Alicante: Solo Travel, or with Friends

I love tavelling to Alicante whether with friends or solo. The ease of getting there from the UK is brilliant. With flights available from the major London airports and numerous regional ones, the accessibility is fantastic, and quite often, if you book early, you can get a very cheap flight. I use Skyscanner to get an idea of the price and the carriers.

Alicante is often seen as a stopover for tourists heading to resorts along the Costa Blanca, but it's a gem of a city in its own right. The ease of navigating the city, combined with a user-friendly transport system, truly makes each visit enjoyable and stress-free.

And lastly, just occasionally, there's a cruise departing from Alicante with MSC. More about that later. 

Getting around Alicante

Upon arrival at Alicante airport, there are plenty of taxis, but I usually get the C6 bus from the terminal to  Luceros. Luceros is pretty central, and you can walk to most hotels. However, check, as you may find a stop nearer to your hotel or apartment. The general fare is 3.85 euros. Read here for more information: Alicante bus details.  

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If you are staying a few days in Alicante and then going onto Benidorm, you can get the train from Luceros, which is next to the bus stop. Just go down the escalators. I prefer using this station as it has a ticket office, which is preferable for me to using the machines. The prices are amazingly cheap. 

Hotels in Alicante

I've stayed at a variety of hotels for as little as 50 euros, but my favourite is the Melia. If your pennies will stretch to it, get a sea view. It is lovely, looking directly over the beach. 

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However, I have stayed in other smaller hotels in Old Town. Particularly Hotel Cervantes for about £60. Hotel Cervantes Alicante is a bright, clean hotel, very central, with a small Spanish cafe next door for your morning hit of Spanish coffee. 

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It's a brilliant location. The beach, the marina, the casino, the promenade, the market. Walk along the promenade in the evening, visit the restaurants and bars and Old Town. They are all within walking distance of each other. 

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Exploring Old Town in Alicante is always a treat! The historic buildings and charming gardens, coupled with the picturesque fountains, create a captivating atmosphere around every corner. The evening is particularly enchanting, with lights and tropical palm trees. Alicante holds many fiestas. 

Check out the dates of any trips you have to see if they coincide with a Fiesta, as the city explodes into colour, noise, and a lively atmosphere. It will certainly add another layer to your trip.

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The arts and crafts market stalls are great for casual meandering, gifts, handbags, and jewellery. There are cafes under the numerous Ficus Macrophylla trees. They are huge, with large twisting trunks. 

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Alicante Hop on Hop Off Bus

I'm a great fan of hop-on, hop-off buses. You can check the Alicante bus out on the link. The bus operates every 60 minutes, but during cruise ship days, it changes to every 30 minutes. 

Santa Barbara Castle Alicante

Along the Turibus route is the stop for Santa Barbara Castle. It's a fantastic day out. It's quite a walk up to the castle, but you can get into the lift, which takes you up to the second level. The castle dates back to the 9th century. In 1960, the castle was opened to the public. 

One of the best parts is, of course, the breathtaking views from the top. It's truly a great experience to take in the panoramic scenery of Alicante and beyond. If you haven't been, I highly recommend it.

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See Alicante Castle for more info and other tours in the Alicante area. 

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All in all, Alicante is not just a transit point; it's a destination that encapsulates history, culture, culinary delights, and the beauty of the Mediterranean coastline.

Cruising from Alicante

Alicante cruise port is about a 15-minute walk into the city centre. There is also the 21 bus, which is 2 euros. Not many cruises originate in Alicante. It is usually a port on a cruise itinerary. 

However, MSC has a system where it embarks and disembarks passengers at all the ports it visits. So, if Alicante is on its schedule, it will be selling cabins. I found a few dates.

For more info, check out Cruise118.

Anyway, rounding up, Alicante is a beautiful and exciting city with something for everyone.