Alicante is a city that can enchant from the first sight, and one day can be really not enough if you want to get to know the place better. We, unfortunately, did not have such a chance and decided to come to Alicante for only one day.
It is often said that Alicante is one of the most crowded cities on the Spanish Costa Blanca, but there is a reason for this – close to the city is the airport, to which low-cost airlines fly, and where you can find tickets from 50 to 70 euro, depending on the tourist season (you can check the price of tickets on the search site for airline connections) and Alicante has really many interesting attractions to offer. All this with the combination of attractive accommodation prices, sandy beaches and being one of the sunniest cities in Spain makes it a popular destination to spend your vacation.
What’s more, Spain is a country that is very friendly to families with children. Many attractions are adapted for moving around with a stroller and created with children in mind. The biggest attraction for kids can be playgrounds, which are made in a really interesting and creative way.
Table of Contents
Getting from Alicante Airport (Aeropuerto de Alicante-Elche) to the city center
As we wrote, the city of Alicante has its own airport, which is located a dozen kilometers south of the city. It is well connected to the center and has a fairly large bus yard, from which buses and shuttles leave for almost every corner of the province of Valencia.
Public transport
You can get to the center of Alicante by line C-6, which runs every 20 minutes. The cost of the ticket is 3.85 €, which you will purchase directly from the driver with cash or card. Watch out for the blue bus.
Cab
If you need to get to Alicante faster, then you can take advantage of the numerous cab offers. The cost of such a ride is about 20 – 25 € .
Renting a car
Renting a car from Alicante airport is one of the best ways to explore the city area and to have more freedom. Car prices start from 20 € / day (depending on the season).
For example, you can rent an Opel Mokka for 400 € for 14 days without having to pay a deposit, which can sometimes be high. Car rental companies also include full insurance in the price, which can also affect the price of car rental from the airport to Alicante.
A rented car gives you a lot of freedom of movement and you can easily visit very beautiful places with it – such as Benidorm, famous for its tourist attractions and events, the wonderful coast of Calp, Santa Pola or other towns nearby.
What is also important to remember, when you rent a car, take photos of the car before you leave the rental company (or even preferably take a video), so you will document condition of the car before you leave. This will protect you from possible incorrect charges of doing damage to the car and avoid unpleasant situations.
Also, remember not to commit any traffic offenses with your rental car, as the rental company will surely cede all fines to you, which will unnecessarily increase the cost of your trip.
Exploring the city’s attractions in Alicante
When you arrive in Alicante with your car, you can look for parking in the city center, but the entire zone belongs to the toll area. It’s quite tight and most of the spots on the street are occupied, or belong to a residents zone (separated by blue lines). The easiest and quickest way would be to park in one of the underground parking lots located in the center. Typically, parking prices range from 2-3 € per hour, so if you want to visit Alicante for a whole day, it’s worth seeing if there’s an option to buy a day ticket, as they come out cheaper than by the hour.
At the end of the post, we also give you the location of the free parking we were able to find when we walked to the castle above and the beaches. In this case you have to walk about 10 minutes, but you can save money for a good lunch or ice cream.
Magical Mushroom Street (El Carrer dels Bolets)
One of the most popular places you can see on the Internet regarding Alicante is the charming Mushroom Street. Its Spanish name is El Carrer dels Bolets and on Google Maps it can also be found with the name Mashroom Street. The street has an interesting atmosphere and consists of a dozen or so mushroom figures. Some of them are huts you can enter, with some being slides for children. This is an attraction typically oriented to families with children, but there is also no shortage of people wanting to take a souvenir photo on this unusual street.
Aside from the mushroom figures, there are no other attractions here, but you can take advantage of the cafes and drink coffee or eat ice cream (about 3 euros per scoop).
Alicante city promenade – Passeig de l’Esplanada d’Espanya
Another very characteristic place for Alicante is the city promenade located along the coast. It is a wide boulevard called Passeig de l’Esplanada d’Espanya, where you can walk along a colorful sidewalk patterned waves. In addition to the fact that the place looks very interesting, you can see stalls selling toys or souvenirs and numerous cafes, bars and restaurants.
The promenade is about 500 meters long and is lined with a characteristic mosaic of more than 6 million colorful tiles, forming a wavy pattern resembling sea waves. The mosaic is made up of three primary colors: red, cream and black, which gives it a unique and recognizable look. Passeig de l’Esplanada d’Espanya is surrounded by a row of palm trees, which add to its Mediterranean character and offer pleasant shade on hot days.
Explanada de España is not only a place for walking, but also a center for cultural and social events. Outdoor concerts, handicraft fairs and various festivals are often held here, especially during the summer.
Walking further along the city boulevard, you can reach the beach, where you can relax a bit with the peaceful sound of the sea, and also children can play in the playground.
Santa Bárbara Castle tour
The most time in our tour of Alicante we spent visiting the Castle of Santa Barbara located on a hill. We were together with our dog, who could not use the elevator that goes up to the castle, so one of us had to enter the castle on foot which took about 30 minutes.
Santa Bárbara Castle is located on Benacantil Hill and is one of the largest medieval castles in Spain and Alicante’s most important landmark. Its strategic location, 166 meters above sea level, has meant that it has served as a defensive fortress since ancient times. The origins of the castle date back to the 9th century, when it was built by the Arabs. The castle passed through the hands of various rulers and was expanded several times until its present form, which reflects a variety of cultural influences.
To reach the top of Benacantil Hill you have several options:
- Elevator: The most convenient way, especially on hot days, is to take the elevator located near Playa del Postiguet. Taking the elevator costs a few €, and the trip is quick and comfortable. It is an elevator that resembles an ordinary elevator in a block of flats, so there are no views here. The only advantage of the elevator is that it saves time, and on hot days it may really be the only reasonable option for getting to the castle. You can pay for the elevator on the spot at the ticket office / vending machine.
- Car: You can also reach the top by car, where is a parking lot. The car route is well-marked and leads through picturesque surroundings. Parking at the castle is, of course, chargeable and a parking meter operates there.
- On foot: For more active tourists, it is also possible to walk to the castle, which takes about 30-40 minutes. The walking route leads through the charming streets of the old town and offers great views of Alicante and the Mediterranean Sea. To make sure you don’t get lost among the streets, it’s worth installing the Mapy.cz app, which has a very cool grid of walking routes. With them you will find your way more easily. On hot days the route can be very tiring.
Santa Bárbara Castle is a free attraction (admission is free) and consists of three main parts that can be visited:
- The upper part of the castle (La Torreta): This is the highest part of the castle, where the oldest walls and tower are located, offering panoramic views of all of Alicante, the port and the coast. It’s a perfect place to take photos.
- The middle section (La Machina): Here you’ll find rooms that once served as barracks, as well as the Alicante History Museum, where you can see exhibitions on the past of the castle and the city. What is interesting, this area often hosts various cultural events, including concerts and temporary exhibitions.
- The lower part (Revellín del Bon Repós): This is the newest part of the castle, built in the 16th century. It features bastions and defensive walls that offer another great view of the city. It’s also a place to relax and enjoy the Alicante skyline.
One of the main reasons to visit Santa Bárbara Castle is the breathtaking views. From every point of the castle, you can enjoy different perspectives of Alicante: from the picturesque streets of the old town, to the blue waters of the Mediterranean, to the majestic mountains in the background.
The city beach near the exit of the castle
The last point we visited with the kids was the city beach, which is a very wide and sandy beach. In addition to numerous benches, it has a really nice playground for children with a small gym.
Take advantage of the option of scheduled excursions – an ideal solution for comfortable sightseeing (even for 30 euro / person!).
For those with more time, a good option may be to order a tour, for example, to the nearby island of Tabarca (if you are curious about what the island looks like and what it was like there, please check out our separate post – Tabarca – a tour idea from Alicante) or a trip to the mountains. Often group tour options can be better priced than you would want to do on your own. In addition, you can cancel the tour up to 24 hours before departure, so it’s a safe option if something unexpected happens.
Alicante tour summary with children
Alicante is a city that is definitely worth visiting. It has a lot to offer and you will definitely have a great time here. For those looking for relaxation on the beach, cultural and party adventures, but also for those with a passion for monuments and art.
Families with children may find the city a bit exhausting, as there is quite crowdy and (as in a big city). Our sons spent their best time on the playground and on the beach, where they could have run around a bit more comfortably.
Alicante is a big city and there is really a lot to do here, and one thing is for sure – it will be sunny and very warm here, so prepare well for your trip.
