The Best Day Trips from Alicante - London Southend Airport

Flying into Alicante doesn’t just mean sunny beaches and palm-lined boulevards. It also puts you within easy reach of some of Spain’s most characterful towns, villages, and landscapes. In under two hours you can swap the city for a mountain lookout, a chocolate factory, or a medieval castle tower.

Best of all, these day trips are affordable, easy to reach, and full of local charm. With buses, trams and ferries at your disposal, you don’t need a hire car or a huge budget – just a sense of curiosity and a comfortable pair of shoes.

Altea – The Spanish Santorini

Perched above the Mediterranean just an hour from Alicante, Altea is all cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, and that famous blue-domed church. The old town winds uphill to a lively square filled with artists, craft shops and cafés, where you can sit under orange trees and gaze out over the bay.

What makes Altea special is its bohemian streak. The town has long been a haven for painters and writers, and you’ll find small galleries tucked between restaurants serving local rice dishes and fresh fish. It’s picture-perfect without feeling touristy, and a return bus ticket from Alicante costs less than a round of tapas.

Villajoyosa – Colour by the sea

A short tram ride away, Villajoyosa (literally “Joyful Town”) is famous for its seafront of rainbow-coloured houses. Legend has it they were painted bright so fishermen could spot home from out at sea – and today they make one of the most photogenic promenades on the Costa Blanca.

But Villajoyosa isn’t just a pretty face. It’s also Spain’s chocolate capital. The Valor chocolate factory and museum open their doors for free tours, complete with tastings. Add in quiet pebble beaches, a lively local market, and budget-friendly seafood restaurants, and you’ve got a day trip that mixes sweet history with coastal charm.

Read more:

Elche – Europe’s palm oasis

If you’re craving greenery, Elche delivers. Just 30 minutes from Alicante, it’s home to the Palmeral de Elche – Europe’s largest palm grove with more than 200,000 trees. Walking under its shade feels like stepping into a desert oasis, and entrance to the gardens costs only a few euros.

Elche is also steeped in history. The Altamira Palace houses an archaeological museum, while the old town is dotted with Baroque churches and pretty plazas. For foodies, the local specialty is dátil con bacon – dates wrapped in bacon – a nod to the city’s palm and Moorish heritage. It’s one of the most unique, and affordable, cultural day trips from Alicante.

Guadalest & Calpe – Mountains and monoliths

For mountain drama, head inland to Guadalest. This tiny village clings to the cliffs above a turquoise reservoir, with views stretching for miles. Its castle ruins and quirky mini-museums (everything from salt shakers to antique toys) make it a fun stop, and entry fees are usually just a couple of euros.

Back on the coast, Calpe is dominated by the Peñón de Ifach – a limestone rock rising 332 metres straight out of the sea. You can hike part of the way up for free, and the surrounding natural park is packed with seabirds, lizards and wildflowers. Between Guadalest and Calpe, you’ll get both the mountains and the Mediterranean in one memorable day.

Tabarca Island – A Mediterranean mini-escape

A short ferry ride from Alicante takes you to Tabarca, Spain’s smallest inhabited island. Once a pirate hideout, it’s now a sleepy village of whitewashed houses, narrow alleys, and crumbling fort walls.

The real magic of Tabarca is its pace. There are no cars, no big hotels, just fishermen mending nets, a handful of seafood restaurants, and Spain’s first designated marine reserve. Even in winter it’s warm enough to walk the coastal paths or enjoy a plate of caldero tabarquino – a hearty fish and rice stew unique to the island. Return ferry tickets cost around €20, making it an easy, affordable escape.

Xixona – Sweet traditions

Tucked into the hills behind Alicante, Xixona (Jijona) is the birthplace of turrón, Spain’s famous nougat. Every December the town hosts a bustling Turrón Fair, with stalls selling every flavour imaginable and plenty of free samples.

But you don’t need to visit at Christmas to enjoy it. Factories open year-round for tours, and you can buy blocks of almond-and-honey turrón straight from the source at much cheaper prices than in the city. Pair that with a stroll through Xixona’s old town and sweeping mountain views, and you’ve got a sweet day out that won’t break the bank.

Route of the Castles of Vinalopó – History on the hills

History fans shouldn’t miss the Route of the Castles of Vinalopó. This chain of medieval castles once guarded the frontier between Christian and Moorish Spain, and today you can still climb the towers of Villena, wander the battlements of Biar, or explore the hilltop fortress at Sax.

Each castle charges only a few euros for entry, and many are surrounded by charming old towns where you can stop for a coffee or a plate of tapas. Rent a car or join a local tour and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back into the Middle Ages.

How to make the most of it

Go by bus, tram or ferry: Altea, Villajoyosa and Elche are all under €15 return. Ferries to Tabarca cost around €20.
Travel light: Comfortable shoes are essential for cobblestones, castles, and coastal walks.
Eat local: Don’t leave Elche without trying date pastries, or Xixona without picking up turrón.
Start early: Altea, Guadalest and Calpe are popular – mornings are calmer and cooler.

Day trips from Alicante let you experience the Costa Blanca beyond the beach. One day you’re eating chocolate in a rainbow-coloured fishing town, the next you’re climbing a mountain village or ferrying to a pirate island. It’s variety, culture, and sunshine – all within easy reach and easy on the wallet.All it takes is a flight from London Southend Airport to Alicante, and the whole Costa Blanca opens up before you.