Alicante City is one of the great hidden gems of the Spanish Mediterranean. While Málaga and Barcelona dominate the headlines, Alicante quietly offers visitors a spectacularly authentic slice of Spanish city life: magnificent architecture, dazzling food, friendly locals, and a beach that rivals anything on the Costa del Sol.
Day 1 Morning: Santa Bárbara Castle
Begin your Alicante weekend at the Castillo de Santa Bárbara, perched on a 166-metre rocky outcrop overlooking the city. Take the free lift from the beach tunnel or hike up through the old city quarter, and you will be rewarded with jaw-dropping panoramic views of the city, the port, the mountains, and the shimmering Mediterranean.
Day 1 Afternoon: El Barrio and the Mercado Central
Descend into Alicante's historic El Barrio district — a labyrinth of narrow streets, flower-draped balconies, and colourful tiles. Stop for a coffee at one of the terrace cafes before making your way to the Mercado Central. This magnificent modernist building, completed in 1921, houses one of the finest food markets in Valencia's province: stalls overflowing with glistening fresh fish, pyramid mountains of local citrus, and vendors selling the distinctive local sweet, turrón.
Day 1 Evening: The Esplanade and Seafood Dinner
The Explanada de España is Alicante's answer to Las Ramblas — a sweeping, palm-lined promenade inlaid with six million marble tiles in a rippling, wave-like mosaic pattern. Find a seat at one of the seafront restaurants and order a plate of locally caught prawns or the local fisherman's stew, caldero.
Day 2: Postiguet Beach and Tabarca Island
Wake up early and head to Postiguet Beach. After a swim, take the 45-minute ferry from Alicante port to Tabarca — Spain's only inhabited island and a protected marine reserve. Snorkel over posidonia meadows, eat fresh-grilled fish at one of the island's small restaurants, and return with the satisfaction of having experienced one of Alicante's greatest treasures. Find your perfect apartment in Alicante City →