Gate-side books and snacks before security at NAT
WHSmith sits in the public area of Alicante NAT terminal, before security, so you can grab last‑minute bits even if you’re just dropping someone off. Expect the usual newsstand setup: magazines, paperback novels in English and Spanish, sweets, crisps, and bottled drinks. Prices run airport-high but not outrageous; figure €2–€3 for water or soft drinks and €1.50–€3 for basic snacks. It’s open from early morning check‑in waves to late‑evening departures, roughly 06:00–22:00, in line with most NAT departures.
Stock here skews toward short‑haul needs: neck pillows and basic USB chargers, plus small toiletries under 100 ml you can carry through security. You’ll also see Spain‑themed gifts and Alicante postcards for about €1 each, alongside paperback bestsellers and puzzle books for your flight. If you need SIM cards or more serious tech, that’s better handled airside in NAT, but WHSmith covers the emergency “forgot my charger cable” problem in a pinch with generic leads around €10–€15.
Lines spike right before the big morning bank of flights around 07:00–09:00, especially at the single staffed checkout. If you just need water or a snack, it’s usually quicker to pick it up here than wait for the cafés upstairs once security gets busy. Tip: buy your reading material and small toiletries at WHSmith before security, then head straight to screening and your NAT gate without extra stops once you’re airside.