Think Benidorm's Old Town is pricey? Wrong bar, mate. On Calle Santo Domingo—better known as Tapas Alley—you can still score an icy caña or small vino for €1.80–€2 and snag a complimentary tapa with every round. Follow this locals-approved crawl to fill up for less than a tenner—and for weekly cash-saving intel, hop on the Costa Navigator newsletter before your next night out.
1. What & Where Is Tapas Alley?
A narrow, lantern-lit lane slicing through Benidorm's Old Town, Tapas Alley (officially Calle Santo Domingo) has evolved into a corridor of 30-plus taverns slinging pintxos, montaditos and mini beers all evening.
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2. How the "Free Tapa" Trick Works
Order any alcoholic drink—beer, wine, cava or vermouth—and most bars slide a bite-size tapa across the counter on the house. One drink, one nibble; move on, repeat.
Money maths: Five stops × €1.80–€2 = €9–€10 for five drinks and five snacks—cheaper than a single cocktail on the Strip. Recent forums still list pints and bottled beers under €2 throughout central Benidorm.
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3. The €10 Five-Bar Route
(Start around 18:30 before the Spanish dinner rush for shorter queues.)
Stop | Bar | Order | Likely Free Bite |
---|---|---|---|
1 | La Cava Aragonesa | Caña (0.2 L) €1.90 | Mini Spanish tortilla |
2 | Pintxos Aurrerá | Crianza tinto €2.00 | Basque-style jamón pintxo |
3 | El Txoko | Sidra glass €1.80 | Chorizo a la sidra slice |
4 | Tasca y Basta | Caña €1.80 | Garlic prawns skewer |
5 | Oliver's Bar (plaza edge) | Small sangria €2.00 | Manchego on bread |
Insider hack: Drop your used napkin on the floor—locals do it to show satisfaction and free up counter space.
4. Timing & Etiquette Cheatsheet
- Early-bird bargains: Pre-19:00 the bars entice with cheaper cañas to lure in locals.
- Stand, don't sit: Perch at the bar; table service often tacks a 10% surcharge.
- Keep moving: The fun (and savings) come from hopping—one drink, one tapa, next bar.
- Mind the napkins: Floors covered in paper = good sign; busier bars refresh trays fastest.
5. Seasonal Bonus: Tapas & Pinchos Competition (20–29 June 2025)
Twenty-three Old-Town venues—including La Cava Aragonesa and Pintxos Aurrerá—battle for "Best Tapa" glory, selling contest creations for €3.50 a pop. Collect stamps from five bars and you're entered to win a €60 dinner voucher.
Keep the Cheap Pours Flowing
Want real-time drink deals, fiesta alerts and secret menus? Subscribe to Costa Navigator and we'll tip you off to every €1.80 caña and free-tapa fiesta before the TikTok crowd shows up. Your wallet—and waistline—will thank you.
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