Picture this: golden sand stretching as far as you can see, the smell of fresh paella drifting from a seafront restaurant, and kids building sandcastles while you sip something cold and fizzy. That’s Alicante in a nutshell — and in 2026, it’s shaping up to be one of the most popular summer sun destinations for UK holidaymakers.
Whether you’re after a budget city break, a full-blown all-inclusive family week, or a romantic couple’s retreat, holidays to Alicante tick just about every box. And with Jet2 operating fantastic routes and holiday packages from airports all over the UK, getting there has never been easier or more affordable.
This guide covers everything you need to know — from the best beaches and things to do, to how to find cheap Jet2 holidays to Alicante in summer 2026, and whether Alicante or Benidorm is the right fit for your family.
Why Alicante Is Topping the Charts for Summer 2026
Alicante isn’t just another Costa Blanca resort. It’s a proper Spanish city with a working port, a buzzing old town, and one of the best urban beaches in Europe — Playa del Postiguet — right on its doorstep. That combination of authentic Spanish culture and holiday-ready infrastructure is exactly why demand for Alicante holidays from the UK has kept climbing year after year.
In 2026, there are a few extra reasons it’s getting so much attention:
- Direct Jet2 flights from 10+ UK airports, including Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds Bradford, Edinburgh, and London Stansted
- Strong value for money compared to pricier Mediterranean spots like Mallorca or the Canaries
- A booming tourist infrastructure — new hotel openings, upgraded beach promenades, and expanded family attractions
- Reliable sunshine — Alicante averages over 300 days of sun per year, and July/August temperatures typically sit between 28–34°C
For families especially, the combination of safe beaches, child-friendly restaurants, and easy airport access makes Alicante beach holidays a no-brainer.
Jet2 Alicante 2026: What You Need to Know
If you’re booking Jet2 holidays to Alicante in 2026, you’re in good company. Jet2 is one of the most popular operators for Alicante summer holidays from the UK, and for good reason — their packages offer genuinely good value, friendly service, and the kind of flexibility that works for families.
What’s Included with Jet2Holidays Alicante?
When you book Jet2Holidays Alicante packages, you typically get:
- Return flights from your chosen UK airport
- 22kg hold luggage per person (a big deal when you’re packing for kids)
- Hotel accommodation ranging from 2-star budget to 5-star luxury
- Transfers from Alicante Airport to your hotel
- ATOL financial protection
- The option to add all-inclusive board at many hotels
The Jet2 Alicante 22kg baggage allowance is worth highlighting — a lot of budget airlines only offer 10kg or 15kg, so this is genuinely useful for families who need to pack sunscreen, inflatable toys, and half a pharmacy.
Low Deposit Jet2 Holidays to Alicante
One of Jet2’s most appealing features in 2026 is the low deposit option. You can often secure your holiday for as little as £60 per person upfront, then spread the remaining cost over monthly payments. For families watching their budget, this makes booking summer 2026 early much more manageable — and booking early is exactly how you lock in the best prices.
Best Time to Visit Alicante for a Summer Holiday
Alicante is a year-round destination, but summer 2026 runs hot from June through September:
| Month | Avg Temp | Sea Temp | Crowds | Best For |
| June | 26°C | 22°C | Moderate | Couples, beach lovers |
| July | 30°C | 24°C | High | All-inclusive families |
| August | 32°C | 26°C | Very High | Peak summer fun |
| September | 28°C | 25°C | Lower | Value seekers, couples |
June and September are hidden gems for Alicante beach holidays — the weather is still brilliant, the sea is warm, prices are lower, and you’re not fighting for a sunlounger. For families tied to school holidays, July and August deliver everything you’d want from a classic summer holiday.
Top Resorts & Areas Around Alicante
One of the things people overlook when planning costa blanca holidays is just how many different resort options there are within easy reach of Alicante Airport. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Alicante City
Perfect for couples and adults who want culture alongside the beach. The old town (Barrio de Santa Cruz) is genuinely charming, the castle (Castillo de Santa Bárbara) has stunning views, and the Explanada de España promenade is gorgeous for evening strolls. The beach is right in the city, too.
Benidorm
About 45 minutes from the airport, Benidorm is the other big name on the Costa Blanca and deserves its own mention. It’s louder, bigger, and more overtly touristy than Alicante — but for families with kids who want waterparks, shows, and beachfront action 24/7, Benidorm holidays with Jet2 are hard to beat. Jet2 offers plenty of Benidorm holidays packages as part of their broader Alicante airport holidays lineup.
Torrevieja & Guardamar
South of Alicante, these towns have some of the best beaches on the whole coast. Quieter, more residential, and popular with families looking for a gentler pace.
Calpe & Altea
North of Benidorm, these are beautiful towns with rocky coves and a more Spanish-local feel. Great for couples and foodies.
Alicante vs Benidorm: Which Is Right for Your Family?
This is one of the most common questions asked by UK holidaymakers planning a Costa Blanca holiday. Here’s a straight-talking comparison:
| Alicante City | Benidorm | |
| Vibe | Authentic Spanish city | Full-on resort town |
| Beach | Playa del Postiguet (urban) | Levante & Poniente (huge) |
| Nightlife | Lively but relaxed | Loud and very lively |
| Family appeal | Great — safe, walkable | Excellent — waterparks, shows |
| Culture | High | Low-Medium |
| Value | Good | Very good |
| Kids’ entertainment | Good | Outstanding |
| Best for | Couples + culture lovers | Families + party crowd |
Honest verdict? If you’ve got kids under 12 who want non-stop fun, Benidorm probably edges it. But if you want a more rounded holiday that blends beach time with genuine Spanish character — and you’d like to occasionally eat somewhere that isn’t a British pub — Alicante city wins every time.
Best Beaches in Alicante for a Jet2 Holiday
No guide to Alicante beach holidays would be complete without talking about the actual beaches. The good news: there are loads of them, and most are clean, well-organised, and very family-friendly.
- Playa del Postiguet — The city beach, right in Alicante. Calm waters, good facilities, very accessible. Ideal for a day out from your hotel.
- Playa de San Juan — About 8km north of the city. Longer, wider, and slightly less crowded. Perfect for families with kids who need more space.
- Playa de la Albufereta — Smaller, sheltered, with a lovely beach bar strip nearby.
- El Campello beaches — Just north of the city, these are some of the clearest-water beaches on the whole coast.
- La Mata (Torrevieja) — If you’re staying south, this is a genuinely spectacular long beach with calm, shallow water ideal for little ones.
All-Inclusive Alicante Holidays: Is It Worth It?
For families especially, the all-inclusive option can be a game-changer. Yes, you pay more upfront — but when you factor in the cost of feeding a family of four three times a day, plus snacks and drinks by the pool, the numbers often work in your favour.
Jet2 all-inclusive Alicante holidays typically include unlimited food at the hotel restaurant (buffet style), drinks throughout the day (including alcohol for adults), and often kids’ clubs and entertainment in the evenings.
Some of the best all-inclusive resorts near Alicante for families include hotels in the Benidorm strip, Torrevieja, and the San Juan area — all bookable through Jet2Holidays Alicante packages.
Pro tip: Book all-inclusive at a hotel with a good pool complex and entertainment programme, and your kids probably won’t even notice if you don’t leave the hotel grounds. That’s not necessarily a bad thing on day six of the holiday.
Top Things to Do on an Alicante Holiday
There’s a lot more to do in Alicante than just lie on the beach (although, honestly, that’s perfectly valid). Here are some highlights:
For families:
- Terra Mítica — Major theme park near Benidorm, great for older kids
- Aqualandia — One of the best waterparks in Spain
- Castillo de Santa Bárbara — Free to enter (by lift), incredible views over the city and sea
- Tabarca Island — A short ferry ride from Alicante, with crystal-clear snorkelling water
For couples:
- Explore the Barrio de Santa Cruz on foot
- Take a day trip to Altea or Villajoyosa (the colourful houses are incredible)
- Evening tapas crawl along Calle Mayor
For everyone:
- Mercado Central (Alicante’s amazing covered market)
- The MARQ Archaeological Museum — surprisingly fascinating
- Boat trips along the Costa Blanca coast
How to Find Cheap Jet2 Holidays to Alicante Summer 2026
Getting a good deal on Alicante summer 2026 holidays doesn’t have to mean sacrificing quality. Here’s how to approach it:
- Book early. The best prices for summer 2026 tend to go in the January–March booking window. Jet2 releases deals early and prices rise as capacity fills.
- Be flexible on dates. Flying midweek (Tuesday/Wednesday) is almost always cheaper than Friday or Saturday departures.
- Use the low deposit option. This lets you lock in the price without needing full payment immediately.
- Compare board types. Self-catering and bed & breakfast can be significantly cheaper than all-inclusive, and you might prefer eating out anyway.
- Look at shoulder weeks. The last week of June and first two weeks of September offer summer weather at non-peak prices.
- Check your nearest airport. Jet2 flies to Alicante from loads of UK airports — Manchester, Leeds Bradford, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Belfast, Glasgow, and more. Sometimes flying from a slightly further airport actually saves you money overall.
Alicante Family Beach Holidays: What to Expect
Taking the kids to Alicante for the first time? Here’s what real family holidays to Alicante actually look like:
The beaches are generally very safe, with calm Mediterranean water and lifeguard coverage during peak season. The Spanish are famously welcoming of children — restaurants will seat families late in the evening without batting an eyelid, and many places have high chairs and kids’ menus.
The biggest practical tip: travel insurance is essential (and Jet2 will offer it during booking — take it seriously), and pack reef shoes if you’re going to explore rockier coves. The main sandy beaches are perfectly smooth, but venture beyond and it can get stony underfoot.
Final Verdict: Should You Book Alicante Holidays for Summer 2026?
Absolutely, yes. Alicante sits in that perfect sweet spot: enough authenticity to feel like a real Spanish city, enough infrastructure to keep a British family comfortable and well-fed, and enough sunshine to guarantee you’ll come home looking like you actually went on holiday.
With Jet2Holidays Alicante 2026 packages starting from strong early-bird prices, full baggage included, and flexible payment options, there’s really not much reason to wait. Whether you’re planning alicante family beach holidays, a romantic couples trip, or a solo sun-chasing escape, the Costa Blanca is calling — and summer 2026 is lining up to be one of the best years yet to answer.
Ready to go? Head to the Jet2 website now, search for Alicante holidays 2026, and set your price alerts. The best deals won’t hang around — and neither should you.