Alicante, Layer by Layer

Drop your bags at your hotel in the Centro or Old Town — both neighbourhoods put you within walking distance of nearly everything on this itinerary.

Start at the very top of Alicante. The castle dominates the whole coastline from its perch on Mount Benacantil, and the views across the bay and the old city rooftops reward every step of the climb. Give yourself a good hour to roam the different levels and terraces.

On your way back down, duck into the Mirador del Barrio Santa Cruz — a whitewashed lookout point draped in bougainvillea that frames the castle and the sea in a single glance.

A Centro institution with a serious tapas bar downstairs and a full dining room above. Order the rice dishes or whatever the market dictates — this is the kind of place that has earned its reputation over decades.

Alicante's oldest church sits at the foot of the castle hill. Its exuberant Baroque portal is a dramatic contrast to the simple whitewashed streets around it — step inside for the cool interior and the ornate altarpiece.

Settle into this Centro bar as the evening picks up. It's a good spot to ease into the Spanish late-night rhythm with a drink before dinner.

Perched in the Old Town with a terrace that looks out over the city lights and the sea beyond, La Ereta turns locally-sourced ingredients into refined, creative plates. Book ahead — this one fills up.

One of Spain's most engaging regional archaeology museums, MARQ uses theatrical lighting and interactive displays to walk you through Alicante's layered past — Iberian, Roman, Moorish, and beyond. Plan on a full morning here.

Housed in the 18th-century Palau Gravina, this fine arts museum traces four centuries of Valencian and Spanish painting. The neoclassical courtyard alone is worth the short detour.

A Centro restaurant with a faithful local following, Racó del Plá serves honest, well-executed Valencian cooking. A quieter, more neighbourhood-facing choice than the big waterfront spots.

Alicante's city beach is just a short stroll from the old quarter. In the afternoon the crowds thin, the light turns golden, and it's the perfect place to swim, read, or simply watch the castle loom above the shoreline.

Right on the waterfront, Aldebarán is the place to eat the sea. The focus is on impeccably fresh fish and shellfish, and the setting — with boats bobbing just outside — gives the meal a relaxed, celebratory feel.

End the evening in Barrio del Carmen at this rock-leaning bar with a loyal crowd and a louder, more spirited atmosphere than the daytime city suggests is possible.

Start the final morning at this 17th-century cathedral, whose restrained Renaissance exterior gives way to a soaring blue-domed interior. It's central, calm, and usually crowd-free early in the day.

Alicante's Fogueres de Sant Joan bonfire festival is one of the most spectacular in Spain, and this museum preserves the monumental sculptures (ninots) saved from the flames over the decades. Even outside festival season, the scale and craft are genuinely impressive.

A Centro spot with a home-cooked sensibility — the kind of place where the menu changes with what's good that week and the portions are quietly generous. Great value and a local feel.

Spend the last afternoon strolling the port. The marina is home to ocean-racing yachts and everyday fishing boats in equal measure, and the Explanada de España promenade connecting it to the city centre is one of the great leisurely walks in southeastern Spain.

Another waterfront classic, Dársena has been feeding Alicantinos and visitors for years with rice dishes and fresh seafood that speak directly to the Mediterranean just outside its windows. A fittingly unhurried finale.

Round off three days in Alicante at this Barrio del Carmen bar — relaxed, characterful, and the kind of spot where the evening stretches comfortably into the night.