Alicante hero photo

Alicante

April 2026

Alicante on a Budget: A Lads Weekend That Exceeded Every Expectation

Alicante is one of Europe's most underrated city breaks — especially for a group of mates on a budget. Four days, £30 Ryanair flights, an £80-each hostel, and a city that delivers beaches, history, and nightlife that genuinely rivals Ibiza. Here's the honest itinerary, including what we'd do differently.

Contents

Why Alicante for a Lads Trip?

I'll be honest — Alicante wasn't a carefully researched destination. It was a "flights are £30, let's go" decision. No itinerary, no restaurant bookings, no plan. That was kind of the point. Three uni mates, four days, maximum spontaneity.

What we found was a city that rewards exactly that approach. Alicante is compact, walkable, genuinely beautiful, and surprisingly affordable. It has everything a group trip needs: a proper beach, a lively old town, world-class nightlife, and enough culture to feel like you've actually been somewhere. The lack of research turned out to be fine — the city is hard to get wrong.

Getting There

We flew Ryanair from Bristol for around £30 each way — one of those deals that makes you feel slightly smug. The outbound flight left at 8:30am, which meant an early start but a full day on arrival. The return was an 8pm departure, giving us a proper last day rather than a rushed morning checkout. That flight timing worked really well and is worth looking for when you book.

Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC) is well connected from across the UK, with multiple airlines running routes so even if you miss a Ryanair sale, you won't be paying a fortune.

Getting Around

Alicante's centre is almost entirely walkable. Our hostel was a 15-minute walk from the main centre and the beach, and that was as far as we ever really needed to go on foot.

For everything else, including the airport, the bus is simple and cheap. You can buy a single ticket on the day and pay with contactless. No apps, no faff. The airport bus runs directly into the centre, which saves money compared to a taxi and takes roughly 25 minutes.

For the Benidorm day trip, there's a direct coach from Alicante's central bus station which takes 45 minutes and is completely straightforward.

Where We Stayed

ALMA ONE — a fully automated hostel in the city.

We booked a Family Room with a Private Bathroom between the three of us, which came to around £80 each for three nights. For that price, it was genuinely impressive: a 140cm bed, a bunk bed, air-conditioning, and a clean private bathroom. The shared spaces were equally good — bar seating, a diner-style table setup, sofas, a work and reading area, and a shared kitchen. There was also a washing machine and tumble dryer, which is useful on longer trips.

The "fully automated" setup sounds gimmicky but works smoothly in practice — check-in is handled digitally and there's no waiting around at a front desk. We could unlock our doors with a button on our phones.

The location: 15 minutes on foot from the centre and the beach. Close enough to walk everywhere, far enough to be quieter at night when you actually want to sleep.

Verdict: For a lads trip on a budget, it's hard to beat. Clean, modern, social spaces, and excellent value.

The Itinerary: 4 Days in Alicante

Day 1 — Arrive, Explore, and Find Your Feet

Afternoon: The Old Town

Drop your bags and head straight into the old town. Alicante's historic centre is best experienced without a plan — narrow streets, whitewashed buildings, locals going about their day. The Barrio de Santa Cruz is the heart of it: colourful flower pots, quiet squares, and a maze of lanes that you can't really get lost in. The Basilica of Santa Maria — the city's oldest church — sits quietly at the edge of the old town and is an easy stop on a walk. The Explanada de España — Alicante's famous palm-lined promenade with its iconic mosaic-tiled walkway — is the natural endpoint of an afternoon wander.

Evening: Calle 365

For the first night, head to Calle 365. Technically a bar, but the atmosphere rivals most clubs back home. Good music, good energy, and a proper introduction to what Alicante's nightlife is about.

Day 2 — Beach Day and a Night Out

Morning and Afternoon: Platja del Postiguet

One of the best beaches I've been to, full stop. It's right in the city — walkable from the centre with clean sand and clear Mediterranean water. Grab a spot, switch off, and spend the morning here. Get back to the hostel in the afternoon for a refresh. Spanish nightlife starts late and ends later, so an afternoon reset is not optional, it's strategy.

Night: Marmerala

Clubbing in Spain operates on a different level. Nights start around midnight and carry on until the sun comes up. Marmerala was the standout — the kind of night out that reminds you why you travel. Go in with no expectations and prepare accordingly.

Day 3 — Day Trip to Benidorm

Take the coach from Alicante's central bus station (45 minutes) and spend the day in Benidorm. It gets a bad reputation that it doesn't entirely deserve — there's a genuinely lovely side to it if you move away from the tourist strip.

During the day

Walk the old town, which sits on a headland between the two main beaches and has real charm. The viewpoint at the top gives you one of the best coastal panoramas on the Costa Blanca — two sweeping bays, the mountains behind, the Med stretching out ahead. Worth the walk up.

At night: The Strip

If you want to experience Benidorm's notorious nightlife, the Strip delivers exactly what it promises. It's unapologetically loud, chaotic, and fun. Whether or not it's your scene, it's an experience.

Day 4 — History Before the Flight

Morning: Castillo de Santa Bárbara

Save the castle for your last morning. Castillo de Santa Bárbara is a 16th-century fortress on Mount Benacantil, and the views over the city and the Mediterranean from up there are genuinely spectacular. You can take a lift up from street level, or walk if the weather is good and the legs are willing. Go early — the light is better, it's cooler, and the crowds are thinner.

Afternoon: MARQ Archaeological Museum

The MARQ Archaeological Museum is one of the better museums I've been to — modern, interactive, and actually interesting rather than the dry experience you might expect. It covers Alicante's history from prehistoric times through to the modern era and is well worth a couple of hours, especially on a hot afternoon before an evening flight.

The Nightlife: What You Actually Need to Know

Spanish nightlife runs on a completely different clock to the UK. Things to know:

  • Pre-drinks start late. Don't head out before midnight.
  • Clubs don't fill up until 1–2am. Arriving at 11pm means standing in an empty room.
  • Nights end at sunrise. Pace accordingly.
  • Calle 365 is a brilliant first night — bar atmosphere, great energy, easier than a club.
  • Marmerala is the proper club experience. Go on Night 2 once you've found your feet.
  • Benidorm's Strip is a different world entirely — go knowing that, and you'll have a great time.

What We'd Do Differently

1. Swap one Alicante night for a night in Benidorm

Doing Benidorm as a day trip works, but it means a late return journey after a big night — which is manageable but not ideal. Staying a night there changes the dynamic completely: you can properly commit to the evening, sleep there, and explore properly the next morning before heading back. Split the trip 2 nights Alicante / 1 night Benidorm and you get the best of both.

2. Add a dedicated day trip — Tabarca Island or Guadalest

We didn't do either of these and in hindsight that's a miss.

Tabarca Island is a short boat ride from Alicante port — a small, car-free island with clear water, good snorkelling, and a pace of life completely at odds with the mainland. Perfect for a day when you want something different from the city.

Guadalest is the inland alternative: a dramatic mountain village perched above a turquoise reservoir, with castle ruins and sweeping views. Better in cooler months, and a completely different side of the region.

FAQ

Is Alicante good for a lads trip?
Yes — genuinely one of the best options in Europe at this price point. Beach, old town, nightlife, and easy day trips. It punches well above its weight.
How much does a lads trip to Alicante cost?
We spent roughly £30 each on flights, £80 each for 3 nights at ALMA ONE, and a very manageable amount on food and drink given how affordable Spain is. Total trip cost well under £300 each including everything.
Do you need to research Alicante before you go?
Not really — the city is intuitive and hard to get wrong. That said, knowing about the nightlife timings (start late, end at sunrise) and having a loose day-by-day plan would have helped squeeze a little more in.
How many days do you need in Alicante?
3–4 days is the sweet spot for a city break. 3 covers the main highlights; 4 gives you room for a day trip and a more relaxed pace.
Is Alicante walkable?
Completely. The old town, beach, promenade, castle, and main attractions are all walkable from a central base. Public transport is only really needed for the airport and beaches further along the coast.
Is Benidorm worth visiting from Alicante?
Yes — but ideally stay a night rather than doing it as a day trip. The old town and viewpoint are genuinely lovely, and the nightlife is an experience in itself.
When is the best time to visit Alicante?
Summer for beach and nightlife (hot, busy, brilliant). Spring and autumn for a more relaxed pace with warm weather. Winter is mild and quiet — great for sightseeing, less so for swimming.