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Valencian Community strengthens tourism leadership with record passenger numbers at Valencia and Alicante airports in 2025

Valencian Community / 14 January 2026

The Valencian Community has reinforced its position as one of Spain’s leading tourism destinations after Valencia-Manises and Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández airports recorded their highest-ever passenger numbers in 2025, according to the latest data published by Aena.

The Minister of Industry, Tourism, Innovation and Trade, Marián Cano, welcomed the results, describing them as confirmation of “the excellent performance of tourism in the Valencian Community and its leading position among Spain’s main destinations”.

Both airports closed the year with record figures, consolidating a sustained growth trend.

Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport handled 19,950,394 passengers, an 8.5% increase compared with 2024.
Valencia-Manises Airport reached 11,847,527 passengers, representing a 9.6% year-on-year rise.

“These are the two highest growth rates among the ten busiest airports in Spain,” the minister noted.

December figures also reflected strong momentum. Alicante-Elche welcomed 1,318,828 passengers in December alone, an increase of 8.4% compared with the same month in 2024, while Valencia Airport recorded 893,420 passengers, marking a 12.4% increase year-on-year.

Marián Cano highlighted that the December data capped “an exceptional year”, with both airports surpassing their previous annual records before the end of the year, as early as November.

“This performance confirms that growth is not seasonal or temporary, but structural,” Cano said. “It reflects a clearly defined tourism model based on sustainability, market diversification, international promotion and strong public-private collaboration.”

The minister reaffirmed the Generalitat’s commitment to working closely with the tourism sector to ensure balanced growth that generates wealth, employment and opportunities across the region. He also underlined ongoing efforts to strengthen air connectivity across the Valencian Community’s three airports, particularly with medium- and long-haul markets.

“In fact, during FITUR 2026, meetings with several airlines are already scheduled to continue expanding our international connectivity,” Cano confirmed.

Urgent need for airport expansion

In light of the continued increase in passenger numbers, Marián Cano reiterated the urgent need to progress with planned airport expansion projects.

“The sustained growth in air traffic is exposing the current capacity limits of both Alicante and Valencia airports,” he said. “Delays in expanding and modernising these infrastructures represent an unnecessary constraint on the competitiveness of the Valencian Community.”

The regional government is therefore calling for the activation of the expansion project at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport, already planned by Aena, as well as faster timelines for the expansion of Valencia-Manises Airport.

“These are strategic infrastructures for our economy and for the future of Valencian tourism,” Cano concluded. “We will continue to firmly demand that these actions are carried out as a matter of urgency.”

🌴 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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Valencian Community strengthens tourism leadership with record passenger numbers at Valencia and Alicante airports in 2025

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

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