Spain’s Mediterranean coast has two faces you’ll fall for: Alicante on the Costa Blanca, crowned by a cliffside castle and laced with mosaic promenades; and Estepona on the Costa del Sol, a whitewashed town brightened by flowers, murals, and soft sunsets. Over 14 days, you’ll savor paella where it was born, sip local wines in the hills, and wander seaside barrios where time slows after lunch.

History is layered into every stop: Roman and Moorish Alicante rose around a natural harbor long prized for salt, wine, and rice; Estepona’s streets still whisper of fishermen, poets, and artisans. You’ll find gentle beaches for morning swims, camera-ready overlooks at golden hour, and markets humming with olive oil, saffron, and oranges.

Practical notes: lunch is late (2–4 pm), dinner later (8:30–11 pm), and a “menú del día” is the best-value midday meal. Tipping is modest (round up or 5–10% for great service). For trains and buses inside Europe, compare times and prices on Omio trains and Omio buses. If you’re flying from Europe use Omio flights; from outside Europe, check Trip.com flights.

Alicante

Alicante pairs a Moorish-era fortress—Castillo de Santa Bárbara—with palm-lined promenades and a long city beach (Postiguet) in the shadow of Mount Benacantil. It’s an easy city to love: mornings for coffee and the Central Market, afternoons for the sea breeze on the Explanada de España, and evenings for tapas in Barrio Santa Cruz.

Top photo spots include the castle at sunset, the wavy marble mosaic of the Explanada, Barrio Santa Cruz’s white houses and bougainvillea, and the marina lights reflected on the water. Food-wise, this is rice country—taste “arroz del senyoret,” black rice with cuttlefish, and the local fondness for salted fish and turrón.

Where to stay (budget-minded picks that still feel special)

• Search apartments and townhomes: VRBO Alicante (great for saving on meals and staying near the beach or Old Town).
• Compare hotel deals: Hotels.com Alicante.
• Specific options: Budget-friendly Hostal La Lonja (walk to the Central Market); seafront classic Meliá Alicante (marina views); boutique-modern Hospes Amérigo (rooftop pool for castle photos).

Arrival logistics

Fly into Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández (ALC). From European hubs, flights are often 2–2.5 hours and can be ~€40–150 one-way off-peak via Omio flights. From outside Europe, compare global options on Trip.com flights.

Rail options: Madrid–Alicante in ~2h20–2h40 on high-speed trains (~€25–65) and Barcelona–Alicante in ~4h45 (~€35–70). Check times and fares on Omio trains. For budget buses from Valencia or Murcia (~€15–25), see Omio buses.

Days 1–5: Alicante’s essentials (sightseeing, coffee, craft beer, and tapas)

• Start at the Explanada de España and the marina, then ride the lift or hike up to Castillo de Santa Bárbara. Go late afternoon for Mediterranean light perfect for photography.
• Central Market: graze jamón, olives, and horchata while you people-watch. Then wander Barrio Santa Cruz, a warren of lanes splashed with color and potted geraniums.
• Coffee & breakfast: Sip & Wonder Coffee House (specialty roasts, fluffy pancakes) and Madness Specialty Coffee (seasonal single-origin espresso, compact brunch plates).
• Brews and bites: Beer & Blues (live music with rotating Spanish craft beers), Cervecería Sento (micro-sized, mighty montaditos), Nou Manolín (beloved seafood bar), La Taberna del Gourmet (market-driven tapas), and Dársena (marina stalwart for “arroces” and seafood).

Hands-on and foodie-forward experiences that fit your interests:

• Alicante Food and Tapas Tour with a Local Guide — a flavor-forward walk that hits markets and classic bars (great for photography and food stories). Book on Viator

  

• Paella & Sangria Class with Tapas and Market Visit — shop at the Central Market, then learn the rice-to-broth magic step by step. Book on Viator

  

• Alicante City & Beach Bike Tour — cover Old Town, the beach, and the marina with a guide who threads quiet backstreets. Book on Viator

  

• Alicante: Small-Group Countryside Wine Tour (4 tastings) — meet family winemakers in the Vinalopó, with rugged scenery and Monastrell varietals. Book on Viator

  

Days 6–8: Easy day trips and coastal photography

• Isla de Tabarca: Spain’s smallest inhabited island offers clear water, stone lanes, and coves. Boats run from Alicante or Santa Pola (roughly 1 hr; ~€22–30 round-trip). Pack a snorkel and aim for golden hour in the village.
• Altea & Guadalest: Whitewashed Altea’s blue-domed church and cobbled streets are a dream for photographers. Inland, Guadalest’s eyrie-like castle overlooks an aquamarine reservoir. If you prefer a guided option that includes the Algar waterfalls, compare dates and prices for “Guadalest & Algar” on Viator.

  

• Elche (UNESCO palm groves): a short hop by train/bus for Moorish gardens, archaeology, and shady photos under 200,000 palms. Try “arroz con costra” if you spot it on a lunch menu.

Estepona

Welcome to the Costa del Sol at its most relaxed. Estepona’s old town is a painter’s palette—white walls, bright flowerpots, and more than 60 large-scale street murals. The Orchidarium’s glass domes and waterfalls make a dazzling indoor garden escape, and beaches like Playa del Cristo curve gently for calm swims.

Evenings spill onto the Paseo Marítimo and the port, where seafood lands on plates minutes from the boats. Coffee-and-brunch spots fuel slow mornings, while wine bars and taverns take over at night. Keep an eye out for the “Ruta de Murales Artísticos” map to discover the best façades.

Where to stay

• Search villas and apartments (great value for a 14-night stay): VRBO Estepona.
• Compare hotels by beach, port, or old town: Hotels.com Estepona.

Day 9: Travel from Alicante to Estepona (morning departure)

• Fastest public option: Train Alicante→Madrid Atocha (~2h20) + AVE Madrid→Málaga (~2h30), then bus Málaga→Estepona (~1h20–1h45). Total ~6.5–7.5 hours; ~€68–€120 depending on advance purchase. Compare connections on Omio trains and the final leg on Omio buses.
• Budget option: Direct coach Alicante→Málaga (~7–8 hours; ~€30–45) + bus to Estepona (~€8–12). See Omio buses.
• Driving: ~5.5 hours via A-7/AP-7 with scenic coastal stretches; fuel ~€60–80. Park and explore Estepona on foot.

On arrival, stroll the old town lanes around Calle Real and Plaza de las Flores. For a low-key first night, order fried fish and clams at La Escollera by the fishing port, then a nightcap at Reinaldo in the marina.

Days 10–13: Estepona and the Costa del Sol (sightseeing, coffee, breweries, day trips)

• Old Town & Orchidarium: Photograph the Ruta de Murales, then duck into the Orchidarium for glass-dome skylines, hanging orchids, and a 17-meter waterfall. The light is gorgeous late morning.
• Beaches: Swim at Playa del Cristo (sheltered, family-friendly) or walk the Paseo to Playa de la Rada. For lunch, try a chiringuito like El Madero for sardines “espetadas” over coals.
• Coffee & breakfast: Tosta & Co (toasts, smoothies, solid espresso) and Café de Theresa in the marina (hearty breakfasts, sea views). For sweets, hunt down churros at a neighborhood churrería in the morning.
• Tapas and wine: La Casa del Rey (wine bar with Andalusian tapas flights), Taberna Miguel (local institution for seafood and stews), El Rincón Toscano (old-town Italian favorite when you crave pasta and a good Barolo).
• Beers: The marina’s Reinaldo and O’Donoghue’s Irish bar keep a broad tap list; look for Andalusian craft labels like 3 Monos (Málaga) and La Catarina (nearby). Sunset pints pair perfectly with harbor photos.

Easy, culture-rich day trips that pair with your interests:

• Private Malaga: Alcazaba, Museum, Market, Cathedral & Picasso — history, art, and market snacks with a guide who keeps everything moving. Málaga is ~1–1.5 hours by bus or car from Estepona. Book on Viator

  

• Skip The Line Alhambra and Generalife Guided Tour (Granada) — Moorish palaces, courtyards, and mountain views. It’s a longer day (~2.5 hours each way by car), but unforgettable for photography. Book on Viator

  

• Skip the Line Seville Alcázar, Cathedral & Giralda — a grand day in Andalucía’s capital (stunning interiors and rooftop views). Plan for an early start; Seville is ~2.5–3 hours by car. Book on Viator

  

Prefer to linger locally? Stroll the Saturday market by the port, visit nearby hill town Casares for sweeping photos and griffon vultures overhead, or head into the Sierra Bermeja for forested trails and coastal viewpoints.

Day 14: Slow seaside morning and departure

Take one last paseo on the promenade and a beachside coffee. Then bus or drive back to Málaga Airport for onward travel; check schedules and pricing on Omio buses and flights on Omio flights or globally via Trip.com flights.

Budget tips (aimed at ~45/100 spend)

• Use apartment kitchens for breakfasts, and target “menú del día” (€12–16) for lunch. Save restaurant dinners for select nights.
• In Alicante, the TRAM is inexpensive for day trips up the coast; in Estepona, most sights are walkable—use buses for Málaga or Marbella.
• Book trains early on Omio trains to lock in lower fares; buses on Omio buses can be cheaper with only a small time trade-off.

Two coasts, two rhythms: Alicante’s castle-to-sea skyline and Estepona’s flowered lanes and murals. With markets, paella, wine country, and easy day trips, this 14-day Spain itinerary balances slow seaside mornings with culture-rich afternoons—plus plenty of golden-hour photos to take home.