10-Night (11-Day) Stay Plan in Gran Alacant — Ready Itinerary 2026
Day by day: beaches, castles, islands and theme parks on the Costa Blanca
TL;DR — The Quick Answer
Gran Alacant is the perfect base for a 10-night (11-day) stay on the Costa Blanca — at the Brisa Alacant apartment (tourist rental, registry CV-VUT0522007-A; stays of up to 10 nights, no minimum). Plan: Day 1 (arrival + Mirador), Day 2 (Carabassi Beach — 5 min by car), Day 3 (Alicante: Old Town + Santa Bárbara Castle — free), Day 4 (Santa Pola: port, salt flats, beach — 7 min), Day 5 (Elche: UNESCO Palm Grove — 20 min), Day 6 (Clot de Galvany + Pola Park — 5–8 km), Day 7 (Tabarca — ferry from Santa Pola ~30 min, ~€15/person), Day 8 (Benidorm: Aqualandia/Terra Mítica/Mundomar — 55 min, tickets from €35), Day 9 (Altea + Villajoyosa — 50/35 min), Day 10 (Guadalest — 65 km, 1 h, entry €3), Day 11 (Sunday market if it falls on your final morning + check-out by 11:00). Estimated 11-day budget (2 ppl, excl. accommodation): ~€870–1,260. Most attractions are free. Car essential.
Gran Alacant is a modern urbanisation in the Santa Pola municipality, close to beaches, Alicante and Elche. It offers a quiet, family-friendly setting with full infrastructure: Mercadona and Consum supermarkets, a pharmacy, restaurants with menu del día from €10, and a weekly mercadillo. From Gran Alacant all the region’s top attractions are within easy reach — literally.
This plan was designed for guests of Brisa Alacant apartment who book a 10-night (11-day) stay. The apartment operates as a tourist rental (registry CV-VUT0522007-A) — stays of up to 10 nights, with no minimum length of stay. Each day is balanced — active sightseeing days alternate with relaxation on the beach or by the communal pool. The plan assumes you have a car (rented at ALC airport), which is the most convenient option on the Costa Blanca.
Day 1 — Arrival, check-in and first sunset
Arrival day at Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC). If you rent a car at the airport, plan a calm drive to Gran Alacant via the N-332 southbound and check current traffic before collecting the keys.
Practical check-in information
Check-in at Brisa Alacant apartment is from 16:00. If you arrive earlier, use the time for shopping at Mercadona (on the main access road, open Mon–Sat 9:00–21:30) or Consum at Centro Comercial Gran Alacant. Buy basics for the first few days — bottled water (€0.30/1.5 L), fresh bread, fruit and vegetables.
After check-in take a walk around the neighbourhood — find the shared community pool, nearby shops and restaurant areas. For sunset, drive to the Gran Alacant viewpoint, which we cover in a dedicated mirador guide.
Day 2 — Full day at Carabassi Beach
Day two is pure relaxation at Carabassi Beach — one of the most beautiful wild beaches on the Costa Blanca. From Gran Alacant it is about a 5-minute drive (3 km). Playa del Carabassí is a seven-kilometre beach with natural dunes, turquoise water and fine sand. It holds a Blue Flag certificate (confirming water cleanliness and service quality).
What to bring to Carabassi?
- • SPF 50+ sunscreen — no natural shade on the dunes
- • Water and snacks — no bars on the beach (that is its charm)
- • Umbrella or beach tent
- • Snorkeling mask — crystal-clear water and fish
- • Beach equipment from Brisa Alacant apartment (umbrella, loungers)
Free parking at the main entrance. Lifeguards on duty July–August. The apartment provides kids toys and beach equipment — have you asked about them yet? For lunch return to Gran Alacant or eat at Bar Noray near Centro Comercial (tostada with jamón ibérico €3.50, café con leche €1.60).
Day 3 — Alicante: Old Town, Santa Bárbara Castle and Explanada
Day three is for exploring the provincial capital — Alicante. From Gran Alacant it is about a 20–25 minute drive (17 km) via the N-332 or AP-7. Parking in central Alicante is paid — €1.50–2.50/h, we recommend the underground car park at Explanada de España.
Morning route
Barrio de Santa Cruz — Alicante’s oldest district with white houses and colourful flower pots. Ermita de Santa Cruz (16th c.) with panoramic city views. Basilica of Santa Maria (14th c.) and San Nicolas Cathedral (17th c.) — free entry.
Afternoon programme
Santa Bárbara Castle on Mount Benacantil (166 m a.s.l.) — one of the largest medieval castles in Europe. Free entry all year round. Lift from Postiguet beach: €3 return. MUSA museum inside the castle.
In the evening stroll along Explanada de España — a 500-metre boulevard paved with 6 million marble tiles in three colours. We recommend ice cream (from €2.50) and dinner around the port. ⚠️ TRAM does not reach Gran Alacant — return by car.
Day 4 — Santa Pola: port, salt flats, aquarium and beach
Santa Pola is a fishing town just 5 km from Gran Alacant (7 minutes by car). It has a port with ferries to Tabarca (which you will take on Day 7), salt flats producing famous sea salt, and a sea aquarium.
Day plan in Santa Pola
- Morning: walk around the fishing port — watch the trawlers return from the night catch. Fresh fish straight from the boat.
- Mid-morning: salt flats (salinas) — pink salt lakes, flamingos and other birds. Free walk along nature paths.
- Afternoon: Santa Pola beach — full infrastructure: lifeguards, showers, chiringuitos (beach bars). Loungers from €5/day.
- Evening: seafood dinner at the port — paella marinera or arroz a banda.
Getting there: 7 min by car. Alternatively ALSA bus Alicante → Santa Pola (~€3.15, 30 min), then a short transfer. But a car is far more convenient.
Day 5 — Elche: UNESCO Palm Grove
Elche is a historic city just 18 km from Gran Alacant (20 minutes by car). The main attraction is Parque Municipal — the largest palm grove in Europe, listed by UNESCO. Over 200,000 palms of various species.
What to see in Elche?
- • Parque Municipal — free, open all day. Palm-lined avenues, huertos (palm orchards).
- • Huerto del Cura — paid garden (approx. €6), the most beautiful part of the palm grove.
- • Basilica of Santa Maria — Baroque facade, free entry.
- • Altamira Castle — medieval castle in the city centre.
For lunch we recommend menu del día in central Elche (~€10–12). Return to Gran Alacant in the afternoon — time to relax by the pool before dinner.
Day 6 — Clot de Galvany nature reserve and Pola Park
Day six combines nature and fun. In the morning head to Clot de Galvany reserve — just 1 km from Gran Alacant (5 minutes by car). This is a free nature reserve covering 366 hectares with lagoons, birds (170+ species), dunes and walking trails (2–5 km).
Afternoon at Pola Park
Pola Park Santa Pola is a family amusement park just 8 km from Gran Alacant (10 minutes by car). 25 attractions, shows, online ticket from €9.99. Open March to November. Ideal for children and adults — from carousels to roller coasters.
Evening: a quiet dinner in the apartment or a local restaurant in Gran Alacant. Check current opening hours before you rely on a specific venue, because season and weekday can change the plan.
Day 7 — Tabarca Island: snorkeling and caldero
Day seven is a sea adventure to Tabarca Island — the only inhabited island in Alicante province. Ferry from Santa Pola port (30 minutes, approx. €15/person return). The crossing passes through the Marine Reserve — water in several shades of turquoise.
Day plan on Tabarca
- • 10:00 — ferry from Santa Pola (online booking recommended)
- • 10:30 — walk around the village: 18th-century defensive walls, church, museum
- • 12:00 — snorkeling in crystal-clear water (bring your own mask)
- • 14:00 — lunch: caldero (traditional fish stew) from ~€15/person
- • 16:00 — beach time on the wild part of the island
- • 18:00 — return ferry to Santa Pola
Plan 4–5 hours on the island. Bring SPF sunscreen, towel, snorkeling mask and water shoes. Buy tickets in advance, especially in summer.
Day 8 — Benidorm: theme park or beach
Day eight is a full-day trip to Benidorm — 55 minutes by car (62 km) via the AP-7. Benidorm has several theme parks — choose one depending on your preferences:
Aqualandia — water park
Europe’s tallest water slide ("Verti-Go"). Ticket from ~€35. Full day of water fun. June–September.
Terra Mítica — theme park
4 zones inspired by ancient civilisations. Roller coasters, live shows. Ticket from ~€39.
Mundomar — marine park
Dolphin shows, sea lions, exotic birds. Ticket from ~€35. 3–4 hour visit.
Terra Natura — zoo + Aqua Natura
Zooimmersion — animals without visible barriers. Ticket €38, combo with Aqua Natura €58.
Parking at the parks: approx. €5/day. It is worth buying tickets online in advance. Alternative: a day on Benidorm beach (Playa de Levante or Playa de Poniente) with a view of the skyscrapers.
Day 9 — Altea and Villajoyosa: white houses and chocolate
Day nine is an artistic and culinary trip. Altea is a picturesque town 50 km from Gran Alacant (approx. 45 minutes by car). White houses, narrow streets, a church with a blue dome — reminiscent of Greek islands.
Villajoyosa: colourful houses and chocolate
Villajoyosa (La Vila Joiosa) is a fishing town 35 km from Gran Alacant (30 min). Famous for its rainbow houses along the seafront. Valor Chocolate Museum — free factory tour with tasting, 30 km from Gran Alacant.
Combine both towns in one route: morning Altea (walk, coffee with a view), then Villajoyosa (colourful houses, beach, chocolate). Return to Gran Alacant for an evening sunset.
Day 10 — Guadalest: village in the clouds
Day ten is a mountain adventure. Guadalest is a picturesque village in the Sierra de Aitana, 65 km from Alicante (approx. 1 hour by car). Just 200 people live here, yet over 2 million tourists visit annually.
What to see in Guadalest?
- • San José Castle (11th c.) on the cliff top — entry €3
- • Rock tunnel — the only entrance to the village
- • Turquoise lake Embalse de Guadalest with a viewpoint
- • 8 unique museums (miniatures, mechanical music, salt)
- • Fonts de l'Algar (optional) — waterfalls, entry €8
Plan a full day. Parking at the bottom of the village: €3–4. On the way stop at the white village of Altea (if you skipped it on Day 9) or at Benidorm for a panoramic view from Balcón del Mediterráneo.
Day 11 — Final shopping and check-out
Departure day. Check-out from Brisa Alacant apartment is by 11:00. If your final morning falls on a Sunday, squeeze in an early visit to the mercadillo — the traditional street market in the centre of Gran Alacant (near the Commercial Centre, every Sunday 8:00–14:00, 40–60 stalls) with fresh fruit, olives, cheese, ceramics and local souvenirs. Otherwise, organise your things and pack your souvenirs (such as olive oil and local wines) purchased earlier at the market or the nearby Mercadona.
Departure day schedule
- • 8:00–9:30 — final breakfast on the apartment terrace (or a quick early mercadillo run on Sundays)
- • 9:30–11:00 — packing and check-out from the apartment by 11:00
- • 11:00–12:00 — refuel the car and leave for Alicante-Elche airport with time for traffic and car return
- • Note: If your return flight is in the evening, you can use the public luggage storage service (consigna de equipajes) at Alicante-Elche airport to enjoy sightseeing before boarding.
Optional extension — for travellers moving on
The Brisa Alacant apartment operates as a tourist rental (registry CV-VUT0522007-A) — a stay by the same guest can last up to 10 nights, with no minimum length of stay. If your Costa Blanca trip continues beyond that, treat this plan as your first 10 nights and add an extra slow day from your next base: a Sunday-morning mercadillo, a final relaxing afternoon on Carabassi Beach, or a second Alicante visit.
How to use this itinerary without overloading the stay
This plan works best as a structure, not as a checklist that must be completed at any cost. Days 2, 6 and 11 are intentionally lighter: they leave room for Carabassi Beach, the shared community pool, groceries, laundry, a slower lunch or a weather change after a more demanding trip. With ten nights, the worst pattern is driving far every single day, because then Gran Alacant becomes only a place to sleep instead of a practical base.
The most resilient order is simple: settle into the neighbourhood first, visit Alicante next, use Santa Pola and Elche as shorter mid-plan trips, and keep Tabarca, Benidorm, Altea, Villajoyosa and Guadalest for the second half. That gives the first days a logistical purpose. You learn where to buy water, how the Carabassi drive feels, how long it takes to leave in the morning, and when it is worth returning before dinner.
If you travel with children
Avoid placing two intensive days back to back. After Alicante, keep Santa Pola as the simpler recovery day. After Tabarca, choose a slower morning before any longer drive. The apartment has kids toys and beach equipment, so part of the plan can move to Carabassi Beach or the shared community pool without creating another organised outing.
If you prefer slower travel
Replace Benidorm with a second Alicante day, or save Guadalest for another stay. The eleven-day plan still covers the essentials: beach, city, port, nature, island and Costa Blanca towns, but it feels less compressed and leaves more time for unplanned local routines.
Always check current opening times, prices and booking rules at the linked source before you commit to ferries, parks or seasonal places. This article gives the sequence and the right balance of the stay; operational details can change faster than the geography. For deeper planning, continue into the dedicated guides to Carabassi Beach, Clot de Galvany, Tabarca Island and Guadalest.
Mini checklist before you travel
Pack comfortable shoes for Alicante and Guadalest, beach clothing, a hat, high-SPF sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, a power bank, a light layer for evenings and your own snorkeling accessories if you plan Tabarca. From the apartment, use only the owner-confirmed beach equipment: umbrella and loungers.
Before each day, check three things only: weather, current travel plan and the live opening rules for the main place of the day. You do not need a perfect spreadsheet. You need one main plan and one easier substitute, such as Santa Pola instead of Tabarca, Alicante instead of Benidorm, or Carabassi instead of a longer drive.
Summary: 11 days in numbers
| Day | Attraction | Travel from Gran Alacant | Estimated cost (2 ppl) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival, neighbourhood, Mirador | Airport ALC → car pickup and drive | Free |
| 2 | Carabassi Beach | 3 km → 5 min | Free |
| 3 | Alicante (Old Town, Castle) | 17 km → 20–25 min | ~€6 (lift) |
| 4 | Santa Pola (port, salt flats) | 5 km → 7 min | Free |
| 5 | Elche (UNESCO Palm Grove) | 18 km → 20 min | ~€12 (Huerto del Cura) |
| 6 | Clot de Galvany + Pola Park | 1–8 km → 5–10 min | ~€20 (Pola Park) |
| 7 | Tabarca Island (ferry) | Ferry Santa Pola → 30 min | ~€60 (ferry + lunch) |
| 8 | Benidorm (theme park) | 62 km → 55 min | ~€70–120 (tickets) |
| 9 | Altea + Villajoyosa | 35–50 km → 30–45 min | Free |
| 10 | Guadalest | 65 km → ~1 h | ~€6 (castle + parking) |
| 11 | Mercadillo, check-out | Walk around the area | Free |
Prices are indicative and subject to change. Please check current ticket prices before visiting.
Frequently asked questions
Is 10 nights (11 days) enough to explore Gran Alacant and the surrounding area?
Do I need a car for a 10-night (11-day) stay?
How much does this 11-day itinerary cost?
Which days are best for beach time?
Is this plan suitable for families with children?
Planning a stay of up to 10 nights in Gran Alacant?
Brisa Alacant is a comfortable apartment with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a shared community pool and beach equipment. Plan your airport car pickup and use the owner-confirmed Carabassi Beach access: 5 minutes by car. The perfect base for discovering the Costa Blanca.
Check apartment availability →
Rafał Prońko
Owner of Brisa Alacant
Owner of the Brisa Alacant apartment since 2023, I regularly visit Costa Blanca and know the region from personal experience. All the places described on this blog I have visited myself — photos and tips come from my own visits. I help guests discover the best attractions in the Alicante region.
This guide combines official sources linked below with owner-confirmed apartment details.
Sources & References
- Gran Alacant Guide — Bus Times(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- Aeropuerto de Alicante-Elche — Official airport website(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- Ayuntamiento de Alicante — Tourism(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- Turismo Santa Pola(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- Visit Elche — Palm Grove UNESCO(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- Pola Park Santa Pola(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- Aqualandia Benidorm(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- Terra Mítica Benidorm(accessed: 2026-05-19)
Read also
Gran Alacant 2026: Complete Long-Stay Guide
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BeachesCarabassi Beach 2026: Complete Guide
Everything about Carabassi Beach: directions, nudist zone, snorkeling spots, parking and nearby restaurants.
LandmarksWhat to See in Alicante in 3 Days: Itinerary 2026
Perfect 3-day sightseeing plan: Old Town, Santa Barbara Castle, Mercado Central, Tabarca.
NatureClot de Galvany: Nature Reserve Near Gran Alacant
366 hectares of wild nature, 170+ bird species, dunes and tranquility — just 1 km from Brisa Alacant.
Remote WorkDigital Nomad Gran Alacant — Remote Work Guide 2026
Internet, coworking, cafes, time zones and visa — complete remote-work guide.
GuidesGran Alacant area guide
Cluster pillar for the area, beaches, Santa Pola and local guides.
Practical TipsBrisa Alacant apartment
Complete the stay plan on the apartment offer page.
Ready for a calm week (or longer)?
Calendar, prices, terms and FAQ are on the apartment page. Everything included (cleaning, Wi-Fi, electricity, water).