Villas in Alicante

Table of contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a villa in Alicante?
• Villas in Alicante: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring Alicante: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in Alicante?

• Space and privacy: Villas in Alicante typically come with a private pool, garden, barbecue area and parking, making them ideal for families and couples wanting a relaxed, self-catering holiday in luxurious surroundings.
• Best areas to stay: From the family-friendly Playa de San Juan to the coastal towns of Benidorm, Calpe and Moraira, each area suits a different pace, whether you want nightlife or quiet coves.
• Highly rated stays: Our top villas score above 9.0, with guests praising private pools, sea views and generous outdoor spaces in properties across Alicante and the wider Costa Blanca.
• Where to eat: Alicante is known for its rice dishes and Mediterranean cooking, with everything from Michelin-starred tasting menus to lively tapas bars in the city centre.
• Things to do: Highlights include Tabarca island, Santa Bárbara Castle, the old town of Santa Cruz and easy day trips inland to Elche.

Villas in Alicante suit families and groups who want space, privacy and somewhere to unwind after a day at the beach. Most sit in quiet residential areas on the city's outskirts, close to Playa de San Juan, and come with their own pool and garden. If you would prefer something smaller or more central, take a look at our apartments in Alicante, or widen your search to villas across the Costa Blanca. Most villas come well equipped for a self-catering holiday, with features such as:

• A private pool, perfect for cooling off on hot summer days
• An outdoor terrace and garden for al fresco dining
• A barbecue area for relaxed evening meals
• Air conditioning and wifi throughout
• Private parking, handy for day trips and beachfront villas in Alicante

With everything in one place, you can settle in and enjoy Alicante at your own pace.

What are the best areas to stay in Alicante?

The best area depends on the kind of holiday you are after: Playa de San Juan is the classic choice for families, whilst the coastal towns further north offer quieter coves. The table below details areas for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Guest ratings on Holidu run on a scale from 0 to 10, and our most popular villas in and around Alicante score well above 9.0. Travellers regularly highlight the private pools, sea views and generous outdoor space, along with welcoming hosts and quiet, residential settings that make it easy to relax.

Here are our top-rated villas from the past year:

1. Villa 'Favorita' with private pool - 9.8+: A spacious retreat in Moralet, just outside Alicante, with a private pool and room for large groups, ideal for a celebration with family and friends.
2. Seafront chalet with pool and garden - 9.7+: Guests love the sea views, outdoor kitchen and spacious garden at this Alicante villa, a comfortable base for couples and families alike.
3. Villa with pool near San Juan Playa - 9.1+: A large villa near San Juan Playa with a pool and mountain views, only ten minutes from the beach and well suited to bigger groups.

Alicante sits on Spain's south-eastern Mediterranean coast, the capital of its province and the heart of the Costa Blanca, roughly halfway between Valencia and Murcia. Known for its great weather and laid-back lifestyle, it's long been a popular holiday destination. Palm-lined beaches, relaxed eateries and charming inland villages are all part of the area's appeal.

🥗Where to eat in Alicante?

Alicante is in the south of Spain's rice-growing region, so if you're looking for an authentic paella, you've come to the right place! Around the city, you'll find a wealth of options: elegant fine-dining restaurants for special occasions; relaxed bars to share tapas with friends; picturesque terraces to take in the view while you dine. Our travel experts have tried a number of restaurants in Alicante, and here are their favourites:

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Charlotte and Henry recommend Piripi in Alicante: a long-standing favourite for rice dishes and local wines, just the spot for a leisurely lunch after a morning by the pool.

1. Dance the night away in the city centre
2. Take a boat trip to Tabarca island
3. See the Lady of Elche
4. Discover wildlife and nature
5. Explore the Costa Blanca's towns
6. Wander Alicante's old town
7. Climb up to Santa Bárbara Castle

1. Dance the night away in the city centre

   Alicante comes alive after dark, and the liveliest spots cluster around the city centre and the marina. Start the evening at one of the many local pubs and cocktail bars, then carry on to the clubs near the old town and the port, where the music doesn't stop until the sun comes up.

2. Take a boat trip to Tabarca island

   The tiny island of Tabarca, off Santa Pola, is ringed with crystal-clear coves and protected waters that are wonderful for snorkelling and diving. Wander the walled village, swim in the marine reserve and stay for a long seafood lunch before heading back. It is one of the best places on the coast to see the underwater world up close.

3. See the Lady of Elche

   Inland from the coast, Elche is famous for its UNESCO-listed palm groves, with more than 10,000 palm trees shading the city. The cultural highlight is the Lady of Elche, an ancient Iberian bust displayed in the town's archaeological museum, alongside the striking Basilica of Santa María.

4. Discover wildlife and nature

   The countryside around Alicante is surprisingly rich in wildlife and nature. El Palmeral park, on the edge of the city, has waterfalls, lakes and shaded walks that are ideal with children, whilst the wider province takes in salt lagoons, pine-covered hills and protected coastal parks.

5. Explore the Costa Blanca's towns

   The Costa Blanca is dotted with characterful towns that are well worth a day out. Pretty Villena and Orihuela offer castles and history, whilst Denia, Jávea and Calpe combine sandy beaches with seafront dining. A hire car makes it easy to string several together, and most are within an hour of Alicante, so you can be back at your villa in time for an evening swim. Each town has its own market, churches and local specialities to discover.

6. Wander Alicante's old town

   The old quarter of Santa Cruz is the prettiest corner of the city, a maze of narrow lanes lined with whitewashed houses, tumbling flowers and tiled doorways. It climbs the hillside below the castle and is full of small bars and restaurants, so it is an easy place to lose an afternoon. From here you are only a short stroll from the Explanada de España promenade and the beach.

7. Climb up to Santa Bárbara Castle

   Crowning Mount Benacantil, Santa Bárbara Castle offers the finest panoramic views over Alicante, the harbour and the sea. You can walk up, drive, or take the lift cut into the rock from the seafront. The fortress is free to wander and hosts craft markets, exhibitions and occasional evening events through the year.