If you have a few hours before your flight, leave your luggage at STOP&GO in El Altet, near Alicante Airport, from €6 per bag per day, with no hourly limit, and enjoy El Altet beach without your bags.
You land in Alicante mid-morning and can't check into your accommodation until 3 pm. Or the other way round: you leave your apartment at 11 am and your flight isn't until the evening. Those dead hours can turn into a swim at the beach, a walk through a nature reserve or a meal by the sea, all just minutes from the terminal.
In this guide we tell you what to do near Alicante-Elche Airport when you have a few free hours, and how to plan them so you're not in a rush.
First things first: drop your bags
No plan works while you're dragging a suitcase around. If you're staying near the airport, leave your luggage at our BagsKeeper location in El Altet, just minutes from the terminal, and travel light.
👉 See luggage storage near Alicante Airport
If you have 2-3 hours: El Altet and its beach
The town of El Altet is right next to the airport. It's quiet, uncrowded and has bars and restaurants where you can enjoy a set lunch menu or a drink without watching the clock.
- El Altet beach: fine sand, dunes and plenty of space, even in summer. Perfect for one last swim before your flight.
- Seafront walk: ideal for stretching your legs after a long flight.
If you have 4-5 hours: Arenales del Sol and Clot de Galvany
- Arenales del Sol: one of the widest beaches in the area, with beach bars and seafront restaurants. Very close to the airport by taxi.
- Clot de Galvany: a nature area in Elche with lagoons, signposted trails and birdwatching hides. A calm, different plan if you don't feel like the beach.
If you have half a day or more: head to Alicante city centre
With more time, it's worth going into the centre: Santa Bárbara Castle, the Explanada or the old town. In that case, it's easier to leave your bags right in the centre and not go back to El Altet for them.
- 📍 Luggage storage in Alicante city centre
- 🚶 Walking route through Alicante city centre
- 📅 What to do in Alicante after check-out
How to time it so you don't miss your flight
- Count back from your flight: get to the airport about 2 hours before (more if you're checking bags or flying outside the EU).
- Leave time to collect your bags: allow at least 20-30 minutes to pick them up and get to the terminal.
- Check the location's opening hours: make sure it will be open when you come back.
- In summer, add some extra time: coastal traffic and taxi queues can make journeys longer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I go to the beach from Alicante Airport?
Yes. The beaches of El Altet and Arenales del Sol are just minutes from the terminal, so you can even have a swim during a layover of only a few hours.
Where can I leave my bags during a long layover?
At our BagsKeeper location near the airport, in El Altet. Book online and pay a flat rate per day, with no hourly limit.
Is it worth going into Alicante city centre during a layover?
If you have half a day or more, yes. With less than 4-5 free hours, we recommend staying near the airport and enjoying the beach.
