Any trip to Alicante with friends should involve the Mediterranean because it offers visitors a huge range of fun activities. So if you and your friends love the sea, you’ll find Alicante is the perfect destination for your long-awaited break.
Alicante has endless options for tourists, so we’ve rounded up a varied selection of ideas to add to your list of holiday plans.
Five-day trip to Alicante with friends
Imagine that summer holiday week or bank holiday weekend that you stretch out with a couple of extra days. Discounting travel days, that leaves four or five days to enjoy your destination so here are a few ideas of things to do with your friends in Alicante.
The peace of a cove
Let’s start with the most obvious choice: the beaches. Summer, relaxation, swimming, sunbathing, peace and quiet… There’s plenty to enjoy. First, we propose avoiding the big crowds you can find in some areas, this isn’t the moment for that. In Alicante province you’ll find small beaches and coves that are far away from the hustle and bustle and where you can finally switch off from the demands of everyday life.
A good place to start is Cala Granadella in Jávea. It’s an essential stop, the picture perfect cove that always features on lists of the best beaches. The cove does usually fill up in the end because it’s small, but it’s crystal clear waters and rocky setting definitely make a visit worthwhile.
To avoid much travel, if you head just a short distance to the south you can choose your favourite spot in the Portitxol area. Here the beaches and coves practically run on from one another and are only separated by rocky promontories.
Of course, if you’re looking for something truly hidden away, Serra Gelada has several coves that are virtually sand and stone hideaways, such as Cala de la Mina or the famous Cala del Tío Ximo. And for something even more special, if that’s possible, make a trip to Cala el Collao, also known as Racó del Corb, between Altea and Calpe. You can take a dip in crystal clear waters at the sloping foot of the spectacular Morro de Toix cliff wall. Your Instagram accounts will be on fire!
Scuba diving ‘baptism’
If you’re travelling to Alicante and love the sea, experiencing scuba diving for the first time is a must. The Costa Blanca of Alicante is one of the best Spanish coastlines for scuba diving in safety and even beginners can enjoy everything there is to see on the seabed. The shallow, transparent waters found on this stretch of the coast mean you can have fun scuba diving from the very first moment.
You’ll find scuba diving clubs along the whole Alicante coast so can choose one based on your preferred dive spot. The cities of Denia and Jávea, for example, are great options thanks to the wide variety they have to offer. Calpe, with its famous Peñón.
Excursion to Tabarca island
The coast of Alicante has several small islands that lie close to the mainland. One of the best-known is Tabarca, the only island in the Valencian Community that is still inhabited today and a visit is highly recommended.
Tabarca has a picturesque, partly fortified centre where you’ll find a church, a museum and several restaurants that are great for sampling caldero, the island’s most typical dish. On Tabarca you’ll experience the sensation of being on a small island in the middle of the sea. You can go swimming at any of its beaches, and scuba dive to explore its rich seabeds, which are a protected marine reserve. To reach Tabarca you can travel by boat from Alicante, Santa Pola or Benidorm.
The city break: visiting Alicante
Alicante city is a delightful Mediterranean city that is perfect for spending a summer’s day away from the crowded beaches. Strolling through the Santa Cruz neighbourhood (link interno), along the Esplanada d’Espanya and the seafront promenade, or climbing up to the castles of Santa Bàrbara (link interno) and Sant Ferran are just some of the attractions to be found in Alicante city. And on your trip with friends to the Costa Blanca, a city break is always welcome.
You could make the most of a day in Alicante to visit the magnificent Central Market, the Co-cathedral of Sant Nicolau de Bari and the basilica of Santa Maria, the oldest temple in the city (14th -16th centuries). And if you have time, why not go for a quick dip at El Postiguet beach or Sant Joan beach?
The city is also the ideal place to go shopping for traditional products of Alicante, such as D.O. Alicante wines, tinned food, or the famous leather shoes that are manufactured in different places across the province. You’ll find high quality local shops in the area around Carrer Gerona, the Central Market and Av. Maissonave. And if you’d like to take a souvenir back with you, the Esplanada d’Espanya is home to numerous souvenir stalls.
Alicante means nightlife
Your trip to Alicante simply has to feature at least one or two nights out. And in Alicante, just like the rest of the Spanish Mediterranean coast, there is plenty of summer nightlife to enjoy. You could choose Alicante capital, Benidorm, Elche or any of the coastal cities because wherever you go in summer, partying is guaranteed.
However, this time we’re going to opt for Alicante city, the province capital. Both the historic centre and the port area have bars and nightclubs so you can easily stay out having fun until well into the small hours.
If you still haven’t decided or aren’t sure yet, take a look at the rest of the articles in our Alicante travel guide
