Wallet feeling the pinch? Swap splurges for smart moves and still nail that dream Costa Blanca break. Below are seven proven ways to squeeze maximum sunshine out of every euro—and if you want fresh money-saving intel each week, join the free Costa Navigator newsletter to keep your inbox (and piggy-bank) smiling.

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1. Swap the €80 Taxi for a €4–7 ALSA Airport Bus

ALSA's direct shuttle from Alicante-Elche Airport drops you at Benidorm's coach station in 45 minutes for as little as €4 (about £3.40) compared with €70–80 for a metered cab—an instant 90% saving.

Insider tip: Look for the green-and-white ALSA desk in arrivals; tickets are cheaper online and buses run hourly from 08:00 to 23:00.

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2. Ride All Day on the Panoramic "BeniBus" for €11

Lines 30 & 31 loop past Levante, Old Town, Altea and the markets. A 24-hour tourist card costs €11, or hop on for a single scenic spin at €6—far cheaper than piecemeal city buses or taxis.

Insider tip: Sit upstairs up front for the best Mediterranean Balcony photo-ops; the audio guide is included.

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3. Feast on a Three-Course Menú del Día for €10–12

Skip pricey seafront menus and lunch like locals: soup or salad, a main (think dorada or pork loin), dessert, bread and wine—all in for the cost of one cocktail back home. Many Old-Town cafés post chalkboards from 13:00.

Insider tip: Mid-week is cheapest; weekends (and English-language signs) push prices up.

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4. Bar-Hop Tapas Alley for < €2 Drinks (Free Bites Included)

Calle Santo Domingo's bars still hand out gratis tapas with every caña if you hit them before the 19:00 rush. Two beers + two bites can set you back under €4 if you keep moving.

Insider tip: Start at La Cava Aragonesa, then zig-zag the side streets—locals drop their napkins on the floor, so follow suit.

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5. Chase the Free Music & Fiesta Calendar

From Old-Town summer concerts to October's Jornadas de los Arroces, Benidorm's events diary is packed with zero-cost entertainment—perfect for evenings you'd otherwise spend paying bar cover.

Insider tip: We round up weekly freebies in the Costa Navigator mailer—jump in so you never miss a street party.

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6. Picnic Like a Pro with €1.95 Mercadona Wine

Grab a chilled tinto or rosado for under €2, plus a €1 baguette and €1.50 Manchego, then head to Poniente's cliff-top park for a sunset feast that would cost €30 in a chiringuito.

Insider tip: Ask for a saca-corchos (corkscrew) at checkout—staff usually lend one if you flash a holiday grin.

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7. Hike Serra Gelada—Epic Views, Zero Entry Fee

The protected marine-and-mountain park borders Benidorm yet costs nothing. Whether you tackle the lighthouse path or the 8 km ridge, the only expense is water and sunscreen.

Insider tip: Sunrise hikes are cooler and bus-friendly: the 10-ride TRAM pass (€8) gets you to Albir trailhead for spare change.

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Keep Those Euros Rolling Further

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