many tavernas for tapas and drinks. It’s predominantly a residential area, so you’re likely to see locals chatting on their doorstep or tending to their plants. Strolling around Barrio de Santa Cruz is definitely one of the best things to do in Alicante!
Late Afternoon – Alicante Harbor
Spend an hour or more this evening, before dinner strolling around the picturesque Alicante Harbor. As you walk around the harbor, you will have gorgeous views along the picturesque Postiguet Beach, as well as spy some pretty fancy boats! There’s a cool pirate-themed boat docked here, you can’t go on board, but you can snap some cool photos of it.
There are lots of restaurants lined along the harbor, great for people-watching, but beware, they are pricier because of their desirable location. Some of the best restaurants here include Restaurante El Pescador and Taberna del Puerto. But, I say, save yourself for dinner at my next suggested stop (it’s truly a bucket-list-worthy experience!)
Evening – La Ereta Park
This evening head to La Ereta Park for the best view in the city! It’s also the best sunset-watching spot in Alicante, hence, why I recommend visiting it in the evening!
This park has excellent views of San Nicolás Cathedral and the Port of Alicante thanks to its location on Mount Benacantil. This park is almost 7 hectares and is home olive trees, oak trees and other typical Mediterranean plant life. There’s also an exhibition hall, small museum and a water fountain here.
One of the best restaurants in Alicante is also located next to the park – La Ereta Restaurant which offers a fine dining experience paired with some incredible views of the city below. They specialize in Mediterranaen cuisine and only use seasonal local produce. As you can imagine, it’s very popular so advance booking is essential!
Day 2 – Central Market, go on a tour & La Explanada de Espana
Morning – Central Market
The Central Market of Alicante is an icon in Alicante CBD, constructed back in 1912 it has been a meeting place for local farmers, fishermen and charismatic stall owners for decades. Most of the restaurants in the city buy their produce here daily, and of course, locals come here to stock up, so it’s the perfect place to get a real feel for daily life in Alicante.
The first floor has mostly household items, dairy, and meat stalls. The second floor is where you can buy vegetables and fish. Would you believe there are over 300 stalls here? There are also lots of great places to eat within the market – try Cafeteria Anamar for its ham, cheese, and egg sandwiches or Salzillo for coffee.
The Central Market (Mercado Central) is open Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 2:30 pm.
You can book a small-group guided tour of the market for €29, during which you can sample lots of different delicacies and learn about the history of each dish from your knowledgeable local guide. The tour is 2.5 hours long, limited to just 10 people (allowing for a more personalized experience) and highly rated. It also includes private transfer to Castillo de Santa Barbara where you will take in the breathtaking views. Then, you’ll finish off with a stroll through Barrio de Santa Cruz.
Related Read: Check out my guide to 3 days in Alicante!
Afternoon – Go on a tour!
This afternoon we recommend going on a memorable guided tour, and which one you pick will depend on what type of traveler you are. If you’re a wine-lover (like my husband), then you’ll love this guided wine tour to the Vinalopo region. Or, if you adore cute, photogenic towns (like me), then a tour to the quaint village of Altea will be right up your street!
Option 1: Guided Wine Tour to Vinalopo
Just a 45-minute drive from Alicante is the Vinalopo region which is famous for producing a sweet dessert wine known as Fondillon. With a maturation of 10 years, this wine has a strong and unique flavor. Also grown here are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, and Garnacha varieties. Interestingly, this is one of the olderst wine growing regions in the world!
On this guided wine tour, you will visit a vineyard and see how the wine is made, as well as taste some awesome wine. If you book the tour during harvest season (the months of September and October), you will get to pick the grapes from the vines and taste them. You will also be given the opportunity to explore the bodega (wine cellar). The tour also includes some snacks – cured meats, bread, and olive oil. It costs from €68 per person! Handily, you can choose from a 10 am or 2 pm departure time.
Option Two: Guided Tour to Altea
Altea is undoubtedly one of the prettiest towns in Costa Blanca. It’s located just 52 km from Alicante making it one of the best day trips to take from Alicante. In summer, this medieval town is thronged with tourists, so if you visit in the summer, aim to get here early in the morning or late in the afternoon to beat the crowds.
You can book this tour to Altea and a Chocolate Factory,. It visits two of the most charming villages in the region -Altea and La Vila Joiosa. And, of course, the experience is topped off with a visit to a local chocolate factory! The tour includes pick up from your Alicante hotel and is 5 hours in duration.
This very popular tour costs €75, which I reckon is very good value for money, considering all you’ll see! It’s worth noting though that this particular tour only offers a 09:30 am departure. So, if you choose this option you will need to do this tour in the morning and explore Mercado Central in the afternoon!
Top Tip: If you plan on renting a car for your time in Alicante then you can easily drive to either of the above destinations without a tour. We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars when we’re traveling. It is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.
Evening – La Explanada de España
End your 2 days in Alicante with a walk along one of the most famous streets on the Costa Blanca – La Explanada de Espana!
La Explanada de España is one of the most iconic parts of Alicante because the ground here is decorated with 6 million colorful marble tiles designed in a wave format. It’s likely the first image you’ll see when you google Alicante.
Explanada de España is lined with numerous bars and restaurants – this is where the locals come to eat! Check out Horchateria Peret an atmospheric bar that’s been serving Alicante for over 50 years, and La Terraza del Gourmet for awesome Mediterranean food! For coffee, we went to Cafeteria Ripoli!
Where to Stay in Alicante
- Suites del Mar by Melia – located right on the main beach in Alicante & with spectacular views. And a rooftop pool!
- Hotel Almirante – a large outdoor pool and epic beach views from most of their rooms. This hotel is located at San Juan beach, a 10 minute drive from Alicante.
- Urban Hotel by MC – this is very reasonably priced considering its location in the central district. The rooms are clean and minimally styled and there are loads of bars & restaurants nearby!
- Casa Alberola Alicante – a stylish luxurious adults-only hotel located in the city centre.
- My Flats Luxury Downtown – luxurious self-catering apartment with a terrace.
Thanks for Reading!
I hope you enjoyed reading my 2-day Alicante itinerary – as you can see, it includes the best of this coastal city, from big-hitter attractions like Castillo de Santa Barbara to the more hidden gem spots like La Ereta Park.
I’ve also written a detailed blog post about 5 days in Lanzarote and Visiting Lanzarote in off-season, I’d love if you could check them out!