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New York and Benidorm strengthen ties in a meeting between the mayors of both cities

Eric Adams and his team welcome Toni Pérez to the New York City Hall

Both councillors have discussed the urban development model in height, water management, the recovery of spaces and social integration.

The cities of New York and Benidorm are a little closer together from today, after the meeting held at the American City Hall between the mayors of both cities, Eric Adams and Toni Pérez. A visit that takes place one day after the mayor of Benidorm participated in a High Level Political Forum on the 2030 Agenda at the UN headquarters as part of the Spanish delegation headed by the third vice president of the Government of Spain, Teresa Ribera, and the Minister of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030, Pablo Bustinduy.

During the meeting, both mayors have spoken about their cities and what they have in common “each in its own dimension”, according to Toni Pérez. Thus, they have talked about “the commitment to the vertical city”, about “the renovation and recovery of spaces” and about “the effort in favour of the inclusion and integration of the communities that arrive” because “we are both lands of opportunities”. In this regard, Eric Adams has defended the value of sport as a tool for inclusion and integration and the steps that New York is taking in this regard, something that the Benidorm delegation was able to see yesterday.

On the other hand, Toni Pérez has detailed to his New York counterpart “how water and resources are managed in Benidorm, in which we are a model of sustainability”.

Furthermore, during the meeting, both councillors have commented that New York and Benidorm are two of the cities in the world with the highest concentration of skyscrapers, and “each one in its own size is a reference in this aspect”.

Toni Pérez has thanked Eric Adams “for the courtesy of receiving Benidorm and taking an interest in the city and its urban and management model”, as well as for his intention to “continue maintaining contact and strengthening ties”. He has also thanked “the magnificent attention that the elected councillor for the district of Queens, Francisco Moya, has given us throughout the visit”, who has accompanied the Benidorm delegation.

After meeting with the Mayor of New York and visiting the Town Hall, Toni Pérez and the manager of Visit Benidorm have travelled to the facilities of the football school that the vice-president of Benidorm CF, David Villa, has in the city. This brings to an end two days of work in New York.

🌴 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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New York and Benidorm strengthen ties in a meeting between the mayors of both cities

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

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