Dreaming of a September escape? Alicante's weather in September offers a delightful mix of warmth and comfort. In addition, at the beginning of autumn, the holiday season ends, many tourists leave on their business, and the area becomes more spacious and cosy.
The entertainment and catering industry works the same way as before, so service to newly arrived travellers gets more attention. How to have a good holiday in the centre of the Costa Blanca region, read more in Kidpassage's article. Explore our guide to plan your vacation, featuring top travel tips, activities, and must-see spots. Your Alicante adventure awaits.
Holidays in Alicante in September: pros and cons
In September, parents with school children gradually leave the resort. Older European couples replace them, so the resort atmosphere becomes a little quieter. But there are still active youth parties on the piers, and the city centre is also buzzing with life.
The municipality organises free music concerts in the parks in the evenings. In general, the cultural life of Alicante in this period is no less diverse and exciting than in summer. Farmers bring ripe Spanish vegetables and fruit saturated with the sun to local markets, and fishermen bring a rich catch.
The pros of the resort in September prove once again that Alicante is a beautiful place in Europe for autumn holidays:
- comfortable air and water temperature;
- affordable prices;
- one of the best beach holiday destinations on the Spanish mainland;
- excellent time for sightseeing;
- favourable conditions for children's health improvement;
- the resort is not overcrowded.
There are very few disadvantages of the holiday, but we will name them nevertheless:
- still high levels of ultraviolet radiation;
- rain is likely; winds are stronger than in summer;
- daylight hours are shorter.
Cold currents in the south of Spain contribute to the early closure of the beach season, but in Alicante, it is still very comfortable. Hence, tourists recommend this resort for a beach holiday in September. As a rule, reviews of holidays in Alicante in September are full of delight from the weather, the quality of beaches and a rich excursion programme.
The weather in Alicante in September
Variable temperatures and rainfall characterise autumn days in Alicante. These phenomena are more frequent in mid to late autumn.
The weather in September is still warm, with plenty of sunny days. In October, the air remains warm, but precipitation increases.
The weather in early September is usually clear, sunny and dry. During this period there are very warm days and nights with a slight temperature difference during the day. Occasionally there are one or two rainy days. Temperatures in Alicante in mid-September range from +21 °C to +29 °C; a slight east or south wind is possible. Considering all the nuances of autumn weather, you can safely go to the resort without fear of dampness and cold. At the end of September, the weather in Alicante slightly deteriorates: the nights become slightly cooler, and there are more clouds in the sky.
Air and water temperature
The Mediterranean waters remain invitingly warm, adding to the allure. Over a long observation period, Alicante's maximum average daily temperature in September was +30 °C, and the minimum was +19 °C. Because Alicante is surrounded on three sides by mountains and hills, the temperature here is higher than in other Spanish coastal settlements. The climate of the city belongs to the Mediterranean type. From the north of the province to the southern point of the Murcia region, it is more arid than in the typical Mediterranean.
Air temperature in Alicante in September
The average daytime temperature in Alicante is +28.5°C, and the average night-time temperature is +21.3°C. The hottest week of September is the first week of the month.
Water temperature in Alicante in September
The average water temperature of the Mediterranean Sea in September is +25.5 °C, while the maximum temperature reached +27.5 °C.
Precipitation
The average rainfall in the first month of autumn is 19.2 mm, with one to four rainy days.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
The sky over Alicante is absolutely clear for a third of the month, with overcast skies for no more than 2.3 days. For the rest of the month, light clouds are in the sky. The daylight hours are 11.8-13.0, and the average daily number of sunny hours is not less than 10.
Beach holidays
The temperature of the sea off Alicante is one of the warmest and remains so for a long time. The sea is even warmer in Santa Pola. A cape protects the town from the winds, so average annual temperatures rarely fall below +20°C.
In autumn, the sea in Alicante shimmers with bright colours, and there are no strong and cold currents.
All this, combined with clean sandy beaches and gentle bottoms, creates comfortable conditions for beach holidays and swimming. There is no need to look for free space in September, so even the mega-popular Postiguet beach is suitable for families with children. At least once, it is worth visiting other beaches such as Albufereta, San Juan, and Almadraba. The beach facilities are fully available as it is during the summer months, and beach cafes will close in mid-October.
The only disadvantage of Alicante is the lack of freshwater showers: you are only allowed to wash your feet with salt water.
The sun in September can not only make people tan but also burn. Local newspapers publish data on the level of ultraviolet radiation so that holidaymakers know what measures to take to protect their skin. At the end of September, the sun's rays are not so dangerous; you can safely spend time on the beach at noon.
In the afternoon, the wind rises on unprotected parts of the coastline, which causes waves and raises the sand, so prefer the morning hours for passive relaxation on the beach. September evenings are moderately warm.
Tour Holidays
In autumn, sightseeing tours in Spain are most in demand. That is due to the excellent weather, which lets you neither languish from the heat nor suffer from the cold. However, it can even be hot at the beginning of the month for sightseeing in the middle of the day.
The Spanish siesta lasts from around 2 pm to 4 pm when the city's museums close. Until the end of September, there is a summer schedule for visiting cultural sites, according to which they are open for a few hours longer than in winter.
Alicante is remarkable for its architecture: here you can see examples of all styles of architecture (Greek, Romanesque, Moorish, Gothic, Plateresco, Baroque, Modernism) in the Santa Barbara Fortress, Santa Maria Basilica, St Nicholas Cathedral and other ancient buildings. The Santa Barbara Fortress is best visited in the morning when the sun is not directly overhead or in the evening to admire the sunset.
After sunset, romantics recommend swimming in the sea at the foot of the fortress and viewing it from there. The enchanting view is well worth the adventure.
In the first half of September, wine tourism gets a fresh start. At this time, grapes are harvested in the province and immediately crushed to produce wine.
Wine tours involve participants both in the process of pressing grapes and in gastronomic delights with music and dancing. Tourists can take a boat trip by sea to the protected island of Tabarka, home to a colourful fishermen's village. From June to September, catamarans run there and back 5-6 times one way.
Not far from Alicante, the largest palm forest in Europe grows in Elche, and the town of Orihuela is attractive with numerous Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings. In mid-September, horse races, competitions and everything related to horses are held.
The mountain town of Ibi, 40 km north of Alicante, is an excellent place for children as it has a toy museum and is the centre of the country's toy industry.
The town is also known as the headquarters of the Reyes Magos (the three Magi from the East), who bring gifts to Spanish children at Christmas. Agost is nearby, and it has been known for its ceramics for centuries.
Alicante's centre has beautiful green spaces, including the Canalejas Park with centuries-old ficus trees, the El Palmeral palm park and Lo Morant with a summer bandstand. Visit the city's museums with children:
- Museo Taurino (The Bullfighting Museum);
- MARQ Archaeological Museum;
- Hogueras Carnival Doll Museum.
Active Holidays
The period from September to October is the middle season for water holidays and sports, so prices are reduced. For snorkelling and scuba diving enthusiasts, the sea of the protected area of Tabarca Island is ideal. In Alicante, it is possible to rent any water transport. The small water park in Rojales closes in mid-September, and Aqualandia and Aqua Natura water parks close later than the others.
Centres for surfing, kiting and other sports where you need wind can be found in Santa Pola, San Juan and the city beach of Alicante. Only beginners train in the latter.
During the bathing season, kiters are not allowed to ride along the beaches to avoid disturbing others. Alicante has a wide range of sports facilities for football, volleyball, basketball, tennis, shooting, horse riding, and swimming, as well as the necessary conditions for mountaineering and paragliding.
Many golf courses are within an hour's drive from the city, and more are under construction. The high season for golf starts in early September.
The neighbouring town of Muchamiel has a local airport for private sports and ultralight aircraft.
Holidays, events and festivals
Holidays in Alicante in September will pleasantly diversify your holiday with scenes from the city's cultural life and the province of the same name. Virgen del Socorro is the patron saint of sailors and fishermen, in whose honour the main street and chapel of Alicante's Raval district were named.
A festive procession occurs through the district streets on 6-10 September. These days you can see people dancing, listening to music, tasting traditional Spanish dishes and admiring fireworks.
For more than 10 years, the Contemporary circus festival has delighted audiences in September in Alicante and the province's municipalities. For three weeks, audiences can see performances in various disciplines: acrobatics, juggling, clowning, equilibrium and others combined with dance, theatre and live music.
In addition, those who wish can try themselves as circus artists and learn circus techniques.
In September, the theatrical event "Moors and Christians" continues in some cities of the province. The celebration lasts about three days, during which there are impressive costumed processions, reconstructions of historical events and battles, which Christians will surely win.
Cost of vacation
Prices in Alicante in September make tourists happy. As the tourist flow decreases, apartments and small hotels become empty, some of them close until the next season, but cafes and restaurants still have a lot of people on holiday. Accordingly, accommodation rent becomes cheaper, and prices for food in cafes and restaurants are not subject to seasonal fluctuations.
Package Tours
The cost of September tours is 15% lower than in August. Do not expect a noticeable price drop in October and November: the discount will last the whole season. On average, for a package holiday, an economical tourist should pay 350 EUR for seven days with accommodation in a room for two people.
Accommodations
Hotels no longer keep high accommodation prices, cutting room rates by 40%. They will become cheaper by another 10-12% in October. In September, a room costs 85 euros per night on average.
Airfares
In September, airlines cut their prices by 10 per cent, and at that level, they will remain until December, when another jump in airfares of more than 40 per cent will occur.
Food and Transport
In the centre of Alicante are cafés and restaurants to suit every taste. A light breakfast or an afternoon snack with coffee and a slice of cake or dessert will cost around 5 euros.
The bars offer a set snack consisting of a large portion of french fries, sliced jamon and a glass of beer for €6.5.
You'll be offered a traditional lunch with paella, fish and a variety of seafood for no less than €15 per person. The minimum price excursions is €30 euros. For €50 or more, you can visit other cities in Spain and other countries, such as France or Monaco. Airport transfers cost a minimum of €30, car hire in season costs €50-60 per day, and you must return a car with a full fuel tank.
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Tips for travellers with children
Alicante in September is best suited for holidays with children of all ages. If you want to take the youngest ones on a trip, the beginning of autumn is the best. The climate is also suitable for seniors. You do not need to take a lot of warm things with you: a jacket will be required on those days when it rains. Also, during this period, mosquitoes can bother you in the evenings.
Take advantage of the reduced prices to visit the sights and theme parks not only in the resort city of Alicante but also in the province of the same name. You can rent a car or use public transport. When choosing a bus for long-distance trips, give preference to the type of bus, as it is equipped with a toilet.
Consider siesta times, public holidays and weekends in the work of pharmacies, museums and public institutions.
When travelling with children, eating in a hotel is preferable to eating in tapas and cafes/restaurants that do not have a suitable children's menu.
September holidays in Alicante are accompanied by pleasant prices, a wide choice of everything your soul desires, and pleasant weather. A rich cultural programme includes items that will appeal to all small and large tourists. Spain is very diverse, so explore the articles on our Kidpassage website to create your itinerary of unforgettable family adventures based on our trusted advice.
