Is 1 day in Alicante enough? I currently live in Ireland, where summers are gorgeous but the winters can be dark and dreary. Every winter, I fly to southern Europe to chase the sun and beat the winter blues. This year, after hearing raving reviews from colleagues, I booked a trip to Alicante, Spain. 

Alicante is located along Spain’s Costa Blanca, or “white coast”, between Murcia and Valencia. This region is famous for its white sandy beaches and striking limestone cliffs, which give the coastline its name. The city receives about 300 days of sunshine each year and winter temperatures rarely drop below 18°C (64°F), which makes it the perfect winter escape. 

Alicante is the perfect place to slow down and soak up the sun. Even if you only have 1 day in Alicante, you can still experience all that the city has to offer. Here is my guide to how I would spend 24 hours in Alicante. 

If you are staying overnight, I recommend booking something in the city centre. That way, everything is within easy walking distance from your accommodation.

The Eurostars Pórtico Alicante is only a 5 minute walk from Postiguet beach and has a terrace with gorgeous ocean views. There is also a restaurant and bar on site and a fitness centre. See pricing and availability here.

If you are looking for a place with a pool, Líbere Alicante Rambla has a sun terrace and rooftop pool. Each room has a kitchenette and a balcony. See pricing and availability here. 

Prefer a little extra charm? Consider staying in Alicante’s old town neighbourhood, Santa Cruz. There are a handful of gorgeous places right in the heart of the charming neighborhood. This place is newly renovated and in the heart of Santa Cruz. If you are wanting a terrace with views of Santa Barbara castle, I recommend this place.

Honestly, any time is a good time to visit Alicante, Spain. The Alicante region stays mild and dry for most of the year. That makes it a great choice no matter the season. It all depends on what you plan to do while you are in Alicante.

Summer (Peak Season)

Average day temperatures are about 27–31°C (81–88°F), with warm evenings around 20-25°C (70-77°F). June through August brings the biggest crowds and the highest prices. Beaches fill up fast, and popular hotels sell out weeks in advance. Expect warm, sunny days perfect for long stretches by the water. Book early if you plan to travel during these months.

Late Spring and Early Autumn (Best for Beach Weather & Less Crowds)

May and September are just outside the summer rush, and they might be the sweet spot for beach lovers. Average temperatures reach around 25°C (77°F) in May and 29°C (84°F) in September. That is warm enough for a proper swim without the peak season chaos. Crowds thin out, prices drop, and the beaches feel far more relaxed.

Winter (Quiet Season)

Average temperatures sit around 16–18°C (61–64°F) during the day, dropping to 7–9°C (45–48°F) at night. If you want to go swimming, winter might not be the best option. However, when I visited in winter we did see a few people at the beach. The biggest perks about travelling during winter are the smaller crowds and lower prices. If lower costs and quiet streets sound appealing, winter might suit you well.

Public Transportation

There is an airport bus (bus C6) that runs 24/7 from the Alicante airport to the city centre in about 20 minutes, depending on your destination.

During the night it runs every 30 minutes and at peak hours during the day it runs every 10 to 15 minutes. Check timetables here. The ticket costs €4.50 for one way and you can purchase the ticket on the bus with either cash or card. 

The bus is located in the car park on the ground level as you exit the airport. There will be several buses going to various locations, so make sure to look for bus C6 to Alicante.

Taking a Taxi

Booking a taxi is another option and can be cheaper if you are travelling in a group. It takes about 20 minutes to get to downtown Alicante from the airport and the ride will cost about €20-25.

There is a €4.25 surcharge for any trip to or from the airport that will be included in your total. You can either take one of the taxis located at the terminal or use an app like FreeNow or Bolt to book a taxi.

I love getting lost in a new neighbourhood, and Santa Cruz did not disappoint. Its narrow, winding lanes reminded me of small Greek villages, and every corner offered a new photo opportunity.

I recommend visiting early in the morning, before the crowds arrive. This part of town is small, and it feels crowded easily. If you are not into wandering neighborhoods or taking artsy instagram photos, feel free to skip this stop. 

Santa Barbara Castle is set on a big hill above the city, and the views from up there are unbeatable. It is an impressive fortress that was first built in the ninth century, then expanded over hundreds of years to what it is today.

The walk up is steep, so start early if you plan to climb up to the castle. I recommend arriving right at opening time to beat the crowds and the midday heat. There is very little shade on the path and inside the castle.

If you prefer an easier route to the castle, there is actually an elevator! I know, I was surprised too when I found this out. The elevator costs €2.70 and takes you right to the middle of the fortress. Seniors and visitors with limited mobility ride free. You can find the elevator entrance right across from Postiguet Beach, just off Avenida de Jovellanos. Entry to the castle itself is free. 

I would plan for one to two hours to explore everything, since there are several small museums and lookout points. There are also two cafés which are great for a quick snack. The gift shop is also worth browsing too. 

Surprisingly, the castle actually stays open late for most of the year and even later in the summer (around 11pm). If you would rather visit at the end of the day, that is also a great option to avoid the heat and crowds.

After exploring the castle, make your way down the hill towards the Basilica of St. Mary of Alicante. It is my favourite church in the whole city. It was completed in the 16th century and has a beautifully ornate doorway and stunning interior.

There is gold detailing covering a lot of the church and the windows are the most unique I have ever seen. The ticket costs €6, but it includes a full audio guide.  

Alicante has two great art museums within a five minute walk from the basilica, and both have free entry. Even if you only have a short time, it is worth the visit.

The Contemporary Museum of Art, known as MACA, holds an impressive contemporary collection and runs group tours on Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings. The Fine Arts Museum, or MUBAG, is located in a beautiful 18th century palace and showcases work from celebrated Spanish artists. 

On your way to lunch, you will walk past the Concatedral de San Nicolás, or Saint Nicholas Cathedral. From outside, it looks a little plain, almost like a giant box. There are faded red ochre inscriptions along the exterior walls that are believed to date back to the 17th and 18th centuries.

The best part of the cathedral is for €8 you can climb to the roof for amazing views of the city. Note that the church closes at 1pm, so plan to arrive at least thirty minutes beforehand. Honestly, if you are short on time, I would skip this stop and prioritise the other stops on this itinerary.  

Mercado Central is Alicante’s main market, and by far its biggest one. It was built  in the early 1900s and is quite stunning. It is larger than it looks as the market spans across two floors.

The ground floor is entirely stalls for meat, fish, and shellfish. There is everything from cured meats, fresh sausages, and more fish than you will see in a regular grocery store. 

Head downstairs for the fruit and vegetable section, packed with produce of every kind. Toward the back, you will find a handful of small tapas bars. Most are only big enough for a few bar stools or standing tables, but that is all you need for tapas and a glass of wine. If you are not in the mood for tapas, there is a sushi restaurant and bakeries that have sandwiches and pastries. 

Keep in mind that the market is closed on Sundays. Also, the market itself shuts at 2:30pm daily, though the downstairs restaurants usually stay open until around 3:30pm or 4pm, depending on the day.

After lunch, head back toward the ocean and stop by Calle de las Setas, Alicante’s quirky mushroom street. It is like something out of Alice and Wonderland. The street is painted yellow and blue and giant cartoon mushroom statues line the walkway.

The city installed these sculptures in 2013 as part of a beautification project meant to draw visitors back into the older neighbourhoods. The area is completely pedestrianised with no cars, and there are several fund shops lining the road. 

The installation is not only fun to look at, it is also interactive. Some of the mushrooms light up, others make sounds, and some are big enough to walk inside. It is strange, but magical part of the city.

Just one block from the mushroom street is Gabriel Miró Square, a small park worth a quick stop. In the park are giant ficus trees, some over 120 years old!

They are very cool trees and provide plenty of shade for hot days. Grab an ice cream and take a moment to cool off and admire the beautiful trees.

A few blocks further down, you will hit one of the most striking promenades I have ever seen. It stretches 500 metres along the coast, paved in red, blue, and white tiles arranged in a mesmerising wave pattern. Palm trees line the entire route, and the effect is genuinely stunning.

As you walk along the Esplanada, you will pass street performers, small shops, and ice cream carts. In the centre, there is a large stage where concerts and live performances are held. Give yourself plenty of time here to casually walk from one end to the other.

If you are visiting during the warmer months, this part of the day will feel the hottest. Walk to the end of the Esplanada, then continue five more minutes to Postiguet Beach. It is among the most accessible beaches in the city, and it is genuinely beautiful too.

If you are willing to travel a little further, check out San Juan beach. It is about thirty minutes by train, but an alternative beach option if Postiguet beach is too crowded. 

Enjoy a swim, or simply walk along the pier instead. There are several excellent restaurants along the pier as well, ideal for an afternoon snack.

Close out your day with a sunset cruise along the coast. There is no better way to watch the sky turn gold over the water. There are several cruise options from Alicante. I recommend booking in advance, especially during the busy season.

I doubt I will ever get used to how late Spanish people eat dinner. Many restaurants will not open their kitchens until 8pm. Still, Alicante has no shortage of excellent restaurant options. I wanted a proper seafood paella, a dish closely tied to this region, so I searched out a well reviewed spot and landed on Cervecería Koki. The paella there was incredible, and reasonably priced too.

One thing to note, most restaurants only prepare paella for a minimum of two people. That can get tricky if everyone in your group wants something different. If you prefer dinner with a view, head to one of the restaurants along the pier by Postiguet beach. Although, expect slightly higher prices than elsewhere in the city.

I hope you enjoy this 1 day in Alicante, Spain itinerary and all the incredible spots that the city has to offer. Let me know in the comments if you did this itinerary or any places you would add to this list!

3 Best Day Hikes in Picos De Europa National Park, Spain