The Ultimate Guide to Alicante in Winter

Alicante is one of those destinations you can visit all year round. Its sunny and mild temperatures make it a fantastic winter sun getaway! 

I visited Alicante with my friend for the first time last winter, and we were surprised by the city and its surroundings.

But it isn’t all about the weather; there are many reasons to visit Alicante in winter.

In this blog, I’m going to tell you why you should visit Alicante in winter, the weather and what to do.

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4 Top Reasons to Visit Alicante in Winter

1. The weather 

If you live in a country like the UK or the north of Europe, I totally understand how winters are – dark, cold and rainy. Having lived in the UK, I’ve always wanted to escape winter, and a great place to do it is Spain, specifically the south and southeast.

Alicante has mild winters, so you’ll be able to enjoy plenty of sunny days. With a high temperature of 18 degrees Celsius during the day and a minimum of 7 degrees Celsius during the night in December, it’s fair to say Alicante has nice weather.

Regarding rain, it rains an average of 2 days in most winter months, which makes it perfect for being outdoors.

During my 3 day trip to Alicante in December, I only experienced a bit of rain in the morning one of the days.

2. Fewer crowds 

Visiting Alicante in winter versus visiting Alicante in summer is completely different. Summers in Alicante are lively and fun, whilst winter offers a more relaxing atmosphere.

If you aren’t a big fan of crowds and love visiting a place at your own pace without having to worry about queuing for an attraction or taking public transport, go to Alicante in winter.

The only times you can see bigger crowds are during Puente de la Inmaculada, which takes place from the 6th to the 8th of December, and Christmas.

Apart from these times, cheaper flights and accommodation are another reason to visit Alicante in winter. If you love a good deal, there’s no better time! You can often find flights to Alicante from the UK for 49 pounds or less.

3. It’s the perfect time for sightseeing 

The pleasant weather and fewer crowds make winter the perfect time for sightseeing in Alicante.

Summers can be too warm to explore the city and surroundings, whilst winter’s mild but sunny weather is ideal for exploring the city, hiking or going on day trips.

Exploring Alicante on foot is the best way to do it, but you can also get the hop-on hop-off bus, which has 10 stops around the centre.

4. Christmas 

Christmas in Alicante is beautiful, and there are some unique things to do, such as seeing the extensive Christmas Lights at night across the city centre, visiting the Christmas Market and fair, and visiting the nativity scenes.

All these activities offer a great way to immerse yourself in the Spanish Christmas traditions and culture.

If you have a sweet tooth, you might want to try nougat in Alicante. It produces the best nougat in Spain, and not only will you find one type but several types that are worth trying. Jijona nougat is one of the most popular, and you can get it in many shops across the city centre or supermarkets.

Things to do in Alicante in Winter

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Explore the old town of Alicante

The Alicante Old Town is home to beautiful historical buildings, churches and museums. In addition, you can see colourful houses and enjoy the sunset from several viewpoints, like Mirador de la Mosca, which also offers incredible city views.

You can spend a few hours visiting its museums and wandering its picturesque streets in the Santa Cruz neighbourhood.

The Basilica of St Mary of Alicante is a must-see in the old town, and you can also visit the Art Contemporary Museum next to it.

Another interesting museum is the MUBAG (Gravina Museum of Fine Arts). It includes a fantastic collection of paintings from local artists and a temporary themed exhibition.

Visit Alicante Castle

Castillo de Santa Barbara (Alicante’s Castle) is the most emblematic building in the city. Located on top of a hill, this castle offers incredible coastal views.

Although you can access it on foot, you might want to get there quicker, and if so, you can take the lift.

The castle is one of the biggest Medieval fortresses in Spain, and here you can learn about its history and admire its beautiful architecture.

You can explore it on your own, but if you’re a history buff, I highly recommend the 1 hour guided tour, where you’ll learn everything about the castle and access the dungeons and old hospital.

Santa Barbara Castle also hosts many great events and organises unique experiences. Check out their website before visiting it so you don’t miss out.

I wished I knew this because they were doing a food and wine tour when I went. Unfortunately, it was fully booked, so my friend and I missed it.

Walk on the beach promenade 

One of the best things to do in Alicante in winter is to walk on the beach promenade. It’s a few minutes walk from the port and old town and the perfect place to enjoy the sunshine.

It’s tranquil during weekdays but lively on weekends when you can see many families, couples or people exercising. Walk while enjoying the sea views and stop by one of the beach bars to enjoy a meal or drink while soaking up the sun.

Eat paella on an outdoor terrace 

Paella is the star dish of the Valencian Community, and as Alicante is part of it, you can have some of the best paellas here.

One of the best places to eat paella in Alicante is Restaurante La Brújula. Not only is the food to die for, but the setting is beautiful too. They have an outdoor terrace with beautiful views of the port of Alicante.

I tried the mixed paella, which included chicken and vegetables, and it’s been one of the best paellas I’ve ever had when eating out in Spain. However, they serve many other paellas and rice dishes that look very good.

Not keen on paella? They also have delicious seafood and fish dishes.

See the Christmas lights 

You can see the beautiful Christmas lights in Alicante from the end of November until the middle of January.

The best plan is to have dinner and then go for a walk to see the lights around the city centre. During your walk, don’t miss the town hall square; it’s usually beautifully decorated!

Other Christmas-themed activities in Alicante include visiting the nativity scenes (belenes) and the Christmas children’s fair, which has many fun attractions.

Experience the Three Kings Parade 

If you happen to be in Alicante at the beginning of January, more specifically on the 5th, don’t miss the Three Kings Parade. It is celebrated not only in Alicante but also in the rest of Spain.

The parade takes place in the late afternoon of the 5th of January. Big floats decorated with popular cartoons circulate the city centre. The Three King helpers, which include kids and adults, throw sweets and sometimes small toys from the floats.

It’s a fun event to attend, especially with kids!

If you’re in Alicante on the 6th of January, don’t be surprised if almost every shop and restaurant is closed, as it’s a bank holiday. Children receive presents from the Three Kings on this day, so families gather together and have lunch too.

Go on a hiking trail 

Winter in Alicante is a fantastic time to go on a hiking trail. Fortunately, there are many beautiful walking routes near Alicante. Whether you want an easy and kid-friendly hike or a challenging one, you’re spoilt for choice.

Penyal D’lfac Natural Park is a fantastic place to go for a hike near Alicante. This route that goes up to the top of Peñón de Ifac isn’t the easiest, but its scenic views will amaze you. You can get a bird eye view of the town of Calpe.

Visit the Valor Chocolate Museum in Villajoyosa

A visit to the Valor Chocolate Museum is the perfect thing to do near Alicante on those few rainy days, and even if it isn’t raining, who doesn’t like to eat chocolate?

The museum is in Villajoyosa, a small town located a 30-minute drive from Alicante. 

If you’ve never heard of Valor chocolates, they’re considered one of the best chocolate brands in Spain, so visiting its factory is definitely an experience.

Learn everything about chocolate (its origins, process, and more), as well as its taste, and buy your favourite chocolate flavour in the shop.

Go on a day trip to Altea

If you plan to spend more than a weekend in Alicante, I highly recommend going on a day trip to Altea.

The good thing is that you don’t need a car to visit Altea. It’s an easy day trip from Alicante by train. The train journey takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes, and you might also want to stop in another town, like Villajoyosa, during your day trip. That’s exactly what I did.

Altea is one of the most beautiful whitewashed towns near Alicante. It’s divided into two parts: the old town and the beach side.

Although Altea doesn’t have the best beaches, as they are pebbled beaches, the old town is worth exploring.

Hilly cobblestone streets, houses painted white and decorated with plants, stunning historical buildings, and numerous viewpoints make you fall in love with this small town.

Wander Altea, have a coffee break at an outdoor terrace while enjoying the church’s view, and buy local crafts and souvenirs from independent shops. Then head to the beach promenade to watch the sunset.

How to get around Alicante

Travelling from Alicante Airport to Alicante is simple. You can take a taxi or the bus that leaves you in the heart of the city. The bus is cheaper when travelling solo, but if you plan to travel with more people, the taxi can work out cheaper.

Once in Alicante, you don’t really need to use public transport to visit the main attractions. However, you can book the hop-on hop-off tourist bus.

The city is also well-connected to other cities. You can take the train to towns like Benidorm and Altea or the bus to big cities like Murcia, Cartagena, or Valencia.

Where to stay in Alicante

During the summer months, you might want to consider booking a hotel with a swimming pool, however, most pools are seasonal and aren’t heated, so it isn’t worth paying a little extra for this.

I stayed at Occidental Alicante. The hotel is modern and offers simple but comfortable rooms with ensuite bathrooms. I loved the bed as it was huge!

They offer a buffet breakfast every morning, but you can get a cheaper breakfast in nearby cafes. However, overall it’s great value for money.

Check out rates and availability here

Frequently asked questions about Alicante in winter

Conclusion on Winter in Alicante

So, is Alicante worth visiting in winter? My answer is yes.

It’s one of the best cities to visit in Spain in winter because of its weather, atmosphere, day trips and natural surroundings. 

If you have any questions about visiting Alicante, let me know in the comments below!

Enjoy your trip to Alicante,

Cristina x 

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Top things to check before visiting Alicante

• Compare and book cheap flights to Alicante Airport (ALC) with Skyscanner.
• Are you looking for the best accommodation in Alicante for you? Book accommodation with Booking.com
• Have a look at amazing activities and tours in Alicante and its surroundings with Get Your Guide.
• Book a free walking tour in Alicante with GuruWalk.
• Rent a car to travel around Costa Blanca.
• Book travel insurance for your trip. This is a must for any trip! SafetyWing offers comprehensive and flexible health and travel insurance.

Read more about Spain

• Is Alicante Worth Visiting? – 8 Reasons to Visit it
• The Ultimate 2 Day Alicante Itinerary You’ll Only Need
• 10 Best Things to Do in Altea, Costa Blanca
• Bucket List Experiences in Spain You Won’t Forget
• The Best Places to Visit in Spain for First Timers
• 35+ Hidden Gems in Spain You Need to See
• The Most Romantic Places in Spain
• Beautiful Landscapes in Spain

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