Travel writer Peter Samson highlights the best of the historic Mediterranean port

Lead image: Alicante Marina

1. A city I nearly missed – and shouldn’t have

For years, Alicante was the Spanish city that slipped through my fingers. Barcelona, Palma, Malaga – they always seemed to nudge it aside. But when I finally stayed put instead of flying straight through its airport, I realised how much I’d been missing. This sunny port city on Spain’s Costa Blanca – the country’s tenth largest – combines beach life, history, great food, and unbeatable value. It’s also one of Spain’s top three sunniest cities, which makes it pure gold for vitamin-D-deprived Scots.

Explanada de España

2. The marina and mosaic magic

You can’t visit Alicante without strolling the Explanada de España, the palm-lined promenade paved with 6.5 million red, black, and cream marble tiles that ripple like Mediterranean waves. It leads straight to the marina – spotless, stylish, and full of life. Yachts bob alongside bars serving crisp white wine and generous tapas. Prices are refreshingly reasonable too – think €10 paella and €5 glasses of wine, all with views that could rival the French Riviera.

3. Beaches on your doorstep

Alicante’s Playa del Postiguet is a rare thing – a glorious golden beach sitting right at the city’s edge. You can walk from your city hotel or apartment to the water in minutes, grab a drink at a beach café, and still be back in time for dinner. But the real star for me is San Juan Playa, just 20 minutes away by the area’s new super-quick tram link. Often described as one of Spain’s finest beaches, it’s a serene sweep of white sand, turquoise water, and colourful lifeguard towers that could be straight out of Miami.

Alicante beach

4. Tram adventures and laid-back living

Alicante’s revamped tram network makes exploring effortless – and cheap. A 10-journey pass costs around £5, and the views along the coast are worth every cent. San Juan quickly became our happy place: wide sands, calm waves, and café terraces buzzing by lunchtime. No high-rise hotels, no crowds – just relaxed Mediterranean charm. It’s the perfect balance between local life and holiday bliss, and we couldn’t resist returning.

5. Old Town charm and Mushroom Street fun

Back in the heart of the city, El Barrio, Alicante’s old town, is a maze of winding lanes and lively bars. As dusk falls, the atmosphere turns electric. One of its quirkiest corners is Calle de las Setas – “Mushroom Street” – transformed in 2013 with oversized mushroom sculptures and cartoon-style buildings. It’s a joyful sight that’s become one of Alicante’s most photographed spots. Dining in Alicante is both delicious and affordable, with standout venues like the Terra Prosecco Restaurante housed in the grand Palacio Salvetti, an architectural jewel from 1887.

Mushroom Street

6. History, culture and that castle view

Even early mornings are rewarding in Alicante. From almost anywhere in town, you can look up to see the Castillo de Santa Bárbara, perched high on Mount Benacantil. The 18th-century Town Hall and elegant Teatro Principal are equally impressive reminders of the city’s cultural roots. By day it’s serene, by night, it hums with life as locals head out for shows, dinners and late-night drinks. Alicante somehow manages to feel both lively and unhurried, a rare and lovely combination.

Teatro Principal

Final thoughts

For years I thought of Alicante as a transit point – a place to fly through on the way somewhere else. Now I know better. It’s a city that blends sunshine, seaside, and Spanish spirit with style and affordability. Walkable, welcoming, and wonderfully warm, it’s earned a firm spot on my list of favourite Spanish escapes.