Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Alicante?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Alicante?
Not sure how much time you'll need in Alicante, Spain? Most people spend two to four days in Alicante during their visit. After all, the authentic city will let you tour the famous sights and museums, taste delicious cuisine, swim at the beach, and learn about the history of the town.
Alicante is a seaside port city that is on Spain's Costa Blanca. It has a charming old town with colorful houses and charming streets. The city also has a lot of energy, beautiful views, and nearby sandy beaches.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Alicante? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Alicante?
For many visitors, three days in Alicante would be just the right amount of time to enjoy the beach and other activities. In fact, lots of tourists spend roughly two to four days in the authentic city to check out the amazing museums and landmarks and terrific food. Below we have some suggestions on how to spend your time here.
How to spend 3 days in Alicante
Don't miss the Castillo de Santa Bárbara during your trip to Alicante, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. It's by the sea, so you'll find plenty of seafood. Rice is the main staple for many dishes in town. This is also a vegetable growing region, so many recipes incorporate fresh vegetables. Popular dishes include arroz a banda, arroz con costra, and olleta alicantina.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Alicante Wine Tasting and Tapas for Foodies ($156)
- Alicante Paella Cooking Class, Tapas, Drinks and Marketplace ($57)
- Alicante Wine Tour with Wine Tasting ($79)
The public transit in Alicante is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. There's a comprehensive bus system through the city and region.
A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Alicante, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. This port city has a number of cultural and historical sights that are worth checking out. Castillo de Santa Bárbara, Museo Arqueológico Provincial de Alicante, and Basilica de Santa María are among the most well known.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Tour to Alicante Bullring and Santa Bárbara Castle ($80)
- Alicante: Visit with Audio Guide Bullring and Bullfighting Museum ($14)
- Museum of Illusions Alicante Entrance ticket ($22)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. For the city's best nightlife, head to El Barrio Antiguo, which is the old district. This is where you'll find the highest concentration of bars and clubs, many of them having live music.
The beautiful beaches await you in Alicante, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. If you step away from the touristy areas, you'll find some nice sandy beaches with blue water. Playa la Fustera is northeast of the city and popular with families and couples. If you have a car you can drive to the town of Moraira, which is near several nice beaches as well.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Alicante City & Beach Bike Tour ($35)
- Alicante Beach tour (min 2 people to book) ($39)
- Electric Surfboard Rental in Alicante ($93)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Alicante.
Is 4 days enough time in Alicante?
Four days is more than enough time to enjoy the beach and other activities in Alicante. You can move at your own pace and relax at your hotel and on the beach. You could also use Alicante as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region worth doing.
Alicante, Valencia, Spain
How to spend 4 days in Alicante
Having 4 days in Alicante will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The old district is filled with charming streets and some interesting museums. There are also a number of good restaurants in the area.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Alicante’s History and Highlights: Self-Guided Walking Tour ($12)
- Alicante : Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide ($52)
- Private Guided Walking Tour of Alicante ($222)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Alicante.
Is 5 days enough time in Alicante?
Five days provides ample opportunity in Alicante to enjoy the museums and landmarks, the cuisine, the beaches, and the historic old town. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options. We have some suggestions below for your trip. Families and couples enjoy the area for its activities, too.
How to spend 5 days in Alicante
With 5 days in Alicante, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
Shopping in Alicante is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The city is known for its leather goods, but you'll also find international brands and shopping streets with fashion and different European names.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Alicante.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Alicante, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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