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 without spending much is the Eucalyptus Park , a few steps from the beach. There are tables and benches under a generous shade, perfect for sitting down to enjoy a homemade picnic in a cool and peaceful environment.
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 slightly larger budget, one of the most practical ways to eat in El Albir is to take advantage of the “Ready to Eat” section of Mercadona (Camí Vell d’Altea 47). There you’ll find hot dishes prepared like paella, fideuá, roast chicken, croquettes, lasagna or 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 the premises, without needing to bring anything from home. This way you can eat right there, in a comfortable and air-conditioned space, or take the 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 want to eat quickly without sitting down in a restaurant, Albir Avenue has several kebab and fast food outlets. They are not as cheap as before, but they are still among the most economical options compared to the tourist offerings in the area.
In places like Golden Doner or Karim Kebab , a dürüm or kebab with potatoes and a drink usually costs between €8 and €10 . They also usually offer simple pizzas or combination plates to share. They are modest places, open all year round, where young people, workers and residents usually go looking to satisfy their hunger without paying for a full menu.
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
POPULAR FOOD AT PARTIES AND EVENTS.
Another way to eat cheaply in El Albir is to take advantage of local festivals and summer events . During the celebrations in the square or on the seafront, stalls and bars are usually set up where residents and associations serve paellas, sandwiches and tapas at affordable prices, usually between €3 and €5 . Besides being an economical option, it’s a way to enjoy the village atmosphere, with live music and activities for all ages. Although it doesn’t happen all year round, these events are common in July, August and during the patron saint festivities in September, and have become a meeting point for residents and visitors looking for good food without spending too much.
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.
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES:
