Last Updated on October 4, 2020
This year we were gifted with a last-minute surprise gift in Berlin: International Women’s Day. It was the first year Berlin granted a public holiday on March 8th. Lucky for us, it fell on a Friday. We were without haste in scouring Google Flights and Skyscanner and came across a flight for 74 EUR to Alicante, Spain. We had NO IDEA what we could do there. But we figured it was Spain and on the coast, so there must at the very least be beach and good seafood. We were pleasantly surprised to find so much to see and do in Alicante. See below our complete itinerary so you too can enjoy a weekend away in Alicante.
Day 1 – Saturday
Morning – Day Trip to Villajoyosa
On our first full day in Alicante, we took the train to Villajoyosa, which is about an hour away. We originally thought we would continue to Altea after Villajoyosa. So we bought the train tickets for both zones, which was in total 8 EUR round-trip. In the end, we enjoyed our time so much in Villajoyosa, that we decided not to rush to Altea. White sand beaches practically to ourselves, plus a backdrop of beautiful colored houses, almost like Burano in Italy, made for a perfect winter weekend escape. The weather was close to 20 degrees celsius (70 degrees fahrenheit). We were able to actually be in our bathing suits on the beach (although going in the water was out of the question).
Late Afternoon – Climb Castillo de Santa Bàrbara in Alicante for Sunset Views
Late in the afternoon we made our way back via train to Alicante. We walked to the port to check out ferries to Tabarca Island, which we planned to take the next morning. We then started our walking route to Castillo de Santa Bàrbara around 5:30 pm. Now, you can take a car up to the castle, but if you walk, give yourself around 40 minutes to get to the top. We lucked out, because we managed to catch the sunset, making for a really spectacular view. I highly recommend climbing to the top of the castle for sunset.
Evening – Dinner at Terre Restaurant in Alicante
After the sun had set, we started our descent down the hilltop and made our way to dinner. We had a reservation at Terre after a recommendation from a friend. And was it a good recommendation! A bit expensive, with an appetizer, two entrees, and two glasses of wine we spent 90 EUR. But definitely the best food we had in and around Alicante. We sat in the back dining area. But I would recommend to sit in the front dining room, as it is a bit cooler (and, I don’t mean cold). Definitely order the ensalada atún! Buenazo!
Sunday – Day 2
Day Trip to Tabarca Island
The next day we went to Tabarca island. Be sure to check out our post on making a day trip to Tabarca island. It is a 1-hour ferry ride from Alicante and a great day trip if you are in Alicante.
Have you been to Alicante and Villajoyosa? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Related Post: Traveling to Tabarca Island | Best Day Trips from Alicante, Spain
