Local & Spanish

Last minute reservations for Holy Week respond and raise hotel occupancy in the Valencian Community to 80%

The error in the weather forecasts slows down the results of the Costa Blanca and Benidorm, leaving them far from the 2023 records

Although ten days ago we looked at the sky with uncertainty in the face of Holy Week, finally the forecasts have been exceeded and the Valencian Community has achieved an 80% average for the period between March 28 and 31. It is true that the figures have not reached the data for 2023, but it should be emphasized that the results are also positive, with some destinations reaching close to 90% occupancy.

Time has not been an obstacle for tourists who have visited the city of Turia. The hotels associated with HOSBEC in Valencia have finally registered 89.6% occupancy , some of them even hanging the sign completely. The good pace of last-minute reservations and the virtual absence of cancellations have added almost 10 percentage points in the previous seven days.

Another of the most popular destinations has been Gandia, which reaches 89% occupancy , data that follows the same line as the city of Valencia and that contributes to the province finally registering 87.9%.

Although the weather has not been as disastrous as expected, the weather forecasts made for these days have been the main factor that has prevented us from achieving, in some areas of the province of Alicante, data from the previous year. A clear example of this is Benidorm, which finally raises its occupancy to 78.7%, far from the 86% registered in 2023. The Costa Blanca has followed the same path , which scores 79.5% with destinations such as L'Alfàs del Pi / El Albir and Altea above 75%.

Finally, in the province of Castellón, it rises during the key days of Holy Week with 82% . In a more detailed analysis of the province's destinations, different trends are observed among tourist spots. The attendance of around 66,000 people at the “San San” music festival held in Benicàssim these days, raises the occupancy rate of the destination's HOSBEC associates to above 90% , while other destinations such as Peñíscola register 77.7%.

The president of HOSBEC , Fede Fuster, indicates that “Holy Week offers mixed results in the Valencian Community” since although last-minute reservations have been a boost in certain areas “the anticipated weather forecast, which in the end has not been fulfilled, "It has been the main factor that has prevented us from reaching figures like last year in destinations such as Benidorm or the Costa Blanca."

🌴 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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Last minute reservations for Holy Week respond and raise hotel occupancy in the Valencian Community to 80%

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

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