OUR GUIDE
Alicante & Costa Blanca for the first time
Castle views above a waterfront city, with Costa Blanca beach towns beyond. Base in Alicante for a compact introduction before deciding how much coast to add.Selected official sources checked . Editorial information, not live availability.
Castle views above a waterfront city, with Costa Blanca beach towns beyond. Base in Alicante for a compact introduction before deciding how much coast to add.
Use official airport transport into Alicante; choose and check separate onward connections if staying elsewhere on the Costa Blanca.
Original editorial three-day suggestion; allow additional inbound/outbound travel time. Regional records offer a focused introduction, not a claim to cover the whole region in three days. Reorder for weather and opening days.
Where to stay
Alicante old centre Best for combining the castle, historic streets and waterfront.
Playa de San Juan A beach-oriented stay outside the historic core.
Altea An alternative Costa Blanca base if a smaller coastal town is the priority.
Your first day
Walk the Explanada and harbour before exploring the old streets.
The castle approach is steep; check lift access and weather closures.
Things worth making time for
Santa Bárbara Castle
Explanada de España
Santa Cruz quarter
A three-day outline
1. Walk the Explanada and harbour before exploring the old streets.
2. Visit Santa Bárbara Castle, then leave an open afternoon for the seafront.
3. Choose a beach day or a single coastal excursion; avoid trying to cover the whole Costa Blanca.
Getting there and moving on
Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC).
Use official airport transport into Alicante; choose and check separate onward connections if staying elsewhere on the Costa Blanca.
Weather and timing
Spring and autumn are useful starting points for sightseeing. Summer favours beach plans but brings heat; autumn can bring storms.
What catches first-time visitors out
- Worth knowingThe castle approach is steep; check lift access and weather closures.
- Worth knowingA resort labelled Costa Blanca may be far from central Alicante.
YOUR TRIP
Keep Alicante & Costa Blanca in one place
Save this guide to your saved ideas and come back to the places that interest you.Check before you go
Weather, access, transport and local operating details change. Use current information from the responsible organisations before fixing an important journey.