Make a trip to Alicante

Winter sun never looked so good or appealing for that matter, am I right? Normally at this time of year it’s dull, rainy and cold and we’re all feeling pretty fed up of being in the UK, wrapped in hats and scarves. In fact most of us are counting down the days for those lighter nights and longer days, holding out for the start of Spring to grace us with its’ presence.

To get that needed sunshine fix and feel the sun on your skin at the start of the year, you’d normally need to be jetting off half way across the world, on a 6 to 8 hour flight plus. However, I have found a quicker alternative, in the southeastern side of Spain in Alicante. Not only is it warm enough to ditch a jacket during the day, and whack out the shorts, but also only a 2 and a half hour flight away. It’s a yes from me!

I am not entirely sure why I’ve never been to Alicante before now, but it’s definitely one to add to the tick list if you haven’t either. This time of year is ‘out of season’ so bear in mind that if you’re renting a beachfront Airbnb you’ll need to whip up some meals in the evenings (depending on where you’re staying) or if you’re feeling adventurous then hop on a tram into town for some of the endless (and delicious) traditional tapas joints in the city of Alicante. The tram links in and around Alicante are fantastic by the way, the system makes it really easy to get anywhere within around 20 to 30 minutes and it’s super cheap.

We stayed on the beach front in Playa de San Juan, about 20 minutes from the centre by tram and under 30 minutes to and from the airport by taxi. A never ending stunning sandy beach, overlooking gorgeous mountains with perfect cotton candy sunsets. It was a pretty good choice of location considering I had no real idea where to stay. There are restaurants dotted up and down the front, that out of season are open in the day, but shut during the evening. So if you fancy sitting in the sun, people watching or doggo spotting whilst enjoying Tortilla Espanola and a glass (or two) of Sangria, then this is the spot for you. The beach itself at this time of year is relatively quiet apart from some super friendly locals playing beach volleyball, or working out on the free to use public gym equipment.

The temperature in the day can reach about 20 – 23 degrees celsius, the perfect weather for a t-shirt and shorts whilst wandering around enjoying the relaxing Spanish way of life. In the evening it’s a little chilly, so do take a jumper or light jacket for that.

From Playa de San Juan we ventured into nearby neighbourhoods to enjoy some cute brunching spots, Baker & Co and Brunchit. Both worth a visit, especially if it’s an Instagram worthy spot you’re after you’ll want to try Brunchit for sure.

Santa Cruz is without a doubt one of the most picturesque little communities I have ever stumbled upon. You will 100% get your steps in that day by the way, with the endless, winding steps leading to colourful houses, covered in mosaic tiles and surrounded by flowers, with picturesque views of Alicante, it is a must see. There is a great local café just as you come into the bottom of the first set of steps, not sure of the name, but it overlooks a little park and had the most amazing Spanish food, it’s positioned in a little sun trap too…it was a vibe! I also stumbled across a couple Airbnb’s here, that I didn’t know about before so I will link those here for you to check out - Hidden gem in Old Town and City Centre Apartment.  

Mercat Central is a covered hall of vendors selling clothes, art, handicrafts, and Mediterranean seafood and fresh meats and produce. Perfect if you are staying in an Airbnb. There’s lots to discover, it’s surrounded by bars and cafes also making it a great little area to hang out.

There’s actually so much more to do and see in Alicante, from the Castillo Santa Barbara, the Explanada and the MACA Contemporary Art Museum – but that’s what Tripadvisor is for ;) This was just a mini low down of my time in Alicante. Of course you can do as much or as little as you want when you’re travelling on holiday. I personally am happy just sitting in the sun all day with a sangria!

If you have any questions about anything in this blog post, please feel free to message me. For total transparency, I was not paid for any promotion of recommendations listed in this blog post and all views are my own.

Thanks for stopping by,

Alex x