Disclaimer #1
I’ll be upfront: this post about our visit to Alicante sat in drafts for quite a while — roughly two years, as eagle-eyed readers will notice from the tiny silhouettes in Photo #2. Still, we’ve visited and loved Alicante twice in recent years, and it deserves a write-up even if a few details have softened over time. (Or perhaps that’s the cocktails talking — Alicante is excellent for cocktails.) I’ve tried to fact-check changes where possible, although my research was done from New Jersey.
Disclaimer #2
Also: we didn’t exactly pack our itinerary with must-see attractions. While we lived in London, we organized summer holidays with a simple three-phase approach.
Phase 1: Somewhere cool and active.
Phase 2: At least a touch of cultural immersion.
Phase 3: Beach and relax. (Not with Netflix.) Alicante was a Phase 3 destination for us.
So although Photo #9 shows a medieval castle and there are museums and snorkeling nearby, that castle shot was taken from a pool deck, and I can’t promise we did much else besides relax.
(If you’re curious, that castle is Santa Barbara Castle.)
Disclaimer #3
One more note: Alicante is very pork-forward, and our group isn’t. So we didn’t eat exactly like locals. Apart from the Michelin-starred restaurant in our hotel (which has since moved), we didn’t do a traditional tapas crawl. I know — sacrilege.
If this reads like a photo tour more than a guide, that’s fair. It’s somewhere in the middle: a short, appetizing overview to spark your interest. Think of it as a small plate — call it tapas.
Quick facts about Alicante
Quick fact: Alicante is a port city on Spain’s southeastern Costa Blanca.
Quick fact: The beaches feature wide stretches of white sand backed by cliffs, as shown in Photos #1 and #4.
Quick fact: The city is large and modern, but the Old Town is particularly charming and conveniently close to the beach. We chose to stay there; see Photos #2, #3, #5, #6 and #7. (Photo #8 is probably my inexplicable photo of a terrace-disco club — a reminder that I sometimes take odd souvenir images.)
Quick fact: Writing this has made me want to visit Alicante again, and hopefully it will tempt you too.
Oh, I’m your tour guide.
If you’re thinking I might not be the most conventional tour guide, consider these credentials:
- Photo #10 proves I can execute a memorable Peppa Pig–themed 6th birthday hotel-room surprise in Alicante.
- If you want firsthand impressions of doing a lot of yoga on a deck between a gym and a pool at our hotel, I can speak at length. (Photo #11 documents this important research.)
Where to eat, stay, and play in Alicante, Spain
Here are the places we visited — where we ate, stayed, and relaxed while in Alicante.
Eat
Monastrell: While we stayed at Hotel Hospes Amerigo, Monastrell was on the hotel’s ground floor. The restaurant has since relocated, so I can’t personally vouch for the new space, but it remains the creation of chef María José San Román and carries a Michelin star. We adored dishes like cherry gazpacho, patatas bravas, and an indulgent warm brie with black truffle. It was also where we celebrated our child’s birthday, which made it a special memory.
Sale & Pepe: An Italian restaurant and pizzeria. Yes, we were in Spain, but with kids and a vegetarian in our group, pizza and a big salad were practical and delicious. Be aware they may encourage adding ham to a plain pizza — a local habit — but you can request it without.
Livanti: Gelato worth visiting — friendly service and a solid selection of flavors that were a hit with the family.
Stay
Hotel Hospes Amerigo: A five-star hotel in the heart of the Old Town, housed in a renovated former Dominican convent. It felt serene despite being centrally located. We stayed here twice: rooftop pool and bar, a decent gym, excellent breakfast, and steps from the beach and nearby restaurants. It’s not the least expensive option, but for us it was worth it for the location and ambiance.
Play
Explanada de España: The city’s ornate, palm-lined promenade — think of it as a charming boardwalk tiled with colorful patterns, lined with cafés, bars, market stalls, and shops. It’s lively into the evening and pleasant for a stroll.
Playa del Postiguet: The main city beach adjacent to the Old Town and the Explanada. We spent a lot of relaxing time here; it’s lively but easygoing and very accessible from the center.
There’s much more to explore in and around Alicante, from castles to museums and coastal adventures. If you discover new favorites on a visit, I’d love to hear what you find.