Alicante in a Day: History, Shopping and Rooftop Cocktails by the Med
From historic hilltops to boutique shopping and toes‑in‑the‑sand
On our Spanish break we also spent a day in Alicante – and it turned into one of our favourite stops. It’s a brilliant mix of city and seaside, with historic sights, rooftop cocktails, shopping streets and a wide, sandy beach all within easy reach. In this blog I’m sharing how we spent our day – from climbing up to historical viewpoints to relaxing on the beach, eating, drinking and shopping – to give you a feel for whether Alicante might be a good fit for your own Spain plans
We only had one full day in Alicante, so we made the most of it. We started by heading up to explore the historical heights and viewpoints, taking in the contrast between the old stone walls, the terracotta rooftops and the bright blue of the Mediterranean below. It’s a lovely way to get your bearings and really appreciate how the city curves around the coastline.
After working up an appetite, we made our way back down into the streets to find somewhere for lunch. There are plenty of places to choose from, and we enjoyed taking our time, wandering past menus and picking a spot that felt right. Sitting outside with good food, a drink in hand and the buzz of the city around us was a real highlight.
The afternoon was all about a mix of shopping and beach time. Alicante is great for a browse, with a mix of familiar brands and smaller local shops. We dipped in and out, picking up a few bits and enjoying the shade of the side streets, before heading towards the seafront. The beach is wonderfully convenient – wide, sandy and just a short stroll from the centre – so it’s easy to switch from city exploring to toes-in-the-sand in time.
As the day went on, we treated ourselves to rooftop cocktails. Being up high with a drink, looking out over the city lights and the sea, was the perfect way to round things off. It gave us a completely different perspective on Alicante and felt like a little reward after all the walking and exploring.
Because we were only there for the day, we didn’t try to do everything. Instead, we focused on a few simple ingredients: a bit of history, some shopping, time on the beach and a relaxed food-and-drink stop every so often. That balance worked really well and showed us how versatile Alicante can be, whether you’re visiting as a day trip from nearby or building it into a longer stay.
If you like the idea of combining city energy with easy beach access – and perhaps a rooftop cocktail or two – Alicante could be a lovely addition to your next Spanish itinerary. When you’re ready, I can help you work out whether it’s best as a day trip or a longer stay for you, and I’ll take care of all the arrangements and bookings so it’s as smooth and stress-free as possible
