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If you’re looking for a destination that has sun, warm water, affordable food, things for kids to do, and that “I could actually live here” feeling — Alicante should be at the top of your list.
I know, I know. When people think of Spain for family holidays, they usually think of Barcelona, Mallorca, maybe the Canary Islands. Alicante doesn’t get the same hype. And that, my friends, is part of what makes it so good.
The Alicante area — which includes the city itself and the entire Costa Blanca coast — is one of the most family-friendly regions in all of Europe. The sun shines over 300 days a year. The beaches are sandy and shallow. The food is incredible. And the prices? A fraction of what you’d pay in Barcelona or on the Balearic Islands.
Let me walk you through everything our family loved.
Alicante City — More Than Just a Beach Town
A lot of people treat Alicante as a pass-through — fly in, grab a rental car, drive to the resort. Big mistake. The city itself is gorgeous and has plenty to keep a family busy for two or three days.
Castillo de Santa Bárbara
This is the crown jewel of Alicante — a massive medieval castle sitting on top of Mount Benacantil, towering 166 meters above the city. You can see it from everywhere — from the beach, from the promenade, from your hotel window.
Getting up there is an adventure in itself. You can walk (steep but doable — the trail winds through gardens and old battlements), drive, or take the elevator that’s cut straight through the rock from Postiguet Beach. The kids liked the elevator because it felt like entering a secret lair.
Once you’re at the top, the views are stunning — the city below, the harbor full of white boats, and the Mediterranean stretching out to the horizon. The castle has multiple levels to explore — old dungeons, guard towers, cannons. Kids can run around for hours, and you won’t have to entertain them for a second. The castle does the work.
Best part? The castle is free to enter. The elevator is about €2.70. One of the best deals in European tourism.
Playa del Postiguet
This is Alicante’s main city beach, and it’s right at the base of the castle. Fine golden sand, shallow water that warms up quickly, and palm trees along the promenade. It’s perfect for families because everything is within walking distance — restaurants, ice cream shops, bathrooms, and shade from the palm trees.
The water is usually calm and shallow enough for younger kids to paddle safely. Lifeguards are on duty during summer months. We spent entire afternoons here — the kids building sandcastles, us reading books under a parasol, and everyone stopping for helado (ice cream) every hour or so.
Explanada de España
The main promenade of Alicante — a wide, palm-lined walkway made of millions of marble tiles in a wavy pattern. In the evenings, it fills with families, street performers, and vendors selling handmade jewelry and toys. There are outdoor cafés on both sides. We walked it every evening. It’s the kind of promenade where you slow down, hold hands, and just enjoy being somewhere beautiful.
Mercado Central
Alicante’s central market is a gorgeous building packed with stalls selling fresh fruit, seafood, cured meats, olives, spices, and baked goods. The colors and smells are incredible. We bought fresh strawberries, manchego cheese, and jamón ibérico — and ate it all sitting on a bench outside. The kids loved watching the fishmongers at work.
The Best Beaches Near Alicante for Families
The Costa Blanca has dozens of beaches, and many of them are family-heaven. Here are our favorites:
Playa de San Juan
About 15 minutes from the city center (bus or tram), this is a 7-kilometer stretch of golden sand. It’s wider, longer, and less crowded than Postiguet. The water is shallow and clean. There are beach bars, playgrounds along the promenade, and plenty of space to spread out. If you want a “proper beach day” — this is the one.
El Campello
A little town about 20 minutes north of Alicante by tram. Small, charming, with a lovely waterfront and excellent seafood restaurants. The beach is calm and perfect for young children. We had the best paella of the entire trip here — at a restaurant right on the waterfront, with our feet practically in the sand.
Calpe (Calp)
About 45 minutes north, Calpe is famous for the Peñón de Ifach — a massive limestone rock that rises straight out of the sea. It looks like a mini Gibraltar. The beaches on either side of the rock are gorgeous. Older kids and adventurous parents can hike to the top of the Peñón (the trail is steep and takes about an hour each way, but the views are worth it).
Javea (Xàbia)
About an hour north of Alicante, Javea has three distinct areas — a sandy beach (Arenal), a pebble beach (La Grava), and a rocky cove area. The Arenal beach is the best for families — wide, sandy, with restaurants and ice cream right behind it. The coves around Javea are spectacular for snorkeling.
Tabarca Island
A tiny island about 30 minutes by boat from Alicante or Santa Pola. Crystal-clear water, a small fishing village, and excellent snorkeling. The boat ride is part of the adventure. We spent a full day here — snorkeling, eating grilled fish, and exploring the old stone walls of the village. One of the highlights of our trip.
Day Trips From Alicante That Kids Love
Elche (Elx) — The Palm Forest
Elche is about 25 minutes from Alicante and is home to the Palmeral de Elche — the largest palm grove in Europe. It has over 200,000 palm trees and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking through the gardens feels like stepping into another world — shaded paths, fountains, and birds everywhere.
There’s also a fantastic playground in the main park, and the town center has great tapas restaurants. Quick, easy, and different from the beach.
Guadalest — The Mountain Village
About 45 minutes from Alicante, up into the mountains, Guadalest is a tiny medieval village perched on top of a cliff. You reach the old town through a tunnel cut into the rock. Inside, there are narrow streets, a castle ruin, a turquoise reservoir below, and several quirky museums (including a miniature museum and a salt-and-pepper-shaker museum — yes, really).
The views from the top are incredible. The kids loved the tunnel entrance and the feeling of discovering a hidden fortress. There are several restaurants with terraces overlooking the valley. We had lunch with mountain views and warm bread and felt like we’d found a secret.
Terra Mítica — The Theme Park
If your kids love theme parks, Terra Mítica in Benidorm (about 40 minutes from Alicante) is solid. It’s themed around ancient civilizations — Egypt, Greece, Rome, Iberia — with roller coasters, water rides, and live shows. It’s not Disneyland, but it’s fun, affordable, and much less crowded than the big-name parks. We spent a full day and the kids were thrilled.
Aqualandia & Mundomar — Water Park and Animal Park
Also in Benidorm, these two parks sit right next to each other. Aqualandia is one of the biggest water parks in Europe — huge slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and kids’ zones. Mundomar is an animal park with dolphins, sea lions, parrots, and interactive shows. You can do both in one long day or split them over two.
The Food — What to Eat With Kids in Alicante
Spanish food is naturally kid-friendly. Here are the dishes that won over our family:
- Paella. The real deal — rice, saffron, seafood (or chicken and rabbit for the *mixta* version). In the Alicante area, paella is traditionally cooked over a wood fire and it tastes like nothing you’ve had before. Order it at a beachside restaurant and share it family-style.
- Patatas Bravas. Fried potatoes with spicy tomato sauce and aioli. Every kid loves them. Every adult loves them. Universal happiness
- Churros con Chocolate. Thick, hot churros dipped in dense, dark chocolate sauce. You’ll find churrerías all over the city. Best for breakfast or as a late-afternoon treat.
- Horchata de Chufa. A cold, sweet drink made from tiger nuts — it’s a Valencia/Alicante specialty. Creamy, refreshing, slightly nutty. Kids love it. Served with “fartons” — soft, sweet breadsticks for dipping.
- Bocadillos. Simple Spanish sandwiches — crusty bread, jamón, cheese, tomato. Perfect for beach picnics. Buy the ingredients at any market and assemble your own.
- Helado. Ice cream. You will eat ice cream every day. Accept this. Embrace it. Spanish ice cream is excellent.
Practical Tips for Families
Getting around.
Alicante has an excellent tram system (TRAM Metropolitano de Alicante) that runs along the coast from Alicante to Benidorm and beyond. It’s cheap, clean, and the views from the tram window are gorgeous. Perfect for families who don’t want to rent a car.
Timing.
The best months for families are May, June, and September. July and August are hot (35°C+) and busier. Shoulder season gives you warm weather, cheaper accommodation, and fewer crowds.
Accommodation.
The area around Playa de San Juan has the best mix of beach access and apartment-style accommodation. We booked an apartment with a kitchen and a pool — game-changer with kids. Being able to cook breakfast and do laundry makes family travel so much easier.
Siestas are real.
Many shops and restaurants close between 2-5 PM. Don’t fight it. Nap with the kids, go to the beach, or sit in a café with a coffee. When everything reopens at 5 PM, the city comes alive again — and dinner doesn’t usually happen before 9 PM. Adjust your clock and embrace the rhythm.
Language.
In the Alicante area, most people speak some English, especially in tourism-related businesses. But learning a few Spanish phrases goes a long way — “por favor,” “gracias,” “la cuenta” (the bill), and “helado de chocolate, por favor” (the most important phrase you’ll learn).
Why Alicante Works for Families
I’ve been to a lot of family destinations. Alicante stands out because of the balance.
It’s affordable without feeling cheap. It’s warm without being overwhelming (most of the year). It’s culturally rich without being intimidating. It has enough activities to fill a week, but it also gives you permission to do nothing — to sit on a beach, eat paella, watch the sunset, and just… be.
The kids didn’t want to leave. To be honest, neither did I.
If you’re planning a family trip to Spain and you want sunshine, sandy beaches, amazing food, castles, islands, and that special Mediterranean feeling where time slows down and everything tastes better — go to Alicante.
You’ll thank me later.
