There are destinations where prices are "what they are" and you have little influence over them.
The Costa Blanca is not one of them. Here, you'll quickly notice one thing:
it's not the country that determines prices, but the specific location you happen to be in.
You can have a coffee for €1.50 and a few minutes later pay €3 in the same neighborhood.
You can have a good lunch for €12... or for €25, which won't be any better.
It's not a matter of luck.
It's a matter of choice.
Everyday shopping
If you rent an apartment or like to have something of your own for breakfast or dinner, shopping in Spain will not surprise you.
Prices are similar to Polish ones, and sometimes even more "fair" in relation to quality.
| Product | Price (average) |
|---|---|
| Baguette | 0,50 – 0,70 € |
| Eggs (10 pcs.) | 2,00 – 2,50 € |
| Milk (1 l) | 0,90 – 1,30 € |
| Fruits / vegetables | 1.50 – 3.50 € / kg |
| Beer (shop) | 1,00 – 1,50 € |
The biggest difference isn't in the numbers, but in what you buy.
On the Costa Blanca, it's truly worth it to buy local produce—jamón, cheeses, fresh bread, olive oil. They're simply very good and often more cost-effective than their Polish counterparts.
If you want to shop wisely:
Mercadona – a bit more expensive, but very convenient and "Spanish"
Lidl, Aldi, Alcampo – the cheapest options
Eating out
This is the topic that impacts the budget the most.
Not because Spain is expensive, but because it is very easy to find places typically prepared for tourists.
| Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Tapas | 2,50 – 6,00 € |
| Larger portions/seafood | 8,00 – 15,00 € |
| Main course | 10,00 – 20,00 € |
| Beachfront restaurants | 15,00 – 30,00 € |
The difference isn't always quality. You're often paying for the location and the view…
Tapas are tempting, but it's worth remembering that they're small portions.
In practice, most people order two or three and end up with a bill very similar to a classic dinner.
The simplest tip that almost always works:
if the place is mostly occupied by Spaniards, you're in the right place.
It is worth knowing one more phrase: menu del día
This is something that many tourists don't take advantage of, which is a shame – because it's one of the best food options in Spain.
The menu del día is a daily menu (usually at lunchtime) that includes:
- appetizer
- main course
- dessert or coffee
- often also a drink (wine / water)
Price? Usually €10-15 , sometimes not much more.
This is not a tourist menu, but a regular offering for local residents – so the food is simple, fresh and really good.
We always recommend:
if you see "menú del día" - it's worth stopping and checking it out.
Coffee and breakfast
Here Spain surprises – positively, of course.
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | 1,50 – 2,50 € |
| Tostada | 2,00 – 4,00 € |
| Something sweet | 1,50 – 3,00 € |
A morning coffee with a tostada is cheaper than a quick breakfast out in many other countries. It's one of those parts of the day that's easier on the budget and more enjoyable.
Wine and evenings
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| A glass of wine | 1,50 – 3,00 € |
| Beer (at the bar) | 2,50 – 4,00 € |
| Sangria (jug) | 12,00 – 15,00 € |
In Spain, wine is a natural and very affordable commodity.
You don't have to choose more expensive options to find something good and high-quality.
Transport
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Ticket (Alicante) | approx. €1.45 |
| Tram along the coast | a few € |
The tram is one of the biggest conveniences – you can easily travel between towns without renting a car.
Accommodation
This is the only category where you actually need to know what exactly you're looking for and what standard you're aiming for. But at the same time—and this is important—you get something specific in return.
On the Costa Blanca, the price of accommodation is often determined by three things:
- apartment standard
- view
- distance from the sea
| Accommodation type | Price (2-4 people) |
|---|---|
| Off season | 50 – 80 € |
| Season | 80 – 150 €+ |
| 1 coastline/view | 120 – 250 €+ |
And this is key:
if you see a higher price, you are most likely paying for location and experience.
An apartment with a terrace and a sea view, where you eat breakfast looking out at the water, is a completely different quality of stay than staying a few streets away.
And that's not an exaggeration.
It's often the element you remember most.
How to approach the budget to make your trip truly enjoyable
The Costa Blanca isn't a place that forces you to count every euro. But it quickly teaches you one thing: price always means something.
It's not about choosing the cheapest option.
It's about knowing what you're actually paying for.
Because the differences here are not accidental.
At a beachfront restaurant, you're paying not only for the food, but also for the view, the light, and the evening atmosphere.
A front-of-house apartment isn't just about lodging – it's about mornings with coffee on the terrace and the sea at your fingertips.
A small restaurant on a side street, on the other hand, often lacks a view, but makes up for it with what's most important – flavor and simplicity.
And therein lies the charm of this place.
When you start to recognize this, you stop judging prices in terms of expensive versus cheap.
Instead, you start making conscious choices based on what you truly want to experience at any given moment.
How much do you really need?
| Style | Daily budget |
|---|---|
| Frugal | 30 – 50 € |
| Comfortable | 60 – 100 € |
| Free | 100 € + |
The Costa Blanca is not a place that imposes one way of traveling.
You can grab a simple lunch here for €12, settle in for an evening with a glass of wine for a few euros, and feel like everything is in its place.
Or you can opt for a sea-view apartment, dine by the beach, and take your trip to the next level.
And neither option is "better.".
Because it's not about how much you spend.
It's about what you want to get out of this place.
And when you know this, your budget stops being a constraint
and becomes simply a choice.
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