Disclaimer #1
I’ll put it right out there: this post about our trip to Alicante languished in the drafts for a while — roughly two years, if you judge by the tiny silhouettes in Photo #2. We’ve visited and loved Alicante twice in recent years, and even if some memories have softened, it’s worth sharing. (And yes, the cocktails there are excellent.) I’ve updated details where possible, though my research was done from New Jersey.
Disclaimer #2
We didn’t exactly go sightseeing non-stop. While living in London, our summer vacations followed a simple three-phase approach:
Phase 1: Somewhere cool and active.
Phase 2: A bit of cultural immersion.
Phase 3: Beach and relax — no Netflix required. Alicante was our Phase 3 destination.
So although my Photo #9 shows a medieval castle and there are museums and snorkeling nearby, that castle shot was taken from a pool deck. The rest I’ll let you explore for yourself.
Disclaimer #3
Alicante leans heavily on pork dishes, and we don’t, so we didn’t eat like local regulars. Apart from the Michelin-starred restaurant in our hotel (which has since moved), we didn’t immerse ourselves in tapas culture as thoroughly as we might have. I admit it.
If this post seems like an excuse to browse old photos, well — maybe a bit. But it’s also meant to introduce Alicante to readers who haven’t heard much about it. Consider this a small plate-sized introduction: a taste, or tapas, of the city.
Quick facts about Alicante
Quick fact: Alicante is a port city on Spain’s southeastern Costa Blanca.
Quick fact: The white sand beaches are wide and beautiful, often bordered by cliffs, as shown in Photos #1 and #4.
Quick fact: The city is large and modern, but staying in the Old Town places you steps from the beach and in a much more charming neighborhood. See Photos #2, #3, #5, #6 and #7. (Photo #8 is a reminder that I photograph everything, sometimes for oddly specific reasons.)
Quick fact: Writing this is making me want to go back to Alicante. Hopefully it does the same for you.
Oh, I’m your tour guide.
If you doubt my credentials as a guide, consider the following:
- Photo #10 proves I can organize a Peppa Pig–themed sixth birthday hotel-room wakeup in Alicante.
- If you want to know what it’s like to do a lot of yoga on a deck between a gym and a pool at our hotel, Photo #11 covers that territory.
Where to eat, stay, and play in Alicante, Spain
Here are the places we ate, stayed, and enjoyed during our visits to Alicante.
Eat
Monastrell: When we visited, Monastrell was located on the ground floor of Hotel Hospes Amerigo, where we stayed. It has since moved to another spot in Alicante, but the restaurant — led by Chef Maria Jose San Roman — holds a Michelin star and offers refined tapas and larger plates. Highlights for us included cherry gazpacho, patatas bravas, and a decadently warm slab of brie with black truffle. It was also where we celebrated a six-year-old’s birthday, which felt perfectly special.
Sale & Pepe: An Italian spot that served reliable pizza and salads — a practical choice when traveling with kids and a vegetarian partner. The pizzas are good, though servers may encourage the local habit of adding ham to a plain pie.
Livanti: A friendly gelato shop with excellent flavors — a delightful stop on warm afternoons.
Stay
Hotel Hospes Amerigo: This five-star hotel sits in the heart of the old town, set in a former Dominican convent that’s been thoughtfully renovated. It feels peaceful despite being central, with a small rooftop pool, a roomy rooftop bar, a decent gym, and a lovely breakfast service. It’s steps from the beach and nearby restaurants; we stayed here twice and appreciated its combination of character and comfort.
Play
Explanada de España: The city’s ornate, tiled boardwalk is lined with palm trees, cafes, bars, shops and market stalls. It’s lively, open late, and a pleasant place for an evening stroll.
Playa del Postiguet: The main beach by the old town and the Explanada de España is lively but relaxed — ideal for sunbathing and swimming close to the city center.
There’s plenty more to see and do around Alicante, but these were our favorites. If you explore beyond them, I’d love to hear what you discover.