Before our epic year of non stop travelling, we would go on mini breaks to wherever was cheapest on SkyScanner and it was fantastic. During Christmas 2022, work had gone quiet and I was able to work out my shifts so we could have three days away, so we got searching. Although we’d both been to areas of Spain before neither of us had been to Alicante so when it was one of the cheapest flights we could find, as well as the best in terms of flight times, and of course weather, we decided to book. We payed £82 for the flights for two of us and then we just had to find a hotel. We didn’t stay in the cheapest place we could find but thanks to Ash’s genius level on booking.com we still got a good deal at Hotel Boutique Alicante Palacete S.XII Adults Only for £140 for two nights.
We never seem to do much planning on what we are going to do whilst we are away and this holiday was no different. It’s our favourite way to visit places as we can easily find a few things to do from Pinterest or Tripadvisor but we are able to go with no pressure of a check list. Alicante is relatively small anyway and we’d had a busy Christmas so we were really just going to chill out. Our hotel was Hotel Boutique Alicante Palacete S.XII and it’s in the Old Town which was a great location, within walking distance to the main attractions. We loved the hotel with its rustic charm and original features (I nearly tripped down the uneven wooden staircase, but that’s on me for getting distracted) and the ceiling height in the room made it feel way more spacious than it was. The balcony was small but a nice feature that let the morning sun in and meant I could watch the world start to wake up from up above. We could have found somewhere cheaper but this place was really nice and the location was ideal.
We arrived at tea time from the airport so we went round the corner to an Indian Restaurant called Welcome India that was absolutely delicious. The owner was lovely and spoke to Ash about where they were each from in India and advised on what dishes to get. They came out in little dishes over a flame to stay warm with one of the best cheese naans I’ve ever had. It has a 4.7 rating on google, it’s not just us that liked it. So after stuffing our faces we went to bed to get ready for a full day of exploring.
We started the day heading down Calle de Las Setas, a popular street home to some mushroom statues and quite a few little cafes and restaurants. Two caught our eye immediately, an empanada spot called Jimmy Churri with rows and rows of empanadas. I loved the logo and design of the store, it was small but stood out on the street with bold black and white walls and fittings, mixed with oak coloured wood and some plants. The empanadas were delicious and well filled then directly opposite is a bakery, Salt in Cake, that serve cinnamon buns, my favourite, along with other baked goods and cheesecakes. Again, the exterior is black and white, really eye catching with a counter full of treats, including vegan ones. We enjoyed them sat in a park next to a fountain and it was a very satisfying breakfast.
One of the main places to go to in Alicante is the Castello de Santa Barbara. It sits atop a hill so there is a bit of a walk if you fancy it or you can take the lift up. We decided to walk as it was January and not too hot. There were some beautiful places to stop and admire the view including some old stone houses and a set of stairs popular with social media users. It was really quiet when we went with it being out of season and it was so calm and peaceful especially when the sea comes into view. It’s not an epic hike but it is fairly strenuous with lots of stairs so I’d recommend trainers, it’s also quite dusty so if you don’t like dusty feet then definitely wear closed shoes.
Once you get to the castle it’s free entrance so it can be a really cheap day if you’re on a budget. The views are magnificent, with sand coloured stones against bright blue sea and sky. But it’s not just the views to see, there are exhibitions dotted around in the different areas of the castle with information about the castle itself and the area. We stayed there for quite awhile, taking photos and videos and watching all the boats below.
It felt so good to be walking around in the sunshine we walked back down the hill, through the old town, along the front and onto the pier. There was a regatta event going on so it was busier here but still not too crowded and we got a good spot to watch the sunset surrounded by the sound of waves and the hills being lit up in orange. It was a perfect sunset followed by Paella and ice cream.
On our final day we got an early start and went to Barrio Santa Cruz. This is an another top destination in Alicante and if you are going in peak season you will want to be here pretty early in the morning as the streets are very narrow and people do live here so it can get quite busy. The houses are beautiful and colourful and there were so many plants growing. We didn’t want to disturb anyone so we didn’t linger long and we took photos in quieter areas which happened to be where there were the best views over the city. It took us less than 10 minutes to get to the area and it is all uphill once you get there so again trainers might be a good idea. From here you can go up to the castello but we decided to split it up.
After exploring Barrio Santa Cruz we headed back into town for breakfast and happened upon a cafe that that was a bit cool and different and, importantly, served good coffee. I got shakshuka because it’s in my top 3 breakfasts and I get it most places I go to. This one was unreal, with a rich tomato base that had artichoke in, the runny eggs and a tasty dukkah on top that I actually incorporated into my own shakshuka when I worked as a chef. It was nutty, fragrant from the spices and it added a perfect amount of crunch. Ash had a breakfast burrito that was so big he couldn’t finish it all, so I did, and that was also really delightful to eat. The place is called Hnas.Martinez (here’s their instagram) and the interior is inviting and yeah, cool, I think it’s the best way to describe it, cool and actually good, not a common combination.
Along the sea front is a promenade called Passeig Esplanada d’Espanya that is lined with palm trees and makes for a lovely walk at anytime of day. There are vendors along the way with the marina on one side and restaurants on the other, it’s a really flat, smooth path so easy to wander down with a park at one end the beach at the other. We started at the park which meant I got to briefly dip my toes into the sea with the sun beating down surrounded by everyone taking their lunch break here as well. It’s a really nice beach and in January it’s pretty quiet and hot enough to be in a bikini so for a spot of winter sun it is sublime.
The pictures on this post are either from me and my IPhone or Ash and his camera. To keep up with our current travels follow us on YouTube, Ash & Pash, we have TikToks, Ash & Pash, and also Instagram, Ash & Pash and my Pinterest. I’ve found I have reignited my love of the blog on our year off from work and I feel some sort of relief that I’m getting all the posts done that I’ve been meaning to complete for the past two years. Thank you for reading this far and I hope I’ve given you some ideas for your own Alicante trip and to see that 1 full day and 2 half days is enough to feel refreshed and appreciate a new place.
Our short but sweet trip was then finished and it was time to head back home. We got back on the bus where it dropped us off, right by the beach, and it took us to the airport. Considering it was such a short trip it really left a mark on us and we would definitely return to Alicante. It is just round the corner from Benidorm and in the summer it is probably filled to the brim with brits but for a some winter sun I’d highly recommend it. It was relatively cheap and felt really relaxed which is ideal for us.
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