15+ Day Trips from Alicante Without a Car (Tram, Train, Bus & Boat)
If you’re looking for the best day trips from Alicante without a car – you’re in the right place!
One of the best things about living in Alicante, and something most people don’t realise before they arrive, is how easy it is to explore both the city and the surrounding areas without a car.
We moved to the Costa Blanca almost seven years ago, and although we’ve had a car for most of that time, we still often use public transport for day trips. The tram runs along the coast from Alicante, trains connect you with towns further inland, buses are cheap and easy to use, and there are some brilliant organised tours for the mountain villages and other locations that are a bit harder to reach.
So if you’re visiting Alicante (or living here without a car), we’ve listed below the best day trips you can do – all completely doable without driving.
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Best Tram Day Trips from Alicante Without a Car
The TRAM d’Alacant is definitely one of the easiest and most scenic ways to explore the Costa Blanca. It runs right along the coast, with some fantastic views along the way. We have been known to jump on the tram on a cold and overcast day just to sit and watch the beautiful coastline go by.
The best place in Alicante to get on the TRAM is in the city center at underground stations like Luceros, Mercado, or MARQ-Castillo. Single tickets start around €1.45 for one zone (Zone A), but for families or those planning on doing multiple trips it’s a good idea to get a 10-trip “Bono” card as this is definitely the most cost-effective option. Tickets can be bought at the machines at the stations or on the platforms.
Altea
Tram from Alicante to Altea: Approx 2-2.5 hours
Altea is one of our favourite places on the Costa Blanca, and somewhere you’ll see in most lists of places to visit in this area!
The main highlight is the old town, sitting up on a hill looking out to sea. The old town is a typical Spanish village with narrow, whitewashed streets, and the famous blue-domed church in the middle. It’s not a huge town, which makes it perfect for a more relaxed day out – just wandering, no rushing, and no big sightseeing checklist.
Why Altea is worth visiting:
- Beautiful Spanish old town with amazing views
- Lovely seafront promenade for a stroll and lunch
- Great little cafés, boutiques, and art shops
- Feels peaceful even in the busier months
It’s ideal if you want a slower-paced day out in a typical Spanish town, with amazing views and somewhere nice to stop for lunch.
Take a look at our guide to spending a day in Altea here: Things to see & do in Altea
Villajoyosa (La Vila Joiosa)
Tram from Alicante to Altea: Approx 50 minutes
Villajoyosa (another favourite of ours!) is instantly recognisable because of its colourful seafront houses. Fun fact: they were traditionally painted bright colours so fishermen could spot their homes from the sea.
It’s a fairly small place but that gives it a more relaxed feel, and there’s plenty to do there in one day. You can walk through the streets and admire the coloured houses, walk along the long promenade, sit on the beach, grab lunch in a seafront restaurant, and even visit the Valor Chocolate Museum.
Why Villajoyosa is worth visiting:
- Photogenic seafront and coloured houses
- Beautiful sandy beaches
- The Valor chocolate museum if you fancy something different
- Plenty of restaurants for a tasty lunch and to watch the world go by
It’s great for a half-day trip to see a more unique Spanish town, combined with lunch by the sea.
Find out more in our guide to Villajoyosa here: Things to do in Villajoyosa
El Campello
Tram from Alicante to El Campello: Approx 35 mins
If you just want somewhere to visit within a short distance of Alicante city and a lovely big, sandy beach then El Campello is perfect.
The tram drops you really close to the seafront, and from there you have direct acces to the beach, promenade, and lots of bars and restaurants.
Why El Campello is worth a visit:
- Not far from Alicante city centre
- Wide sandy beach with loads of space
- Long promenade for walking or cycling
- Plenty of seafood restaurants
- Much quieter than the city centre beaches
This is an ideal day trip if you’re just looking to spend some time on the beach without a long journey.
Benidorm
Tram from Alicante to Benidorm: Approx 80 minutes
Benidorm is one of those Marmite places, you either love it or you hate it!
I have to admit, it isn’t our favourite place, but it’s definitely somewhere you should visit at least once if you find yourself with time to explore the Costa Blanca.
Yes, it has the skyscrapers and a big nightlife scene, but it also has a really pretty old town and some nice wide, sandy beaches.
Why Benidorm is worth a visit:
- The Balcón del Mediterráneo viewpoint
- Two huge beaches (Levante and Poniente)
- Proper old town streets away from the high-rises
- It’s always lively, even in the middle of Winter.
You can easily spend a full day here without going anywhere near the party areas.
Take a look at Benidorm in more detail in our guide: Things to do in Benidorm
Calpe
Tram from Alicante to Calpe: Approx 2 hours 35 mins
Calpe is another beautiful beach town but a bit more dramatic, thanks to the Peñón de Ifach rising up from the sea. The beaches are fantastic and there is plenty to see when you combine the promenade and the old town.
It’s worth the longer tram journey if you want scenery, and the chance to see some flamingos up close!
Why you should visit Calpe:
- Beautiful beaches with mountain views
- Walk around the salt lagoons and spot flamingos
- Explore the old town
- Hike (or just admire) the Peñón de Ifach
It feels less intense than Benidorm but there is still plenty to do.
Best Train Day Trips from Alicante Without a Car
From the Alicante Terminal, you can catch regional trains inland and south, as well as the fast train going to cities like Madrid and Segovia.
Train tickets can be booked at Alicante station, however if you want to book in advance or find the best deals then we recommend booking line via Omio – this is the site we always use to ook train tickets.
Elche (Elx)
Train from Alicante to Elche: Approx 35 mins
Elche isn’t far from Alicante but it feels world away from the coast. It’s one of our favourite places to visit of a weekend, and we reguarly go for a peaceful walk through the park.
It’s home to Europe’s largest palm grove (a UNESCO World Heritage site), with several beautiful parks to wander through, as well as the old town streets.
Why it’s worth visiting:
- Shady palm gardens and parks
- A compact, walkable centre with lots of historical buildings
- The Basilica and main square
- Less touristy than coastal towns
If you’re looking to get away from the beaches and experience a real Spanish town, then Elche is an ideal day trip.
See what else there is to do in Elche in our guide: Things to do in Elche
Murcia
Train from Alicante to Murcia: 45 mins
Murcia is a bigger inland city with a more traditional Spanish feel than Alicante. There is so much history here, it’s a really beautiful city and much quieter than others.
Away from the coast you’ll find a cathedral, museums, plazas, shopping, and lots of restaurants and cafès.
Why Murcia is worth visiting:
- An impressive cathedral
- Plaza de las Flores for tapas
- Lots of history and culture
- Quieter than other cities
If you want a break from coastal scenery, Murcia is a great option.
Take a look at our guide to Murcia City here: Things to do in Murcia
Orihuela
Train from Alicante to Murcia: 35 mins
Orihuela is a quieter town and often overlooked as somewhere to visit within this region.
It has a historic centre, cathedral, shops, museums, a palm tree park and a much slower pace. You’re unlikely to hear much English here and most places still close for a siesta in the afternoon.
Why you should visit Orihuela.
- Authentic Spanish small-city feel
- River walk with views
- Historic buildings and museums
- Fewer tourists!
It’s ideal if you want somewhere that feels more “real Spain.” away from the tourist traps.
Best Bus Day Trips from Alicante Without a Car
If you’d rather stay a bit closer to Alicante or avoid longer train journeys, there are also some easy bus day trips that work really well for anyone without a car. Alicante bus station can be found at Muelle de Poniente 11, next to the Club Náutico.
Play de San juan
Bus from Alicante to Play san Juan: 30 mins
If you’re staying in central Alicante and just want a bigger beach than Postiguet, the bus to Playa de San Juan is easy and regular.
San Juan has lovely, wide sandy beaches with outdoor gyms and playparks, alongside a long and flat promenade flanked by restaurants, bars and cafés.
Why it’s worth it:
- Huge stretch of sand and clean, clear water
- More space than the central beaches
- Miami style lifeguard towers on the beach
- Great for families
It’s a perfect location for a simple beach day without having to go too far away from the city.
Santa Pola
Bus from Alicante to Santa Pola: 40 mins
Santa Pola is a working fishing town south of Alicante and well worth a visit. As well as lovely beaches, there is a very long promenade, busy marina with bars & restaurants, castle, and old town.
We reguarly visit Santa Pola for a stroll along the marina and through the old town up to the castle.
Why visit:
- Harbourfront restaurants
- Salt lakes nearby
- Boat departures to Tabarca
- Beautiful golden sandy beaches
You could also combine Santa Pola with a Tabarca boat trip (see below).
Read more about Santa Pola here: Things to do in Santa Pola
Novelda
Train from Alicante to Novelda: 45 mins
Novelda is smaller but has one of the most unusual churches in the area – the Santuario de Santa María Magdalena, often compared to Gaudí-style architecture.
You won’t find anything else like this on the Costa Blanca, so it’s defintely worth a visit – especially if you’re looking for places away from the coast.
Why Novelda is worth a visit:
- Unique hilltop church with great views
- Vineyards nearby
- Different from the typical beach day
It’s a nice change if you want something unexpected with some interesting history.
Find out more about Novelda here: Things to do in Novelda
Best Boat Trips from Alicante
Being on the coast, it would be a shame not to get out on the water at least once! there are some great boat trips you can take from Alicante, either for a full day out or for an afternoon adventure.
Tabarca Island
Tabarca Island is the only inhabited island in the region, and boats leave regularly from Alicante harbour, as well as Santa Pola.
If you have kids, they’ll enjoy the glass bottomed boat, or if you want to get there quicker you can take a water taxi.
Why a boat trip to Tabarca Island is worth doing:
- Clear water for snorkelling
- Small walled village and church
- Easy walking trails around the island
- Secluded beaches and coves away from the centre
It gets busy in peak summer, but outside of that it’s lovely and definitely worth a visit.
We recommend pre-booking your tickets to Tabarca as the queue can get very long, especially in busy months.
Find out more about Tabarca Island here: A day trip to Tabarca Island.
Coastal Catamaran Cruise
We’ve actually done this catamaran cruise from Alicante twice and have loved it both times!
You jump on board at Alicante Marina, and have a drink and some snacks as you sail along the coast. You’ll then have the opportunity to jump into the water for a swim, or just relax on board.
Why we love it:
- You see the coastline from a completely different angle
- A great way to cool down in the summer months
- The opportunity to swim in the sea
A lovely late afternoon/early evening adventure after a busy day sightseeing.
You will need to book your tickets in advance:
Coastal & Snorkelling Cruises
There are also daytime sailing trips and snorkelling excursions along the coast near Cabo de las Huertas and nearby.
If you don’t have a car to reach the smaller coves, this is a really good alternative. Plus, in the hottest months it’s the perfect way to stay cool and get away from the crowds.
You can find various stands along the port offering boatd trips, but you might want to book in advance to make sure you can get your trip booked.
Organised tours from Alicante (when public transport isn’t practical)
Some of the most beautiful spots inland are a bit tricky to visit without a car, and public transport often doesn’t go all the way there. That’s where organised tours are really useful and easy.
Guadalest
Guadalest is a tiny mountain village perched dramatically above a turquoise reservoir. The village is small but very picturesque and you will find some of the most amazing mountain views here.
It’s definitely one of the prettiest villages in Spain, and a must-visit if you’ve never been into the mountains on the Costa Blanca before.
Why you should visit Guadalest:
- Incredible views
- Castle ruins
- Small museums
- An adventure in the mountains
Tours to Guadalest often combine the trip with other locations which is ideal if you don’t have enough time to do multiple day trips during your stay. Make sure you book in advance as these trips are very popular.
Find out more about what there is to do in Guadalest here: Things to do in Guadalest
Algar Waterfalls
Fonts de l’Algar are natural pools and waterfalls inland, in the mountains behind Benidorm. They are absolutely stunning, and very refreshing in the hotter months!
Even if you don’t want to swim, it’s a beautiful place to walk around.
Why visit Fonts D’Algar
- Fresh water swimming (in season)
- Mountain scenery
- Cooler air in summer
The Algar Waterfalls are often combined with Guadalest on one tour.
Canelobre Caves
Canelobre Caves are huge caves over 150 million years old near Busot, with impressive stalactites and cathedral-like acoustics.
They’re a fascinating place to visit, and kids wil love exploring. There’s also a small museum next to the caves to learn more, plus amazing views out across the mountains.
Why the Canelobre Caves are worth visiting:
- Dramatic rock formations
- Short but interesting visit
- Easy half-day organised trip
- Includes a visit to the village of Busot
This is a really interesting day out and something a bit different from churches and museums. It’s also a great place to stay cool in the summer, or stay out of the rain in the wetter months!
You can book a trip that takes you into the village of Busot after you have visited the caves.
Between the tram along the coast, short regional trains, simple bus routes and organised inland tours, you can explore beaches, mountains, historic towns and even an island – all without needing a car.
If you’re unsure which trip to take, take a look at our Instagram for some inspiration or check out some of our itineraries for more places to visit on the Costa Blanca.
