Book Flights to Alicante, Spain
Alicante is the sun-drenched capital of the Costa Blanca — Spain's most celebrated Mediterranean coastline and one of Europe's top leisure destinations. With over 320 days of sunshine per year, stunning Moorish castle views, vibrant tapas culture, and direct access to world-class beaches, Alicante draws millions of visitors annually from across the UK, Northern Europe, and beyond.
Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC) is one of Spain's busiest airports, served by Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, British Airways, and Vueling with direct routes from across the UK and Europe. FareOptic compares all available airlines and fares in real time so you can book the lowest price for your trip to Alicante.
Cheap Flight Deals to Alicante
*All above fares are one way/round trip. Fares incl. all fuel surcharges, taxes & fees and our service fees. Displayed fares are subject to change and cannot be guaranteed at the time of booking. See all booking terms and conditions.
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Why Visit Alicante, Spain?
Alicante offers the ideal Mediterranean combination of a working Spanish city with genuine local culture — tapas bars, morning markets, historic streets — alongside outstanding beaches, a famous nightlife scene, and easy access to the entire Costa Blanca.
Santa Barbara Castle (Castillo de Santa Barbara)
Iconic LandmarkPerched 166 meters above sea level on Mount Benacantil, Santa Barbara Castle is Alicante's most iconic sight — a Moorish fortress dating to the 9th century with panoramic views of the city, the Mediterranean coastline, and the Costa Blanca. The castle is accessible by lift (elevator) from the beach tunnel or by hiking trail. Entry to the castle grounds is free.
Best Time to Visit
Early morning or late afternoon for the best light and fewest crowds; sunset views are spectacular
Postiguet Beach (Playa del Postiguet)
City BeachPostiguet Beach is Alicante's main urban beach — a Blue Flag-certified sandy beach in the heart of the city, directly below Santa Barbara Castle. Calm Mediterranean waters, excellent beach bars (known as chiringuitos), and a lively promenade make Postiguet the city's social hub from May through October.
Best Amenities
Sunbed rentals, beach bars, water sports hire, and lifeguard service May through October
Old Town Alicante (El Barrio)
History and NightlifeAlicante's old town — known as El Barrio — clusters around the base of Santa Barbara Castle and is packed with restaurants, tapas bars, wine bars, and traditional Spanish architecture. Calle Mayor and Plaza del Carmen come alive in the evenings with locals and visitors enjoying the Spanish tradition of long, late dinners and socializing.
Best Experience
An evening tapas crawl through El Barrio — order local rice dishes, grilled octopus, and local red wines
Alicante's Explanada de Espana
PromenadeThe Explanada de Espana is Alicante's famous waterfront promenade — a mosaic-tiled boulevard lined with palm trees, outdoor cafes, and street performers running along the city's marina. The distinctive wave-patterned mosaic uses over 6.5 million marble tiles. The promenade connects the city centre to the port and is the heart of Alicante's social life.
Best For
Evening walks, outdoor dining, marina views, and the start of the Spanish evening social hour
Costa Blanca Beaches Day Trips
Beach ExplorationAlicante serves as the gateway to the Costa Blanca — one of Europe's most celebrated coastlines. Day trips from ALC reach Benidorm's crowded resort beaches (45 minutes north), the stunning white village of Altea (50 minutes), the dramatic Penyal d'Ifac limestone rock at Calpe (60 minutes), and the quieter coves of Javea and Denia.
Best Day Trip
Calpe: dramatic coastal scenery and excellent seafood restaurants at the base of Penyal d'Ifac
Alicante Food and Wine Culture
Culinary ExperienceAlicante province produces some of Spain's most distinctive food and wine — including Fondillon wine (a rare oxidative wine unique to Alicante, aged for 10+ years), Turrón (a traditional almond-and-honey confection made in Jijona), and the outstanding rice dishes of the Alicante region including Arros a Banda (seafood rice cooked in fish broth). The Alicante Central Market (Mercado Central) is the best place to discover local specialties.
Must-Try
Arros a banda at a port-front restaurant and a glass of cold-served Moscatel wine from the Marina Alta DO
How to Find Cheap Flights to Alicante
Alicante Is Europe's Budget Airline Hub — Use It
Alicante (ALC) is one of Europe's most competitive airports for budget airline routes — Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, and Vueling all compete aggressively on ALC routes. This means fares drop frequently and last-minute availability is often excellent. FareOptic surfaces all available fares simultaneously so you can compare across all carriers.
Book UK-to-ALC Flights 6–10 Weeks Ahead
The UK-Spain corridor is Europe's busiest leisure aviation market. The sweet spot for cheap Alicante fares from UK airports is 6–10 weeks before departure — early enough that airlines are filling planes at promotional prices, late enough that they have released their full inventory of discounted seats.
Consider Murcia or Valencia for Even Cheaper Fares
Two alternative airports serve the region: Murcia International (RMU, 80 km south) and Valencia (VLC, 170 km north). If ALC fares are high on your travel dates, check RMU and VLC — they often have lower fares with Ryanair, and the additional journey time may be worth the saving.
Travel April to June or September to October for Best Value
Alicante's shoulder season (April–June and September–October) offers warm sunny weather (22–28°C / 72–82°F), uncrowded beaches, and significantly lower accommodation and airfare costs than July and August. The Costa Blanca in September is as warm as peak summer with far fewer tourists.
Airlines Flying to Alicante (ALC)
Ryanair
Most Routes, Lowest FaresRyanair operates the highest number of routes to Alicante (ALC) from across Europe — including the UK, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, Poland, and Scandinavia. Base fares are among the lowest available but add-ons (bags, seats, check-in) increase the total cost. Compare carefully against bundled fares.
Key Routes
London Stansted, Dublin, Manchester, Brussels Charleroi, Frankfurt Hahn, Berlin, Warsaw, Stockholm, Oslo
easyJet
Strong UK/European NetworkeasyJet operates frequent services to Alicante from major UK airports — Gatwick, Bristol, Edinburgh, Belfast, and more. easyJet's bundled fare options (including cabin bags) can represent better total value than Ryanair for travelers who need a bag.
Key Routes
London Gatwick, Bristol, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Amsterdam, Geneva, Berlin, Basel
British Airways
Premium OptionBritish Airways serves Alicante from London Heathrow with connections available from hundreds of US cities via its American Airlines codeshare partnership. A premium option offering included bags, flexible booking, and Avios miles earning on all ALC flights.
Key Routes
London Heathrow (LHR) — US connections via American Airlines
Jet2
UK Package Holiday CarrierJet2 serves Alicante from a wide range of UK regional airports with package holiday and scheduled services. Strong option for travelers departing from northern England and Scotland airports not well-served by Ryanair or easyJet.
Key Routes
Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester, East Midlands
Vueling
Spanish Low-Cost OptionVueling (an Iberia Group airline) operates competitive fares to Alicante from Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, and other European cities. A strong option for European travelers and for connecting itineraries through Barcelona (BCN).
Key Routes
Barcelona, Paris Orly, Rome, Amsterdam, Brussels
Things to Do in Alicante, Spain
Important Information Before You Fly to Alicante
Currency
Euro (€) — Spain is part of the Eurozone
Language
Spanish (Valencian also spoken); English widely spoken in tourist areas
Time Zone
CET (UTC+1) / CEST (UTC+2) summer
Country Code
+34 (Spain)
Airport Code
ALC — Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernandez Airport
US Visa Required
No — 90-day Schengen visa-free entry for US passport holders
Power Plugs
Type C/F — 230V / 50Hz
Emergency Number
112 (EU standard)
Most Popular Airlines
Best Airlines for Domestic & International Routes
Frequently Asked Questions on Travel to Alicante
Everything you need to know about booking cheap flights to Alicante, Spain
How do I find cheap flights to Alicante?
Compare Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, and Vueling on FareOptic. Book 6–10 weeks ahead for UK departures and mid-week for the lowest fares. Also check nearby airports Murcia (RMU) and Valencia (VLC) — they are often cheaper and within a 1–2 hour drive of Alicante.
What is the main airport in Alicante?
Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernandez Airport (IATA: ALC) is located approximately 12 km southwest of Alicante city centre. It is one of Spain's busiest airports, serving over 14 million passengers annually, with direct flights from across the UK and Europe.
Which airlines fly to Alicante from the UK?
UK airlines serving Alicante (ALC) include Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, British Airways, TUI, and Wizz Air. Ryanair and easyJet have the widest range of departure airports across the UK. Book via FareOptic to compare all carriers and find the lowest available fare.
How long is the flight from the UK to Alicante?
Flights from London airports to Alicante take approximately 2.5–3 hours. From Manchester: approximately 2.75 hours. From Edinburgh or Glasgow: approximately 3 hours. From Dublin: approximately 2.75 hours. All are direct nonstop services.
What is the best time to visit Alicante, Spain?
The best months to visit Alicante are May–June and September–October — warm Mediterranean sunshine (22–28°C / 72–82°F), calm seas for swimming, and significantly lower airfares and accommodation prices than July and August. July and August are the hottest and most crowded months.
Do US citizens need a visa to visit Alicante, Spain?
No. US citizens can visit Spain (and all Schengen Area countries) for up to 90 days without a visa for tourism or business. A valid US passport is required. Note: from, the EU's ETIAS system requires a pre-travel online authorization for US travelers — apply in advance at the ETIAS official website.
What currency is used in Alicante?
Euro (€). Spain is part of the Eurozone — all prices are in euros. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, and shops. ATMs are available throughout Alicante city centre and at the airport. Tipping is not mandatory but rounding up the bill is appreciated at restaurants.
How do I get from Alicante Airport to the city centre?
The TRAM (Line C-1) connects Alicante Airport directly to the city centre — journey time approximately 25 minutes, fare approximately €3.85. Taxis are available outside arrivals at approximately €15–€20 to the city centre. Ride-sharing via Uber and Cabify also operates at ALC.
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