In 2024, Alicante experienced a record year. More than 240,000 cruise passengers passed through its port, generating an economic impact of around €60 million. To put it into perspective, that’s as if the entire population of a mid-sized European city had walked through here in just ten months.
And the best —or most tempting— part is that 2025 will be even bigger: 250,000 passengers are expected, with a hundred calls and 25 different cruise lines, including several in the luxury segment. The season will stretch from March to the end of December, meaning almost a full year of movement, colour and opportunities to explore this part of the Mediterranean.
With these numbers in mind, one thing is clear: when your ship docks in Alicante, you won’t be alone. And that raises an important question:
Do you want to experience your stopover like one of hundreds in a crowd… or as if you had a local friend guiding you to the most special places?
That’s where we come in.
The standard experience: quick, crowded, predictable
If you’ve taken shore excursions in other cities during a cruise, you know the drill. You board a large bus, visit the must-sees —usually the most central and touristic—, stop briefly for a few photos, buy a souvenir and return to the ship.
In Alicante, the typical route includes the Santa Bárbara Castle, watching over the city from above; a quick walk through the historic centre with stops at the Basilica of Santa María and the Central Market; and a bit of time for tapas or shopping.
It’s a perfectly fine plan, but it’s the same one hundreds of people will do at the same time as you. What it doesn’t usually include is time to talk to locals, try something off the tourist menu or venture a little further to see what the province is really like.
Cruise Expeditions with Whitin Experience: your stopover, your way
At Whitin Experience, we believe your stopover in Alicante can be much more than an “express tour”. That’s why our cruise expeditions are designed for small groups and travellers who want depth, not just surface.
We work with local guides who know the stories behind every monument, the streets where life still feels like decades ago, and the flavours you won’t find in quick tourist guides.
Each itinerary is adapted to the real time you have ashore and the kind of experience you’re looking for: more cultural, more gastronomic, more scenic — or a mix of all three.
The big difference is in the pace: we don’t want you to feel you’re rushing from one place to another, but that you’re making the most of every stop.
Exclusive routes beyond Alicante city
While Alicante city has plenty to offer, part of the charm of our cruise expeditions is taking you beyond the port. Here are just a few of the destinations we can include in your itinerary:
Elche
Only half an hour from Alicante, Elche is home to the largest palm grove in Europe, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Walking among thousands of centuries-old palm trees is a unique experience, especially when paired with a tasting of local dates and other products. You can also visit the Palm Grove Museum and see the craftsmanship of the white palm tradition.
Benidorm
Famous for its skyscrapers and beaches, Benidorm also offers spectacular viewpoints and a charming old town. From the Balcón del Mediterráneo, you can take in the contrast between the bay and the surrounding mountains.
Valencia
If your stopover allows, we can take you to Valencia, one of Spain’s most vibrant cities. It’s not just the birthplace of paella: it’s also a place where history and modernity blend, from the Cathedral and the Carmen district to the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences.
The advantages of travelling in small groups
The main difference between a standard shore excursion and our cruise expeditions is the group size — and that changes everything:
- Personalised attention: the guide can answer your questions and adapt the route as you go.
- More flexibility: if you love a place, we stay longer; if you’d rather move on, we do.
- Access to small places: some spots aren’t equipped for big groups but are perfect for a handful of visitors.
- Comfortable transport: vehicles matched to group size make for a smoother, quicker trip.
Stories you won’t find in guidebooks
One thing our travellers value most is hearing the stories and anecdotes you won’t read in brochures. A local guide can tell you why Santa Bárbara Castle has changed purpose so many times, the best time to visit the Central Market, or which family-run restaurant serves the best arroz a banda off the tourist trail.
These little details are what turn a visit into a memory.
An Alicante to savour
We can’t talk about cruise expeditions in Alicante without mentioning the food. Both in the city and the surrounding area, gastronomy is a key part of the experience.
You might enjoy a creamy seafood rice at a restaurant by the port, or try cured fish and local cheeses at a small bar tucked away in the old town.
In our itineraries, we always make time to sit down for a proper meal. It’s not a quick stop to “grab something”, but a moment to enjoy, chat and feel part of the place.
Why choosing well matters in a record year
With 250,000 cruise passengers expected in 2025, excursion options in Alicante will be plentiful — but also busier than ever. Standard tours will fill up, meaning less space, less time and less calm to enjoy.
Choosing one of our cruise expeditions means securing a different pace, the company of a guide who talks to you like a friend, and an itinerary designed for you. It’s the difference between being just another spectator and feeling you have privileged access to the city and its province.
Our advice as local hosts
If your cruise stops in Alicante, think about what you really want from those hours ashore. You can see the basics with fifty other people, or you can dive deeper into the history, food and landscapes in a small group.
And if you decide to join us, be ready to return to your ship with unique photos, stories to tell and, most of all, the feeling that you’ve experienced something genuine.
Alicante is at a unique moment. With more cruises, more visitors and more activity than ever, the chance to experience it in a special way is here — but you have to choose wisely.
At Whitin Experience, our cruise expeditions are that choice: designed to make every minute ashore count, and to send you home with the very best of this Mediterranean gem.
Because your stopover in Alicante doesn’t have to be like everyone else’s.