One Day with Your Family in Alicante
24 hours with your family in Alicante
Heading to the Costa Blanca and planning to spend one day with the family in Alicante? Read below for the best tips to make the most of your Alicante day trip and enjoy this beautiful Spanish city with the whole family.
How do we get into the centre?
Rented a car? Park at the top of the centre near the market in the Alfonso Sabio garage. There are several lifts — handy if you have a stroller.
Want to be close to the shopping district? park the car in Maisonnave.
Parking here costs around €2 per hour.
The most expensive garage is by the Meliá hotel/harbour. In my app I’ve listed the garages above — use Google Maps to drive straight there.
To Alicante by tram
Coming by tram to Alicante? Get off at Mercado if you want to visit the market or the old town. Want to shop? Get off at the terminus “Luceros.” All lines end there. You can board easily from, for example, El Campello or Playa San Juan. Buy a ticket with cash or card at the machine on board.
TIP:
Travelling with five people? It’s cheaper to buy a 10‑trip card. You can buy this at the kiosk at the tram station, for example in El Campello.
Morning in Alicante
Rent a bike or book a bike tour with Baja Bike/Blue Bike in Alicante centre . They have bikes with child seats. The “City Highlights” tour is definitely recommended with kids from around 16. Under that age I’d rent bikes and ride around yourselves — you can book that on the Baja Bikes website too.
With kids under 10, cycle to Parque Palmeral to picnic and play in the playground.
TIP: You may not cycle on the promenade! Police are strict. Use cycle paths whenever possible.
You’ll find specific family tips and Alicante info in my “Family Holiday in Alicante” e‑book.
Walk up to the castle
Alicante’s castle, Castillo Santa Bárbara, has become hugely popular with tourists. There’s often a long queue for the lift to the top. Have kids who are out of the buggy and can walk themselves? Then just hike up! From Plaza SantĂsima Faz you walk up through the old town. Zig‑zag between the colourful houses and take great photos. Follow the signs for the Castillo Santa Bárbara route.
Note: The route is quite steep. In summer it’s almost entirely in the sun. Don’t go at the hottest time of day. And take a bottle of water for the climb!
Entry is free. You only pay for the lift up. Going down is free again.
These are the white and colourful houses in Alicante’s old town.
Lunchtime in Alicante
Alicante has lots of child‑friendly restaurants. You’ll see an overview in the list “One day in Alicante with kids” in my free app — download it here to get the Google locations. Our children’s favourite is Bodhigreen : vegetarian and the kids’ menus are great. For €5 they fill their bellies and get their veg in for the day — better than spaghetti and pizza every day..
The tastiest ice cream and churros in Alicante
Tried churros yet? Most kids love these long fried dough sticks — especially dipped in chocolate. A sure hit. Eat them at Valor on the promenade.
The best ice cream I’ve ever had is at Puro Cioccolato in the Mushroom Street . This street is a must‑see with kids. The chocolate in the shop is all made in‑house — and you can taste it!
(And for adults too! There’s the lovely tapas bar Vino y Más, and for teens the Garage Bar.)
You’ll find all addresses in this list.
Staying overnight in Alicante
Want to stay a night in Alicante with the whole family? I’d book an apartment outside the nightlife district. Prefer a hotel? Then check out the Modern Sea Front Apartment.
Or Ali Dream Lola Center. (Book directly on their website and you get a discount with “Alicante Like a Local”.)
Coffee and playgrounds
On Plaza Sotelo there’s a nice coffee bar where you can drink a cold drink or tasty coffee in the shade under big trees. The kids can play in the playground next door. It’s partly enclosed, so slightly older kids can climb and clamber on their own while you enjoy a café con leche.
Alicante city doesn’t have loads of playgrounds, but I’ve listed the nicest ones in the app — download it here for free.
Want more local tips? Download my free “Alicante Like a Local” app, now in all app stores . Download the family list here and make your stay unforgettable.
Or download my E‑book with the best local tips for the Costa Blanca!
