Alicante, a port city on Spain’s southeastern Costa Blanca and the capital of the Alicante province, is the perfect blend of coastal charm and Spanish culture. This sun-drenched city is known for its honey-coloured beaches, palm-lined promenades and a vibrant old town filled with colourful buildings and lively tapas bars. Overlooked by the dramatic Santa Bárbara Castle, Alicante offers the best of both worlds – relaxed seaside living and a rich sense of history.
Wander the marina at sunset, play golf on world-class courses, browse local markets bursting with fresh produce, or simply unwind on the beach with the Mediterranean breeze. The old quarter at the foot of Mount Benacantil is a treasure trove of architectural gems, while local traditions such as the Moors and Christians Festival and the Night of San Juan add colour and life throughout the year.
For food lovers, Alicante is a dream. The city is famed for its rice dishes (including paella-style arroz alicantino) and fresh seafood. Get lost in the cobbled streets of El Barrio, where the aroma of sizzling garlic and grilled prawns fills the air, and discover tiny tapas places that come alive well into the early hours. Prefer dining by the water? Head to the marina, where glinting yachts and ocean views set the scene for a long, leisurely lunch.
For a day out further afield, drive along the beautiful Costa Blanca coastline and discover picturesque towns, such as Denia, Villajoyosa and Moraira. Whether you’re here for family fun, cultural adventures, or laid-back days by the sea, Alicante always delivers – and with our collection of handpicked holiday villas in Alicante, it’s the perfect base for exploring this vibrant region.
– Ginnie, Managing Director
Alicante combines historic charm with a cosmopolitan atmosphere – think impressive galleries, leafy parks, and a chic marina perfect for people-watching. There’s also a spectacular coastline, which even hosts the world-famous Ocean Race. After exploring Santa Bárbara Castle and the city’s beautiful old churches, take a leisurely stroll along the Explanada de España – a mosaic-tiled promenade lined with palms and cafés. When the sun dips, weave through El Barrio’s cobbled streets to find cute tapas places buzzing late into the night, or dine by the marina as the yachts and beachfront hotels glimmer beside you.
To discover more of the Costa Blanca, head north along the coast to discover some of the region’s most beautiful seaside towns. One of the standouts is Moraira, an elegant and laid-back resort known for its turquoise coves, boutique restaurants and stylish marina. Swim in sheltered bays like El Portet, browse the local market for artisanal foods, or enjoy long, lazy lunches overlooking the harbour. Its relaxed atmosphere and natural beauty make it a favourite for guests staying in our holiday villas in Alicante.
If you’ve come to Alicante to soak up the sun, you’re in luck. Whether you’re staying near the coast or further inland in one of our Alicante villas, you’re never far from a postcard-worthy shoreline. Alongside the city’s yacht-filled marina, you’ll find stretches of soft, honey-coloured sand and glistening blue waters. Playa del Postiguet is one of the most popular – a wide, family-friendly beach just steps from the city centre, lined with beach bars and the marble-paved Explanada de España promenade. Beyond the city, a short drive north brings you to some of the Costa Blanca’s prettiest beaches and coves, including the crystal-clear bays of Moraira, known for calm swimming waters and scenic coastal walks.
Alicante is brilliant for families, and our selection of family-friendly holiday villas in Alicante puts you close to beaches, parks and attractions. Explore Santa Bárbara Castle for history and panoramic views, or head to Castle of San Fernando for outdoor games and green open spaces. The MARQ Archaeological Museum brings the region’s past to life, while the beaches and nearby parks are perfect for a more relaxed day in the sunshine.
Alicante’s food scene is all about fresh, local flavour. Head into El Barrio for cosy tapas bars and family-run spots serving traditional dishes, or enjoy a fine dining experience at a Michelin-starred restaurant celebrating contemporary Mediterranean cuisine. Whether it’s a sunset cocktail by the sea or a late-night feast under fairy lights, every meal here feels special. If you’re exploring the wider region, Moraira has a fantastic food scene too, with waterfront restaurants serving fresh seafood and elegant Mediterranean dishes overlooking the marina.
Alicante offers a lovely mix of coastal towns, historic centres and peaceful beachside pockets – and where you stay really shapes your experience. If you want to be in the heart of the action, Alicante city itself is ideal, with its marina, old town and golden beaches all within easy reach.
For those seeking a quieter, more upscale escape, the surrounding Costa Blanca towns are full of charm. Moraira is one of our most popular areas for luxury villa holidays, thanks to its calm turquoise bays, boutique restaurants and elegant marina.
Further up the coast, Denia blends culture and coastline with excellent dining and a historic hilltop castle, while Villajoyosa offers colourful seafront houses, chocolate-box charm and long stretches of sandy beach.
Alicante enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine a year, making it a true year-round destination. Summer (June-September) brings hot, beach-perfect days, lively festivals, and warm evenings ideal for dining outdoors. Spring and autumn are arguably the best times to visit – still sunny, but with fewer crowds and comfortable temperatures around 22-26°C. Even in winter, the mild climate (averaging 17-20°C) makes Alicante a perfect escape from the colder UK months, ideal for long walks along the promenade or exploring the city’s historic streets in peace.
There are several easy and convenient ways to reach Alicante, depending on where you’re travelling from and how you prefer to explore. As a major hub on Spain’s Costa Blanca, the city is extremely well connected by air, road, rail and ferry.
Flying is the quickest and most convenient way to reach Alicante. From the UK, flights typically take around 2 hours 20 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes.
Alicante–Elche Airport (ALC) is one of Spain’s busiest holiday airports, with frequent direct flights from the UK and most major European cities throughout the year.
The airport is just 15 minutes from Alicante city centre, with plenty of taxis, buses and car-rental options available.
Driving to Alicante gives you the chance to explore Spain at your own pace. Once in Spain, the motorway network (particularly the AP-7 along the coast) makes reaching Alicante simple and well signposted.
If you’re arriving by plane, car hire is available at Alicante–Elche Airport with a wide choice of vehicles.
Bringing your own car from the UK is also possible, though it requires planning. You’ll need to take a ferry to France or northern Spain (such as Santander or Bilbao), then continue the journey by road to Alicante — around 7–9 hours’ drive from northern Spain, depending on your route.
While you cannot take a direct bus from the UK to Alicante, long-distance coach companies (such as FlixBus) operate routes from major European cities to Spain.
Most travellers first take a bus to Paris, Lyon, Madrid or Valencia, then transfer to a regional service to Alicante.
This is typically the most budget-friendly option, but also the slowest, with multiple transfers. It can be a scenic way to travel if you’re not in a rush.
Although there is no direct train to Alicante from the UK, you can travel most of the way by rail.
A common route is:
London – Paris (Eurostar) – Barcelona or Madrid – Alicante
Spain’s high-speed AVE trains operate direct services from both Madrid and Barcelona to Alicante, taking:
This is an excellent option if you enjoy relaxed travel and want to add a European city stop en route.
There is no direct passenger ferry from the UK to Alicante. However, you can travel by ferry to northern Spain and complete the rest of your journey by car or train.
UK travellers typically use one of these routes:
From either port, drive or take a train south to Alicante.
This option suits travellers who prefer slow travel, want to take their own vehicle, or plan a multi-stop trip through Spain.
Alicante is known for its historic old town, palm-lined promenade, architecture, golden beaches and lovely cuisine – especially its rice dishes and fresh seafood.
Yes – and staying in one of our family-friendly holiday villas in Alicante gives you space, privacy and convenience. The combination of beaches, parks, cultural attractions and easy day trips makes Alicante ideal for families of all ages. Many restaurants and beach clubs are family-friendly too.
Yes, Alicante has several beaches. The main city beach is Playa del Postiguet, located near the Explanada promenade. Other popular beaches include San Juan Beach, about 7 km from the city centre, and Playa de la Albufereta, a quiet and family-friendly bay with calm waters.
The best time to visit Alicante depends on your holiday preferences. If you’re seeking hot, sunny weather for the beach, July and August are ideal, though they are the most crowded and hottest. For a more affordable and relaxed experience, consider March to May when there are milder temperatures, or October for a late-season warm getaway without the crowds
If you’re staying in the city itself, you can get around easily on foot or by taxi. However, hiring a car is recommended if you want to explore more of the Costa Blanca coastline and hidden beach coves.
We also have a portfolio of hand-picked properties in Croatia, Portugal, and Greece. If you are considering other destinations and you need any advice, just contact us and let us know your wish list, concerns, deal breakers and budget and we will suggest the most suitable properties to help find your personal paradise.
We LOVE talking about villas and holiday destinations. Remember, you can contact us anytime to discuss your holiday plans. With our first-hand knowledge and experience of each area and the properties within, we can guide you along the way to finding your dream holiday and can answer any queries you may have. We are holiday enthusiasts here at The Villa Agency and we are here to help!