Alicante walks are ideal for anyone who enjoys being outdoors without needing to pretend they’re scaling an Alp. We think the city’s geography delivers a pleasing mix of coast, hills and urban greenery, and the distances are sensible: you can leave from the centre, stretch your legs, collect a few views and be back in time for lunch. These six half-day Alicante walks cover everything from coastal curves to reimagined railway lines, with no car required and no heroic fitness levels demanded.
1. Serra Grossa — A Short Climb, a Big View, and an Easy Descent into Lunch
Serra Grossa is one of those Alicante walks that looks more intimidating from below than it feels underfoot. We usually start at the Plaza Mar 2 tram stop (Goteta) and follow the main path upwards, where the ascent includes a few short, sharp moments that remind you this is, technically, a hill but it feels like an adventure. The views arrive quickly: the castle behind you, the bay spread below, and Cabo de las Huertas pointing eastwards as if posing for a geography textbook.
What makes this route especially appealing is the descent. Rather than retracing your steps, continue over the top and follow the gently sloping, well-worn track down towards Albufereta. It’s kinder on the knees and gives you that small, private glow of having crossed a hill rather than nipped up and down the same side of it.
At the bottom, Albufereta’s offers a civilised choice of cafés for a slow lunch. When you’re ready, wander to La Isleta TRAM station and glide back into the centre feeling agreeably accomplished.
More info on Serra Grossa: https://alicanteturismo.com/en/sendero/sierra-de-san-julian-the-serra-grossa/
2. La Isleta to Cabo de las Huertas and onto San Juan Playa — Bays, Rocks and the Occasional Surprise
Begin this walk at La Isleta TRAM stop, which lets you step straight onto a small, pretty beach. Follow the shoreline around its natural curves, passing sandy pockets, rocky ledges and the sort of crystalline shallows that make you consider an impromptu paddle.
A little further on, built into the rocks at sea level, lie the old remains of a Roman fish farm, quietly reminding walkers that this coastline has been in use for thousands of years. Further round, you may encounter the nudist bathing area. There’s rarely anything there to write home about — or at least nothing that would make the average postcard — but it does add a dash of variety to the scenery.
Keep following the coastline around the peninsula until you see the lighthouse at Cabo de las Huertas.
Near the beginning of San Juan Playa, look out for a handsome cluster of white chalets once known as Atalaya Park. These were used as a hotel in the late 20th century and gained unexpected fame when Princess Diana briefly stayed there in 1990 to escape paparazzi attention during a private stopover. Today they’re private residences, but the story adds a little royal seasoning to an already memorable route.
If you still have energy, continue onto San Juan and finish at Costa Blanca or Muchavista TRAM stops. Otherwise, stop for a refreshing drink and then get the tram back to the city.
Mote Info: https://alicanteturismo.com/sendero/cabo-de-la-huerta/
3. Playa San Juan — A Long, Level Promenade with Endless Coffee Options
Some Alicante walks are practically designed for gentle ambling, and the seafront at San Juan is one of them. Begin at Avenida Benidorm TRAM station — which, confusingly, is not in Benidorm — and, after you’ve had your breakfast at 100 Montaditos, just start strolling north along the wide esplanade. The beach is just under 7km long. The Mediterranean sits to your right, palm trees to your left, and the prospect of a leisurely seaside morning right down the middle.
This is a flat route, generous in scale and pleasantly breezy even on warmer days. Walk as far as Costa Blanca TRAM stop or carry on to Muchavista if you’re feeling sprightly. The seriously enthusiastic can continue to El Campello, where the beachfront shifts from resort-like to village-like.
There are bars, chiringuitos, ice-cream counters and cafés at regular intervals, so you can refuel as often as your conscience allows. This is the easiest of the Alicante walks and suits anyone who likes the idea of exercise with built-in espresso breaks.
4. Parque del Mar — A Reimagined Railway Line Created for the People
To discover one of the more understated Alicante walks, begin at the end of the Explanada, continue through Canalejas Park, and follow the signs towards Casa Mediterráneo. This handsome building — once a railway station and now an events and cultural venue — marks the entrance to a linear green space many tourists unwittingly miss.
Turn left beside Casa Mediterráneo and you’ll enter the Parque del Mar, a redeveloped section of the old railway corridor. The park was created to transform industrial land into something pleasant and useful for the people who live here. The result is a wide, leafy path with thoughtful planting, a couple of small ponds fed by collected rainwater, and stretches of shade that make it comfortable year-round.
Frog-spotting in the pond beneath the footbridge is a small but satisfying pastime, especially in spring. The route is step-free, gentle and ideal for anyone wanting calm Alicante walks close to the centre.
5. To El Palmeral — A Longer Wander to Alicante’s Lakes and Palms
For Alicante walks with a sense of journey, head south from the centre through Benalúa (Avenida Catedrático Soler), continue past Babel, and follow the long pavements towards Parque El Palmeral. ALterntativly, start walking south at the Explanada and keep going. You’ll walk past the Barrios. of Babel and San Gabriel. The city thins slightly as you go, the sky opens, and eventually you’ll spot the park’s palms announcing your arrival.
El Palmeral is one of Alicante’s most distinctive green spaces: lakes, waterfalls, bridges, and plenty of shade. There’s even a bike track of dips and curves that’s well used by locals, and a dedicated cycle lane from the city makes it an easy alternative to walking.
For a deeper look at the park, link to your detailed guide here:
👉 El Palmeral – Parque Alicante
If you’d rather return by public transport, buses 01, 27 and C-6 stop nearby, with line 27 offering the most direct route back to Luceros.
6. Monte Tossal — A Hilltop Café, Urban Slides and a Cultural Surprise
Monte Tossal is a delight for those who enjoy Alicante walks with an urban twist. Start in Plaza de Los Luceros, walk up General Marvá, and take the steps leading to the first viewpoint. From here, the city feels close yet elevated, you can get a nice view of the sea from here.
Continue right and upwards into Parque Monte Tossal, a sprawling hillside space with a distinctly local character. Its quite an uphill walk. There’s a skateboard park (which is very popular), a climbing wall, and a series of slides built into the landscape that drop you between levels with a childlike grin. It’s not a manicured park, but that’s part of its appeal: this is everyday Alicante doing its own thing.
Toilets and a café when you first arrive at the top make this one of the more civilised Alicante walks, and the views of the castle from unusual angles add further charm.
Once a year, usually in May, the park hosts Alacant Desperta – Festival de Cultura Urbana, a grassroots celebration of art, music and performance with a notably warm, family atmosphere. It’s one of the city’s more authentic cultural highlights. We absolutely love this festival.
To finish the walk, continue across the park towards Los Ángeles you’ll eventually come to the end of the park, where it slopes downards back towards the city. On the way you may see a host of wild cats and kittens as well as the tents of some of the homeless of Alicante. Once you get to the road again turn right and head down the hill towards Campoamor, after a while you’ll walk past the striking modern façade of the ADDA Alicante, and then the Plaza de Toros (Plaza España) and down towards the Mercado Central. From there, the centre is only a few minutes away.
Map & Transport Overview
A quick orientation guide for planning your Alicante walks:
Serra Grossa
- Start: Sangueta TRAM
- Finish: La Isleta TRAM
- Notes: Easy descent; lunch options in Albufereta.
La Isleta to Cabo
- Start: La Isleta TRAM
- Return: La Isleta, Costa Blanca or Muchavista
- Notes: Coastal path; lighthouse marks the end.
Playa San Juan
- Start: Avenida Benidorm TRAM
- Return: Costa Blanca, Muchavista or El Campello
- Notes: Flat, café-rich promenade.
Parque de la Vía
- Start: Explanada → Canalejas → Casa Mediterráneo
- Return: Loop through Benalúa or retrace
- Notes: Step-free, tranquil and little known to tourists.
El Palmeral
- Start: Walk via Benalúa and Babel
- Return: Buses 01, 27, C-6
- Notes: Bike-friendly with dedicated cycle lane.
Monte Tossal
- Start: Luceros
- Return: Via Campoamor → ADDA → Plaza de Toros → Mercado Central
- Notes: Café and toilets at the top.
Practicalities
- Wear comfortable shoes even on flat routes.
- Take water: Alicante walks feel warmer than the forecast suggests.
- Avoid hill routes in the midday heat between June and September.
- TRAM lines L1, L3 and L4 cover most of the coastline.
- Parks may close at night; check opening times if walking late.
