Last Updated on March 26, 2024 by snaphappytravel
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!)
I’ve spent a lot of time in Alicante, as we have a holiday home not too far away in Torrevieja, and so we want to share with you all of our insider tips on how to spend 3 days in Alicante.
Of course, I’ve highlighted the not-to-be-missed attractions – places like the previously mentioned Castillo d Santa Barbara and the Mercado Central. But I’ve also included some off-the-beaten-path gems on this three-day Alicante itinerary– think, the super-photogenic La Ereta Park and the gorgeous white-washed town of Altea.
In short in this blog we’ll introduce you to experiences that are not on most Alicante itineraries. So let’s get started!
Is 3 Days Enough in Alicante?
Yes, 3 days is enough time to spend in Alicante. You can pack a lot into three days in Alicante! For example, you’ll get to see the city’s top sights like the Castillo de Santa Barbara, the Mercado Central, and Barrio de Santa Cruz. In 3 days in Alicante, you’ll also be able to squeeze in a day trip to either the cute town of Altea or the Vinalopo Wine Region. In 3 days, you’ll also have time to hop on a boat trip to explore Alicante’s coastline and its secluded beaches!
Day 1: Castillo de Santa Barbara, Barrio de Santa Cruz & Beach Time
Morning – Castillo de Santa Barbara
Kickstart your 3 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.
You can book this private tour of Alicante and the Castillo here!
Late Morning – Barrio de Santa Cruz
A 15-minute walk from the Castillo will have you at your next stop on this 3-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!
Afternoon – Have a beach day!
Alicante is renowned for its great beaches, and I’ll be honest, we spent a big chunk of our time here lazing around on golden sand beaches! So, why not spend this afternoon sunbathing and swimming on a stunning beach.
Playa de San Juan
One of our favorites – Playa de San Juan is just a 15-minute drive from Alicante CBD and is a whopping 7 km in length, making it ideal for sunbathing. Behind the wide beach, there is a promenade that runs the length of the beach, which is very popular with joggers and cyclists. Also, all along the promenade are restaurants and cafes – my favorites include Cafeteria Carino for drinks and ice cream with a view and Cafe The Game for some delicious cocktails in a stylish environment. The beach itself at San Juan is a blue flag beach, which means the water here is completely safe for swimming and watersports.
La Granadella Beach
Further afield, over an hour’s drive from Alicante, is La Granadella beach, which has, in fact, been twice voted as Spain’s best beach! It is located in the Javea region. The water here is so clear that you can see hundreds of colorful fish when you go for a swim. The beach is tiny, though, and is just 220 meters wide – meaning you need to get here early to nab a spot, especially during the busy Summer months.
Playa del Postiguet
There’s a beach right in the centre of the city, Playa del Postiguet is next to the Marina and has golden sand and calm swimming conditions. There are a few restaurants here, a volleyball net, and a children’s playground. You can also rent sunbeds here for a small fee. We spent a full day here when we last visited Alicante and I strongly advise you do the same!
If you’re a guided tour lover, then this Alicante City & Beach Tour is a fantastic choice. It’s 2.5 hours long and costs from just €30 per person. And, of course, it involves you pedaling past some of the city’s top sights (like Barrio de Santa Cruz, the Central Market, and Alicante Town Hall) on a bike.
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 to olive trees, oak trees, and other typical Mediterranean plant life. There’s also an exhibition hall, a 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 a 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.
Book the small group tour of Central Market here!
Afternoon – Go on a tour!
The afternoon of your day two in Alicante, 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 the below 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 2: 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 the tour in the morning and wander Central Market 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 second day 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!
Day 3 – Boat Cruise to Tabarca Island, Dinner in Alicante Harbor
Morning/ Afternoon – Cruise out to Tabarca Island
A boat tour out to the gem that is Tabaraca Island is one of the best things you can do in Alicante. This small island off the coast of the city is one of the only inhabited islands in the region – with a population of 68. It is designated a Mediterranean Marine Reserve and was once a hideaway for pirates! The small village here was built in the 1700s and was a simple fishing village until it started welcoming tourists recently.
There’s loads to do on Tabarca island, like taking photos of the stunning scenery, relaxing on the beach, or eating at one of the restaurants here. There’s even a little museum here where you can learn about the history of the island.
You can get to Tabarca Island on this 6-hour day trip to nearby Tabarca Island which leaves from Alicante Harbor. It includes a tour of lovely Tabarca Island. From the luxury boat, you’ll get to see the white sand of Carabassi Beach and the lighthouse at the Cape of Santa Pola. A paella lunch and some drinks are included in the price of €72 per person.
Or if you want to DIY it (don’t want to do a tour) you can hop on a taxi boat from nearby Santa Pola, which costs just €15!
Book the Alicante Boat Tour we did here!
Evening – Alicante Harbor
End your 3 days in Alicante on a high! I recommend spending an hour or more this evening (your final one in Alicante), 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. If you do want to have dinner with a view though, some of the best restaurants here include Restaurante El Pescador and Taberna del Puerto.
If you want to end your three days in Alicante with a bang, may I suggest having dinner at L’Atelier on Calle San Nicolas? It’s truly a unique dining experience, but advance booking is essential!
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 three-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!