A Perfect Weekend in Elche: What to Do, Eat & Where to Stay
Elche is one of our favourite nearby towns on the Costa Blanca, and while we’ve been for an afternoon out many times over the years, we had never spent an evening or whole weekend in Elche. Until last month, when we decided to spend a weekend in Elche for my birthday.
My birthday was the Sunday and I wanted to spend it with family, so we spent Friday and Saturday in Elche, before heading home on Sunday late afternoon. This meant that we needed somewhere for a child-free weekend away as our daughter had school on the Friday, so Elche was ideal for us – only 30 mins away and the grandparents could babysit!
A city full of palm trees and history, Elche is a less touristy destination than other Costa Blanca towns and cities such as Alicante or Benidorm, has retained a really Spanish feel, and has plenty of things to see and do.
If you’re looking for a weekend getaway on the Costa Blanca, read on to find out how we spent a weekend in Elche.
Why Visit Elche?
For anyone who has never visited (or maybe never heard of) Elche before, there are lots of reasons why this location should be on your list of places to visit on the Costa Blanca.
Few places on the Costa Blanca offer a weekend getaway that’s a bit off the beaten path, so Elche is a fantastic choice. This charming Spanish city is packed with palm trees (literally thousands of them!) thanks to its famous UNESCO-listed Palm Grove, giving the whole place a relaxed, almost tropical vibe. Elche is the kind of city where you can spend the morning wandering shady tropical gardens like the Huerto del Cura, then grab a long lunch at a sunny terrace café. Elche also has a rich history to explore, from the beautiful Basilica of Santa María to the iconic Lady of Elche sculpture. You’ll also find great food, friendly locals, and plenty of sunshine, making it the perfect weekend break.
What to Do in Elche: 2-Day Itinerary
If you’re looking for ideas of ways to spend your weekend in Elche, here’s what we did on our 2 day trip…
Day 1 in Elche
Parque Municipal de Elche
We arrived in Elche mid-morning and headed straight for the Parque Municipal in the centre of town. This beautiful and peaceful park is part of the Palmeral of Elche, a large palm grove that is also a UNESCO Heritage Site. The Palmeral of Elche contains over 2000,000 palm trees, making it the largest palm grove in Europe.
As well as many palm trees, cacti, fruit trees and other exotic plants, the park has lots of flat paths heading in all directions so you can fully explore the area. There’s a small kiosk selling drinks and ice creams, fountains, a children’s playpark, a visitor’s centre, and plenty of benches in the shade.
MAHE – Museu Arqueològic i d’Història d’Elx
After a walk around this park, we went to the MAHE, the Museum of Archaeology and History that is located right next door to the park. This is a really interesting museum where you’ll learn lots about the city and local area, see historic artefacts that have been found here over the years, and it leads into the Palacio de Altamira.
The Palacio de Altamira is a Moorish style fortress, with some amazing views from the top over the palm groves.
Lunch in the Plaza Santa Maria, Elche
By now we were getting quite hungry so we stopped at Basílica Brunch & Cocktails in the Plaza Santa Maria infront of the beautiful Basílica de Santa Maria.
The food here was great (we didn’t have cocktails but they looked good too!), we had a selection of tapas (croquetas, patatas bravas, salad, crispy chicken) and could have eaten a lot more!
Hotel Huerto de Cura
After a wander around the town scoping out restaurants for the evening, it was time to check into our hotel, and rest our feet a for a bit! We stayed in the absolutely beautiful Hotel Huerto de Cura, which is in such a tropical setting you could be fooled into thinking you were on a Caribbean Island!
You can find out more about this hotel below.
We checked in, found our room, and then headed out to sit on the sun loungers around the pool for a while.
Dinner in Plaza Glorieta
After a rest by the pool we got ready for dinner and walked from the hotel to Plaza Glorieta, which took around 10 minutes.
This square is surrounded by many restaurants, catering to all different tastes. We chose Tabuu Restaurante and had a lovely meal – both choosing burgers which were cooked perfectly.
We walked off our dinner, through the streets of Elche, before heading back to the hotel. However, if you’re a bit more of a party animal than we are you’ll find lots of bars in the centre of Elche to spend the evening.
Day 2 in Elche
Huerto del Cura
On our second day in Elche, we had a lovely buffet breakfast at the hotel before heading to the private garden Huerto del Cura which is located directly opposite the hotel.
This botanical garden is home to palm trees (of course, this is Elche!), fruit trees, cacti, succulents and tropical plants. You can walk down paths through the gardens, past ponds, over stepping stones, and past sculptures. It’s a very peaceful garden and definitely worth visit.
Walk through the Old Town
We spent the rest of our day in Elche walking through the Old Town, past the old convent museum of Santa Lucía and a quick visit to the small but interesting Arab Baths. We walked down to Santa Teresa bridge which looks over the river bed and palm groves.
Basílica de Santa Maria
Before lunch we climbed to the top of the Basílica de Santa Maria, up to the bell tower. From here you have some great overs over the centre of town and the palm groves. The Basílica is famous for being part of the setting for the representation of the Mystery Play of Elche – another UNESCO Heritage Site.
After climbing up to the bell tower, and back down again, we headed to the Plaça Eres de Sànta Llùcia next to the Arab baths for a drink and a snack in the sun before we went back home after a great weekend in Elche.
You can also find a list of more things to do in Elche here.
Where to Eat in Elche
If you’re looking for somewhere to eat in Elche, here are our recommendations:
Basílica Brunch & Cocktails – This is where we ate tapas for lunch and would highly recommend it, for brunch, lunch, dinner or cocktails.
Tabuu Restaurante – Where we ate dinner, and again would definitely recommend eating here. As well as the burgers we ate, they also serve tapas, steaks, paella and other delicious dishes.
You can find more restaurants in Elche here.
Don’t miss out on local specialities like dátiles rellenos (stuffed dates), arroz con costra (a baked rice dish with a golden egg crust), and Elche’s own version of tapas – often featuring fresh produce and dates.
Where to Stay in Elche
If you are searching for somewhere to stay in Elche, you must take a look at the Hotel Huerto del Cura. It’s within walking distance of all the main attractions in Elche, and is such a beautiful setting.
This hotel is located within the Palmeral de Elche, so you will be surrounded by palm trees wherever you are! The rooms are in small, one storey bungalows scattered around the tropical gardens so you never feel like you are in a busy hotel complex.
Within the gardens is a lovely outdoor swimming pool surrounded by sunbeds and a pool bar, a jacuzzi, sauna, spa, and a gym.
Chillout music is played by the pool, and you can grab a cocktail and snacks from the bar. There’s also free WiFi in case you need to check your emails, or post a few photos to Instagram!
The setting the best you’ll find in the area, the staff are very friendly, and you can park on site.
You can find out more and book your stay at Hotel Huerto del Cura here.
🌍 Planning Your Visit to Elche?
If you’re ready to starting booking your Elche holiday, these links may help…
- ✈️ Book cheap flights and hotels on Expedia
- 🚖 Prebook airport transfers with HolidayTaxis
- 🏨 Check Cartagena hotel reviews on TripAdvisor
- 🎟️ Reserve Cartagena tours on GetYourGuide
Getting to Elche and Getting Around
Getting to Elche is easy, whether you’re coming by plane, train, or car. The city is just a 20-minute drive from Alicante-Elche Airport, which has regular flights from major European cities. If you’re arriving by train, there are frequent connections from Alicante and Murcia, to the train station in the centre of Elche.
We drove to Elche and parked in the hotel we were staying at, but there are plenty of public carparks around the city centre, and you may even be lucky enough to find some parking in one of the side streets.
Getting around Elche is easy, whether you’re on foot, hopping on a bus, or taking a ride on the tourist train. The city center is compact and very pedestrian-friendly, making it perfect for leisurely walks through the old streets and tropical Palm Grove. Hop aboard Elche’s tourist train from outside the Tourist Information Centre, which will take you on a 40-minute tour with four stops at key attractions like the Municipal Park and the historic Palm Grove Path.
Tips for Visiting Elche
- Start Early to Beat the Heat – Elche can get very hot, especially in summer. Plan your walks through the palm groves or visits to outdoor sites in the morning or late afternoon when it’s cooler.
- Wear Comfy Shoes – You’ll likely do a lot of walking, especially around the historic center and the Huerto del Cura garden, so comfortable footwear is a must.
- Check Out the Tourist Train – It’s a relaxed and fun way to see the main sights if you’re short on time or just want to rest your feet. It also gives a nice overview of the city.
- Visit During a Festival – The Misteri d’Elx (Mystery Play of Elche) in August is a UNESCO-listed cultural event and a truly unique experience. Book ahead if you’re planning to visit then!
- Bring Sun Protection – Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat will go a long way if you’re exploring outdoors, especially during the summer.
- Brush Up on Some Spanish – While many people in hospitality speak some English, a few basic Spanish phrases will go a long way and are always appreciated, especially since Elche isn’t as touristy as places like Alicante.
- Stop by the Tourist Office – The Elche Tourist Office (in the city center) offers maps, walking routes, great local tips, and sometimes even free guided tours.
We loved our weekend in Elche, and it was lovely to see more of the city than we have done on previous afternoon trips. If you’re looking for a quieter Spanish city, with beautiful surroundings and lots of history and culture, then we’d highly recommend Elche.
Elche Travel FAQs: How to Get There, What to Do & Tips for Visiting
Elche is located in the province of Alicante, in the Valencian Community of southeastern Spain. It’s about 20 minutes from Alicante city and the Costa Blanca coast.
Elche is just a 20-minute drive from Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC). You can reach the city by taxi, rental car, or local bus.
Yes! Elche is home to a UNESCO-listed Palm Grove, historic landmarks, beautiful gardens, and authentic Spanish culture. It’s a great weekend destination off the beaten tourist path.
Popular things to do in Elche include visiting the Palm Grove, exploring the Huerto del Cura garden, seeing the Basilica of Santa María, and riding the tourist train.
No, you don’t need a car. Elche is very walkable, and there are local buses and a tourist train to help you get around.
The best time to visit Elche is in spring or early autumn when the weather is warm but not too hot. August is also popular for the Mystery Play festival.
Must-try local dishes include arroz con costra (rice with egg crust), dátiles rellenos (stuffed dates), and tapas made with fresh local ingredients.
Yes, Elche is family-friendly, with parks, a zoo (Rio Safari Elche), and kid-friendly attractions like the tourist train and public gardens.
Absolutely. Elche is less than 30 minutes from Alicante by car or train, making it a perfect day trip destination.
Planning a trip to Spain? Save this Elche itinerary or ask your questions in the comments!
