Spain is one of my favourite holiday destinations, so after a few cancelled trips due to travel restrictions, I hadn’t expected my 2021 to include any kind of beach vibes. It was, therefore, an absolute joy to return after so long for a wonderful Jet2CityBreaks Alicante long weekend.
I’ve previously travelled to Spain on a Jet2 flight, but this time I was excited to try the full city break package where accommodation is included and the entire trip is ATOL protected. There was also a great selection of Jet2 flights from Newcastle Airport, so we were able to perfectly tailor the flight dates for our trip.
Another highlight of choosing a Jet2holidays Winter Sun package was the very generous luggage allowance – one checked 22kg bag and one 10kg piece of hand baggage each. We didn’t use quite that much, but it was a refreshing luxury to have the freedom to pack without sacrificing those extra creams, outfits or shoes!
The Flight
The was our first international flight following lock-down and we planned all of our documentation with military precision. We arrived at Newcastle Airport for our early 6am flight and managed to check in our luggage and zoom through security in around 15 minutes with no queues or stress.
Throughout our trip, Jet2 made everything easy and painless and I was impressed with the efficiency of both airports, especially with the additional documents now required. No delays, a slightly early arrival time into Alicante and the lovely, smiling staff definitely made the onboard experience sweeter!
I also downloaded the Jet2holidays app prior to travelling and I found the push notifications and the functional lay-out really helpful when checking that we had all the information that we needed.
The Hotel
Our home for four nights was the excellent four-star Jet2holidays Hotel Spa Porta Maris by Melia. Its location couldn’t be any better with the lively Postiguet Beach on one side and the Port of Alicante on the other.
It’s also just 100 metres from the historic old town and right next to a tram stop if you want to take a ride along the Costa Blanca.
Our Premium Sea View Room was very spacious and modern and we quickly felt at home there. The king-size bed was absolutely heavenly (I always sleep so well in Melia beds) and we also appreciated the large flatscreen smart TV, tea and coffee facilities and balcony with a fabulous view over the beach.
In fact, all guest rooms have a balcony with views of either the beach or the marina, so you can make the most of the balmy weather.
A big highlight of the hotel is the lovely outdoor swimming pool and sundeck with stunning views over the beach. For the ultimate relaxation, you can book in to the hotel’s new Spa Experience with different sensory spaces featuring a hot water pool, plunge pool and ice fountain.
Starting the morning is a big affair with a full buffet served in a bright breakfast room with plenty of sunlight and endless views of the sea. The generous and varied buffet includes hot dishes for a typical full English or Spanish breakfast with tortilla and chorizo, waffles and mini pastries, sliced fruit, cereal and yoghurt. There’s also freshly-squeezed Valencian orange juice and a Nespresso machine for a proper caffeine fix.
We previously visited Alicante over 10 years ago, so we found our way around again very quickly and spent our time rediscovering familiar spots and also venturing further into the city.
Here are some of our favourite things to do in Alicante…
Stroll along the Explanada de España promenade
The very first thing to do when arriving in Alicante should be a stroll along the famous palm tree-lined promenade to get into the holiday mood. This vibrant walkway runs parallel to the port, from Plaza Puerta del Mar to the Parque de Canalejas, and boasts a highly-Instagrammable Mediterranean wave pattern made using six and half million mosaic tiles.
Order an iced coffee at one of the terrace cafes and watch the world go by while making lunch plans – it’s the best way to get acclimatised.
Explore Barrio Santa Cruz
The prettiest part of Alicante has to be its historic Santa Cruz neighbourhood with colourful houses nestled on the hillside at the foot of Mount Benacantil next to Santa Bárbara Castle. Climb the winding staircase on Calle San Antonio for a glimpse of this charming quarter and you’ll be rewarded with some panoramic views of over the city and some postcard perfect photos.
These well-maintained, shining white houses are covered in beautiful ceramic tiles and friezes and many feature the name of the family living inside (look out for La Casita de Loli with its own hashtag). Visit during Holy Week and you can watch spectacular processions make their way down the hillside from the Santa Cruz Hermitage.
Discover Spanish art at Alicante Museum of Contemporary Art (MACA)
This stunning contemporary art museums is one of the best I’ve visited in a long time and is an absolute must when visiting Alicante. Founded in 1976 by Spanish artist Eusebio Sempere, this beautifully minimalist space, housed in the oldest civic building in the city, exhibits 20th century and contemporary works by Spanish artists.
Its three permanent collections feature over 800 works by artists including Joan Miró Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Alicante-born Juana Francés, shown across three floors. You can also view the Eusebio Sempere collection of sculptures and gouaches on paper, which has belonged to the city of Alicante since 1997.
We absolutely loved this gallery and highly recommend leaving plenty of time to fully explore all of the floors (especially as it’s open for a half-day on Sundays).
Take the tram to Playa Muchavista
On our first trip to Alicante we discovered the most idyllic beach with powder white sand, shimmering turquoise waters and a surprising sense of tranquility from the distinct lack of tourists. We made it our mission to find this mythical beach again, estimating when we should jump off the tram and luckily we were successful.
Playa Muchavista feels a million miles away from Alicante’s buzzing Postiguet city beach yet it’s simply a pleasant 15-minute ride on the modern, air-conditioned tram (we got off at the Salesians stop).
On this part of the beach, where mostly locals go, there isn’t much of a beach scene, so don’t expect many sunbeds, beach bars or loud music. Just bring your beach towel, grab some ice cold drinks and snacks from the mini market over the road and enjoy some uninterrupted chill time at the beach.
Walk along Mushroom Street
When you reach the pedestrianised Calle San Francisco, you will tumble down the rabbit hole into a wonderland dotted with friendly giant toadstools (each with a different expression).
This busy street in the heart of Alicante was transformed into ‘mushroom street’ in 2013 and has since become a viral sensation.
More than just a photo opp, Calle San Francisco has some fantastic tapas bars, bakeries and shops. At the end of the street, you’ll find the leafy Plaza Calvo Sotelo which houses the enormous El Corte Inglés department store and food hall and my favourite Spanish boutique, Uterqüe.
Find Spanish delicacies at the Mercado Central
The lively Mercat district is where you’ll get a glimpse of everyday life in Alicante, as locals spend their lunchtimes in the local cafes and pick up groceries at the Mercado Central. This historic Art Deco building dates back to the 1920s and you can find everything from artisan meats, fresh fruit and vegetables, clothes, arts, handicrafts and flowers.
You can also dine inside and enjoy gourmet market fresh tapas with a glass of wine, perched on the high stools among the stalls.
Eat traditional Valencian cuisine
Alicante is located in the Valencia region of Spain, so you can expect to find local specialities such as seafood paella, arròs a banda, fideuà, buñuelos, red prawns from Dénia, horchata and turrón.
Another regular on the menus of Alicante’s many tapas bars and restaurants is the traditional croqueta, which we sampled at almost every meal, with all sorts of fillings. For some foodie geek fun, why not make your own croqueta contest and grade each restaurant’s efforts!
I have a lot to say about this city’s magnificent food scene, so take a look at my guide to the top places to eat out in Alicante from this trip.
Visit the Santa Bárbara Castle
The jewel of Alicante is the Castillo de Santa Bárbara, a magnificent fortification towering over the city from the top of Mount Benacantil. It dates back to the 9th century and has been conquered and recaptured by various forces throughout its illustrious history (it was once even a prison).
The easiest way to see the castle is by taking the lift from the beach through the inside of the mountain, however this clever transport hack was closed during our visit. To make the journey a little easier, take the tram to Mercat and join the hiking trail from a higher point.
My trip to Alicante was absolutely magical and it was great to experience this destination in October with a more relaxed pace and perfect weather in the high twenties.
I was so impressed with the entire Jet2 experience that I’ve booked to fly to Copenhagen with them at the end of the month. If you’re in the mood for some glorious sun, sea and delicious food to get you through the colder months, I highly recommend a Jet2holidays winter city and beach break in Alicante (it’s much closer than the Caribbean, after all).
Chérie City was a guest of Jet2holidays, however all thoughts and opinions are my own.
All photos by Cherie City
