Alicante is the perfect spot on Spain's sun-kissed Costa Blanca for a relaxing honeymoon or romantic getaway.
Dominated by the impressive Castillo de Santa Bárbara, the ancient coastal city of Alicante has much to offer honeymoon couples.
Alicante offers a choice of clean white- and golden-sand beaches that front a selection of bars, restaurants and hotels.
The best Blue Flag beaches in Alicante include the following…
Dig your toes into the soft golden sand of this 7km-long beach that lies to the north of Alicante, stretching from Cap de l'Horta to El Campello.
Regarded by many as one of Spain’s best beaches, Playa de San Juan is fringed by a long promenade lined with a huge choice of hotels, restaurants and bars.
Facilities include lifeguards, water sports, a children’s playground and an 18-hole golf course nearby.
Playa de San Juan is easily accessible on foot and by car, bike, bus and tram from the city centre.
Playa Muchavista is the continuation of Playa San Juan Beach and offers the same services and facilities, but has the advantage of being slightly less crowded during the summer months.
Pick your own spot to sunbathe on this broad 500m-long golden-sand beach that sits beneath the impressive Castillo Santa Barbara and within walking distance of the town centre.
This year-round popular beach is edged by a palm-fringed promenade and offers facilities including parasols and sun loungers for hire, lifeguards and a choice of beach bars and nearby restaurants.
The beach is located to the north of the marina.
At the southern end of Playa de San Juan and to the south of the rocky promontory of Cabo de las Huertas lie the three small rocky coves of Cala de la Palmera, Cala Cantalares (photo) and Cala Judios.
Here, you can find secluded sunbathing and crystalline waters perfect for swimming and snorkelling around the rocky promontories.
It’s best to bring your own provisions if you plan to stay long as there are no facilities here.
Despite Spanish laws, these three coves are a clothing optional spot for many Spaniards and foreigners.
This picturesque golden-sand beach faces a small calm bay just north of Playa Postiguet. Facilities include parasols and sun loungers for hire, a beach bar and lifeguards.
Playa La Albufereta is located close to Alicante city centre at the northern end of the Paseo del Maritimo promenade.
Discover one of Alicante's best beaches, a long stretch of golden sand and dunes, located around 12km south of Alicante – just a short bus ride away.
Pick your own spot to sunbathe and swim or stay close to the centre of Arenales, with its beachside facilities of parasols and sun loungers for hire as well as nearby restaurants and bars.
Explore long golden-sand beaches, remnants of Roman and Arab civilisations and a choice of wide, palm-fringed avenues, plazas and seafront paseos sprinkled with picture-perfect gardens and numerous sidewalk cafés and bars in which to relax and people-watch.
Stroll along the magnificent palm-lined Explanada de Espanya (photo), a pedestrianised marble mosaic that utilises some 6.6 million small coloured tiles.
Two of Alicante's must-see sightseeing attractions, include…
Explore this imposing medieval fortress first erected by the Carthaginians in 400 BC, which sits perched on the bare rocky summit of Mount Benacantil (166m) overlooking Playa Postiguet.
Discover a host of rooms, tunnels, moats, drawbridges, breastworks and deep dungeons dating from the 9th to 13th centuries.
Outside, wander paths through olive groves and see a collection of sculpture in the castle grounds (or Parque de la Ereta), all the while enjoying the panoramic city views.
The castle is easily accessible by road or by lift from Postiguet Beach.
(Saint John's Bonfires) – Come to Alicante on 24 June to witness the city’s main fiesta, Las Hogueras, when enormous satirical artistic monuments of papier mâché and wood are ceremoniously burned down.
The fiesta pays homage to Saint John and celebrates the summer solstice with around 200 bonfires and fireworks. The artistic monuments are set up all over the city on the night of the 20 June and then burned down four days later in what is known as the cremà, following a huge fireworks display at Castillo de Santa Bárbara.
In addition there is a huge program of cultural events held throughout the city. The fiesta is second only to Las Fallas (a similar festival held in Valencia).
Elsewhere, choose to sunbathe and swim from several golden-sand beaches including the main beach, Playa del Postiguet, or the long crescent of Playa de San Juan, which stretches north from Cap de l'Horta to El Campello and is easily reached on foot and by tram.
Wander long tunnels and peer into deep dungeons and moats in the imposing Castillo de Santa Bárbara (photo), a medieval fortress that sits on the rocky summit of Mount Benacantil overlooking Playa Postiguet.
Admire works by Picasso, Tàpies, Miró, Dalí, Beaque and Chagall among others at the Museum of Contemporary Art, housed in the city’s oldest building, the 17th century Casa de La Asegurada.
Or visit the Museo de Bellas Artes Gravina (or MUBAG, as it's known), with art collections from the 16th to early 20th centuries. See archaeological remains from the Palaeolithic era to modern times inside the MARQ (or Museo Arqueológico Provincial).
Pop into Alicante's oldest church, the Iglesia de Santa María, built in Gothic style between the 14th and 16th centuries, with a golden rococo high altar and a Gothic stone carving of St Mary.
Then visit the Cathedral of San Nicolás de Bari, built between 1616 and 1662 on the site of a former mosque and named after the feast day of St Nicolás – the very day (6 December 1248) the city was finally retaken from the Moors.
The church features an austere façade, a 46m-high dome and a lavish baroque side chapel.
Alicante offers an excellent choice of accommodation options to suit most honeymoon budgets, including the massive beachfront Hotel Meliá Alicante, located between the harbour and the Playa Postiguet. Or try the elegant Hospes Amérigo, located in Alicante’s old town.
To get you started here's a selection of the best hotels in Alicante…
Hospes Amérigo
Location: Rafael Altamira, Alicante
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD299 per room
Description: With beautiful views of Alicante Cathedral and Santa Bárbara Castle, Hospes Amerigo’s free rooftop spa features a sauna, pool and gym. Rooms offer free Wi-Fi and flat-screen satellite TV.Stylish room at Hospes Amerigo have high ceilings and large windows. All rooms include a DVD player and some feature abstract silk paintings. The hotel's lobby bar El Bistró de Amérigo offers tapas and light meals. In summer, guests can enjoy the views from the rooftop lounge bar, situated next to the open-air pool. This elegant design hotel is set in a 19th-century Dominican Convent in Alicante’s old town, 300 metres from Postiguet Beach. Hospes Amerigo is within 50 metres of the cathedral and Alicante Town Hall.
Melia Alicante
Location: Plaza del Puerto, Alicante
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD233 per room
Description: Set between Alicante Harbour and Postiguet Beach, Meliá Alicante offers an outdoor pool and free WiFi throughout. All rooms feature a terrace with sea views. A kid's club is available in high season. All rooms at the Melia Alicante are air conditioned and spacious. They have flat-screen satellite TV, a minibar and a safe. The modern bathrooms come with toiletries and a hairdryer. The hotel’s Terra Restaurant specialises in rice dishes and fresh fish. There is also a poolside snack bar and an elegant lounge bar with sea views and live music. Meliá Alicante offers direct access to the Wellness Center, which is located in the hotel building and is available for an extra charge. Guests will enjoy discounts on the spa facilities. The hotel faces Alicante Casino, and is just 50 metres from the yacht club and marina. Santa Barbara Castle and Archaeology Museum are just 800 metres away.
Eurostars Mediterranea Plaza
Location: Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Alicante
Rating: 4-star
Ave nightly price: AUD220 per room
Description: Eurostars Mediterranea Plaza is 325 ft from Alicante’s Postiguet Beach, and has a roof terrace with city and sea views. It offers a free sauna and gym, and free Wi-Fi. The elegant Mediterranea Plaza offers modern, air-conditioned rooms. They all have satellite TV and a minibar. The hotel serves a daily buffet breakfast. The staff at the Hotel Mediterranea Plaza’s 24-hour reception can help booking tickets for guided tours, live shows and other events. You can also rent a car at reception. Hotel Eurostars Mediterranea Plaza is in the historic center of the city, next to Alicante Town Hall. Saint Nicholas Cathedral and Santa Barbara Castle are a short walk away. Alicante Airport is just 5.6 miles from the hotel.
Eurostars Lucentum
Location: Avenida Alfonso X el Sabio, Alicante
Rating: 4-star
Ave nightly price: AUD137 per room
Description: The modern Eurostars Lucentum is in central Alicante, on Alfonso X Avenue. All of the air-conditioned rooms have free Wi-Fi and there is also a restaurant. The spacious rooms all have modern bathrooms and TVs. They also have safes and hairdryers. Restaurants, bars and cafés can be found in the streets surrounding the hotel. This property is a 9-minute walk from the beach. Lucentum Eurostars can be found next to Alicante Central Market, just a 10 minute walk from the port. Just across from the hotel is a tram stop, allowing easy travel around the city.
Hotel Sercotel Spa Porta Maris
Location: Plaza Puerta Del Mar, Alicante
Rating: 4-star
Ave nightly price: AUD136 per room
Description: Hotel Sercotel Spa Porta Maris is set between Postiguet Beach and Alicante Marina, offers views of the Mediterranean and free Wi-Fi. It is 100 metres from Alicante’s historic centre. All rooms have a private terrace, flat-screen TV, air conditioning and a pillow menu. Rooms offer views of the marina or Alicante's Bay. The suites also have a lounge. The hotel has a gym and a spa, available at an extra cost. The spa features a heated pool and a thermal circuit. It also offers massages and body and facial treatments. Buffet breakfast is served in the Alborada room, with views of Alicante's bay. The Marabierta Restaurant, offering views of the sea and Alicante's sports dock, serves typical Mediterranean dishes daily. Hotel Sercotel Spa Porta Maris is near the Mediterranean Casino and 100 metres from Paseo de Las Palmeras. This property is 3 minutes walk from the beach. The airport is a 15-minute drive away. Nearby tram and train connections provide quick access to the Terra Mítica Theme Park.
Anytime, but probably the best time to visit Alicante is from May to October.
Alicante enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters.
July and August are the hottest months, with temperatures rarely falling below 30°C (86°F). May and October average 26°C (79°F).
Winters are typically mild, 18°C (64°F). Alicante enjoys more than 320 days of sunshine per year.
For more climate info: Alicante Weather Guide…
Alicante is located on the east coast of Spain, around 40km (25mi) south of Benidorm, 172km (106mi) south of Valencia and 417km (259mi) southeast of Madrid, and is easily accessible with daily air and train connections from Europe’s capital cities.
The most convenient route to Alicante is by air to Alicante–Elche Airport (ALC), formerly known as El Altet Airport, located about 9km (5.6mi) southwest of Alicante.
Alicante–Elche Airport receives daily flights from Madrid and Europe’s major capital cities.
By train, Alicante is less than 3 hrs from Madrid, with five trains daily; 4 hrs 30 min from Barcelona, with eight trains daily; and 1 hr 40 min from Valencia, with 10 trains daily.
A bus service connects Alicante with Madrid and several Costa Blanca towns. In addition, a tram runs northwards every half hour as far as El Campello and connects with a narrow-gauge train, the trenet (little train), which then follows a scenic coastal route to Denia via Playa de San Juan, Benidorm and Calpe.
More information on how to get to Alicante…
Latest update: Alicante Honeymoon Guide: 11 December, 2023
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