Train to Alicante - connections, tickets and itinerary

• Documents: Spain is part of the Schengen area and the EU, so an identity card is sufficient.

• Currency: Euro (EUR). Payment cards are widely accepted and cash comes in handy in small bars.

• Best time to go: April-May and September-October, when it is warm and sunny during the day and there is less tourist traffic than in summer.

• Practical tip: in July and August, temperatures exceed 35°C, so plan your sightseeing in the morning and the beach before 11am or after 4pm.

The best choice is April-May or September-October, when the daytime temperature is 24-30°C, it is sunny and less crowded than in summer.

Spring (March to May)

• In May, the sea water is already more pleasant to swim in and accommodation prices are lower than in the summer peak.

• In June, the Fogueres de Sant Joan festival takes place with parades and pyrotechnic displays, so accommodation should be booked well in advance.

• April works well for visiting the Castillo de Santa Bárbara fortress and the old town without the heat and big queues.

Summer (June-August)

• In July and August, temperatures exceed 35°C and accommodation prices are the highest of the year.

• Fogueres de Sant Joan in June is Alicante's biggest festival, with parades, concerts and bonfires on the beaches over several days.

• It is best to go to San Juan de Alicante beach before 11am or after 4pm, when the sun is not as intense.

Autumn (September-October)

• In September, the sea is still warm and there is less tourist traffic than in summer.

• In October there is some rainfall, but the temperature is still favourable for walks in the old town and evenings on the Explanada.

Winter (November-February)

• The daytime temperature is 17-21°C, so the beaches are mainly for walking, and the old town and fortress are accessible without large queues.

• In February or March there is a carnival with parades in Lucero Square.

• Accommodation prices are then the lowest of the year and restaurants are less crowded.

You get to Alicante with a transfer, usually via France or Germany. You get off in the city centre, you don't look for a car park and you don't stand in traffic jams.

From Warsaw to Alicante

• The journey time is approximately 30-40 hours with a change of train in France or Germany.

• On sections in Western Europe, you can choose an overnight train with reclining seats.

• One route passes through Paris and Barcelona.

• You plan to change trains at the same or a nearby station.

From Krakow to Alicante

• From Krakow to Alicante you travel approximately 32-38 hours via Germany or France.

• On some variants, you spend the night on a train in western Europe.

• You usually plan to change trains in Munich, Lyon or Paris.

From Wrocław to Alicante

• From Wrocław to Alicante you travel approximately 33-39 hours with a change of trains in Germany or France.

• On the Spanish section you travel by high-speed trains.

• You plan to change trains at a major station with connections to France or Spain.

From Poznań to Alicante

• The route from Poznań takes an indicative 34-40 hours and passes through Germany or France.

• Some variants go via Berlin and Paris.

• In the west of Europe, you can choose an overnight drive with a layover.

From Gdansk to Alicante

• From Gdansk to Alicante you take an indicative 36-42 hours.

• The route usually takes you through Berlin and onwards through France or Spain.

• You can plan the longest stretch on an overnight train.

You can buy your ticket on Europodróże without creating an account - all you need is an email address and phone number. You receive your ticket by email and SMS, and a reminder arrives 30 minutes before departure with a link to your ticket. Reservation of a seat is compulsory on a foreign section. PKP Intercity ticket refunds are possible up to 20 minutes before departure and exchanges up to 30 minutes before departure. Please see the refund and exchange rules for details. The earlier you buy, the greater the choice of seats and the better the price.

From Alicante-Terminus station you can walk to the centre and the Explanada de España in just a few minutes.

A tram and city bus connect the station with the centre and the beaches. A single ticket costs a few euros and a day ticket a little more. Check the detailed prices and lines on the TRAM operator's website before you go.

A taxi or Uber will get you from the station to the centre in a few minutes. The approximate cost is a few to several euros.

You can get around the centre and the old town on foot. Castillo de Santa Bárbara, Explanada de España, Basilica de Santa María and Barrio de la Cruz are all within walking distance.

You can get to San Juan de Alicante beach by tram or bus. Check the current timetable on site or on the TRAM operator's website.

Where to stay:

• El Centro or near the Explanada de España - close to attractions and Postiguet beach.

• Barrio del Pla and Benalúa - a quieter alternative with good access to the centre.

Day trips from Alicante: take the tram and regional trains to Benidorm, Dénia and Murcia. Alicante works well as a base for exploring the Costa Blanca.

Castillo de Santa Bárbara

The fortress stands on top of the Benacantil mountain, 166 metres above sea level, and gives a wide panoramic view of the city, the port and the Mediterranean. The tour takes 60-90 minutes. There is a fee to take the lift and free entrance on foot. It is best to go in the morning when the temperature is cooler.

Explanada de España

This is the city's most recognisable promenade - it runs along the harbour and its mosaic floor was created from 6.5 million stones. It takes 30-45 minutes to visit, although evening walks often take longer. Admission is free. There is also an 18th-century baroque town hall next to the Explanada.

Museo de la Asegurada

This museum of modern art displays works by Picasso, Dali, Kandinsky and González. The tour takes 60-90 minutes. Check the current opening hours and entrance rules before visiting.

Barrio de la Cruz

This historic district has narrow streets, colourful facades and many local bars. The tour takes 60-90 minutes. Admission is free. In the evening, the streets fill with locals who go out for tapas.

Basilica de Santa María

This is a Gothic-Baroque church from the 14th-18th centuries located in the heart of the old town. It takes 30-45 minutes to visit. Entrance is free. It is worth dressing modestly as it is an active church.

Playa de San Juan de Alicante

The beach is about 3km long and has a wide strip of sand. There are free exercise facilities on site and you can hire sun loungers and umbrellas from private operators. In summer it is best to arrive before 11am or after 4pm.

Plan for day 1

Start the morning at the Castillo de Santa Bárbara - take the lift or walk up and see the city skyline. Then walk down through the Barrio de la Cruz to the Basilica de Santa María. For lunch, enter the Mercado Central for seafood or tapas. In the afternoon, plan to visit the Museo de la Asegurada. In the evening, stroll through the Explanada de España and end the day with dinner by the promenade.

Plan for the weekend

Friday evening: walk around the Explanada de España and dinner at a tapas bar on Calle de los Labradores.

Saturday: in the morning Castillo de Santa Bárbara, then the old town - Barrio de la Cruz, Basilica de Santa María and Mercado Central. In the afternoon, plan a museum or the Postiguet beach by the centre. In the evening, choose tapas and local wine at El Centro.

Sunday: take the tram to Playa de San Juan de Alicante for a swim and walk along the beach. In the afternoon, buy souvenirs such as turrón, olive oil and ceramics. In the evening, plan for dinner before departing.

What to eat

All i Pebre - a traditional Valencian dish of eel or fish with garlic and chilli. It's a speciality of the Costa Blanca region and worth seeking out in local eateries outside the most touristy streets.

Arròs a Banda - rice cooked in fish broth with seafood. This is one of the classic dishes of Valencian cuisine, often served in restaurants by the harbour.

Sea and meat paella - an icon of Mediterranean cuisine. At Explanada you'll pay more for a location with a sea view, while on Calle de los Labradores you're more likely to find more local addresses.

Esgarraet - a salad of bacalao, onions, peppers and oil. Works well on hot days.

Turrón - a traditional sweet made from almonds and honey. Alicante is famous for its turrón production, so this is one of the best ideas for a souvenir.

Where to eat:

• Calle de los Labradores in El Centro - local tapas and wine bars.

• Mercado Central - fresh seafood and fish, and the most intense market atmosphere in the morning.

• Restaurants at the Explanada - more expensive, but with sea and promenade views.

What's cheaper than in Poland: wine, seafood and fish, olive oil and food in local bars.

Souvenirs

• Turrón made from almonds - hard alicantino or soft jijonense.

• Olive oil from the Costa Blanca region.

• Vino de la Tierra de Alicante wine.

• Valencian-styleazulejos ceramics.

Each variant assumes a minimum of 1 overnight stay. Amounts in PLN are approximate.

Tapas in a local bar cost a few to several dozen PLN per portion. Paella in a restaurant on the main promenades costs several dozen to over 100 PLN. The beaches, walks in the old town and entry on foot to the Castillo de Santa Bárbara are free.