Alicante Plaza BeachApartment · Alicante City Centre
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Alicante Plaza BeachApartment · Alicante City Centre
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Alicante is one of the best cities in Spain to visit with children — and one of the most underrated. A medieval castle with a free lift, a beach two minutes from the city centre, a child-friendly tram network, and a handful of excellent day trips within 30 minutes. Here is everything a family needs to know, from local parents who live here.
The city is compact, flat and pedestrianised in the centre — pushchair-friendly and easy to navigate with young children. The beach is right next to the old town (2 minutes from our apartment), not a taxi ride away. The TRAM network connects the city centre to longer beaches and coastal villages without needing a car. And crucially, the old town squares fill with local families every evening — children playing until late is normal here, not frowned upon.
For families staying 4–7 nights, Alicante has enough variety to fill every day without repeating anything. Here is how.
The castle is the highlight of any family visit to Alicante. Sitting on Mount Benacantil at 166 metres, it is one of the largest medieval fortresses in Spain. For families, the key detail is that there is a free lift that goes up through the inside of the mountain — no long uphill walk with children or pushchairs. Once at the top, children love exploring the walls, towers and old dungeons. The panoramic views over the bay are genuinely spectacular.
All ages
Santa Bárbara Castle — free entry and free lift, 10 minutes from the apartment. Children love exploring the walls and towers. Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
The city beach is literally 2 minutes walk from our apartment. Postiguet is a compact urban beach with calm, shallow Mediterranean water — ideal for young children and toddlers. There are no strong currents, the bottom is sandy and gradual, and the water is very clean. Full facilities: sunbeds and parasols for hire, showers, toilets, lifeguards in summer, and several beach bars.
All ages — especially under 8Located at the port of Alicante, right next to the Parque de Canalejas, this outdoor amusement park has 13 attractions for children of all ages: a mini roller coaster (shark-shaped), bumper cars, trampolines, a 7D cinema simulator, mini golf, a carousel, a fairground river ride and more. Entry to the park grounds is free — you pay per attraction or buy a wristband for unlimited access.
Ages 2–14"The Floor is Lava" is one of Alicante's most popular indoor family activities and a great option for hot afternoons or rainy days. It is an immersive experience where the floor becomes a lava field — children (and adults) jump between platforms and play 7 different mini-games selected from a tablet, with both competitive and cooperative options. Sessions last about an hour. No advance skills needed — just energy.
Ages 5 and upThe MARQ (Archaeological Museum of Alicante) won the European Museum of the Year Award in 2004 and is still one of the most engaging museums in Spain for families. The displays are genuinely interactive — children walk over glass floors to peer down at archaeological finds below, and holograms and projections bring the exhibits to life. It avoids the "do not touch anything" museum experience. On hot days it is also an excellent cool, air-conditioned option.
Ages 6 and up
MARQ — interactive archaeology, air-conditioned and 15 minutes from the apartment. Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
For older children, the TRAM journey from Luceros station (8 minutes walk from the apartment) to Playa San Juan is an experience they enjoy as much as the beach itself. The tram runs along the coast, passing through residential areas and then along the seafront. San Juan beach is 7 km long — significantly less crowded than Postiguet, with calmer water and more space to run around. From the apartment to the beach: about 30 minutes total including the walk to Luceros.
All ages
Playa de San Juan — 7 km of open sand, 20–25 minutes by tram from Luceros. Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
Tabarca is Spain's only inhabited Mediterranean island and one of the best child-friendly excursions in the whole country. The ferry from Alicante port takes 45 minutes. The water around the island is a protected marine reserve — visibility is often 10 metres or more, and children can snorkel over sea grass, spot sea bream and even see octopus just a metre below the surface. The island itself has whitewashed streets, a small church and a handful of fish restaurants. A day trip to Tabarca is the activity that families remember most after their holiday.
All ages — snorkelling from age 5
Tabarca Island — 45 minutes by ferry from Alicante port. The water clarity makes it ideal for family snorkelling. Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
Santa Pola is a 20-minute drive from Alicante (or reachable by bus). Pola Park is a permanent fairground of 24,000 m² with 30 attractions for children aged 2–12: a mini roller coaster, bumper cars, a pirate ship, trampolines, an American adventure circuit, a free-fall ride, bumper boats, karts, and more. The park runs seasonal themes throughout the year. Entry to the park is free — you pay per attraction or buy a wristband.
Ages 2–12Located between Elche and Santa Pola (25 minutes from Alicante), Río Safari is a zoo and water park set among more than 4,000 palm trees. The zoo houses nearly 100 species including giraffes, lions, tigers, orangutans, hippos and sea lions. The guided tram tour through the safari section is a highlight for children. In summer, the water park section adds slides and pools. There is also a karting circuit as an optional extra.
Ages 3 and up — best for ages 4–12For older children and adventurous families, Tirolinas Go is a forest adventure park near Alicante with zip lines, rope bridges and tree-to-tree circuits at different difficulty levels. Sessions last 2–3 hours. Children must be at least 5 years old and accompanied by an adult. A good option for families with older children who want something more active than the beach.
Ages 5 and upPostiguet beach, Mundo de los Niños, Pola Park (age 2+), evening strolls on the Explanada
Santa Bárbara Castle, Tabarca snorkelling, TRAM to San Juan, MARQ museum, El Suelo es Lava
Río Safari, Tirolinas Go, Tabarca, MARQ, full day at San Juan beach
A 145 m² apartment with 3 bedrooms works perfectly for two families sharing — cheaper per person than two hotel rooms, with a shared kitchen and living room
A travel cot is available at Alicante Plaza Beach on request at no extra charge. The apartment has a fully equipped kitchen — ideal for preparing meals for young children without relying on restaurants for every meal. The local supermarkets (Mercadona, Consum) are within 10 minutes walk and stock all standard baby and toddler products.
June and September are the ideal months: warm enough to swim (sea temperature 22–25°C), less crowded than July and August, and all attractions fully open. July and August are peak season — beaches are busy but the city is at its most vibrant, with evening events and markets. April and May work well for families with children who cannot travel in summer.
Our 145 m² apartment at Plaza Virgen del Remedio sleeps up to 8 across 3 double bedrooms — ideal for families or two families travelling together. 2 minutes from Postiguet beach, 10 minutes from the castle, 8 minutes from the TRAM. Travel cot available on request. Minimum stay 4 nights. Book direct for the best price.
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