If you are looking for great coffee in Alicante's old town, come and find us. Swallow Specialty Coffee, Plaza del Carmen 13, Alicante, was named one of Spain's 100 Best Coffee Shops 2026. We open every day at 08:30, Sundays included, and we are a 10-minute walk from the cruise port.
Finding us
Plaza del Carmen sits in the Casco Antiguo, Alicante's old town, postcode 03002. From the cruise port terminal it is around a 10-minute walk. The Explanada de España, the palm-lined promenade along the water, is a short walk away, and so is the Castillo de Santa Bárbara on the hill above the old town.
That makes us an easy first stop. Walk up from the ship, have a coffee, and carry on to the water or the castle from our door.
Come early
We open at 08:30 every day. If you only have a few hours in Alicante, it is a good way to start: a proper coffee before the rest of your plans begin. We close at 16:30 and do not take reservations, so just walk in.
Look for the doors
You will know you have found us when you see two tall double doors, each 3.5 metres high, open onto the plaza. They are always open.
We do not have a terrace, but with the doors open, the light and air from the plaza fill the whole room.
Before you sit down
We have a no-laptop policy. Swallow is a place for coffee, conversation and a moment of rest, which is what a short stop in a new city should be.
Dogs are always welcome, and there are treats behind the bar. Our team speaks Spanish and English, so you can order and ask questions in whichever is easier.
What to order
If it is your first visit, start with an espresso-based drink. It is the most direct way to taste the coffee. A flat white or cappuccino shows how it works with milk, and filter coffee is the one to choose if you want to taste a single origin at its clearest. Ask the team what they are enjoying this week. They will be happy to help you choose.
Every coffee we serve is one we chose, roasted to its own profile, rested and tasted before it reached the bar. From roastery to cup, every decision is ours. If you have questions before you visit, our FAQ page may help.
Take some home
We sell bags of our coffee at the café, so you can carry some home with you and skip the shipping wait. If you would rather travel light, you can order the same coffee later from our online shop, with delivery across Spain, Europe and the UK.
A simple morning in the old town
- Start at the cruise port terminal or the city centre.
- Walk about 10 minutes to Plaza del Carmen 13 and look for the two tall open doors.
- Have your first coffee from 08:30.
- Head up towards the Castillo de Santa Bárbara for views over the city and the coast.
- Come back for a second coffee, or a bag to take with you.
- Walk on to the Explanada de España along the water.
Everything sits close together, so the whole route is easy on foot.
The essentials
Swallow Specialty Coffee, Plaza del Carmen 13, Alicante. Open daily from 08:30 to 16:30, no reservations needed. A 10-minute walk from the cruise port, dogs welcome, and a team that speaks Spanish and English. Directions and opening hours are in our visit section.