Planning to enjoy a weekend in Alicante? – Here´s a recap of my recent Costa Blanca Getaway with some of my favorite places to visit in the Alicante region.

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My Ultimate Long Weekend in Alicante Itinerary

Visiting Alicante

About this Alicante Weekend

This weekend in Alicante was one of the recent getaways in Spain to celebrate my Birthday. It was just me and my husband setting off for this new 3-day itinerary (since our travel plan involved a few things that would not be a match for the little ones).

Therefore, this article is not focused on the capital city of Alicante: I was mostly interested in visiting a few unique sights nearby (that we could not explore during our last trip to Costa Blanca with the kids).

Where is Alicante

Alicante is one of the main cities in the Spanish Region of the Valencian Community, set in the famous area of Costa Blanca on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. The province is also called Alicante (after its main city).

In this post, I will mostly talk about the Alicante Province (and not the city). For the Alicante city break check out this post instead.

When to visit Alicante

Alicante is one of the most popular winter sun destinations in Spain, so you can visit the region anytime. My trip took place in February, and we were still able to enjoy a sunny weekend. So, Alicante is a great travel plan all year round.

How to get to Alicante

You can reach Alicante by train or plane. The nearest airport is Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernandez. You can get to Alicante´s train station from most of the Spanish cities ( to find the best ticket offers check out Trainline).

However, to follow this 3-day Alicante itinerary you´ll need a car to make the most of your time.

Where to stay in Alicante

You can check out the best hotels in Alicante on the map below.

During my last trip to Alicante, we stayed at SH Villa Gadea in Altea, and this time I picked AJ Gran Alacant by SH Hotels. The last one is conveniently located near the shopping center and a popular beach Playa Carabassi.

My ultimate 3-day itinerary for Alicante (Region)

Weekend in Alicante: Day 1

Santa Pola Lighthouse Viewpoint

Faro de Santa Pola lighthouse can be seen at night from many of the Alicante beaches.

It is perched on the 138m-high Spanish cliffs between Alicante and the fishing port of Santa Pola. The viewpoint Mirador del Faro de Santa Pola offers a modern 100m-long skywalk along the cliff edge with stunning views over the Tabarca island.

Since we visited in the morning during the off-season, there was only one couple around, besides us, so it somehow felt like one of the most romantic places in Spain.

Santa Pola & Lunch

After visiting Mirador del Faro de Santa Pola, we headed to the small village of Santa Pola.

My initial plan was to take a boat to the famous Tabarca island. However, during the off-season, there are only a few ferry services per day available (and even those were reduced due to the waves on the day of our visit). So, we finally decided to leave Tabarca island for the next time.

However, Santa Pola is a great place to enjoy a delicious lunch in the Alicante region. We picked Sidrería Restaurante El Llagarin for its great reviews and really loved the place. This restaurant focuses on the traditional dishes from the Spanish region of Asturias.

Top Tabarca Island tours from Santa Pola:

• Santa Pola: Return Taxi Boat Ticket to Tabarca Island (check availability)
• From Santa Pola: Snorkel Trip in Tabarca Island (check availability)

Huerto del Cura Garden in Elche

After an amazing lunch at Sidrería Restaurante El Llagarin, we headed to Elche. This city is known for the largest palm grove in Europe, considered one of the top otherworldly beautiful Spanish landscapes.

Since I have previously visited the town of Elche (read more in this post), for this weekend in Alicante we have only planned to make a stop at Huerto del Cura Garden.

It is often called one of the coolest gardens in Spain since this place features palm trees from around the world, beautifully laid out and combined with other plants. It is known as a calm and serene oasis of greenery in the region of Alicante.

Weekend in Alicante: Day 2

Jardi de L´Albarda

Jardi de L´Albarda is considered one of the coolest places to visit on any Valencia to Alicante road trip. The first time I got a chance to enjoy it was a few years ago (while taking a boat to Formentera from Denia) and I always re-visit this garden when in Alicante.

You can read more about Jardi de L´Albarda in this post.

Quique Dacosta 3-Michelin-Star Restaurant

Since we had a special Birthday occasion going on during this Alicante weekend, planning a memorable gastronomic experience felt like a must-do plan.

After some research, I have decided to book an artsy lunch at Quique Dacosta Restaurant in Denia. This place is considered one of the 50 World´s Best Restaurants (according to the Best Chefs Awards).

You might know that there are only 15 3-Michelin-star restaurants in the whole of Spain. So eating in one of them feels like quite an exclusive foodie experience to splurge on. While I have previously visited restaurants with one and two Michelin stars, it was my first 3-star dining experience ever.

I loved the restaurant and obviously, every meal was a true work of art. The chef Quique Dacosta is especially known for highlighting Valencian cuisine in his gastronomic inventions while using traditional Mediterranean ingredients in a new modern way.

The menu at Quique Dacosta Restaurant in Denia costs around 275 euros per person (plus, the price might rise a bit during the summer-peak season) – so, it is quite an investment. Nevertheless, both of us have enjoyed this opportunity to taste a 3-Michelin-star lunch during this Alicante weekend.

The City of Alicante

After our artsy lunch, we headed to the city of Alicante to spend an afternoon. For the detailed Alicante itinerary, check out this post.

Top experiences not to miss in Alicante:

• Alicante Secret Flavors Food Tour (check availability)
• Roundtrip to Tabarca Island (check availability)
• Alicante and Santa Pola Tandem Paragliding Flight (check availability)
• Alicante 3-Hour Coastal Catamaran Cruise (check availability)
• Alicante City and Beach Bike Tour (check availability)
• Private Photoshoot in English at Alicante’s Best Locations (check availability)
• Virtual Reality: Invasion Alicante (check availability)
• Paella and Sangria Cooking Workshop (check availability)
• Visit with Audio Guide Bullring and Bullfighting Museum (check availability)
• Alicante Historic Small Group Tour with Tapas Tasting (check availability)
• Boat Trip and Parasailing Experience with Drink (check availability)

Weekend in Alicante: Day 3

L´Albir

On the last day of our weekend in Alicante, we planned to focus on Benidorm.

However, since I discovered a cute coffee place in the nearest village of L´Albir, D´Origen Coffee, we headed there for breakfast (note, that on weekends after 10.30 a.m. they are always full).

Afterward, we left a car at L´Albir Lighthouse Car Park to start an enjoyable walk across Serra Gelada Natural Park. The trail was so easy and accessible (adopted for baby strollers) – so, no wonder there were lots of people on it, but the views on the go were wonderful.

The walk ends with the cute L´Albir lighthouse and it took us around. 1h 30mins way and back.

Motor Museum

After a pleasant morning walk in L´Albir, we decided to visit another interesting spot on the way to Benidorm, the Motor Museum (or Museo del Motor in Spanish), known for its unique collection of rare vintage cars.

You can book the Motor Museum tickets here. This museum organizes family experiences and limo pick-ups.

Benidorm

As one of the main tourist hubs of the Spanish Costa Blanca region, Benidorm needs no introduction. It is the city with the most skyscrapers in Spain (and the third one in Europe, behind London and Milan).

After exploring the city center, we had a great lunch at D´Vora. This restaurant is known for its unique panoramic views of the Benidorm coast (but it was quite cold & windy for the outside seating back when we visited – if traveling in summer, I’d book a table on the terrace).

Afterward, we headed to Gran Hotel Bali to visit its Star Deck. Before 2010 this hotel was considered the highest building in Europe ( but right now this title has moved to Intempo).

Once you enter the hall – head all the way right till you see the elevators, then press the 43rd floor. Once there, you will need to pay 6 euros per person (or 3 euros for the hotel guests) to access the Star Deck. Save the ticket for the free drinks at the lobby bar.

The views of Benidorm from the 43rd floor were magical (since we visited during the Golden Hour) and there were only a few people around.

Unique tours experiences & tours in Benidorm:

• Show at Benidorm Palace (check availability)
• Authentic Segway Machine Tour (check availability)
• Jet Ski Tour with Instructor (check availability)
• Parasailing Boat Trip with Costa Blanca Views (check availability)
• Terra Natura Theme Park 1-Day Tickets (check availability)
• Guided Jeep Trip to Guadalest and Algar Falls (check availability)
• Mundomar Animal Park 1-Day Ticket (check availability)
• Dinner with Show at Magic Robin Hood (check availability)
• TirolinasGo Alicante Forestal Park (check availability)
• Aqualandia Entry with Optional Mundomar Combo Ticket (check availability)
• Guadalest & Algar Tour (check availability)
• Jungle or Algar Waterfalls Quad Tour (check availability)
• E-Bike Tour to Altea or Villajoyosa (check availability)
• Valencia City Excursion (check availability) – check all Valencia travel tips on my blog
• Motor Museum and Family Experience (check availability)
• Costa Blanca Guided Hike (check availability)
• Benidorm – Alicante Airport Private Transfer (check availability)

My other articles about the region of Alicante:

• Mediterranean Garden Inspiration in Spain: Jardi de L´Albarda in Alicante (read it)
• Valencia to Alicante Road Trip: Top Stops On The Go (read it)
• One Week in Alicante with Kids: Our Costa Blanca Holidays (read it)
• How to Enjoy One Day in Benidorm (read it)
• One day in the city of Alicante (read it)

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