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Alicante Explanada de España promenade with palm trees and tourists on a sunny dayAI · Illustration
Travel Planning26 April 2026 • 10 min read

Alicante Travel Budget 2026 — How Much to Spend on Holiday?

Real costs for accommodation, food, transport and attractions — with a comparison to Mallorca and Tenerife

Alicante's Explanada de España promenade with palm trees and outdoor cafes

TL;DR — The Quick Answer

Alicante is one of the cheapest Mediterranean coastal destinations in Western Europe — 17% cheaper than Mallorca (Expatistan, April 2026). 3-star hotel: €76–164/night (off-season vs. July-August). Set lunch menu: €12–17. TRAM ticket: €1.45. Daily budget: €30 (backpacker), €70–100 (standard), €190+ (comfortable).

Rafał Prońko - host of Brisa Alacant

By:Rafał Prońko — Host of Brisa Alacant in Gran Alacant on the Costa Blanca.

Alicante consistently appears in rankings of the cheapest seaside holiday destinations in Europe. According to Expatistan data from April 2026, the city is 17% cheaper than Palma de Mallorca — with comparable weather and equally beautiful beaches. The real answer to "how much does a week in Alicante cost?" depends mainly on when you travel.

Accommodation Costs in Alicante 2026

A 3-star hotel in Alicante averages €76–85 per night off-season (January-March, November) and €155–164 in peak season — July and August (BudgetYourTrip, 2026). The most expensive month is July, with an average of €228 per night for a 3-star room (Skyscanner). The cheapest is March, from €104 per night.

Accommodation typeOff-seasonJuly–August
Hostel dorm bed€13–17€25–35
Budget hotel 2-star€40–60€80–110
3-star hotel (mid-range)€76–104€155–228
4–5 star hotel€120–160€250–400
Apartment (Airbnb)€60–90€120–241

For excellent value, consider a rental apartment in Gran Alacant — a calm coastal neighbourhood 10 km from the city centre. See our complete Gran Alacant guide for beaches, transport and local tips. For a detailed month-by-month cost breakdown, read our cost of living in Gran Alacant 2026. Apartments at Brisa Alacant offer a great base for exploring the Costa Blanca at prices often lower than a city-centre 3-star hotel.

Food and Restaurant Costs in Alicante

The menú del día — a traditional Spanish set lunch (starter + main + dessert + drink) — costs €12–17 in Alicante (TodoAlicante). It's one of the best ways to eat well on a budget in Spain: three courses in a proper restaurant for a fraction of the à la carte price. A dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant costs around €50 (Numbeo, April 2026).

  • Set lunch menu (3 courses + drink): €12–17
  • Meal at a cheap restaurant (1 person): ~€15
  • Dinner for 2 at mid-range restaurant: ~€50
  • Tapas plate + beer: €4–8
  • Cappuccino: €1.89
  • Local beer 0.5L: €3.00
  • Bottled water 1.5L (supermarket): €0.58–0.65

Transport Costs in Alicante

Public transport in Alicante is among the cheapest in Spain. A single TRAM ticket (zone 1) costs €1.45, and a Bono 10 (10-trip card) is just €5.25 (TRAM d'Alacant) — saving over 60% vs. single tickets. Note: TRAM serves routes north of the city centre (El Campello, Benidorm). Gran Alacant, south of the airport, is served by Vectalia buses only. For a full breakdown of routes, timetables and connections, see our complete guide to public transport in Alicante.

  • TRAM single ticket (zone 1): €1.45
  • TRAM Bono 10: €5.25 (€0.52 per trip)
  • Bus C-6 from airport ALC to city centre: €4.85
  • Taxi from ALC airport to city centre: ~€23–25 (fixed rate €19–21 + €4.25 airport surcharge)
  • Car hire: from €25/day (March, off-season), avg ~€85/day in peak season
  • Electric bike hire: from €15/day

Attractions — Ticket Prices 2026

Alicante is unusually generous to budget travellers. Santa Bárbara Castle — the city's landmark — has free entry on foot (official castle website); only the lift costs €2.70. MARQ, the Provincial Archaeological Museum of Alicante, charges just €3 — and it's free on Sundays (MARQ).

  • Santa Bárbara Castle: free (lift €2.70, family pack 2+3 = €12)
  • MARQ Archaeological Museum: €3 (free Sundays)
  • Explanada de España, Barrio Santa Cruz, beach: free
  • Terra Mítica Benidorm: €37–41 (online/gate)
  • Aqualandia Benidorm: €35–37
  • Tabarca Island boat trip: ~€15–20 return

Daily Budget — 3 Scenarios

€30–50/day
Backpacker
  • • Hostel dorm: €17
  • • 2× set lunch: €14–17
  • • TRAM: €1–3
  • • Free attractions
  • • Coffee, snacks: €5
€70–100/day
Standard (mid-range)
  • • 3-star hotel (half cost): €40–80
  • • Lunch menu + dinner: €25–35
  • • Transport: €3–6
  • • 1 paid attraction: €3–15
  • • Drinks, coffees: €8–10
€150–190/day
Comfortable
  • • 4-star hotel (half cost): €80–120
  • • Lunch + dinner: €40–55
  • • Taxi/Uber: €10–20
  • • Attractions (parks): €20–40
  • • Shopping, extras: €20–30

Alicante vs. Mallorca vs. Tenerife — Which is Cheaper?

Alicante is 17% cheaper than Palma de Mallorca according to the Expatistan cost of living index (April 2026). Accommodation costs 36% less in Alicante than in Palma. For a one-week spring holiday for 2 people:

Destination7 nights 3-starFood 7 daysTransport + attractionsTotal (2 people)
Alicante (spring)€420–615€280–350€70–100€770–1,065
Tenerife (south)€700–1,000€350–490€150–200€1,200–1,690
Mallorca (Palma)€630–980€420–560€150–200€1,200–1,740

Sources: BudgetYourTrip, Expatistan, GuideToCanaryIslands — data April 2026

10 Tips to Save Money in Alicante

  1. 1Visit in May or September — warm weather (25–28°C), sea swimmable, hotels up to 40% cheaper than July.
  2. 2Buy a Bono 10 card — €5.25 for 10 trips instead of €14.50 for 10 singles. Over 60% savings.
  3. 3Eat the menú del día at lunch — 3 courses with drink for €12–17. À la carte equivalents cost €25–35.
  4. 4Walk up to the castle for free — Santa Bárbara Castle entry on foot is free. The lift costs €2.70. Same view.
  5. 5Take bus C-6 from the airport — €4.85 vs €23–25 taxi. Saves €20 from the very first minute of your holiday.
  6. 6Shop at Mercadona — water €0.58, beer €0.99, bread €1.54. Supermarket breakfasts save €8–15/day.
  7. 7Visit MARQ on Sundays — free entry to the Provincial Archaeological Museum on Sundays and public holidays.
  8. 8Travel without checked luggage — Ryanair and Wizz Air charge €100–120 per leg for a suitcase. A 40L backpack fits as hand luggage.
  9. 9Tapas instead of a sit-down dinner — on Calle Castaños and Calle San Francisco, tapas + beer cost €2–5 each. Dinner for two for under €20.
  10. 10Book your rental car in March or November — from €25/day vs €85/day in peak season. For 7 days that's a €420 saving.

When to Visit Alicante — Seasonal Price Guide

Alicante has one of Europe's longest beach seasons — the sea is swimmable from May to November. The price difference between off-season and peak is significant: a 3-star hotel in July costs over twice as much as in March (Skyscanner).

Month3-star hotel (avg)TemperatureVerdict
January–February€76–8512–18°CCheapest — sightseeing, no beach
March€10415–20°CCheapest month for flights (Skyscanner)
April–May€110–13020–26°CBest price-to-weather ratio
June€130–15026–30°CPrices rising — Hogueras de San Juan
July–August€155–22830–34°CPeak — most expensive, busiest
September€110–13027–30°C, sea 25°CBest month for warm-sea lovers
October–November€85–10520–24°CGreat for sightseeing, no heat

Book an Apartment in Gran Alacant

Brisa Alacant offers modern accommodation on the Costa Blanca — 5 minutes by car from Carabassi beach, with a pool, terrace with sea views and fully equipped kitchen. An ideal base for exploring Alicante, Santa Pola and the Costa Blanca — often at a lower price than a city-centre 3-star hotel.

Check Availability and Prices →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a week in Alicante cost for 2 people in 2026?
A week in Alicante for 2 people costs: budget €770–1,065 (hostel + lunch menus), mid-range €1,200–1,500 (3-star hotel + restaurants), luxury from €2,500. 3-star hotels range from €76/night (off-season) to €164/night (July-August). Alicante is about 17% cheaper than Mallorca and competitively priced vs. Tenerife.
When is the cheapest time to visit Alicante?
Cheapest months are January and February (3-star hotel from €76/night) and March (average €104/night). Best value: April-May (shoulder season, 21–25°C) and September (sea 25°C, lower prices). July-August is peak season — hotels cost €155–228/night and flights are most expensive.
How much is the daily budget for a tourist in Alicante?
Backpacker: €30–50/day (hostel dorm €17, lunch menus, walking). Standard (mid-range): €70–100/day (3-star hotel, 2 restaurant meals, transport, 1 attraction). Comfortable: €150–190/day (4-star hotel, lunch + dinner in restaurants, taxis). Santa Bárbara Castle is free; MARQ museum costs only €3.
Is Alicante cheaper than Mallorca or Tenerife?
Alicante is 17% cheaper than Palma de Mallorca (Expatistan, April 2026) and roughly similar in price to Tenerife. Accommodation in Alicante costs 36% less than in Palma. Tenerife can be cheaper in winter due to the lower IGIC tax rate (7% vs VAT 21%). For budget travellers, Alicante wins in spring and autumn.
What is the cheapest way to get from Alicante Airport to the city?
Bus C-6 costs €4.85 and takes about 25 minutes to the city centre. Taxi has a fixed rate of €19–21 plus €4.25 airport surcharge, totalling €23–25. Private transfer companies charge €30–40. The bus is the best option if you are arriving during the day with minimal luggage.
Rafał Prońko - owner of Brisa Alacant

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.

Gran Alacant, Costa BlancaOwner since 2023Last visited:
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