Traveling with young children often means trading in some museums and sightseeing for playgrounds and parks.
On our two-week trip to Spain, Alicante stood out as one of the best Spanish destinations for families.
The slow-paced city, inviting neighborhoods, and beautiful beaches make this Spanish city a dream family vacation destination!
Whether cruising and only having a day in Alicante or planning a Spain road trip, traveling with kids can have its challenges.
This Alicante with kids travel guide isn’t just about what to see—it’s about navigating this beautiful Costa Blanca city, avoiding meltdowns, and having the most incredible Spanish vacation your family will cherish forever.
Read my Ultimate List of Amazing Things to Do in Alicante, Spain, before your upcoming European family vacation!
Important things to know for traveling to Alicante with kids
Is Alicante Stroller-Friendly?
Yes, Alicante city is stroller-friendly. We saw several families with strollers. It is important to note that many of the streets are cobblestones. That being said, I would recommend a compact but sturdy stroller.
My husband and I prefer to travel with our two kids in the back carriers. The weight can add up, but the convenience of travel more than makes up for it!
How to Get Around Alicante With Kids
Alicante, Spain, is very walkable and has a small city feel, especially compared to Valencia. The TRAM is a great option for traveling outside of the city.
Be Aware of the Siestas and Late Dinners
Siesta is an essential aspect of Spanish culture. It is typical for restaurants and shops to close between 2 and 5 p.m. Understanding and planning ahead is crucial if you’re traveling to Spain with kids.
If you have kids who can get on siesta time and enjoy late dinners with the whole family, that would be great!
My husband and I found it easier to prioritize our kids’ early dinner, get them to bed, and enjoy a delicious take-out meal in our Airbnb.
It takes a bit of the nice Spanish ambience out of the picture, but avoiding the meltdowns of exhausted kids makes the take-out well worth it!
We found that some of the little grocery stores were open during siesta hours, and if you have picky kids like mine, there is a McDonald’s located right in the city!
Balancing The Sightseeing With Fun
Some of the best traveling with kids tips involve learning how to prioritize the kids on family vacations.
Look for playgrounds and parks, and make sure to provide opportunities for the kids to run around.
Alicante has some beautiful parks and several little playgrounds scattered throughout the city.
Find Restaurants on Squares Or Near Play Areas
Every morning while in Alicante, Spain, we would head to the nearest playground first thing. I would walk to the nearest bakery and bring breakfast back.
This was absolutely perfect. The kids started the day having fun while eating breakfast.
Unless we were making an early dinner trip to McDonald’s, we prioritized restaurants in pedestrian-only areas, preferably restaurants right on a square.
Always Be Flexible
Traveling with kids is hard! Embrace the adventure, and understand that no matter how much you plan, traveling with little kids means you need to accept the unpredictable.
And remember, if you’re traveling with small children, they need their routine, which can make traveling difficult for them.
Prioritize your kids, have grace, and try to make the most of the experience. Be okay with having to change plans. Sometimes, the best activities are city parks and gardens.
Arriving in Alicante With Kids From a Cruise
We didn’t arrive in Alicante on a cruise, but after some research and walking by the port, we found that it appears to be one of the best cruise port locations for getting to the city center.
Truthfully, the cruise terminal is an easy walk to the city center of Alicante. You don’t have to worry about taxis or shuttles!
Treat Yourself
Of course, Spanish cuisine and tapas are a must, and Alicante is famous for its international cuisine! But bakeries and gelaterias are around every corner.
Even coming from Germany, I must admit that Spanish bakeries are incredibly delicious. Treat yourself, and let the kids enjoy the sweets. Remember, this is their vacation, too, and traveling can be pretty hard for them.
Things To Do In Alicante With Kids
Hike the Santa Barbara Castle
The Castillo de Santa Barbara is one of the biggest attractions in Alicante.
The views from the top of the summit are incredible, and the panoramic views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea make it the perfect Instagrammable spot!
And if you’ve arrived in Alicante from a cruise ship, you should be able to see your boat sitting in the cruise terminal.
Although beautiful, the hike to the summit is quite grueling and steep. My husband and I did it with our kids in the back carriers. It was intense.
If you’re not renting a car, you can take public transport to the top or take a lift. The lift is accessible from Avenida Juan Bautista Lafora, near Postiguet Beach.
We go dragon hunting to make looking at castles and castle ruins fun. We do this for every castle we visit in Europe. And my kids love it!
There is also a little cafe, picnic areas, and bathrooms at the top.
Play on the Explanada de Espana
The Explanada is one of the most iconic streets in Alicante. According to our guide, the mosaic comprises over 6 million tiles. It’s beautiful!
The street is bordered by tall palm trees and parallels the harbor.
Tip: There are several restaurants, including McDonald’s.
Hang out at the Playa del Postiguet
The beautiful golden sands against the crystal clear waters make the beaches of Alicante the perfect place to have a good time.
With such easy access and an ideal location just minutes from the Explanada, Postiguet Beach is perfect if you’re traveling with little kids!
The sand is so soft, and the shallow waters make it an excellent area for kids to swim.
Tip: Grab a spot near the playgrounds!
Cruise the Streets of Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is the oldest neighborhood in Alicante, and you don’t want to miss it. It is beautiful and sits right at the base of Mount Benacantil.
The Santa Cruz district offers beautiful views and is a great place for the family to wander and explore while admiring the colorful houses.
Explore the San Fernando Castle
I would definitely not recommend this medieval fortress over the Castle of Santa Barbara; however, if you visit Alicante for two or three days, it’s a beautiful spot.
The best thing about this fortress is that it is quiet and beautiful. It felt like an Alicante local’s hidden gem.
While my daughter was napping with my husband in the Tuk-Tuk, my sons and I were looking for the dragon.
Enjoy a Boat Trip
Sadly, on our family trip to Alicante, the boat tours were all booked up. A popular day trip destination is Tabarca Island, and it may be a nice option for your family.
Have fun at the Calle de Las Setas
The muschroom street. My kids loved it! You can’t help but think of Mario.
Our Airbnb was located on this street and was perfect for us. It was centrally located, close to a playground, surprisingly quiet in the evenings, and surrounded by restaurants.
Tips: This pedestrian-only street is perfect for kids to play in earlier in the morning, before the shops open.
Play at El Mundo de Los Ninos
The Mudno de Los Niños is an easy walk from the Alicante City center. It’s like a tiny little outdoor amusement park with games, a bouncy castle, rides, trampolines, and other fun activities.
Alicante Zoo’s
Sadly, we didn’t have any time for the Alicante Zoo; however, I didn’t want to include it in this guide because we love visiting aquariums or zoos on our travels.
A few animal parks in the Alicante region include: Terra Natura, Sarafi Aitana, and Rio Safari Elche.
Walk the Promenade
The Alicante promenade is really beautiful, and just a minute’s walk from the Postiguet Beach.
If you can’t go out for a small boat ride, this may be the next best thing. Kids love boats!
Aqua Natura Water Park
This may be interesting if you and your family are interested in water slides. My kids are too little to really enjoy water parks, and have more fun playing in the sandy beach and splashing in the sea.
My Final Thoughts on traveling to Alicante with kids
In the whirlwind of traveling Europe, it can be easy to chase those big moments- the bucket-list sights, jam-packed itineraries, and indulging in local foods.
Admittedly, this fly-by approach is how we travel Europe with kids.
But unlike Valencia, Madrid, or Seville, the city of Alicante invites you to slow down. And instead of jumping from one attraction to the next, this Spanish city is so relaxed that you can’t help but let the day play out.
And in the chaos of family holidays, this is a really nice change!
Alicante was one of my favorite cities on our two-week trip to southern Spain. If you are planning a road trip with the family, it is a city you don’t want to miss!
Leave a Reply