Alicante is one of the few Spanish cities where you can have a genuinely full holiday without renting a car. From our apartment in Plaza Virgen del Remedio, the castle, the beach, the market, the tram to San Juan and the boat to Tabarca Island are all within walking distance or a short tram ride. Here is exactly how to spend 5 days.
Arrive, drop your bags and resist the urge to plan anything complicated. Day 1 is about getting your bearings in one of Spain's most walkable city centres.
From the apartment, the old town is literally outside the front door. Walk down to Calle Mayor, the main pedestrian street, and follow it towards the port. Stop at the Mercado Central if you arrive in the morning — it closes at 2pm and is worth a quick visit to pick up fruit, cheese and local products for the apartment kitchen.
From the apartment, Playa del Postiguet is a 2-minute walk. It is the city's urban beach — compact, clean, with calm Mediterranean water and the dramatic backdrop of Santa Bárbara Castle on the hill above. In summer, arrive before 11am or after 5pm to find a good spot. The beach has full facilities: sunbeds, showers, lifeguards and a promenade with cafés.
The Explanada de España is Alicante's famous mosaic promenade along the waterfront — 6.5 million marble tiles in red, white and blue waves. It is the social heart of the city in the evenings. Walk it from end to end (about 15 minutes), have a drink at one of the terraces, and watch the locals do the same. It is five minutes on foot from the apartment.
Day 2 is the castle day. Go early to beat the heat — by 11am the hill gets hot and the views are partly in shadow. Families with young children should note that the lift (free, runs through a tunnel inside the mountain) means the castle is accessible without climbing.
Castillo de Santa Bárbara sits on Mount Benacantil at 166 metres, overlooking the entire bay of Alicante. It is one of the largest medieval fortresses in Spain. The walk up from the old town takes about 25 minutes through the Barrio de Santa Cruz; the lift entrance is on Avenida de Jovellanos, a 10-minute walk from the apartment.
Back in the centre, have lunch in one of the restaurants around the old town. In the afternoon, walk through the port area — the Explanada connects the old town to the marina, where you will find the boat departure points for Tabarca (useful to check tomorrow's schedule). The marina itself has a pleasant promenade with views back up to the castle.
Tabarca is the only inhabited island on Spain's Mediterranean coast and one of the most rewarding day trips from Alicante. Clear turquoise water, a marine reserve with excellent snorkelling, whitewashed streets and grilled fish restaurants. This is the day everyone talks about after the holiday.
The island is tiny — 1,800 metres long and 400 metres wide — but fully self-contained. Walk the perimeter walls, visit the 18th-century church, snorkel in the marine reserve (the water clarity is exceptional), and have lunch at one of the half-dozen fish restaurants. The grilled sea bass and the local rice dishes are the highlight. Most restaurants serve from 13:00 to 16:00; arrive early to secure a table.
Today is the beach day — but a bigger, longer beach than Postiguet. San Juan beach is 7 kilometres of fine sand, significantly less crowded than the city beach, with calmer water. And you get there by tram, which is half the fun.
From Luceros station (8 minutes walk from the apartment), the TRAM Line 1 runs along the coast all the way to Denia. For San Juan beach, get off at Urbanova or El Altet stops — the beach is right there. For El Campello, a charming fishing village 14 km from the city, stay on until the end of the line.
If the group has energy, stay on the tram to El Campello. It is a genuine fishing village with a small Roman tower (Torre de la Illeta), a working fish market and a quieter, more local atmosphere than Alicante city. Have a late lunch at one of the port restaurants — the fresh catch of the day here is excellent and cheaper than the city centre.
Checkout day. Make the most of the morning before heading to the airport.
The Barrio de Santa Cruz is Alicante's old Moorish quarter — whitewashed houses, narrow streets climbing the hillside below the castle, flower pots on every balcony. It is literally five minutes from the apartment and most visitors walk past the entrance without realising it is there. Go early when the streets are quiet; the views from the upper streets back over the city are excellent.
Luggage can be left at the apartment until 12:00 (or later by arrangement). Have a final lunch in the old town — the streets around Calle Labradores and Plaza Gabriel Miró have good options at all price points.
Bus C6 departs from Plaza de los Luceros (8 minutes walk) every 20 minutes and takes 30–35 minutes to the airport. Allow 2 hours before your flight. For groups with luggage, a taxi from the door is the most practical option.
Our 145 m² apartment at Plaza Virgen del Remedio sleeps up to 8 guests across 3 double bedrooms. 2 minutes from the beach, 5 minutes from the Explanada, 8 minutes from the TRAM. Minimum stay 4 nights.
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