Local guide · VamosAlicante
Quick verdict
- Best overall: May, June (before 20th) and September.
- Best value: November–February (skip Christmas week).
- Best beach: Late June to early October.
- Best festival: 20–24 June (Hogueras de San Juan).
- Avoid: First fortnight of August.
Local guide · VamosAlicante
Best time to visit Alicante — a local month-by-month guide
Updated July 2026
Alicante is a year-round destination, but "best" depends on whether you want to swim, party at Hogueras, get the cheapest hotel or hike without melting. Here's the honest breakdown, with the trade-offs no travel article tells you.
Live tools you'll want on the ground
Month by month
January. 16°C day / 7°C night. Sunny, quiet, cheapest hotels. Swim only if you're brave.
February. Similar. Almond blossom in the Marina Alta. Carnival late in the month.
March. 19°C. Terrace weather returns. Hotels still cheap outside Fallas week (Valencia).
April. 21°C, Easter crowds and prices spike for Semana Santa. Beautiful otherwise.
May. 24°C, sea 18–20°C. Ideal weather, moderate prices. Moros y Cristianos in inland towns.
June. 28°C, sea 22°C. Peak of the year 20–24: Hogueras. Book early.
July. 32°C, sea 25°C. Hot but liveable near the sea, expensive.
August. 33°C, packed, hotels doubled. Locals leave the city.
September. 29°C, sea 25°C — often the sweet spot. Quiet, warm, cheaper.
October. 25°C, sea 22°C. Last swimmable month, terraces still open.
November. 20°C. Empty beaches for walking, great for city-breakers.
December. 17°C, Christmas markets, mild winter sun. See our December guide.
How prices move
- Cheapest weeks: mid-November, first week of December, second half of January.
- Highest: 20–24 June (Hogueras), Semana Santa, 1–20 August.
- Weekends are ~25% pricier than mid-week year-round.
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best month to visit Alicante?
May, June and September. Hot but not brutal (25–30°C), sea warm enough to swim, hotels ~40% cheaper than August, and Old Town terraces are alive without being overrun.
›When is Alicante cheapest?
November to February (excluding Christmas week). 3★ hotels drop to 45–70 €/night and flights are the lowest of the year. Daytime is still 15–20°C.
›Is Alicante good in winter?
Yes for warmth and empty beaches to walk, no for swimming. Sea drops to 14–15°C in January. Perfect for retirees, remote workers and long walks along the seafront.
›When are Hogueras (the big festival)?
20–24 June. Massive bonfires, parades, fireworks nightly. Book accommodation 3+ months ahead. Best atmosphere of the year but hottest weeks with the biggest crowds.
›When should I avoid Alicante?
First two weeks of August if you dislike crowds and high prices, and the Easter week (Semana Santa) if you want cheap hotels. Everything is open but doubled in cost.
›Best month for hiking around Alicante?
March–April and October–November. Mild, dry, green after autumn rains. Summer is dangerous (heat) and winter can bring rare heavy rain.
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