Local & Spanish

Altea becomes Costa Blanca’s international food hub with 13 restaurants taking part in cuisine days

Altea / 5 May 2026

The coastal town of Altea is preparing to host the 3rd International Cuisine Days, running from May 8 to May 17, 2026, bringing global flavours, themed menus, and cultural events to the heart of the old town and seafront dining scene.

A global food journey across Altea

Thirteen restaurants across the municipality will take part, each offering specially designed menus inspired by cuisines from around the world, including:

Japan and Nepal (Asian fusion and traditional dishes)
Peru and Argentina (South American grills and ceviches)
Italy (classic Mediterranean cuisine)
Morocco (North African spice-led dishes)
Germany and Austria (Central European comfort food)
Brazil and Serbia (regional specialities and street-food style dishes)
Russia and Ukraine (Eastern European traditional plates)

Local organisers say the goal is to turn Altea into a “walkable world food route” over ten days.

Participating restaurants

This year’s lineup includes:
El Pulpo, E-tika, Tío Ennio, Austriaco, Ombú, La Fornera, Terraza Oliva, Ristorante Zero81, Pinxos i Punt, Boteco del Bustamante, Melitón Jardín, El Tajín de Oro, and Himalaya Tandoori.

Each venue will offer a fixed international menu or themed tasting experience at set prices.

Growing reputation as a food destination

According to organisers from AHEA (host restaurant association), Altea’s dining scene has seen strong growth in recent years, with increasing interest from both tourism and expat communities.

Local officials say events like this strengthen Altea’s position alongside other Costa Blanca gastronomy hotspots such as Benidorm and Alicante city.

More than food: culture and atmosphere

Beyond dining, the event will include:

Live music and cultural performances
Themed tastings and product showcases
Small cultural demonstrations reflecting participating countries

Previous editions have included dance performances, cooking showcases, and artisan product stands.

Prizes and incentives for visitors

Guests taking part in the event can enter prize draws, including restaurant meals, wine packs, and local product baskets.

Organisers say the aim is to encourage visitors to explore multiple venues rather than just one-off dining.

Wider Costa Blanca trend

This event is part of a broader regional push to promote gastronomy-led tourism across the Costa Blanca, where towns increasingly use food festivals to extend the tourist season beyond summer months.

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

Overview

This week across Benidorm, Altea, Albir, Finestrat, and La Nucía is mainly:

Weekly markets and street trading

Live music in bars and small venues

Early spring coastal tourism activity (boat trips, promenades)

Small cultural events and exhibitions

Gradual build-up toward May festivals in Benidorm

BENIDORM – Events and Activity

Markets and street life

Wednesday and Sunday main street markets (large general markets for clothing, food, and goods)
Old Town craft stalls operating in the evenings
Night markets becoming more active as tourist season builds

Cultural activity

Early preparations and signage for the Medieval Market coming soon in central Benidorm
Small pop-up performances in Old Town squares (musicians, street entertainment)

Nightlife and entertainment

Live music every night across the main strips (cover bands, tribute acts, karaoke)
DJ sets and bar entertainment increasing toward peak season
Rooftop bars and terrace venues reopening more consistently

Overall feel

Benidorm is in an active pre-summer phase with strong nightlife and steady tourist flow.

ALTEA – Cultural and coastal atmosphere

Old Town and culture
Art galleries and artisan shops open daily
Small exhibitions and cultural displays in local venues

Live music

Acoustic and low-key live music in bars around Old Town and seafront areas
Occasional weekend performances in Irish and cocktail bars

Sea activities

Boat trips operating from Altea harbour including:
Coastal cruises
Sunset sailing trips
Swimming stops depending on weather conditions

Overall feel

Quiet, scenic, and cultural with a strong focus on relaxation rather than nightlife.

ALBIR / ALFÀS DEL PI – Mixed expat and local activity

Markets

Friday weekly street market with food, clothing, and household goods
Nearby Sunday markets in Altea also attract visitors from the area

Live music

Regular pub and bar entertainment, especially in Irish and rock-themed venues
Weekly live bands and acoustic performances across multiple venues

Cultural venues

Casa de Cultura hosting small theatre events, exhibitions, and community activities
Regular local group meetings and social clubs

Overall feel

Balanced area with both relaxed daytime atmosphere and active evenings.

LA NUCÍA – Local and sporting focus

Markets

Sunday rastro (large flea market with antiques, tools, clothes, and food stalls)
Entertainment
Occasional live music in local bars, mostly weekends

Sports activity

Large sports complex hosting training camps, tournaments, and weekend events

Overall feel

Quiet residential town with activity concentrated around weekends and sports events.

FINESTRAT – Beach and market lifestyle

Markets

Tuesday and Saturday markets in La Cala area with a mix of local produce and goods

Beachfront activity

Beach bars and restaurants increasingly open in the evenings
Sunset dining season beginning again

Entertainment

Low-key live music in beachfront bars rather than organised events

Overall feel

Relaxed coastal town focused on beach life and casual evenings.

OVERALL SUMMARY

Benidorm: busiest area with nightlife, markets, and entertainment

Altea: cultural, scenic, and relaxed

Albir / Alfàs del Pi: balanced mix of live music and expat social life

La Nucía: local, quiet, and sports-focused

Finestrat: beach-oriented and low-key

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Altea becomes Costa Blanca’s international food hub with 13 restaurants taking part in cuisine days

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

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