This province on the Mediterranean Sea is popular for its sunny weather (over 300 sunny days per year) and blue-flag beaches. Moreover, it is one of the most mountainous parts of Spain, with mountains higher than 1,000 metres. This combination caters to lovers of hiking and beach recreation, to say nothing of families with children. In this article we will tell you of some options to spend a splendid family vacation in Alicante.
Theme Parks and Water Parks in Alicante
Terra Mitica — a theme park built around the idea of ancient civilisations (Iberia, Greece, Egypt, Rome), so it’s not only entertaining but also educational.
Aqualandia Benidorm — 200,000 square metre water park with water taken right from the sea. Attractions vary from Europe’s second-biggest waterslide to soft slides.
Terra Natura Benidorm — a great zoo where visitors can not only look at the animals but also interact with them. Species represented in the zoo belong to habitats of all continents.
Aqua Natura — another water park next to Terra Natura Benidorm, covering a 40,000 sq m area. Besides exciting attractions, it has a wave pool with geysers and waterfalls, as well as a swimming zone only for children.
Pola Park is a theme park in the town of Santa Pola. It offers attractions for all ages, from bouncy castles to giant rollercoasters. The park also has a boating lake, which is excellent for cooling down.
Dinopark Callosa is an educational theme park situated near Benidorm. It has life-sized robotic dinosaur models, both still and noisy. There are plenty of entertainment options for children, from a palaeontology patio to a 3D cinema.
Family-Orientated Museums in Alicante
The Valor Chocolate Museum in Villajoyosa (La Vila Joiosa) is located in the building that once was a family chocolate factory. It displays various machinery used to manufacture chocolate, which has been in use since 1881. You can learn about the company’s history, the origins of cocoa used here, and the evolution of the manufacturing process.
After the excursion, you can enjoy the factory’s products. If you happen to visit this town in August, take part in the chocolate festival called «La Xocolatisma». A chocolatada (hot chocolate party) is held in the historical centre and includes cookery courses and film screenings. The Valor Chocolate Museum is open from Monday to Friday from 10 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 7 pm. On Saturdays, it only opens in the morning. The entry is free, but requires advance booking.
MARQ, Alicante Archaeological Museum, displays 80,000 exhibit items. By visiting the museum, you learn about the legacy of the Costa Blanca province, including Iberian and Roman influences. Audiovisual media are used to make the exhibits interesting for children. Some halls (Excavating a church, Excavating underwater, Excavating in a cave) are equipped with interactive stalls, which allow you to practice digging and learn some techniques used by archaeologists.
If you prefer outdoor activities, there is an option for you — the museum organises guided tours to archaeological sites in Alicante province so that you can learn the history first hand. In summer, MARQ is open from Tuesday to Saturday — 10 am to 2 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm; on Sunday and public holidays — from 10 am to 2 pm.
Family Hiking in Alicante
The top-five hiking trails are Faro de l’Albir, Benitatxell’s Cliffs, Sierra de Bernia, and Puig Campana.
Faro de l’Albir is an easy one, so children are likely to cope. The trail’s total distance is 2.5 km, and it finishes at the Albir’s lighthouse. Along the way (lasting approximately 1,5 hours), you will see stunning views of Altea Bay and the town of Sierra de Bernia.
Another easy hike, Benitatxell’s Cliffs, is set at one of the most beautiful coasts in Alicante — Poble Nou de Benitatxell. Following this trail, you will see majestic cliffs and multiple small caves with crystal-clear lakes.
Sierra de Bernia is a more challenging trail because of its mountainous location. It is 8.5 km long and requires around 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete. As a reward, you may enjoy two wonderful places as you follow the route: a natural tunnel Forat passing through the mountain and the ruins of the 16th-century Fort of Bernia.
Puig Campana is a soil-and-rocks path starting at Font del Moli (Finestrat). The route is circular, so you can choose to turn right or left. The path skirts along the incredible vertical wall, Puig de Campana. The walk to the top covers 2.1 km, but the view from there beats all the struggles along the way.
Beach Recreation in Alicante
Any destination on the coast of Alicante is perfect due to this region’s emerald waters and clean white sands. Here is the list of 5 best beaches in Alicante.
Playa la Fustera is a small beach with calm waters and provides a lot of entertainment for children. Clean water is excellent for snorkelling, so give it a go. Besides, you can explore a cave next to the beach, 10 metres above sea level.
Platja de Llevant is a beach offering visitors various water sports and a full playground. It is considered one of the cleanest in the area (Balearic Islands) and is located approximately 20 km from the city centre.
Platja de la Cala de Finestrat is a cove beach with gentle waves and a relaxed atmosphere. Its natural border is an impressive rocky ridge. Notably, the beach had the «Blue Flag» badge since 1978.
Playa del Postiguet is located on the east side of town, so a bustling promenade is very close to the waterfront. What makes this beach stand out is the nearby Explanada de Espana — a 19th-century malecon (translated as sea embankment) known for its incredible marble floors made from a great number of tiles and mesmerising optical illusions.
Dunas y playas de l’Altet is a 2,000 metre long beach made of natural golden dunes. Compared to other beaches in the region, Dunas y Playas seems generally untouched, so you are welcome to explore the dunes in the natural environment.
Boat trips (catamaran, speed boat, or sailing boat) usually depart from Alicante, Santa Pola, Benidorm, Denia, or Calpe. Various boats are available at prices for every budget.
Family-Friendly Accommodation
As for family-friendly accommodations in Alicante, here are the ones we recommend.
Melia Alicante, a 4-star hotel, is considered the best in the region, according to TripAdvisor. It has 545 rooms with private terraces and sea views. It’s situated between the Alicante marina and the Postiguet beach, a short walk from the city centre. In high season, a Mini Club is opened for children from 5 to 12 years old. Gastronomic options include a restaurant, a cocktail bar, a breakfast buffet, and a pool bar.
El Plantio Golf Resort is a luxury 4-star hotel located 3 km from Alicante and a 5-minute drive from the beach. The territory is covered with lovely gardens and, naturally, golf courses. For children, there is outdoor play equipment. The hotel has non-smoking and family rooms.
Comlejo San Juan is another acceptable option for a family vacation; it has something interesting for each family member. Children can attend a mini club or an English campus (during July) that offers sports training and English speaking. Adults can also take up any preferred sport (there are 6 tennis courts and 2 swimming pools), visit various bars or restaurants, or even attend a large library. The hotel has 47 family rooms accommodating 2 adults and up to 3 children.
When planning your stay, visit hotelin.com to find suitable accommodations, using multiple filters and viewing prices collected from a number of popular booking services. We wish you an exciting family vacation in sunny Alicante!
