Alicante strengthens its position in the rankings of popular tourist destinations in Spain for the coming Easter week. These are destination preferences compiled by some of the most important companies or platforms in the sector, including Ryanair.
Recent data focuses on the upcoming holiday season of Semana Santa (Holy Week). The capital and the entire Costa Blanca appear again as chosen locations to enjoy a few days of peace and (hopefully) nice weather.
Ryanair study
This is evident from the study published by Ryanair this Thursday. The Irish low-cost carrier is positioning Alicante, along with Málaga and the Canary Islands, as one of the top three options for travel during Semana Santa among the cities where it offers air connections. For Alicante, the airline has no fewer than nine different connections with Miguel Hernández Airport in Alicante-Elche. These were recently announced. These are direct connections to Cardiff and Norwich, in the UK; Münster, in Germany; Zagreb (Croatia), Sofia (Bulgaria), Barcelona, Rzeszów (Poland). To this are added the annual expansions of Lisbon and Budapest.
Alicante as a “must-visit destination”
Specifically about Alicante, Ryanair emphasises that it is “a must-visit destination for tourists looking for a balance between partying and relaxation”. The Irish company specifies: “In addition to its impressive beaches, this lively city has perfect neighbourhoods for leisure and numerous restaurants and tapas bars where you can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine.” And of course, Ryanair refers to the proximity of another top tourist destination by mentioning that Alicante is “close to Benidorm. This offers a suitable opportunity to take a short trip to one of the favourite tourist destinations in Spain.”
Jetcost promotes Alicante among Brits
The tourist operator Jetcost also identifies Alicante as the preferred destination. The company is advising British tourists when looking for flights to enjoy the Easter holidays. According to Jetcost, Alicante is the most requested destination by British travellers, third by Dutch, fifth by Germans, sixth by French, eighth by Portuguese and eleventh by Italians.
Alicante by train
Finally, Trainline also places Alicante among the favourite train destinations for Easter. The leading platform for train and bus travel in Europe also recommends Málaga, Albacete, Segovia, and Cádiz. According to data from the platform, these will be the cities that “record the largest increase in travellers compared to last year’s Holy Week”. This is partly due to the increasing availability of travel to Alicante by train. Both Avlo, Ouigo and Iryo offer high-speed services to Madrid. In addition, there is the existing range of connections operated by Renfe.
Hotels in Alicante also optimistic
These studies correspond to the tourist occupancy expectations of the Hotel Association of Alicante (APHA). They estimate that hotels in the city will reach an occupancy rate of 71%. This is slightly higher than the 68% expected by accommodations affiliated with the employers’ organization in the province.
The Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism is also anticipating the occupancy rate with a forecast of 70% occupancy.
What to do in Alicante?
Alicante offers a wealth of activities for every visitor. Start your discovery tour at Santa Bárbara Castle. It towers high above the city and offers fantastic views over the Mediterranean Sea. Then stroll through the charming streets of the old town. There you can enjoy the local cuisine in one of the many tapas bars and restaurants. For beach lovers, the sunny beaches such as Playa del Postiguet and San Juan are a must-visit. They also offer many facilities to relax or be active, such as pedal boats, sailing, paragliding, etc. Don’t forget to visit the lively Explanada de España. This beautiful boulevard full of palm trees is ideal for strolling. Do this just like the locals do after your city or beach visit and before your dinner, at around 7.30 pm. Alicante is also an ideal base for day trips in the region.
