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Benidorm Tapas and Pintxos Competition Returns for 16th Edition with 19 Venues and €3.50 Tasting Menu

Benidorm / 17 June 2026

Benidorm's renowned Tapas and Pintxos Competition will return from 19 to 28 June, bringing together 19 bars and restaurants for ten days of culinary creativity, local flavours and friendly competition as part of the city's prestigious Benidorm Gastronómico 2026 programme.

Now in its 16th year, the competition has become one of the flagship gastronomic events on the Costa Blanca calendar and is widely regarded as the initiative that helped establish the successful Benidorm Gastronómico brand. This year's edition will see participating venues offering specially created tapas and pintxos at a fixed price of just €3.50, giving residents and visitors the opportunity to sample some of the city's finest small-plate cuisine.

The official launch and presentation of the competing dishes took place at the Domingo Devesa Tourism Centre, where hospitality professionals, tourism officials, members of the expert judging panel and local dignitaries gathered to celebrate the start of the event.

Mayor Toni Pérez praised the quality and diversity of Benidorm's hospitality sector, describing the competition as a showcase for the destination's culinary excellence. He highlighted the role played by local businesses in continually raising standards and helping strengthen Benidorm's reputation as one of Spain's leading tourism and gastronomic destinations.

The competition is organised by the Association of Bars, Restaurants and Cafés of Benidorm (ABRECA) in collaboration with the city's Tourism Department. ABRECA President Javier del Castillo said the standard of entries continues to rise year after year and encouraged both residents and visitors to explore the participating venues throughout the ten-day event.

Key Highlights

19 participating establishments across Benidorm
Competition runs from 19 to 28 June 2026
All tapas and pintxos available for €3.50
Public and professional jury awards
Visitors can vote for their favourite dish
Customers who vote will be entered into a prize draw to win a dinner for two worth €60
Accessible promotional materials include QR codes and NaviLens technology for visually impaired visitors
Event forms part of the wider Benidorm Gastronómico 2026 programme

Participating Establishments

The 19 venues taking part in this year's competition are:

Baldo, Cervecería L'Abadía, El Bodegón Aurrera, El Mesón, Freiduría Los Peces, La Cava Aragonesa, La Fava, La Tabernita del Sur, La Tapería, Malaspina, Marisquería El Puerto, Molta Pasta, Pinocchio Playa, Pintxos Aurrera, Rock'n Ribs, Taberna Andaluza, Uncle Bob Taberna Jamaicana, La Pinta and La Pinta Beach.

Each venue has developed a unique creation especially for the competition, ranging from seafood-inspired dishes and Mediterranean flavours to international influences and contemporary culinary techniques. Visitors will be able to follow a gastronomic route around the city while discovering innovative interpretations of traditional tapas alongside more avant-garde concepts.

Public and Expert Judging

Alongside the public vote, a panel of respected hospitality professionals has already sampled and assessed the competing entries. However, the results will remain confidential until the official awards ceremony.

This year's judging panel includes hospitality patron Mariano Sanz García, acclaimed chef Alfonso Mira Bejerano, restaurateur Marta Devesa Santacreu, Esperança Cano Figueira of El Xato Restaurant, gastronomic critic Carlos Corredor Sáez and Benidorm restaurateur Manolo Martínez Hernández.

Members of the public can vote using QR codes available at participating venues. Every valid vote entered during the event period will be eligible for a prize draw offering a dinner for two at one of the participating establishments.

Part of a Year-Round Gastronomic Calendar

The Tapas and Pintxos Competition is the latest event in the Benidorm Gastronómico 2026 calendar, a year-round programme celebrating local cuisine and hospitality.

Upcoming events include:

5th Cocktail Competition – 11 to 20 September 2026
15th Rice Dishes Festival – 16 to 25 October 2026
II Menjars del Nostre Poble Gastronomic Days – 26 to 29 November 2026

Together, these events continue to strengthen Benidorm's position as one of Spain's leading food tourism destinations while supporting local businesses and showcasing regional culinary traditions.

Further information, venue details and promotional materials are available via the official tourism website.

🌴 What's On Across the Costa Blanca

Benidorm & Surrounding Areas | 27 July - 2nd Aug 2026

The Costa Blanca enters another fantastic week of the summer season, with beaches packed, festivals in full swing and a busy programme of sporting, cultural and family-friendly events across Benidorm, Altea, Villajoyosa, Finestrat, La Nucía and L'Alfàs del Pi.

With schools now on holiday across much of Europe, visitor numbers continue to rise as the region enjoys one of its busiest weeks of the year.

☀️ Benidorm

Beaches & Summer Activities

Benidorm's award-winning Levante, Poniente and Mal Pas beaches continue operating at full summer capacity, with lifeguards, beach services and water sports available daily.

Popular activities include:

Parasailing
Jet ski adventures
Boat trips to Benidorm Island
Paddleboarding and kayaking
Beach volleyball
Open-air fitness classes
Family beach activities
New Seafront Attraction

Visitors continue flocking to Benidorm's giant new "BENIDORM" letters on the Tamarindos Promenade, created from 170kg of recycled fishing nets recovered from the Mediterranean, making them one of the city's most popular new photo spots.

International Mermaids & Mermen Convention

Aqua Natura Benidorm continues hosting Europe's largest International Mermaids & Mermen Convention.

Visitors can enjoy:

Mermaid performances
Underwater demonstrations
Marine conservation workshops
Interactive family activities
Meet-and-greet sessions
Benidorm Cable Ski – 60th Anniversary

The famous Benidorm Cable Ski continues celebrating its 60th anniversary with commemorative displays and special summer activities honouring one of Europe's oldest cable ski facilities.

Entertainment & Nightlife

Benidorm's nightlife remains in full swing with:

Live tribute shows
Comedy and cabaret
Karaoke
Rooftop bars
Beach clubs
Live DJs
Sunset boat parties
Summer club nights

🌿 Albir & L'Alfàs del Pi

Nature & Coastal Walks

The award-winning Albir Lighthouse Trail, recognised as Spain's Best Blue Trail, continues attracting thousands of visitors with spectacular views across the Serra Gelada Natural Park.

Things to enjoy:

Guided walks
Cycling routes
Outdoor fitness
Beachfront dining
Evening live music
International community events

🍫 Villajoyosa

Colourful Coastal Heritage

La Vila Joiosa continues welcoming visitors to one of the Costa Blanca's most colourful seaside towns.

Popular attractions include:

Valor Chocolate Museum
Chocolate factory tours
Historic Old Town
Seafront promenade
Artisan markets
Summer concerts
Beachfront restaurants

🏟️ La Nucía

Sport & Family Activities

Camilo Cano Sports City continues hosting:

International training camps
Community fitness sessions
Youth sporting events
Family activities
Outdoor exercise classes
Summer Cultural Programme

Throughout the week La Nucía continues its summer cultural programme featuring:

Outdoor concerts
Local exhibitions
Evening entertainment
Family activities
Traditional markets

🌅 Finestrat

Outdoor Adventures

Summer conditions make Finestrat ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.

Popular activities include:

Hiking Puig Campana
Mountain biking
Scenic countryside walks
Exploring the historic village
Relaxing at La Cala Beach
Shopping & Dining

La Marina Shopping Centre continues offering:

Summer sales
Outdoor terraces
Beachfront restaurants
Family entertainment

🎭 Altea

Arts & Culture

Altea continues its vibrant summer programme with:

Artisan markets
Art galleries
Live jazz
Acoustic concerts
Cultural events around Plaza de la Iglesia

Summer Safety

Enhanced summer policing remains in place across beaches, the Old Town, promenade and shopping areas to help keep residents and visitors safe during the busy holiday period.

Coastal Experiences
Catamaran cruises
Sunset sailing
Waterfront dining
Photography tours

📅 Coming Up

Summer fiestas across the Costa Blanca
Outdoor concerts throughout Marina Baixa
Evening artisan markets
Family entertainment during the school holidays
Extended attraction opening hours
Beach events and water sports
Live music every night

🌴 Quick Summary

✅ Beaches at full summer capacity
🧜 Aqua Natura's Mermaids & Mermen Convention continues
🎿 Benidorm Cable Ski celebrates 60 years
📸 Giant recycled BENIDORM letters remain a must-see
♿ Accessible bathing service at Albir extended until September
🌿 Albir Lighthouse Trail welcomes walkers daily
🎨 Altea's summer arts programme continues
🎶 Live music and nightlife across the Costa Blanca
🚔 Enhanced summer policing remains in place
☀️ Peak holiday season continues

🌤️ Weather Outlook

Another week of hot, sunny Mediterranean weather is forecast.

🌡️ Daytime: 31°C–35°C
🌙 Evening: 24°C–27°C

A yellow heat warning remains in place in parts of Alicante Province, with temperatures expected to peak during the afternoon. Visitors are advised to drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen, seek shade during the hottest part of the day and keep up to date with local weather and wildfire warnings.