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How to plan a trip to Alicante
Alicante combines a castle, an old quarter, a market and a swimmable city beach on a small scale. You can tick off a checklist in one day; a second day with Tabarca or the coastal tram unlocks the city's real holiday role.
Here rice isn't a side dish but the main course. For arroz a banda, arroz negro and seafood options, order the pan according to the number of people, mostly at lunchtime.
Things to do in Alicante
Santa Bárbara Castle
Choose the cool of the morning for the castle on Benacantil hill. Check the current status of the lift, the walking route and the exhibitions; descending via Santa Cruz links the view with the neighbourhood.
Santa Cruz, the centre and the MACA
The colourful staircases are a living neighbourhood; keep quiet by the doorways. Santa María, the MACA and the Mercado Central can be seen on the same walk.
The Explanada, Postiguet and Tabarca
Link the palm-patterned Explanada to the harbour and Postiguet. For the Tabarca boat, confirm sea conditions, the return time and the departure port on your ticket.
Area by area: where to go
Centro/Ensanche suits transport and food, Santa Cruz atmosphere but stairs, Postiguet the beach, and the Mercado area a more everyday, budget-friendly stay.
Where to stay in Alicante
On a short trip, the Mercado–Centro line is balanced. If the beach is your priority, Postiguet is easy but noisy on summer nights; on the tram line, San Juan suits a longer beach holiday.
What to eat in Alicante
Arroz a banda, arroz del senyoret, arroz negro, olleta and Alicante turrón stand out. When ordering seafood/rice, ask about the price per person, the minimum number of people and the waiting time.
The Mercado Central suits a morning breakfast and seeing produce; harbour restaurants serve up views, while inner-neighbourhood bars offer a balance on daily prices.
Getting to and around Alicante
From ALC airport, the C6 bus goes to the centre and tram connections. The TRAM is handy for coastal towns; connections to Valencia and Madrid leave from Alicante Terminal railway station.
The centre, the Explanada, the harbour and Postiguet are walkable. Check the current status of the lift to the castle; consider a bus/taxi alternative given the climb and the heat.
Cafés, nightlife and shopping
The bars on Castaños carry central nightlife; Santa Cruz has smaller terraces, and the harbour a summer-club rhythm. For turrón, Alicante wine and salted fish products, read the storage/transport conditions.
Day trips from Alicante
Tabarca suits an island day, Villajoyosa colourful facades and chocolate, Altea its old centre, and Elche its palm grove and museums. When heading north on the TRAM, don't confuse the journey time with the driving time on the map.
Best time to visit Alicante
Spring and early autumn balance a castle walk + swimming. During the Hogueras festival in late June, the city is unusually busy and noisy. Winter can offer sunny days but is no guarantee of a beach holiday.
How to budget for your trip
The beach, the Explanada and most views are free; the island boat, castle access and a seafront hotel push up costs. Sharing a lunchtime rice menu can be more predictable than an evening seafood order.
Safety and common mistakes
Don't walk up to the castle in the midday heat. Don't miss the last return from Tabarca. Don't order from a terrace menu without asking about bread, service and the day's seafood prices.
Where to eat: selected places
These aren't places to tick off one by one — they're the stops that best capture how the city eats. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go.
Nou Manolín
UpscaleCentro · Counter tapas and seafood
For produce quality and the classic Alicante bar rhythm.
Dársena
UpscaleMarina · Rice dishes
A specialist arroz experience with a harbour view.
Ask about pre-ordering.
La Taberna del Gourmet
UpscaleCentro · Local-produce tapas
For seeing Alicante produce in a contemporary but accessible presentation.
Cervecería Sento
Mid-rangeCentro · Montaditos and tapas
A short, lively bar-tour stop.
Piripi
UpscaleEnsanche · Mediterranean cooking
For a longer, more structured meal of local produce.
Mercado Central
BudgetMercado · Market and breakfast
For seeing the city's daily food rhythm in the morning.
Dietary preferences
Vegan and halal restaurants in Alicante
For Alicante we picked one plant-based place and one aimed at Muslim travellers. Halal labels don't all mean the same thing: certification, the restaurant's own declaration and "some halal options" are shown separately on each card.
Vegan Pick
Vegan-focusedBodhi Green
Centro · Vegetarian world cuisine
A restaurant offering a wide range of clearly marked vegan bowls, burgers and desserts in a vegetarian kitchen.
Why we picked it: So that vegans in groups with different preferences aren't stuck with a single option.
Verification note
The venue's plant-based coverage was checked in the directory; reconfirm the menu and opening days before booking.
Source: HappyCow's current vegan restaurant directory ↗Halal Pick
Restaurant-declaredAl Medina
Centro · Moroccan and Lebanese
A restaurant serving mezze, couscous and grills with a halal declaration.
Why we picked it: For a shared table, with strong vegetable options too, after the seafront and castle route.
Verification note
As no current independent certificate record was found, reconfirm meat sourcing, the shared kitchen and alcohol policy with the business.
Source: Turespaña Guide for Muslim Travellers 2026 ↗Menus, suppliers and certifications change. If you keep strict halal, confirm the current certificate, alcohol, sauce ingredients and shared-kitchen risk directly with the restaurant.
Day-by-day itinerary
- 01
Day 1 — The castle and the centre
- Morning
- Santa Bárbara
- Afternoon
- Santa Cruz, the MACA and the market
- Evening
- The Explanada and Castaños
- 02
Day 2 — The sea
- Morning
- Postiguet or the Tabarca boat
- Afternoon
- Island/beach and a rice meal
- Evening
- Sunset at the harbour
Before you go
Alicante travel tips: what to know before you go
The castle lift
Check whether it's running on the same day.
Pre-ordering rice
State the number of people and service time when booking.
The return from Tabarca
Note the sea conditions and last-sailing rules.
TRAM journey time
The coastal line is scenic but not always fast.
Continue your Spain route
This city works well on its own; if you have time, the stops below add a different region and city to the same trip.
The coastal line from Alicante to Valencia
The Turia, contemporary architecture and paella.
Read the guide →Costa Blanca or Costa del Sol?
A comparison with a bigger museum-and-beach city.
Read the guide →From Alicante to island rhythm
Dalt Vila and coves via flight/ferry options.
Read the guide →The Alicante–Madrid train connection
From the coast to the capital's museums.
Read the guide →Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for Alicante?+
2 days for the city; 3–4 days with Tabarca and Altea/Villajoyosa.
Which beach in Alicante?+
Postiguet is central; San Juan longer and wider; Tabarca for clear water if the weather allows.
Do you need a car in Alicante?+
Not for the city and the TRAM line; useful for the interior and a multi-cove route.
Alicante or Valencia?+
Alicante for a small castle-and-beach getaway; Valencia for museums, parks, markets and big-city variety.
Note: Museum and business hours, event calendars, transport fares and entry fees change periodically. Re-check places that require reservations only through official channels, close to your visit date. Last updated: .
Official sources and latest check
Visa, transport, entry and visiting rules change — re-check them with these official sources before you travel.