Located between Benidorm and Cartagena, Alicante is a beautiful seaside Spanish destination worth to visit with the family. Part of the famous Costa Blanca facing Algiers in North Africa, Alicante has plenty of things to do for your kids.
In this article, I have shortlisted the best activities you can do with your children in Alicante including an amusement park and a safari park.
Alicante is among the most populated cities in Easter Spain with over 330,000 inhabitants and is also the name of the region that covers Denia from the North down to La Manga in the South.
The town has very little historical buildings due to the fact it suffered lots of bombings during the Spanish Civil War. Fortunately, the city was rebuilt successfully in the 50s and the 60s.
Families love the seaside of Alicante with long sandy beaches and of course its warm weather all year round. Beware that in the Summer, temperature can reach up to 30°C on average (42°C was recorded in August 2022).
So are you ready to discover the best things to do in Alicante with kids? Vamos!
1. El mundo de Los Ninos
If you are looking for a place to keep the kids happy in Alicante, El Mundo de Los Ninos is a safe bet. This amusement park is located nearby the port of Alicante and offers lots of rides suitable for young children.
Kids can go crazy by jumping up and down on the bouncy castle or have fun in the ball pit. There are traditional attractions too such as a carrousel, a mini train or Mario karts.
You might even be interested to play a round of miniature golf and try competing against your children.
Overall, this park is a top attraction to do at anytime during your stay in Alicante with your children.
2. The Ocean Race Museum
Originally open in 2012, the Ocean Race Museum is among the best family friendly museums in Alicante. As its name suggests, the venue is solely dedicated to the marine world with a focus on sailing races and equipment.
Entrance to the museum is free so no hard feeling if your family is overwhelmed with the topic of sailing. Maybe have a look at their website to check guided tours which costs only 3€ per person. That way, your family will be even more tempted to learn about this sport and great water activity.
To make your visit extra special, there is a virtual racing boat simulator called The Ride. There is also a nice café on the 1st floor with a nice view over the Mediterranean sea.
📍Mlle. Levante, 10, 03001 Alicante, Spain
3. Merlin Park
Just a stone’s throw away from the Lo Morant park, you can find the indoor softplay attraction called Merlin Park. Inside, your kids will be spoilt with lots of things to do including gigantic bouncy castle with slides, mini ball pit and lots of space for parents to sit down and enjoy their favourite drink.
Of course, this place is for children having a blast so don’t expect to chill out at the café. The venue will be noisy with kids screaming everywhere. But that’s the point, isn’t it?
On weekends and during school holidays, the place can be of course quite busy with birthdays celebrated there as well. But no to worry, your children will easily blend in even if they don’t speak Spanish.
📍Carrer Fortuny, 19, 03009 Alacant, Alicante, Spain
4. MARQ Archaeological Museum of Alicante
Featured as the European Museum of the Year in 2004, the Archaeological Museum of Alicante or locally known as MARQ is a top activity to do in Alicante with kids.
First, the museum is telling great stories about how Alicante and its surroundings evolved through 7,000 years of history. To make the experience more engaging, the museum has lots of audio video features so your kids can learn at their pace different facts about the city.
Overall, families have praised how modern and well maintained this museum is. At the moment, MARQ has a temporary exhibition around Qin and Han Chinese dynasties that looks absolutely fabulous.
So make sure you have some time in your busy schedule in Alicante to pay a visit to MARQ.
📍Pl. Dr. Gómez Ulla, S/N, 03013 Alacant, Alicante, Spain
5. El Palmeral Park
The beautiful El Palmeral Park is a great outdoor activity to do with family in Alicante with lots of space to walk around surrounded by palm trees. You could also plan a nice picnic with the kids over there as you can find benches and tables within the premises.
The park is really well decorated with waterfalls and large lakes where you can hire a small boat. Kids will enjoy a decent playground as well.
If you have the munchies, there is a convenient café called El Palmeral (you can’t guess it) that serves tapas and sandwiches called bocadillos.
Best of all, this place is colourful that you will snap many photos with your kids to bring back home lots of memories. Highly recommended all year round!
6. Santa Barbara Castle
Without a doubt, Santa Barbara Castle is the most majestic historical building in Alicante that is perched above the town. The area of the castle is free to visit and makes great walks.
You will wander around different fortification walls and have access to the inside of the fortress as well.
Of course, be aware that going up to the Santa Barbara fortress involves steep steps so make sure you don’t miss taking the elevator up (if it’s not broken on your day of visit)
Once you arrive a the top of building, you will be amazed with spectacular views over Alicante and the sea with lots of photos to feed your Insta for sure.
7. Parque Lo Morant
Another stunning park not to miss in Alicante with the kids is Lo Morant park. The design of this green space is very symmetrical with lots of square ponds. Little ones can play at the playground whilst you shade away from the scorching sun underneath the palm trees.
For sporty kids, the park offers a tennis court and a football pitch so perfect if you need the children to release some energy before heading for lunch or dinner.
8. Museo de les Fogueres
Here is another free entry museum worth mentioning on the best things to do in Alicante with kids. Museo de Hogueras is keeping indoor different artefacts and status that have been used during the Bonfires of St John festival.
These funny characters are called ninots in Spanish and depict funny original scenes of traditional life. This is probably the most authentic place where you can learn about this must celebrated event happening every year at the end of June.
Most of these huge characters are made of wood and cardboard and they are usually burnt on the night of San Juan (hence the name bonfires). Locals also go crazy with little fireworks on the streets. During this time, the streets of Alicante feel like a noise competition between different neighbourhoods. Fun but noisy, you have been warned for sensitive ears!
📍Rbla. de Méndez Núñez, 29, 03002 Alicante, Spain
9. Central Market
Fortunately, lots of Spanish cities have kept their traditional food markets intact and the Central Market is a good example. Situated on Avenida Alfonso el Sabio, the building itself is imposing and offers different food stalls.
If you would like to taste local cured ham and exceptional cheeses, you can’t miss going to Central Market.
Have a look also at some sit down cafes restaurants where you can have tapas with a drink instead of going to a traditional restaurant.
Usually the market closes in the afternoon after 2pm so plan your visit accordingly with a preference early in the morning to avoid too much crowd.
📍Av. Alfonso El Sabio, nº 10, 03004 Alicante, Spain
10. A day at the beach
Best of all, Alicante is famously known for lovely long white sandy beaches. So whilst you can venture around Alicante and find more secluded spots, I thought to highlight two of the best central beaches in Alicante suitable for families.
San Juan Playa
San Juan beach is definitely the most popular beach with a long stretch of sands so visitors can really feel the space and spread out. Obviously, you will find showers, toilets and lots of cafes and restaurants nearby. The city of Alicante is very good at keeping the beach nice and clean.
You can also hire beach equipment with loungers and umbrella to spend the day comfortably at the beach with the family.
Playa del Postiguet
Another great beach to consider with the family is Postiguet situated in the heart of Alicante. During the summer, the place can be crowded but it is definitely worth to check out if you don’t want to take the car or walk too much from your hotel or apartment.
To avoid the crowd, you can head to the beach late afternoon before having a late dinner at one of the restaurant nearby.
11. Walk to the Port
Now, in my opinion one of the best options to see the sunset in Alicante with the kids is to walk towards the harbour. Once you have reached the port, you can admire all the different boats parked there.
The port of Alicante is also home to many restaurants and bars. So a good idea to look up where you can have a nice dinner with the kids as well.
During the day, you might spot some big cruise ships from MSC cruises or ferries that can go to Algeria towards the Port of Oran.
12. Family Park
Ideally located on San Juan beach, the Family Park is very popular with local families as well as visitors. Young kids will be able to have fun for 2 to 3 hours and hop on different rides.
Expect to find at the Family Park fun attractions like mini karts, trampolines, small Ferris wheel and plenty more.
The venue sells a bracelet for 17€ that gives you access to almost all attractions with unlimited time during one day.
📍C Caja de Ahorros, s/n, 03016 Alicante, Spain
13. Day trip to Tabarca Island
Tired and bored of staying in Alicante? I have got you covered with a day excursion to the island of Tabarca. This place is tiny and is the ideal location to practise snorkelling and relax by the see.
Kontiki offers return journey from Alicante to the island. Check below the glass bottom boat that is worth to take with the family. In the summer, the return can be taken up until 6.30pm so plenty of time to enjoy the island of Tabarca.
Sounds like a perfect day out away from Alicante, don’t you think?
14. Rio Safari Elche (+Splash Park)
Since we are on the subject of a great day out near Alicante, Rio Safari is a lovely attraction located in Elche, South of Alicante. The park is a great place to meet lots animal such as leopards, lions or pink flamingos.
Whilst the park can be visited on foot, the venue also offers an opportunity to explore the park with a train equipped with audio guide. The journey lasts about 15 minutes and runs several times per day.
When sunny and warm days arrive (usually in May), the park also adds a Splash park with lots of fun water rides for small children and grown ups. So it is worth to purchase combined tickets to access both areas of the attraction.
Rio Safari is featured among the best kids friendly attractions in Costa Blanca.
📍Carretera Elx – Santa Pola, 865, 03139 Elx, Alicante, Spain
15. Pola Park
Last but not least, if you are venturing around Santa Pola near Alicante, you can bring your kids to Pola Park. This outdoor amusement park is full of small rides suitable for young children.
With over 30 attractions, Pola Park is probably best appreciated towards the end of the day after dinner if you plan to go bed late like every Spanish family in the summer. This fun park has traditional carrousels, roller coasters, mini train and plenty more for your family to enjoy.
Beware that some rides involves getting splashed with water, so hopefully your clothes will dry out quickly!
📍Avda. Zaragoza, s/n, 03130 Santa Pola, Alicante, Spain
Map of Things to Do in Alicante with Kids
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
- Things to Do in Benidorm with Kids
- Things to Do in Valencia with Kids
- Things to Do in Torrevieja with Kids
- Best Theme Parks to Visit in Spain
PIN IT AND READ THIS ARTICLE FOR LATER
CONCLUSION
You have reached the end of my article. I hope you have found some inspiration to schedule your day visit to Alicante with the kids.
Most families spend a week in Alicante to fully relax by the beach or the pool and make some time to do cultural visits too.
So make sure you go out of your hotel and explore Alicante and the surroundings with your family. Happy holiday in Alicante with the kids!
The post may contain affiliate links, which means that we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. More info: Disclosure.
