Hola! If you’re planning a trip to the Alicante area, you’re in the right place. In this article I’m sharing the top 10 activities you shouldn’t miss around the city. I spent a lot of time in this region when I lived in Valencia, and I really do have a few favorites 🤭.
Guadalest
I couldn’t start with anything else. Guadalest is one of the most beautiful villages in the Valencian Community (and in Spain, really). And for me, it’s an absolute must-do around Alicante. I actually already mention it in another article (8 villages in the Valencian Community worth seeing), that’s how much this hilltop village stuck with me.
The castle clinging to the rock, the white houses, and the turquoise lake down below: a real postcard scene.
Guadalest is a 1-hour drive from Alicante. There’s a parking lot at the entrance to the village (sometimes paid… sometimes not 😂). Plus, if you’re up for it, you can add 30 more minutes (careful, narrow and winding road) to reach the Guadalest Valley Viewpoint. The view is absolutely insane.
If you still have some time left, head over to the Algar Springs (about a 15-minute drive from Guadalest), a series of waterfalls and natural pools where you can swim. Budget €5 in high season (June 15 – October 15) and €4 in low season. A great combo with Guadalest if you have the whole day!
Altea
going later in the day: the light is gorgeous, and the village, with its cobbled streets and the blue dome of the church, is just so cute. Take the chance to grab a bite there, there are some really lovely terraces. I love Taberna del Xef, with a terrace in a beautiful patio.
For parking, I recommend this spot. Also get your legs ready, because it’s uphill.
As you’ve probably gathered reading this article: a car is pretty much essential to make the most of the area around Alicante.
Villajoyosa
You can’t talk about Alicante without mentioning Villajoyosa, or in Valencian, La Vila Joiosa. This little fishing port is known for its multicolored house facades. There’s also a beautiful, large, well-equipped beach. It’s worth spending at least half a day there (keeping in mind it’s 30 minutes from Alicante). When I went, I found parking easily along the harbor avenue.
Santa Pola and Tabarca Island
Another stop I really love, just 25 minutes from Alicante: Santa Pola! The town itself is quite simple, but it’s mainly the ideal starting point to reach… Tabarca Island by boat! It’s the only inhabited island in the Valencian Community, with a small walled village, a few restaurants, and plenty of snorkeling spots. More details in my dedicated article: 1 Day in Tabarca.
If you’re taking the ferry, you can park on Av. Jesús Astondoa Santamaría, there are plenty of free parking spots.
Elche
The city of palm trees! It’s famous for its huge palm grove, right in the city center, and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A little stroll there is really worth it. You can visit freely (between 7am and 9pm/11pm), but if you’re there on a Saturday, I recommend joining this free tour with a guide who’ll share loads of explanations about the Palm Grove, as well as the city itself.
It’s about a 30-minute drive from Alicante, and for parking, I recommend putting this car park into your GPS: Parking Saba Porta Morera (and you might even find a free spot before you get there).
Torrevieja
We head a bit further south, 55 minutes from Alicante to reach Torrevieja. Here, it’s the Pink Lake (the Torrevieja Salt Flats) that catches the eye! Depending on the light and the area, the waters take on very photogenic pink tones. Personally, I visited in December and the pink was very faint. I think the best time is spring. To access it, you need to go through this entrance.
If you want to spend the day there, there are several nicely set-up beaches along the coast.
From my experience, parking in Torrevieja wasn’t easy at all. If I remember correctly, we found a spot fairly close to the harbor, but I’d recommend looking for an underground car park if it gets too complicated. The town is quite dense, honestly.
Jijona
Attention, sweet tooths, because we’re heading to Jijona (or Xixona), the town of turrón! A turrón made from almonds and honey, super well-known and a real symbol of the region.
It’s 30 minutes from Alicante, but honestly, it’s not really the town center I’d recommend, but rather a visit to the Turrón Museum (only €3 for admission). Super interesting (and delicious).
Sierra del Maigmó and Sierra del Sit
To gain a bit of altitude, let’s head inland!
Sierra means mountain range in Spanish, and this is a spot made for hiking. These two sierras together form an incredible natural park. I think it’s a great alternative to the beach or the city.
For an accessible taste of the range, I recommend the Balcón de Alicante – Cima del Maigmó hike: a short loop (2.5 km round trip) but with a nice elevation gain and a breathtaking view over the whole region. See the route on Wikiloc.
For other routes in the range, I usually search directly on Wikiloc before heading out: it’s always a bit tricky to recommend a hike blindly, since it really depends on each person’s fitness level, as well as trail conditions at any given time (closed paths, etc.).
Grotte de Canelobre
Canelobre Cave
I’ll wrap up this article with 2 places I haven’t had the chance to visit myself yet, but I did the necessary research to give you a few pointers. And if you visit them, leave your thoughts in the article comments 🤭!
Near Busot, there’s a well-known cave: Canelobre Cave. It’s about a 35-minute drive from Alicante. Admission to the cave is €12 per person, but you can also opt for a tour departing from Alicante with transportation included.
It’s one of the largest caves in Spain!
Aqualandia
If you’re traveling as a family, Aqualandia is a water park located 40 minutes from Alicante, very close to Benidorm. Slides, pools, wave pools… it seems to be a place where you can easily spend the whole day, no matter your age.
I hope you enjoy this article and that it’s useful if you’re planning a trip around Alicante.
See you soon for a new article!
