Flights to Alicante

Alicante is one of the hidden gems in mainland Spain. Situated within the Costa Blanca, this city and its surrounding area is a great place to explore throughout the year. There are two sides to Alicante: its charming old town and its cosmopolitan city.

The old town region is nestled in the hills overlooking Santa Barbara castle and runs directly to El Postiguet beachfront. Meanwhile, the urban city is in between El Benacantil and El Tossal mountains, ensuring magnificent views across the cityscape.

With contrasting vibes, Alicante is perfectly suited to both those seeking peace and quiet as well as those eyeing up a bit of action in the bustling metropolis. You can be sure to enjoy your time in Alicante regardless of whether you’re spending the trip on a sun-lounger or bar hopping.

El Postiguet Beach is undoubtedly the most aesthetically pleasing beach in the city and easily accessible for young families. The most popular beach is San Juan, which joins with El Campello to create one of the longest stretches of beachfront in all of Spain.

In terms of its culture, there are heaps for the avid historian to discover. There are no fewer than eight museums dotted around Alicante city, showcasing the region’s art, marine heritage and much, much more.

Fanatical foodies will also find plenty to tempt the taste buds in Alicante. There’s a blend of hearty Alicante favourites, as well as Michelin-starred eateries specialising in fusion and traditional Spanish flavours. The best way to soak in the scenery is to dine or drink at one of the city’s plentiful rooftop bars, with astonishing panoramic views.

If you're planning to visit Alicante soon, here is a tip for you: booking your flight and hotel at the same time and not separately can make you save up to 40%. Take advantage of a flight + hotel package in Alicante and save time searching for hotels separately. If you have already purchased your flight and you’re only looking for a hotel, you can find it here.

It’s worth noting that Alicante Airport is just 5.5 miles from the city centre. This means that upon arrival, you can quickly and easily get to public transport links and/or accommodation, and essentially start enjoying your long weekend break.

If you’re twiddling your thumbs and wondering what to do in Alicante over your short holiday, we’ve put together a guide to the best long weekend in the city. We cover all you need to see and do during a 3 day visit:

Day 1: Visit the Santa Cruz old town

Alicante’s city centre is neatly compact and can be easily explored on foot (for those without physical impairments). The first port of call should be the Santa Cruz old town. Just take a walk through the narrow side streets, soak up the atmosphere and head to the castle if you’ve got enough energy in your legs!

Have a drink and a bite to eat in the old town. Mingle with the locals and experience a late night on the Costa Blanca. If you’re only planning on a drink in the old town, consider a late-night meal in the port area, which is bustling both day and night.

Day 2: Sunbathe on El Postiguet

After a busy evening, head to El Postiguet or San Juan in the early morning. Watch the sunrise and relax on the beach and enjoy the Mediterranean Sea. If you want total relaxation, Los Saladares is undoubtedly the quietest beach in Alicante, positioned south of the city centre.

For family-friendly fun, consider spending an afternoon east of El Centro in Cap de l’Horta. This area is 15 minutes away by car and is one of the most fascinating places of natural beauty in the region. There’s a stunning coral reef that’s definitely worth exploring and the Nautical Sports Club is open for fishing, windsurfing, paddle boarding and more. It’s the perfect afternoon for the adventurous amongst you.

For another delicious meal, there are many after-dinner venues to explore. Avenida Costa Blanca is your go-to area for nightclubs and live music. El Barrio is another lively neighbourhood, with a more intimate bar scene.

Day 3: Explore Tabarca

On your final day, you should explore the hidden gems of Alicante. We’d recommend coasting along with a guided tour or making the most of a booking for a half-day trip to the surrounding areas. With Alicante Airport just a short taxi or bus ride back, you can make the most of your third day in the city!

Book a trip to the island of Tabarca, the only inhabited island in the Region of Valencia. It’s positioned directly opposite Alicante’s shoreline, some 11 miles offshore.

Get your hiking boots on for a walk around the Natural Park of Penyal d'Ifac in Calpe. There’s a striking limestone outcrop standing proudly within the sea that offers the perfect spot for selfies.

If you’re partial to wine, Alicante is home to multiple independent wineries within its province. Book a vineyard tour with wine tasting to top off a magical long weekend.

In order to discover the beautiful landscapes of the surroundings, you can always rent a car in Alicante and travel the open road.

Several airlines fly direct to Alicante from the UK, namely Ryanair, easyJet and British Airways. You can fly with Vueling too if you’re prepared to connect elsewhere in mainland Europe.

Alicante Airport is served by all the major car hire companies, namely Avis, Hertz, Sixt, Goldcar and many more.

For those arriving at Alicante Airport with limited mobility, there’s assistance available. It’s best to inform your airline at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure. You can also get in touch with Alicante Airport directly to arrange for support on arrival in Costa Blanca.

When you land in Alicante, you’ll soon notice the terminal is relatively new (it was built in 2011). Arrivals are situated on the ground floor of the terminal. The baggage reclaim section, for those with held luggage, is positioned shortly after passport control, with plenty of luggage trolleys available free of charge.

Within the arrivals hall, there are plenty of ATMs and food outlets to catch some quick refreshments after the flight. With no train or tram connecting the airport to Centro, taxi, car hire or bus are your main transport options here.

How can I request assistance for children travelling alone?

If you have a minor that needs to travel alone to Alicante, perhaps to meet another family member in Spain, you’ll need to liaise for traveller assistance with your chosen airline. Most low-cost airlines will offer travel support for minors on request but do so in advance to avoid disappointment as services are often limited.

How can I travel with an assistance dog?

If you require special assistance when travelling from your departure airport to Alicante, you’ll likely need to contact the airline directly. If you’re blind and you need an assistance dog, they aren’t available by default and have restrictions per flight, which is why you’ll need to call or email your chosen airline in advance.

How do I find cheap flights to Alicante with flexible change policies at Opodo?

Scroll to the top of this page and use the search function to find cheap tickets to Alicante from your desired departure airport. Become an Opodo Prime member to get access to our lowest available prices. Once you’ve chosen a flight at a price you like, take our Flex or Super Flex rate, which allows you to change your flight time or date free of charge.

How can I book cheap hotels on Opodo in Alicante?

If you need flights and accommodation to Alicante, when you use our search function at the top of this page, be sure to click Search Flight + Hotel. This will display flight and hotel packages, giving you the chance to book your entire trip in one, easy payment. First, pick your perfect hotel and room and second, choose your flight and we’ll do the rest.

What baggage do I need to check on my flight?

In most cases, you’ll only be allowed to take one small bag on board. This bag must be small enough to be stored underneath your seat in the cabin. You may also be allowed to take on a small suitcase under 10kg, providing it meets the rules of your airfare. Any larger bags or suitcases will need to be checked into the aircraft hold and retrieved at baggage reclaim in Alicante.

How can I check in with Opodo?

If you’ve bought flights to Alicante with Opodo, you should be able to check in directly with your airline operator. Our online check-in page explains the process for all major airlines serving Alicante, including Ryanair.

Do I need to pay a cancellation fee if I cancel my flight to Alicante?

If you purchase flights to Alicante through Opodo, you can usually cancel your flights for free on the same day of your booking. There’s also the option of paying to add the Cancel for Any Reason Guarantee. This allows you to cancel at any time, for any reason, for an excess fee worth 20% of the initial booking.

How do I know if my flight is eligible for compensation?

You will be eligible for compensation if the airline is responsible for your flight being delayed by three hours or more, or if you are unable to travel because the flight has been overbooked.

In truth, Alicante is one of those all-year-round destinations. As a Mediterranean destination, the weather in Alicante is usually steady and temperatures are usually sweet even through the winter months. The spring season between March and May usually attracts average temperatures of 18-25 degrees. Rainfall is minimal during this period, making spring a great time for long weekend visits.

The summer season may be too much for some, with average temperatures breaking the 30-degree barrier between June and August. This might not be too much of an issue if you’re planning on spending most of your time on Alicante’s various beaches.

Like the spring season, the autumn season is similarly comfortable, with temperatures averaging between 17-29 degrees between September and November. Rainfall is minimal too, while gentle winds help to take the edge off the heat while you’re exploring.

The winter season is rather unpredictable between December and February, which makes exploring the city’s outdoor attractions more awkward. In an ideal world, Alicante makes for a balmy spring or autumn weekend break.