Eating in El Albir doesn’t have to be expensive. Although the area is full of high-priced tourist spots, there are still plenty of options for residents, workers, and visitors on a budget. From hearty daily menus at family-friendly bars to the popular Sunday market fare, affordable supermarkets, and sandwich shops where you can satisfy your hunger on a budget, here’s a roundup of the most convenient places to eat without breaking the bank.
ORGANIZE A CHEAP PICNIC ON ALBIR BEACH.
An ideal place to eat on a budget is Eucaliptos Park , just a few steps from the beach. There are tables and benches under generous shade, perfect for sitting down and enjoying a homemade picnic in a cool, peaceful setting.
If you prepare your meals at home, a full day can cost you less than €7 per person, including drinks and fruit.
Lunch (noon):
Potato omelette sandwich (bread and homemade omelette, approx. €1.30).
A piece of fresh fruit, such as banana or apple (€0.40–€0.50).
Cold water or white-brand soft drinks in a 1.5 L bottle (€0.40–€0.70).
👉 Approximate total: €2.5–3.
Snack-dinner (afternoon/evening):
Tuna sandwich with tomato and olives (approx. €1.50).
A portion of watermelon or melon (€1).
Cold drink such as iced tea or individual juice (€0.60–€0.80).
👉 Approximate total: €3–3.5.
Full-day expenses: between €6 and €7 per person. Much less than a single meal at a beach bar.
EAT CHEAPLY IN MERCADONA WITH PREPARED DISHES.
If you have a little more budget, one of the most practical ways to eat in El Albir is to take advantage of the “Ready to Eat” section at Mercadona (Camí Vell d’Altea 47). There you can find prepared hot dishes such as paella, fideuá, roast chicken, croquettes, lasagna, and homemade stews , with prices ranging from €3.50 to €5 per serving .
The advantage is that the supermarket itself has tables, cutlery, and microwaves to heat food on-site, so you don’t have to bring anything from home. This way, you can eat right there in a comfortable, air-conditioned space, or take your food to your apartment, the park, or even the beach.
With a main course (about €4), some bread or salad (€1–€2) and a cold drink (€0.30–€0.50), you have a complete meal for €6–€7 per person , much cheaper than any local restaurant.
KEBAB AND FAST FOOD ON ALBIR AVENUE.
If you’re looking for a quick meal without sitting in a restaurant, Avenida del Albir has several kebab and fast food restaurants. They’re not as cheap as they used to be, but they’re still affordable compared to the tourist options in the area.
At places like Golden Doner or Karim Kebab , a durum or kebab with fries and a drink usually costs between €8 and €10 . They also often offer simple pizzas or shared platters. These are modest places, open year-round, and are popular with young people, workers, and locals looking to fill up without paying for a full meal.
The best part is that you don’t need to reserve: your food is ready in just a few minutes, ready to take away or eat in. It’s the most convenient option if you’re coming from the beach and want to fill your stomach without breaking the bank.
Sharpen your vision because there is always economic variety.
In Albir, you can still eat cheaply if you know where to look. A very popular option is the neighborhood roast chickens , which with potatoes cost around €12–€14 and feed several people for little money. Simple pizzerias on the avenue also offer medium-sized dishes for €8–€10, easy to share. Local bakeries sell empanadas, quiches, and pizza slices for between €2 and €4, ideal for pairing with fruit from the supermarket. The Sunday market not only has fruit and bread, but also paellas and chicken by the slice at affordable prices.
POPULAR FOOD AT PARTIES AND EVENTS.
Another way to eat cheaply in Albir is to take advantage of local festivals and summer events . During these celebrations, stalls and bars are often set up in the square or on the seafront promenade where residents and associations serve paellas, sandwiches, and tapas at affordable prices, usually between €3 and €5 . In addition to being a budget-friendly option, it’s a great way to enjoy the town’s atmosphere, with live music and activities for all ages. Although they don’t take place year-round, these events are common in July, August, and during the September patron saint festivities, and have become a meeting point for residents and visitors looking for good food on a budget.
There are always tricks for eating cheap in El Albir without resorting to restaurants.
In El Albir, with a little skill, you can eat cheaply every day without having to sit in a restaurant. Here are some tricks many residents and workers use:
Shop at the market as if it were a buffet : fresh bread (€1), a slice of cured cheese (€3) and seasonal fruit (€2) will give you a meal with local flavor without spending more than €6.
Take advantage of the local roast chickens : a whole chicken and potatoes (€12–€14) feed 2–3 people. It’s cheaper than any tourist menu and you’ll have enough left over for dinner.
Use bakeries as “mini restaurants” : for €1–2 you can get empanadas, pizza slices, or savory buns. If you switch between bakeries, you can end up with a complete meal for just a few coins.
Grab ready-made meals from the supermarket : €3–€4 pizzas, frozen croquettes, or pasta dishes. You can put them in the apartment microwave or even in the Mercadona microwave, which has a space with tables, cutlery, and free microwaves.
Plan your own picnic on the beach : a homemade sandwich, fruit, and cold water from the supermarket. For less than €7, you can spend the whole day without missing a beach bar.
Look for festivals and open-air dances : in summer and September, there are popular paellas and snacks served by local associations for €3–€5. It’s the cheapest and most fun way to eat surrounded by a festive atmosphere.
With these tips, spending less in El Albir doesn’t mean giving up on eating well, but rather knowing where and how to look.
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