Alicante, capital of the Costa Blanca, has worn many names—Lucentum to the Romans, Al-Laqant to the Moors—each era leaving stone, story, and spice. Today it’s an easygoing Mediterranean city where castle ramparts watch over mosaic promenades, cafés spill onto sunlit squares, and rice dishes define local pride.

Expect around 300 sunny days a year, golden beaches in town, and a compact historic center perfect for wandering. Top hits include the hilltop Santa Bárbara Castle, the excellent MARQ archaeology museum, the contemporary MACA, and the tile-waved Explanada de España. Food is front and center: think smoky arroz a banda, sweet horchata, and bite-sized tapas that beg for a late-night crawl.

Practical notes: lunch skews late (1:30–4:00 pm) and dinners later; many museums are free or low-cost. With a target of ~100 CHF/day, combine free beach time and self-guided exploring with one paid highlight like a paella workshop or a guided bike ride. Bring a light mat if you’d like sunrise yoga on the sand.

Alicante

Fringed by palm trees and the sapphire Bay of Alicante, the city is both beach town and cultural stop. Climb (or elevator) to the 9th‑century Santa Bárbara Castle for coastal panoramas; drop into the whitewashed lanes of Barrio de Santa Cruz for color-drenched photos and tiny taverns; and stroll the Explanada’s 6.5 million tricolor tiles at golden hour.

• Top Sights: Santa Bárbara Castle, Barrio de Santa Cruz, Explanada de España, Postiguet & San Juan beaches, MARQ (Archaeological Museum), MACA (Contemporary Art), MUBAG (Fine Arts).
• Foodie Highlights: Arroz a banda, fideuà, red prawns, turrón from nearby Jijona, and market-fresh tapas at Mercado Central.
• Fun Fact: Alicante’s castle was once a prison; cannon blasts marked feast days well into the 19th century.

Where to stay (budget to comfort): For center-of-everything convenience, browse stays on Hotels.com (Alicante) or apartment-style stays on VRBO (Alicante). Specific picks: boutique vibes and a rooftop pool at Hotel Hospes Amérigo; beachfront classic Meliá Alicante; excellent value near the market at Hostal La Lonja.

How to get to Alicante: Fly into ALC from European hubs or take fast trains/buses.

• Flights (Europe): Compare fares to Alicante (ALC) on Omio Flights. Typical one-way deals from major hubs: ~€40–€120 depending on season.
• Trains (Spain): Madrid–Alicante in ~2h20 via high-speed; Valencia–Alicante ~2h. Check times and prices on Omio Trains.
• Buses: Often the cheapest from Valencia/Murcia—see Omio Buses.

Day 1: Old Town, Castle Views, Market Bites, and a Beachy Sunset

Morning: Travel to Alicante. If you arrive early, warm up with specialty coffee at Madness Specialty Coffee (local favorite for flat whites and cinnamon buns) or Sip and Wonder (brunchy toasts and açai). Stroll the Explanada de España’s palm-shaded wave tiles and feel that Mediterranean pace kick in.

Afternoon: Drop bags and head for Mercado Central. Snack like a local: paper cones of gambas, jamón slices, and briny olives; grab a horchata and fartons from a stall to go. Walk 10 minutes to the Santa Bárbara Castle—take the elevator from Postiguet (a small fee) or hike up via Parque de la Ereta for views. Pop into MACA (free) for Miró, Chillida, and contemporary Spanish art in a quick, inspiring circuit.

Evening: Unwind on Playa del Postiguet with a barefoot shoreline walk; bring a mat if you’d like a light, self-led yoga stretch at dusk. For dinner, pick your mood: Dársena on the marina for classic arroz a banda and sea views; Nou Manolín for a standing-bar tapas experience (ask for the grilled red prawns); or budget-friendly Cervecería Sento for inventive montaditos and sizzling mini “sirloin-and-foie” bites.

Prefer a guided foodie welcome? Consider a small-group tasting stroll:

Alicante Food and Tapas Tour with a Local Guide

Nightcap ideas: rooftop cocktails at Hospes Amérigo’s terrace (castle views), a glass of fondillón (Alicante’s historic aged wine) at El Portal, or people-watching by the marina at Soho Mar.

Day 2: Sunrise Yoga, Beach or Bike, and Paella from Scratch

Morning: Roll out early to Postiguet Beach for sunrise and a gentle, self-led yoga session—soft sand, calm light, and the castle silhouette above you. Breakfast on the go: a flaky ensaimada and café con leche from a bakery near the Explanada. If you’d like to see more in a relaxed way, join a guided spin:

Alicante City & Beach Bike Tour

This relaxed route weaves Old Town color with seaside paths, ideal for first-timers; otherwise tram it to San Juan Beach (L3) for a long, gentle shoreline walk and a dip.

Afternoon: Time to master rice the Alicante way. Shop the market with a chef and cook lunch together—perfect for foodies and culturally curious travelers:

Alicante Paella Cooking Class, Tapas, Drinks and Marketplace

You’ll learn why locals often say “arroz” more than “paella,” taste regional produce, and sit down to your own creation. Budget tip: if you skip the class, assemble a picnic from Mercado Central and lunch beachside instead.

Evening: For a mellow finale, tram back to San Juan for a sunset walk and grilled sardines at a chiringuito, or return to the center for a final tapas sweep. Great-value dinner choices: Bodeguita 1999 for croquetas and cod fritters; La Taberna del Gourmet for polished-but-accessible local produce (book if possible). Gelato on the Explanada and a moonlit stroll close the loop.

Optional add-on (history lovers): Short on time but want a guided overview with the castle?

Alicante Tour: Full City, Castle, Market & Tapas Experience

Budget check (aiming for ~100 CHF/day):

• Day 1 sample: Coffee & pastry €4–6; market snacks €8–12; castle elevator a few euros; casual tapas dinner €18–25; two drinks €8–12; local tram/bus €3–5 → ~€45–60.
• Day 2 sample: Coffee & pastry €4–6; bike tour €30–40 or free beach morning; paella class €70–90 (choose this as your “splurge”); simple dinner €15–20; transport €3–5 → ~€52–120 depending on activity. To stay under 100 CHF, pick one paid tour each day and balance with free museum/beach time.

Local tips: Many museums are free on certain days; ask at MARQ/MACA. Menú del día (weekday set lunch) runs ~€12–16—great value. The TRAM is comfortable and cheap for San Juan Beach; validate on board. For yoga, mornings are quietest on Postiguet—aim for sunrise light and bring water.