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Local & Spanish


Benidorm / 6 February 2026
TapaFest officially launches today, kicking off the programme of parallel activities for Benidorm Fest 2026, which begins in just a few days with 18 artists competing for the iconic Golden Mermaid trophy and a €150,000 prize.
TapaFest is a gastronomic initiative promoted by Abreca in collaboration with Benidorm City Council, bringing together 20 local restaurants to celebrate creativity and flavour. From today until Sunday 15 February, participating establishments will offer specially created tapas for €3.50.
Visitors are invited to sample the dishes and rate their favourite tapas, with all participants automatically entered into a prize draw to win two tickets to the Benidorm Fest 2026 Grand Final.
The restaurants taking part in this fourth edition of TapaFest are:
Arrocería La Marina, Baldo, Bodegón Aurrera, Cervecería L'Abadía, El Linaje de Castilla, La Cava Aragonesa, La Fava, La Juana, La Pinta Beach, Malaspina, Marisquería El Puerto, Mos, Pinocchio Playa, Pintxos Aurrera, Restaurante Esturión, Shija Sabores de Los Balcanes, Taberna Andaluza, Tabernita del Sur and Tapería Aurrerá.
TapaFest is just one of several activities surrounding Benidorm Fest this week. On Saturday at 12:30 pm, an exhibition will open at the City Hall Art Space (l’Espai d’Art) revisiting five historic editions of the Benidorm International Song Festival, covering the years 1960 to 1965, when the Golden Mermaid was first established as the festival’s symbol.
The exhibition features original documents, photographs, magazines and programmes, and also connects the past with the present through items from Benidorm Fest, including two outfits worn by last year’s winner, Melody, alongside other surprises.
The exhibition will be open to the public until Sunday 15 February. Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 15:00 and 17:00 to 20:00, and weekends from 12:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 20:00, except on the 15th, when it will only be open in the morning.
Additionally, from 10 to 15 February, Plaza SSMM Reyes de España will be transformed into a lively food and entertainment space, featuring local food trucks and live music performances, further enhancing the Benidorm Fest experience.
Regional overview: steady pre-summer momentum
Across the Costa Blanca, including Benidorm, Altea, L’Alfàs del Pi (Albir), La Nucía and Finestrat, the region is entering a strong early-season phase with increasing visitor numbers, expanding nightlife, and a growing calendar of small cultural and leisure events ahead of the main summer period.
Markets, live music, coastal tourism and community events continue to dominate activity this week, alongside ongoing infrastructure improvements such as new sustainability and mobility projects.
BENIDORM – Markets, nightlife and tourism growth
Weekly street markets in Benidorm remain a key attraction, including Wednesday and Sunday general markets offering food, clothing and local goods.
The Old Town continues to host craft stalls and informal street entertainment, while evening activity is increasing as the summer season approaches.
Live music is now a nightly feature across main entertainment zones, with tribute acts, DJs and bar performances contributing to strong visitor activity.
Tourism officials also note continued preparation for upcoming seasonal events, including the build-up toward traditional spring and early summer festivals.
ALTEA – Culture and coastal leisure
Altea continues to focus on cultural tourism and relaxation, with art galleries, artisan shops and small exhibitions operating throughout the Old Town.
Live acoustic performances and low-key entertainment are taking place across seafront bars, while boat excursions from Altea harbour are operating regular coastal and sunset sailing routes depending on weather conditions.
ALBIR / L’ALFÀS DEL PI – Community events and live music
L'Alfàs del Pi and the Albir area maintain a steady mix of expat and local activity.
Weekly Friday markets remain popular, while Irish pubs and live music venues continue to host regular bands and acoustic performances.
The Casa de Cultura is also hosting community exhibitions, theatre and social events throughout the week.
LA NUCÍA – Sports and weekend activity
La Nucia continues to centre around sports tourism, with its major sports complex hosting training camps and competitive events.
The Sunday rastro flea market remains a key attraction, drawing visitors from across the region.
FINESTRAT – Coastal leisure and markets
Finestrat is experiencing growing beachfront activity as beach bars and restaurants reopen for the warmer season.
Markets in La Cala continue on Tuesdays and Saturdays, offering local produce and artisan goods, while sunset dining and relaxed evening entertainment are becoming more frequent.
VILLAJOYOSA – Culture, coastline and local life
Villajoyosa is experiencing steady early-season activity, supported by its historic old town, colourful seafront and growing cultural tourism offer.
Local markets and small artisan trading continue throughout the week, while the seafront promenade is seeing increased footfall as warmer weather returns.
The town also maintains its reputation for traditional fishing heritage, chocolate production history, and quiet beach tourism, offering a more relaxed contrast to nearby resort centres.
INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE – Benidorm EV expansion
Alongside tourism growth, Benidorm is also continuing its sustainability rollout, including new electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the Levante area as part of its broader mobility and climate strategy.
The project forms part of EU-backed funding aimed at supporting low-emission transport across major Mediterranean destinations.
REGIONAL SUMMARY
The Costa Blanca continues its gradual transition into peak tourist season, with activity levels rising steadily across all major towns.

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