Alicante can entice travelers far beyond its golden coastline and many cultural attractions. The region’s abundance of breathtaking beaches is what makes Alicante one of Costa Blanca’s most popular destinations.
Despite a thriving population of over 18.6 lacs, Alicante manages to retain its charm appeal. With a truly Mediterranean climate, Alicante attracts visitors all year round, which means the city is never left with that out of season feel. Also, in terms of popular attractions, Alicante sits against the backdrop of Mount Benacantil, the city’s iconic landmark and setting for the Castle of Santa Barbara, which still stands proudly atop the hill and is open for public tours. The city is also filled with a generous touch of art galleries, museums, and terrific local restaurants.
The best way to explore the city is by hanging out in Alicante Old Town, hiking up to Santa Barbara Castle, along with strolling the Explanada de Espana and the marina. If you wish to see more of the places near Alicante so rent a car as there are many nearby places/cities worth visiting. This post includes five best day trips that you can take from Alicante. From little coastal villages to exploring caves to hiking up to viewpoints, there is so much to do.
Doing road trips from Alicante is the easiest if you hire a car as some places can only be reached by car, like Guadalest and the Canelobre caves being completely on an off beaten path. Murcia and Benidorm can easily be reached from the Alicante train/bus station in the city center.
Best Road Trips from Alicante
01 Altea
57.7 km from Alicante via AP-7
Located on the coast of about 58 kilometers northeast of Alicante, Altea is one of the most beautiful towns in the province. It only takes 40 minutes to get to Altea via AP-7. The village lies just off the main coastal road a little elevated on a hill. The town is painted white, and on top of the hill, there is the main square with many terraces. Altea is also popular for its beaches, natural parks, and waterfalls. Some of the city’s main attractions include Playa de Altea, Algar waterfall, la Serra Gelada Natural Park, etc.
Fancy boutique shops and many great restaurants can be found in the narrow streets. Crown of India and Restaurante Columbus 1492 are the two popular places for fine dining. Needless to say that this is one of the best day trips from Alicante, which you shouldn’t miss.
02 Benidorm
44.8 km from Alicante via AP-7
The drive from Alicante to Benidorm takes only about 40 minutes that takes you by some lovely villages on the way. And who does not like a little road trip to this beautiful place while on your Alicante holidays.
The long golden sand Benidorm Beach is one of the most iconic spots to visit in the Costa Blanca and also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the entire country. Benidorm is also known as the Manhattan of Spain because of the multiple skyscrapers lined up on a long boulevard with many bars and restaurants. One can even have a full English breakfast or a Sunday lunch here.
You can also head to Benidorm Palace for an amazing dinner show or in summer a visit to the Aqualandia water park for fun and kid-friendly activities. If you’re looking for something a little more sophisticated, you could always visit the Old Town, sunset views between two beaches are truly stunning.
03 Valencia
179 km from Alicante via AP-7
Spain’s third-biggest city, Valencia is an ideal place to enjoy Spanish culture, lifestyle, and great food. Valencia is nestled on Spain’s southeastern coast, where the Turia River meets the Mediterranean Sea and is an incredible blend of historic sites and modern culture. The old quarter is filled with character, and you can not miss popular sites like the UNESCO listed La Lonja de la Seda, the historic center, the 13th-century Cathedral, and the foodie heaven of the central market. One can also visit the ultra-modern architecture of Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias – one of the 12 treasures of Spain. Inside you will find Europe’s largest aquarium, as well as a host of other popular attractions. The city also has several beaches, a wetlands reserve, along with a lake and walking trails.
04 Murcia
81.5 km from Alicante via A-7
Murcia is a little less than an hour’s drive from Alicante town and is one of those medieval Spanish cities you always find fascinating in pictures. This small region is a colorful old town with a big square and a huge cathedral. The diversity of Murcia is a joy for visitors to behold, with plenty to keep keen beachgoers, walkers and sightseers happy.
Murcia also has flamingos, thermal spas, mud baths, and is also famed for the friendliness of its people, the Murcianos, and its warm dry climate. The region is also relatively cheap when compared to many other Spanish resorts, making it an amazing and romantic holiday destination for young couples, who are drawn by the excellent tapas, bars, and unspoiled nature of the region.
The city itself retains a traditional Spanish character and one of the finest ways of experiencing this is through eating out. You can try the regional paella – the key ingredients of which are snail and rabbit. If not, there are plenty of tapas dishes that will fill you up.
05 Guadalest
63.2 km from Alicante via AP-7 & CV-70
If you are not looking for beaches, then you have to check out Guadalest. It is a small Valencian town located in a mountainous area of the comarca of Marina Baixa, in the province of Alicante, Spain with only 209 inhabitants. This iconic village is a popular tourist spot in Alicante because of its city walls and castle on top of a hill. This charming off the beaten spot is surrounded by high mountain tops and a water reservoir below. There are many hiking trails around, but sipping a coffee while enjoying the serene views also is a great thing to do here. Pension El Pirineo and Cases Noves are the nearby hotels for night stays.
For €4 you can climb up to the castle. Visiting Guadalest is a great way to explore some of the hidden gems and admire a Spanish hilltop village. Other attractions in this town include Micro-Gigantic Museum, Safari Aitana, etc. So, if you are looking for a bit of adventure, then Guadalest is the perfect opportunity for you.