"Escaping" Alicante After 2 Days 🇪🇸

I left early—spent €65 on an extra return ticket (original was €36 round-trip) to flee back to Madrid. As someone who hesitates to splurge on Five Guys, this hurt... but "buying time with money" was worth it. 🌊 Why I "Escaped" 1️⃣ Weather: The humidity was unbearable—worse than Shanghai summers! Constant sweat + heat rashes. 2️⃣ Limited Appeal: Only came for Tabarca Island (more later). Otherwise, Alicante feels like a coastal third-tier city—few supermarkets, fewer dining options. 3️⃣ Ranking Spain’s Coastal Cities: 🥇 Málaga (best balance) 🥈 Barcelona 🥉 Valencia 📉 Alicante ⏳ 2D1N Itinerary (Enough!) DAY 1 ☀️ 11:00: City beach + palm promenade + Mushroom St. 🍨 Snack: Horchateria Azul (hidden local dessert spot). 🍽️ 15:00: Lunch at Cafetería Si o Si (non-touristy area). 🌅 19:00: Santa Bárbara Castle—hike up (skip the elevator) for sunset views! DAY 2 🥑 10:30: Brunch at Martisano (tired of tomato toast?). 🏝️ 12:00: Ferry to Tabarca Island (tiny, pristine—walk end-to-end in 25 mins). ⛴️ 18:15: Return ferry (arrive 45 mins early to queue). 💡 Verdict For retirement? Madrid wins (dry heat, convenience, amenities). Alicante? Only if you’re hitting Tabarca or nearby towns. #OffTheBeatenPath #HiddenSpain #IslandEscape #Alicante #TravelTruths