Alicante welcomes autumn in October without closing the doors to summer for long: the fallen yellow leaves contrast with the vibrant green of the palm trees, and the warmly dressed townspeople contrast with the tourists in swimming costumes hard at work catching the sun's rays by the seaside.
The abundance of sunshine until the end of the month keeps summer temperatures, and you can enjoy the time spent on the beaches and city streets. According to tourist reviews, holidaying here is no less good than in the peak season.
Kidpassage investigated whether it is worth going to the resort in mid-autumn and what travellers should expect.
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Holidays in Alicante in October: pros and cons
October in Alicante has its peculiarities: sometimes you have to dress warmer to protect yourself from the wind or dampness, but mostly summer clothes are sufficient. Hot days and the special glow that gave the city its name attract many holidaymakers to the beaches. However, all year round, some want to spend time here.
In the low season, there are more and more exciting offers from hoteliers, no one crowds around the attractions, and there are no queues.
Short visits are made by tourists to Alicante, using it as a convenient transport hub for further trips around the country. Many luxury motorhomes stay in the campsites, bringing older Europeans and families with children. The resort offers a variety of outdoor activities, including participation in an activity such as 'Tardeo'.
Every Saturday afternoon around the Central Market on Alfonso El Sabio Avenue, people move with a lively conversation, snacks and alcohol in a disco atmosphere from one eating place to another. By midnight everything subsides, freeing up the Sunday afternoon for other activities.
In October in Alicante, you can taste an unusual fruit — the cherimoya or cream apple. It is also a period of gastronomic festivals associated with the bountiful harvests of Spanish land, fishermen's catches, and wine and cheese production. In addition, many film festivals are held in the country.
The pros of the resort in October emphasise the special charm of this Mediterranean town:
- comfortable air temperature;
- low prices;
- the sea at this time is one of the warmest;
- excellent time for excursions;
- low tourist arrivals in the resort.
The cons of the holiday are directly related to the onset of the cool season:
- rain, cold winds, and storms are likely;
- short beach holidays;
- low likelihood of children being able to swim in the sea;
- many beach amenities will be closed for the seasons, including water parks and public outdoor pools;
- reduced opening hours of attractions and museums.
According to tourists, in autumn, Alicante is primarily suitable for those who come to the Costa Blanca to explore the sights, and the beach is considered just as supplement for a few hours.
Thanks to a railway station, it is quicker and easier to get from Alicante to other cities in the country, but also, as a main destination, the resort is excellent. Reviews about holidays in Alicante in October on the beaches are also not bad, because here is a perfect opportunity to extend the summer and relax from work and the hustle and bustle of big cities.
Weather in Alicante in October
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The weather in October is characterised by a combination of warm and fine days and cloudy days. Sometimes there are brief showers and fog. In November, weather conditions change unpredictably throughout the month: clear and cloudy days alternate each other, and rain is not uncommon.
The weather in early October is usually low cloudy, and very warm. The air temperature does not fall below +20 °C.
East and south winds blow at speeds of up to 6 metres per second, with occasional stronger winds from the northeast. Temperatures in Alicante in mid-October range from +19 °C to +26 °C during the day and can get as cold as +16 °C at night. The closer to the end of the month, the colder the nights get. At the end of October, the weather in Alicante is generally warm and comfortable but cooler compared to the middle of the month.
Air and water temperature
The average daily temperature in Alicante in October is +25 °C, and the lowest was +15 °C. Most of the time, the temperature exceeds +20 °C.
The influence of the mild Mediterranean climate can be felt in every corner of the resort. The mountain ranges protect the province's north from the cold air masses from Denia to Benidorm.
From Benidorm to Torrevieja, in the south of the Costa Blanca, the flat terrain and semi-desert areas are better heated in summer but subject to negative climatic influences at other times of the year.
Air temperature in Alicante in October
Alicante's average daily air temperature is +25 °C, and the average night temperature is +17.9 °C. The difference between day and night air temperatures can be more than 10 degrees.
Sea temperature in Alicante in October
The average surface temperature of the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Alicante in October is +23 °C. The coldest sea is at the end of October when the temperature drops to +19.8 °C or +21.8 °C. Above +25.7 ° C, the water no longer heats up.
Precipitation
The average monthly precipitation for October is 32 mm, which gives a minimum of two rainy days. Over the long period of observations, the number of days with rainfall reached 5.7.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
Most of the month is sunny and partly cloudy. 4.5 days in total, there is continuous cloudiness. The length of daylight is reduced to 10.6 hours, while the average daily number of sunshine hours in October is 9.2.
Beach holidays
In early October, tourists can sunbathe on the beaches and swim if they like the cool water. The Mediterranean Sea retains the remnants of summer heat, and even after rain, it does not cool, but parents decide how suitable this water is for bathing children.
After lunch, waves rise more and more often, you can ride a wave with a board.
Sunbathing is quite comfortable during midday hours, but protection measures against the active sun must be taken. In mid-October, cool winds make passive relaxation uncomfortable, and the beach becomes uncomfortable closer to sunset. However, the Mediterranean autumn guarantees a few hours of sunbathing almost any day of the month when there is no rain.
The number of people on the beaches depends directly on how warm it is during the day so that many can gather by the shore. The resorts in the south of the province have warmer weather, but even there, the best beaches are semi-deserted, which is excellent for non-sweltering holidays. During this period, beach services are no longer available in most areas, and seafront cafes and restaurants close.
In Benidorm, the rental of umbrellas and sunbeds is organized almost all year round. Although many of the city's beaches in Alicante have been awarded the Blue Flag for cleanliness, they are less frequently cleaned in autumn.
Signs and flags are posted near the shore when the sea is rough. If the flag is yellow, children should not be allowed to swim. If the flag is red, everyone must refuse to swim.
Tour holidays
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The city's marvellous climate allows you to enjoy the outdoors at any time until the end of the month. The most famous promenade, Explanada de Espana, welcomes visitors with four rows of palm trees.
Here, music and dancing can be enjoyed on the La Concha stage on weekends. At one end of the boulevard is the famous Postiguet Beach, and at the other is Canalejas Park. In autumn, nothing is better than looking out to sea from these spots! The esplanade runs parallel to the marina, so you can see the masts of sailing boats moving a few steps away.
It's worth coming to the marina to see the replica of the 18th-century galleon 'Holy Trinity', which houses a bar, restaurant, nightclub and museum. Take a stroll down Paseo Volado with the kids and see how its palm trees differ from those in the rest of the city (because they're made of iron). Every two to four years in October, thousands of people watch the start of the yacht race from here.
Another option for an exciting pastime is walking around the city centre to see its most famous squares, such as Plaza Gabriel Miro, Plaza Los Luceros, and Portal de Elche.
It is better to start a cultural tour of the city from Plaza del Mar and go to Santa Barbara Castle. Then, descending through Ereta Park, it is convenient to see the Basilica of Santa Maria, built over the old mosque.
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The city has a huge cultural heritage. The neoclassical Teatro Principal Art Theatre (Teatro Principal) hosts first-class plays and musicals, while the modern ADDA Auditorium hosts major music events and festivals.
The Las Cigarreras Cultural Centre hosts various cultural events: plays, concerts, alternative exhibitions, Sunday markets, etc.
A visit to Alicante's two castles, Santa Barbara Castle and San Fernando Castle, in October is made pleasant by the absence of the scorching sun, from which it is difficult to escape on the city's high observation decks.
Quiet on the city's most picturesque street, Santa Cruz, and if you're walking with kids, the little ones will love the unique Mushroom Street.
Some of the most visited museums in the city by families with children include:
- The Ocean Race, a modern sailing museum.
- The Bullfighting Museum.
- MARQ Archaeological Museum.
- Hogueras Carnival Doll Museum.
In October, Alicante's museums are generally open for an hour less, with a long break in the afternoon.
Active holidays
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Alicante is a great place to practice sports because its excellent climate allows you to practice any sport.
Alicante is ideal for year-round water sports such as water skiing, sailing, diving, snorkelling, surfing, windsurfing, fishing, etc.
From October to May, kiting is allowed on San Juan Beach.
Alicante is also a city with 100 kilometres of bicycle paths, and bicycles are available for hire everywhere. Running is another popular pastime, and many Spaniards can be found jogging in the morning hours.
The city has several excellent golf courses, where you can spend the day playing an exciting game in the fresh air. At this time, the guides also suggest focusing on ballooning and extreme sports because there is no scorching sun. For this reason, groups are quickly recruited for hot-air ballooning and skydiving.
The Costa Blanca is home to various amusement parks, still welcoming guests in mid-autumn. The Algar dinosaur park and the Terra Mitica amusement Park compete with PortAventura, Pola Park, and El Mundo de los Ninos.
At the end of October, the last water park in the province, Aqua Natura, in Benidorm, closes. In the skate park of Alicante, many children ride roller skates, skateboards and scooters.
Holidays, events and festivals
The festivities in Alicante in October are predominantly historical and cultural. Many events are focused on gastronomic delights, with the best chefs competing to provide them: there are rice days, the main ingredient in paella, fruit days, a Spanish version of Oktoberfest, competitions to cook the world's most giant hamburger, etc.
On the first weekend of the month, Crevillente, famous for carpets and textiles, celebrates the Day of its patron saint, Francis of Assisi. In his honour, the colourful festival "Moors and Christians" takes place over several days and is an event of international tourist interest.
A festive procession passes through the city streets, and at the end of the festival, there is a splendid military parade armed with arquebuses, not without the final fireworks.
On 12 October, Spain's National Day is universally celebrated to commemorate the discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus in 1492. This event is regarded as the first contact between the New World and Europe, which began the historic milestone of colonisation of the open continent by Europeans. Spanish Language Day is also celebrated as necessary to unite the Spanish-speaking world.
Since 2008, Alicante has been the starting point for the Volvo Ocean Race, the longest-running professional sailing competition on the planet, comparable in popularity to the Olympic Games.
The race cycle was previously four years, followed by three years. After the conclusion of the 2017/2018 season, it was decided to hold the regatta every two years, but due to organisational problems, the dates may be postponed. During the preparation period for the start, the port organises an "Olympic" Race Village, concerts, small regattas and other events, including animated performandruidsces for the youngest ones.
On the last days of the month, during the annual Medieval Festival, the city of Elche changes its appearance, bringing it closer to the time when knights, merchants and street performers (jugglers, magicians, druids, wandering musicians) roamed the streets of Spain.
The audience will enjoy various theatre performances, pyrotechnic shows, religious events, entertainment for children, gastronomic treats, and much more.
Cost of vacation
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For many recreation categories, prices in Alicante in October are among the lowest of the year. Most of all, it is possible to save on air travel and accommodation in hotels in the city, which lack tenants.
Package Tours
The longer the vacation lasts in October, the more discount tour operators offer. So, compared to September, vouchers for 11 and 14 nights are cheaper by 15-20%, but short excursion tours may rise in price. On average, a week in Alicante in October will cost a tourist 700 euros with accommodation in a room for two people.
Accommodation
At the peak of the season, a weekly stay in the apart-hotels of the city costs 900-1500 euros, but in the off-season, prices are reduced by two to three times.
Hotels offer 10-12% more profitable options than in September, and renting a room is cheaper by the same amount in November.
The average price for a hotel room in October is 80 euros.
Airfares
Autumn is a great time for budget flights: it is the year's lowest price. In any autumn month, airfares are about 10% lower than the annual average. A significant price increase was noted in December.
Food and Transport
In fast food restaurants in Alicante, the main menu costs about 7-10 euros; in restaurants of a higher level for lunch, one will have to pay from 11 to 25 euros.
The cheapest meal, Menu del dia (during a business lunch), costs 10-15 euros and includes a salad, main course, dessert and a drink of your choice, including wine.
The average check in the most popular restaurant in the city is almost 80 euros.
Public transport within the city costs about 1.5 euros for one trip, and taxi services are charged 4 euros per boarding plus about 2 euros for each kilometre of travel. Prices for group tours start from 30 euros.
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Tips for holidays with children
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Alicante in October is suitable for a pleasant and educational vacation. The excellent climate is favourable for everyone, but the sea can be too cool for small children, so the main activities for kids should be organized on the shore. There are also no outdoor heated municipal pools.
We advise you to pack summer things and windbreakers, several warm sweaters, trousers, and umbrellas.
In October evenings, there are mosquitoes, from which you can protect yourself with special means. Sometimes jellyfish swim in the sea, and stings can cause burns, so avoid encountering them. Choose hotels in the city centre, which is close to both beaches and tourist areas. You will most likely have to organise meals outside of hotels, which do not have an all-inclusive system. For this reason, holidaymakers with small children should opt for self-catering apartments.
Take advantage of the reduced prices and lack of excitement to visit the most iconic places in the city and province. The major amusement parks don't have many activities for little ones, so it's better to take them to the local Alicante Luna Park, go to the zoos, which are plentiful in the neighbourhood, and visit the Toy Valley. There is a handy Alicante public transport website that you can use to look at and route your journeys.
For travelling by car, use a road map; without it, it is challenging to navigate the branching roads and whether they are free or toll-free.
Experienced travellers advise paying particular attention to the safety of belongings and documents in Europe, as pickpocketing and car theft are standard here. Keep large sums of money on plastic cards, leaving some cash on hand.
Alicante in October will surprise you with pleasant prices, a large selection of entertainment, summer warmth and a sea.
The diversity of Spain and the comfortable climate will invariably make children want to stay here forever. Give your child a first-class, budget-friendly break from school with Kidpassage's advice on the best places to visit, comparing entertainment options and resorts throughout the months of the year.
