A day docked on the Costa Blanca at Alicante cruise port is almost guaranteed to be a sun-soaked experience. Plenty of visitors arrive wanting a grand day out at the beach, (and you can definitely find it here), but there are other options if that doesn’t float your boat. As a crew member, I’ve been a regular visitor to Alicante for a while now; here’s my complete guide.
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Where is Alicante cruise port?
Alicante cruise port is located very close to the centre of Alicante, and from the long concrete pier running parallel with the coastline, you can see the city’s mixture of old and new. High rise hotels and apartment buildings form the bulk of the skyline, but behind them is the rocky outcrop where Castillo de Santa Barbara sits keeping watch.
Cruise ships dock at the Muelle Levante outer cruise pier, with bigger ships occupying the furthest-away spots, and smaller ships able to berth much closer to the cruise port entrance.
Here’s the exact location of the cruise port in Alicante.
Can you walk to Alicante from the cruise port?
It is absolutely possible to walk from Alicante cruise port in to the city, and the route is very easy to find. You basically just follow the pier in the direction of dry land! The walk from the furthest berth takes about 15 minutes.
There’s a free shuttle provided, which drops passengers at the port entrance next to the Ocean Race Museum. I’ve never bothered to wait for this as I prefer a walk in the sunshine! (Something about living in a cabin with no windows, probably). But it’s a very easy option and on a side note the museum, dedicated to the round the world sailing race, is free to visit.
It’s also very easy to get from Alicante cruise port to the beach, either on foot or with the shuttle- the expansive Playa del Postiguet is literally right there at the port entrance.
A very brief introduction to Alicante
Like pretty much the whole of southern Spain, Alicante was once ruled by the Moors- who were Muslim people of Berber and Arabic descent, mostly from what is now modern-day Morocco. So the name ‘Alicante?’ That actually comes from the Arabic al-Laqant. Don’cha know.
During the 1950s and ’60s, the entire Costa Brava began to take off as a tourist destination, and Alicante’s role as a hotspot for holidaymakers has been pretty much set in stone ever since. Spain hasn’t done a great job of regulating its beachside high-rises- the one exception I’ve found is Lanzarote– and Alicante now seems to be packed to the rafters with blockish stone towers on its beachfront.
Further north along the coast is the beautiful city of València, and south, way past Cartagena, is magnificent Málaga. But although these neighbouring cities may attract more of the culture vulture crowd than Alicante, that doesn’t mean that this city doesn’t have as much of a story to tell.
(But if you do dock at Alicante cruise port and just opt for a day at the beach, I wouldn’t blame you one bit. It’s bloomin’ glorious I tell ya.)
The best things to do from Alicante cruise port
Head to one of my fave Alicante brunch spots
As a crew member, one of my first quests when docking in a new city is to hunt out my new favourite eating and drinking spots. Frankly, the crew mess just doesn’t quite cut it. And if you’re sailing on a Mediterranean cruise as a passenger, it is absolutely vital that you get out and explore the culinary offerings of everywhere you visit.
So, allow me to introduce you to my two favourite brunch spots in Alicante.
First up, El Palacete Resto & Brunch. This elegant but inviting little eatery is located up a little side street within walking distance of the port entrance, and it has some really divine brunch options on the menu. I love the mushroom and Serrano ham scrambled eggs, and the açai bowls. (And their smoothies are 10/10.)
Slightly further away is Sip and Wander. This brunch spot is slightly more spacious inside, with a few outdoor tables on the street as well, although be aware that this is on a road with traffic going by as opposed to the little pedestrianised lane of El Palacete! There are some really hearty options on the menu, plus a brilliant selection of coffee. These guys really know what they’re doing when it comes to caffeine.
Hit the beach
Here we go, pals. I’ve mentioned it a few times now, but Playa del Postiguet near Alicante cruise port really is a good’un. With just one glance down, you can see how crystal clear this water is, and it’s perfect for cooling off in on a scorching hot day. (Of which Alicante sees plenty of.)
It’s kept very clean, there are tonnes of beachside restaurants and bars to pick from, and there’s lots of space to spread out and find your spot on the sand. What more could you want!? If you want more of an adrenaline rush out of your day, book yourself a jet ski session or a parasailing ride.
As Alicante’s prime city beach it goes without saying that it can become crowded during the height of summer- I’m more of an off-the-beaten track beach gal myself- but for its convenient proximity to the cruise pier you can’t fault it.
Visit Santa Bàrbara Castle
Full disclaimer, pals: I have never made it to the top of Mount Benacantil, the home of Santa Bàrbara Castle. I either haven’t had to time to fit it in before I start work, or it has been super crowded and I’ve opted for something quieter instead. But I have to include it on this list. So many of my fellow pals and passengers have visited, and recommend it simply for the view.
The castle dates to those long ago 9th century days of Moorish rule, although it was seized by the Castilians when they conquered in the late 1200s. Naturally, they gave it a good old name change as well, dedicating the castle to Saint Bàrbara herself.
The castle is completely free to visit, and you can either walk up the hill in about half an hour, or take the lift for €2.70. Time your visit carefully; on a hot or particularly busy day, the queue for the lift can be incredibly long.
Santa Bàrbara Castle does offer guided visits, but for something unique you could join a wine tasting and tapas experience within the castle walls.
Wander through the old town
Technically speaking, Santa Bàrbara Castle and Playa del Postiguet are part of Alicante’s old town. But what I’m getting at here is that taking the time to wander through its residential streets is very much worth it, indeed. Every house is individually painted in its own colour scheme, with washing strung from balconies and an abundance of flowers overflowing from plant pots.
The narrow lanes that steeply climb the hillside remind me of Tangier, the Moroccan port city, and that makes sense because this is the location of the original Moorish city. This area is far quieter than the busy boulevards down below, (which I love), but the steep incline and numerous staircases aren’t suitable for everyone. You have been warned pals!
To really see the old town- and the rest of Alicante- in depth, book yourself onto a walking tour with an expert local guide.
Walk along the Explanada de España
There’s no way you can miss the Explanada de España, which starts almost directly at the entrance to Alicante cruise port and continues all the way along the waterfront. The marble mosaiced waves on the floor always seem surprisingly gleamy in the sunlight, with the pedestrian thoroughfare lined on either side with gorgeous spindly palm trees.
There’s always lots to see en route, whether that’s souvenir stands, street entertainers or the beautiful architecture that runs along one side of the Explanada. Some of the bars and cafes along the way are also great little people-watching spots.
Get on to the water!
If you too are craving something a little bit different from your day in Alicante, I’d probably suggest getting out on the water, either on a catamaran cruise where you can swim and chill to your heart’s content, or in the direction of nearby Tabarca Island. The island takes about an hour to reach by ferry, and you can book tickets here.
Is Alicante worth visiting?
I’ll be honest pals, Alicante cruise port isn’t my favourite of the Spanish ports to dock at, even though there are parts of the city that are really picturesque. And the beach is wonderful. Maybe it’s that there are few too many high-rise buildings for my liking.
But I still think Alicante is worth visiting on a day in port. It’s very easy to access everything the city, and I think the best way to make the most of a visit is to spend a morning exploring and then head to the beach or out on to a boat on the water. You can’t go wrong with a chilled day in port, can you?
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