Looking for a holiday home in Spain that is easy to reach and doesn’t require having a car, but with lots to do to keep the extended family happy, Marcia chose Gran Alacant, just south of Alicante on the Costa Blanca.
Marcia, who lives in Wandsworth in south London, took one of her three sisters, Paulette, with her when she appeared on A Place in the Sun in her property search in 2023.
Why is Gran Alacant popular with UK buyers?
“We enjoyed the whole process, Jean was lovely and they edited it well to not make it so obvious that it’s usually Paulette that talks all the time!” says Marcia, a charity worker and grandmother.
Anyone who has seen the episode that went out in February 2026 might agree that the sisters proved a good team, especially as Paulette already owns a holiday apartment in Montserrat, a village southwest of Valencia.
How easy is it to travel to Gran Alacant from the UK?
But Gran Alacant proved perfect for Marcia for its proximity to the coast and also Alicante airport. She’s been out four times, but her sons also go for stays, so it’s being well utilised. It helps that it’s so convenient to reach, even for just long weekends.
“I can leave work at 2.30pm on a Friday, get the train to Gatwick to catch the 5.50pm flight to Alicante, and be in my apartment at 10.30pm after a 14-minute cab ride,” she says.
What is Gran Alacant like to live in?
Her apartment is a two-bedroom property with a huge roof terrace (that really sold it to her), with access to a shared swimming pool. It cost £102k.
The property was ‘move-in ready’, so she hasn’t had to spend time renovating or decorating, leaving her plenty of time to explore.
Gran Alacant is a vibrant town with supermarkets, restaurants and nice urbanisations that a growing number of buyers are discovering.
Carabassi Beach is a long strip of sand backed by dunes that doesn’t ever get too busy – it’s quieter and more friendly than nearby Torrevieja.
What are the nearby areas and amenities?
It is not just Jean who’s been out filming there, but Jasmine too: Jane and Neil bought a place there for £106k that only costs €50 a month to run, and also Paul and Sharon, who paid just over £100k.
Gran Alacant is close to Santa Pola and Elche, and Marcia especially loves the traditional town of Santa Pola, with its Monday market and marina. “Plus, the free aquarium that the grandchildren like,” she says.
There is a quick bus into Alicante city, which she also loves, but she’s also been to Benidorm for the buzz of a big resort.
“Gran Alacant is just perfect for me,” she adds. “When I visit for longer periods, I intend trying more local activities – there are the ‘Gran Alacant Ladies’ (a social and support group with 1,300 members) I’ve heard about, there’s walking football, aqua aerobics, and I hope to do some Spanish lessons.”
Thinking about buying on the Costa Blanca?
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