What to do in Alicante in two days

Sitting on the shores of the Mediterranean,  Alicante basks in golden sunlight. An historic crossroads of civilisations, the city will take you on a journey back in time. Come and explore this bustling melting pot and experience the city’s lives past and present. 

Two days in Alicante

If you’re on a getaway in the city, you absolutely have to spend a morning at the beach. Soft golden sands and crystalline waters will bewitch you with their charms, beckoning you back time and again. San Juan beach, El Cabo de la Huerta cove, La Almadraba, La Albufereta and Postiguet beaches are just some of the stretches of the coastline that you can’t miss. 

Day 1 in Alicante

After a refreshing dip in the Mediterranean, it’s time to get to know Alicante a little bit better. In the city centre, you will come across the Ayuntamiento. The council building boasts an impressive façade with Solomonic columns embellishing the entrance. Well worth a visit. 

Another iconic sight is Mercado Central, the central market. A foodie’s paradise, the market sells local produce grown in the land and caught in the sea. The Modernist elements of the architecture make this no ordinary market.

Continue wandering through the streets of the city until you get to Explanada de España. Flanking the coast, this promenade is an ideal place to take a stroll and breathe in the sea breeze. Nearby there are plenty of restaurants where you can sit down for lunch – choosing a local rice dish, perhaps – as you gaze at the boats bobbing about in the port. 

Once you’re feeling well rested, make your way to Santa María basilica and San Nicolás co-cathedral. Step inside to discover the secrets and treasures within. 

We recommend spending the afternoon in Santa Cruz district. Colourful houses line the streets here and the patios are bursting with fragrant flowers, painting a quintessential picture of Mediterranean life. Don’t forget your camera. 

And to conclude your first day, climb up to Castillo de Santa Bárbara. Thanks to its elevated position, the fortress is one of the best sunset spots in the city. And it’s also steeped in history. Take a wander around to soak up the destination’s past and gaze down at Alicante beneath you.  

Day 2 in Alicante

On your second day in Alicante, we recommend a day trip to one of the most stunning destinations in the Region of Valencia: Tabarca island. Floating some 11 nautical miles off the shore – at the level of Cabo de Santa Pola – this is the only inhabited island in the region. You can hop on a boat at Alicante port (the journey takes about an hour) or Santa Pola.

With its dreamy coves and beaches, the island is a little slice of paradise. Clear waters beckon you to come and explore the seabed, an idyllic spot for snorkelling. The town is also well worth a visit. An Historic and Artist Conservation Area and Site of Cultural Interest, the historic centre has plenty to see, including the old town walls. 

If you get hungry, you have to try caldero tabarquino. This tasty seafood dish is made from the highest quality produce and distils the essence of the island. 

So what are you waiting for? Alicante’s treasures are just waiting to be explored. Plan your to-visit list and live the most remarkable of experiences.