Best time to visit Alicante
Alicante has the sunniest climate in Europe with 2,862 sunshine hours per year. But the timing determines whether you pay 80 or 280 euros for your flight, and whether you have the Playa del Postiguet to yourself or need elbow room. Updated 23 September 2026.
✈️ Plan your trip to Alicante →Alicante attracts millions of visitors to the Costa Blanca annually, but crowds and prices are heavily skewed by the Dutch and European school summer holidays. The city has 2,862 sunshine hours per year, making it one of the sunniest destinations in Europe - even in January the sun shines 5.5 hours per day.
Want the best value? Choose September or May. Want it absolutely cheapest? Go in January or November. Also check our full Alicante travel guide with tips on neighbourhoods, sights and day trips to Benidorm and Tabarca Island.
By season: when should you go?
January, February and November
Lowest prices of the year: flights from EUR 80 return, hotels 40-50% cheaper than the summer peak. With 17-21 degrees and 4-5.5 hours of sunshine per day it is far from unpleasant. Playa del Postiguet beach is almost deserted, the Mercado Central is relaxed and the Explanada promenade is a pleasure to walk. Cathedral and castle without queues.
May and early June
May is the ideal month: 23-25 degrees, little rain, pleasant seawater (20-22 degrees) and flights still 20-30% cheaper than summer. Early June is similar. The beach is warm enough for a swim. Best moment to be there for the Hogueras de San Juan (24 June), Alicante's biggest fireworks festival with giant fire sculptures on the beach.
July and August (Dutch school holidays)
Peak season: 33-34 degrees, the beach is crowded (especially during the Dutch school summer holidays mid-July to early September). Flights 180-280+ euros return. Hotels 50-70% more expensive. If you do go in summer: stay outside the centre, hit the beach early in the morning, and try the quieter Playa de la Albufereta.
September and October
The best all-round months. September offers 26-30 degrees, sea temperature 24-25 degrees, far fewer crowds than summer and flights 30-50% cheaper. October is slightly cooler (22-26 degrees) but ideal for beach walks without heat. Crowds are minimal, hotels affordable. Dutch autumn half-term falls in October: a good time for families.
December and Christmas holidays
Alicante is unlike northern Europe in December: 17 degrees and 5 hours of sunshine. No Christmas market, but atmospheric Christmas lights on the Explanada. Flights are cheap (from EUR 90), hotels discounted, and the city is at a human scale.
The Christmas holidays themselves (24-31 December) are slightly more expensive but still far below summer prices. Perfect for anyone wanting December sun without flying to Tenerife.
Cheapest months for Alicante: monthly price overview
Alicante is one of the best-value sun destinations from the Netherlands. Ryanair flies direct from Eindhoven (EIN) in approx. 2 hours 35 minutes; Transavia also flies direct. Prices vary considerably by month:
Return fares per person, including carry-on luggage, based on booking 6 to 8 weeks ahead. Prices departing from Eindhoven (Ryanair, Transavia). Current fares: compare live via the planner above.
The cheapest time for Alicante is January, February or November. In those months the weather is genuinely pleasant (17-21 degrees, 4-5.5 hours of sunshine) so there is really no reason to pay summer prices unless you specifically want peak season.
Flights from the Netherlands to Alicante
From Eindhoven: Ryanair flies 3 to 5 times per week direct from Eindhoven Airport (EIN) to Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC) in approx. 2 hours 35 minutes. Transavia also flies direct, mainly in the summer schedule.
From Amsterdam Schiphol: Transavia and Vueling fly direct from Amsterdam Schiphol to Alicante. Always compare Eindhoven vs Schiphol: sometimes Eindhoven is cheaper, sometimes Schiphol, depending on the date and season.
Events and special reasons to visit
- Fogueres de San Juan - Bonfires of San Juan (24 June 2026) Alicante's biggest and most spectacular festival: for a week, enormous satirical fire sculptures (fogueres) are erected on every square, to be set alight on the night of 24 June. The fireworks are spectacular, the beach is filled with giant sculptures and the whole city celebrates. Book hotel and flight at least 2 months ahead: prices double.
- Semana del Mar - Sea Week (August) A week of sea, sport, music and culture on Alicante's beach. Spectacular lighting of the Castillo de Santa Barbara, water sports competitions and free concerts. August is already busy; book early.
- Carnaval (February) Alicante has a lively carnival with processions through the Casco Antiguo, similar to other Mediterranean carnivals but without the mass tourism. Flights in February are still cheap. A good combination moment.
- Moros y Cristianos (April-May) Historic processions and re-enactments through the streets, commemorating the battles between Moors and Christians. Different dates each year; spectacular and authentically Spanish.
- Christmas lights (December) Christmas lighting on the Explanada de Espana and atmospheric stalls in the centre. Alicante in December is less touristy: pleasant 17 degrees, cheap hotels and flights, quiet beaches.
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Frequently asked questions about the best time to visit Alicante
When is the best time to visit Alicante?
The best value for money is in September and May. September offers summer-warm weather (26-30 degrees) with warm seawater, little rain, low tourist crowds and flights 30-50% cheaper than in summer. May is the spring choice with 23-25 degrees, pleasant beach conditions and flight prices before the summer peak.
When is Alicante cheapest?
January, February and November are the cheapest months. Return flights from approx. 80 euros from Eindhoven (Ryanair) or Amsterdam Schiphol, hotels sometimes 40-50% cheaper than in the summer peak. Alicante has one of the sunniest climates in Europe: even in January the sun shines an average of 5.5 hours per day and temperatures reach 17 degrees.
Can I fly direct from Eindhoven to Alicante?
Yes. Ryanair flies 3 to 5 times per week direct from Eindhoven Airport (EIN) to Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC), flight time approx. 2 hours 35 minutes. Transavia also flies direct, mainly in summer. From Amsterdam Schiphol there are multiple direct options. Low season return tickets can be found for 60-80 euros per person.
When is Alicante busiest?
The busiest and most expensive period is the Dutch school summer holiday, roughly mid-July to early September, combined with the Spanish Semana de las Fiestas de Agosto (first week of August). Flight prices then reach 150-280 euros return or more. Playa del Postiguet beach is overcrowded; locals head to quieter coves.
What is the best month for the beach in Alicante?
June through October the seawater is warm enough for comfortable swimming (above 22 degrees sea temperature). The best combination of warmth, warm water and quiet beach is September: sea temperature still 24-25 degrees, air temperature 26-30 degrees during the day, and the busy summer tourist flow has passed. May is also excellent for beach walks and early swims (20-22 degrees sea temperature).