Synonymous with spectacular sunshine and breath-taking beaches, Alicante enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year, with the mercury rising in summer. Alicante remains an incredibly popular holiday spot for tourists and Spanish natives alike, and getting a train to Alicante is made simple thanks to impressive rail connections to towns across Galicia, Cantabria and Asturias. The main railway station serving Alicante is Alicante Terminal. Direct train services to Alicante depart Madrid Atocha railway station daily, with journeys taking approximately 2h50mins. Services are operated by Renfe.
Visiting Alicante
The train station in Alicante is located within the city centre. After catching the train to Alicante, a 10-minute walk puts visitors within easy reach of the city port, where there are numerous boats and ferry services for tours of the nearby island of Tabarca. This must-visit island is located just a few miles from the coast and visitors can take a trip there within a single day. On the mount of Benacantil lies the Castillo de Santa Bárbara, offering beautiful views over the bay. Travellers should head there for one-of-a-kind vistas and photo opportunities, before going on towards the old town, where they will find the Barrio de Santa Cruz — a meandering network of narrow streets, quaint bars and boutiques, offering a taste of the real Alicante.
For a more literal taste of the region, Montaditos, stuffed with dry-cured Spanish ham and salted seafood, are a popular appetiser option here. An essential experience when visiting Alicante is a walk along the Paseo de la Explanada — a dazzling promenade with a floor made of magnificent mosaics. It’s a 15-minute walk from the station or 25 minutes from the port. Running parallel to the port, there's plenty of opportunity to take in the best of Alicante, from the dreamy sight of shipping vessels and boats cutting across the harbour, to the majestic architecture of the old town in the other direction. There are lovely beaches too for those simply looking to bask in the sunshine. Visitors might enjoy something different at La Granadella, a shingle beach in the Javea district. Or, San Juan de Alicante is a golden-sand beach in a central location that's an ideal choice for those who don't want to stray too far from the city’s hotspots!