Best time: June to October

Alicante family holiday ideas for your next coastal break

Published 5 October 2026 · HolidayWow editors · Written with AI, numbers checked against our data ·

An Alicante family holiday works well around a central city base, with easy beach days, historic sights and flexible outings nearby. Children have sand, water and attractions to enjoy, while adults can shape each day around meals, walks and a relaxed pace. Choose warmer months for sea swimming or use the Bank Holiday planner to connect your break with leave days.

In Alicante, the best time for a trip is June to October, with daytime highs up to 33 °C and the sea up to 26 °C.

7 days in Alicante in September, Beach and hiking, from London Gatwick on your own

Plan a trip

Best time to go: June to October
Sea in August: 26 °C
Swim season, sea from 21 °C: June to October
Flight from London Gatwick, nonstop: about 2 h 15

Alicante at a glance

What’s the vibe?: Alicante gives families a useful mix of city convenience and coastal access. The centre places shops, restaurants, transport links and local sights within comfortable walking distance, while the beach provides an easy start to the day.
Best time to go: In Alicante, the best time for a trip is June to October, with daytime highs up to 33 °C and the sea up to 26 °C.
How to get there?: From London Gatwick, you can be in Alicante in about 2 h 15.

Why Alicante suits a family holiday

Alicante gives families a useful mix of city convenience and coastal access. The centre places shops, restaurants, transport links and local sights within comfortable walking distance, while the beach provides an easy start to the day. A family can choose between an active outing, time in the water and an afternoon beside the sand without changing hotels.

The weather shape of the year gives you clear choices. June offers daytime temperatures of 29 °C and sea temperatures of 22 °C, while July reaches 33 °C with a sea temperature of 25 °C. September remains warm at 28 °C, with a sea temperature of 25 °C, making it a practical choice for families who value comfortable walks between coastal activities.

Winter also has family appeal when you want city walks, food and a mild setting. January and December reach 15 °C by day, with nights of 5 °C and 7 °C respectively. These months suit visitors who prefer a change of surroundings and indoor activities, while the central base keeps everyday journeys straightforward.

Choose the right area for your family base

The city centre is a practical base for families who want short walks to restaurants, shops and transport. It also makes it straightforward to add a day at the beach or an excursion without rebuilding the entire journey. Staying near the centre gives children familiar routes and lets adults vary the evening according to the pace of the day.

The beach areas are a strong choice when swimming and sand play lead the holiday. A hotel close to the shoreline removes the need to carry beach gear far, and a gentle daily rhythm can revolve around breakfast, the beach, lunch and an optional evening outing. Choose a family room and confirm the practical details that matter, such as space for beds and storage.

A stay outside the immediate centre can suit a self-drive family or visitors who plan several coastal day trips. Consider how easily the children can manage transfers and where everyone will park. The Bank Holiday planner can help turn public holidays and leave days into a longer break, and the HolidayWow map can place the chosen base, stops and daily routes together.

Build a seven day itinerary with room to change

Start with a gentle arrival day. Check into the accommodation, let the family orient itself and visit the beach or take a short walk through the centre. Keep the first evening simple, with a nearby restaurant and enough time to settle into the holiday rhythm. A relaxed pace on arrival gives younger children space to recover from travelling.

Use the middle days for the attractions that hold your family's attention. One day can combine a historic visit with a meal in the old town, followed by a shaded rest. Another can focus on the beach and a swim. For a change of scenery, arrange an excursion while keeping the evening open for a family meal or a walk.

Leave room in the itinerary for a day that feels lighter. A pool morning, a local market visit or an afternoon with a snack can work well after busier sightseeing. HolidayWow lets you choose a relaxed, balanced or packed pace, then move stops between days and ask the plan checker to reorder the route after each change.

When this kind of trip works best in Alicante

For families the sweet spot is July, August and September, when days are warm without the hottest midday heat and the sea suits children. In July, for example, days reach 33 °C with 1 rain days.

Already started

Your trip in Alicante

28 °C by day in September
Sea 25 °C
from London Gatwick about 2 h 15

Day 1
Arrival in Alicante
Flight from London Gatwick in 2 h 15, direct. Settle in, first evening by the harbour or in the centre.
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Day 2
Playa Muchavista
Beach day: the sea is around 25 °C in September.
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Day 3
Urbanova Beach
Beach day: the sea is around 25 °C in September.
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Day 4
Playa Urbanova
Beach day: the sea is around 25 °C in September.
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Day 5
Playa De Muchavista, El Campello
Beach day: the sea is around 25 °C in September.
Day 6
Platja de Llevant
Beach day: the sea is around 25 °C in September.
Day 7
Last morning and flight home
One last coffee with a sea view, then back to London Gatwick.

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Weather and sea temperature in Alicante

The warmest month is July, with 33 °C by day and 21 °C at night. The sea reaches 26 °C in August. The sunniest month is July, with 12 hours of sun a day.

Climate by month
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec
Day °C	14	15	18	21	25	29	33	32	28	24	18	15
Night °C	5	6	8	10	13	18	21	21	18	15	9	7
Sea °C	15	14	15	16	18	22	25	26	25	22	19	16
Sun h/day	6	6	7	8	10	12	12	10	8	7	6	5
Rain days	5	4	7	7	5	3	1	3	7	7	6	5

Climate: NASA POWER 2006 to 2025, sea: NOAA OISST 1991 to 2020. Day and night are average highs and lows, sun in hours per day.

Weather in Alicante month by month

January14 °C15 °C
February15 °C14 °C
March18 °C15 °C
April21 °C16 °C
May25 °C18 °C
June29 °C22 °C
July33 °C25 °C
August32 °C26 °C
September28 °C25 °C
October24 °C22 °C
November18 °C19 °C
December15 °C16 °C

Alicante's climate month by month

The warmest month is July with 33 °C, the coolest January with 14 °C. July is the driest with 1 rain days and March the wettest with 7. June brings the most sun, around 12 hours daily.

Swimming season runs through July, August and September; the water tops out at 26 °C in August. Comfortable sightseeing weather, with highs between the low twenties and about thirty degrees, comes in April, May, June, September and October.

January: 14 °C, sea 15 °C, 5 rain days, 6 h of sun
February: 15 °C, sea 14 °C, 4 rain days, 6 h of sun
March: 18 °C, sea 15 °C, 7 rain days, 7 h of sun
April: 21 °C, sea 16 °C, 7 rain days, 8 h of sun
May: 25 °C, sea 18 °C, 5 rain days, 10 h of sun
June: 29 °C, sea 22 °C, 3 rain days, 12 h of sun
July: 33 °C, sea 25 °C, 1 rain day, 12 h of sun
August: 32 °C, sea 26 °C, 3 rain days, 10 h of sun
September: 28 °C, sea 25 °C, 7 rain days, 8 h of sun
October: 24 °C, sea 22 °C, 7 rain days, 7 h of sun
November: 18 °C, sea 19 °C, 6 rain days, 6 h of sun
December: 15 °C, sea 16 °C, 5 rain days, 5 h of sun

A day in Alicante in April

Begin with a long walk while the light is soft. Around midday it reaches 21 °C, ideal for the outdoor highlight of the day. By night it is 10 °C: a cosy restaurant suits the evening.

How far is Alicante?

Alicante lies {{dist.home:LHR}} from London Heathrow in a straight line. London Gatwick lies {{dist.home:LGW}} away. Manchester lies {{dist.home:MAN}} away.

The plan adds the ride to the airport, the flight with live fares from our partners, and the transfer to your first stay.

What to pack for Alicante

For April, plan for changeable mild weather: 21 °C in the day, 10 °C after dark, 7 days of rain. The packing list in your plan adjusts itself to the month and the days you pick.

Comfortable walking shoes
A warm layer for the evenings
A travel adapter for your chargers

Getting there

The quickest way is from London Gatwick: you're in Alicante in about 2 h 15 on a direct flight. Direct flights leave from 8 UK airports. The nearest airport is Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC), 6 miles away.

ALCAlicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport6 miles to the destination
RMURegion of Murcia International Airport51 miles to the destination

Flight times from UK airports
From	Flight time	To	Direct flight
London Gatwick LGW	about 2 h 15	ALC	Direct
Bristol BRS	about 2 h 18	ALC	Direct
London Luton LTN	about 2 h 21	ALC	Direct
London Stansted STN	about 2 h 21	ALC	Direct
Birmingham BHX	about 2 h 25	ALC	Direct
Manchester MAN	about 2 h 32	ALC	Direct
Edinburgh EDI	about 2 h 52	ALC	Direct
Glasgow GLA	about 2 h 52	ALC	Direct
London Heathrow LHR	about 2 h 18	ALC

Flight times estimated from the distance, direct routes from OpenTravelData.

Travel advice for Spain

ETIAS coming, visa-free for now

The current advice on safety, health and entry is published in full by GOV.UK Foreign travel advice. Check it before you book and again shortly before you leave.

Checked: 1 October 2026, source: European Commission (ETIAS)

Travel advice Entry: European Commission (ETIAS)

Live prices for Alicante

Stays, tours and flights for Alicante show their live price from our partners, in your currency, right below. We never estimate a price: what you see is what the partner charges today.

Keep children engaged through the seasons

Warm months are ideal for water activities and long periods outside. May brings 25 °C daytime temperatures and 18 °C sea temperatures, with 10 hours of sunshine. June adds 12 hours of sunshine and reaches 29 °C during the day. July and August suit families who want the warmest sea conditions, with sea temperatures of 25 °C and 26 °C respectively.

Spring and autumn offer a comfortable balance for walking and sightseeing. March has daytime temperatures of 18 °C, while April reaches 21 °C. October records 24 °C by day and 22 °C in the sea, so beach plans can still be part of the day. You can use the climate information to choose swimwear, shade and outdoor time according to the month you travel.

Rainy weather is part of Alicante's year, so plan activity variety rather than relying on a single beach day. A city museum, indoor attraction or longer meal gives the family somewhere to go when the weather changes. The packing list and checklist in the plan can reflect the month and climate, while the document vault keeps tickets and confirmations together with the holiday.

Plan arrival, documents and family logistics

You can begin with a sentence or use voice input to describe a family holiday in Alicante, the month you want to travel and the type of pace you prefer. The planner reads the destination, group, dates, budget and interests, then creates a map with daily routes, stops and travel legs. Add exact dates later when your flights and accommodation are ready.

HolidayWow shows live partner prices inside the plan, with booking links available in your language and currency. You can compare stays, tours and transport through the page, then use the trip budget and cost splitting features to organise a shared family view. The app is free to download and to plan with, so you can shape the holiday before making bookings.

The plan can be shared with one link, giving family members the chance to view, comment or vote according to their role. A side panel assistant understands the selected day or stop and can make changes through the same planning actions as the buttons. You can also connect a UK departure such as London Gatwick, where Alicante is 885 miles away, or London Heathrow at 907 miles.

Alicante: frequently asked questions

What is the best time for an Alicante family holiday?

May, June and September suit many families because outdoor days are warm and the sea is comfortable for swimming. July and August offer the warmest sea conditions, while March and April work well for sightseeing and a city break. Choose according to whether your family prioritises beach time, walking or a slower holiday pace.

Can Alicante work for a family holiday with young children?

Yes. Alicante combines a walkable centre with accessible beaches, restaurants and family activities. A relaxed itinerary with one or two main stops each day gives children time to swim, explore and rest. A central or beachside base can also reduce the effort involved in returning to the accommodation after an outing.

How many days should I spend in Alicante with kids?

Seven days gives a family enough time for the beach, the old town, a day trip and a slower day without repeating the same route. Three days works well for a short break with a clear focus. HolidayWow can organise either length and help you adjust the pace if the group wants more rest or additional activities.

Can I plan an Alicante holiday around UK bank holidays?

HolidayWow includes a Bank Holiday planner for the UK, using public holiday and leave day information to help form longer trips. You can describe a half-term, Easter or summer family break and add dates later. This makes it easier to connect school holidays with your available leave and organise the family itinerary.

Can the whole family share and edit an Alicante itinerary?

Yes. One link opens the same plan for the group, with roles for viewing and editing. Family members can comment, vote and help choose activities while the map keeps each day's route visible. The planner also includes a packing list, document vault, trip budget and cost splitting for shared holiday organisation.

Plan your holiday in Alicante

Describe your trip in one sentence. When, who with and what matters to you.