The XVIII International Medieval Pinchos and Tapas Competition had been held in Valencia de Alcántara on 24th and 25th October 2026

A Tapas Tour Through Valencia de Alcántara: 7 Medieval Flavors to Discover a Historic Town
On October 24th and 25th, this town in the province of Cáceres invites you to enjoy a gastronomic route featuring the seven finalist tapas from the 18th International Medieval Tapas Competition, priced at €2.50 each. It’s the perfect getaway to savor the culinary traditions of Spain and Portugal while exploring the Gothic Quarter, the old synagogue, the Church of Rocamador, and the fortress-castle.
Valencia de Alcántara, October 19, 2026 — There are many ways to discover a town, but few as enticing as a tapas crawl. This coming weekend, Valencia de Alcántara offers a journey through its history and heritage, with seven gastronomic stops where you can sample the finalist creations from the 18th International Medieval Tapas Competition.
On Saturday, October 24th, and Sunday, October 25th, between 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM, locals and visitors alike can enjoy—for €2.50 each—dishes crafted by chefs representing Almazán, Estella-Lizarra, Hondarribia, Laguardia, Marvão, Sigüenza, and Valencia de Alcántara itself. These seven unique interpretations of medieval cuisine will be showcased over two days in a town whose border history and monumental heritage make it well worth an extended visit.
The Network of Medieval Towns and Cities (Red de Ciudades y Villas Medievales) encourages visitors to take this opportunity to wander the streets of Valencia de Alcántara, uncover some of its most distinctive spots, and stop by the establishments hosting the finalists. The route can be spread across both days, allowing you to combine your tastings with a stroll through the town’s historic center. A Stroll Through Flavors and Monuments
A great way to begin is by heading toward the area around Parque de España, where Bar La Palmera will host Rubén Urbano, representing the town of Sigüenza. His *pincho* (tapas-style snack), titled "Evolución" (Evolution), combines lamb, almonds, chickpeas, eggplant, pomegranate, and figs—evoking the coexistence of cultures during the Middle Ages. As the chef explains, he wanted to illustrate "how medieval cultures did not replace one another, but rather evolved together."
From here, the route continues toward Parque de San Pedro de Alcántara, where La Taberna de Pedro will serve "Trout on Ancient-Wheat *Regañá* (Crispbread)," a creation by Alberto Marín from Laguardia. This dish revives a traditional variety of wheat and features trout cured with salt from Añana, highlighting ingredients and techniques rooted in the gastronomic heritage of the Álava region.
The journey then leads to the center of Valencia de Alcántara. At Casa Artesanos, visitors can sample "¡Qué Porras!"—a creation by María Rello, representing Almazán. Beneath its appearance as a traditional *porra* (a type of fried dough snack), the chef hides a mousse made from roasted ribs, mustard, honey, and orange, topped with a blood-orange jelly. This combination won over the public during the local competition, where Bar Las Piscinas served more than 600 portions. Developing the dish required numerous trials to achieve what the chef describes as "the balance we were looking for."
Near the Plaza de la Constitución—dominated by the Town Hall—visitors can explore one of Valencia de Alcántara’s greatest treasures: its Gothic Quarter, which was designated a "Property of Cultural Interest" in 1997. Its 19 streets contain approximately 266 historic doorways—many featuring pointed (ogival) arches—that serve as a reminder of the town’s significance during the Middle Ages. Among these streets lies the old synagogue—now the Center for Sephardic Cultural Identity—which stands as a testament to the Jewish presence and a history shaped by cultural exchange.
At La Peña Café & Tapas, Adur Arrieta, from Hondarribia, will present "Entre redes y trigales" ("Between Nets and Wheat Fields"). The chef brings to Extremadura a dish combining bluefin tuna with a buckwheat and mushroom risotto—a creation that unites flavors from the Cantabrian coast with local land-based produce.
Restaurante El Clavo will host Iban Garin, representing Estella-Lizarra and the current international champion. His creation, "Zalatambor," blends *txantxigorri* (traditional pork-fat pastries), smoked eggplant, pork, honey, and spices to evoke the flavors of the Tierra Estella region. The dish also holds a personal significance: "I remembered the times we would hold the traditional pig slaughter at our family home, and when my grandmother taught me how to make *txantxigorri* cakes," he recalls.
The heritage walk can continue toward the Church of Nuestra Señora de Rocamador—one of the town’s primary landmarks—and the fortress-castle, which is closely tied to the history of this settlement located near the Portuguese border. This area offers a deeper look into the medieval architecture and the frontier character of Valencia de Alcántara.
At La Taberna de Pedro—an establishment also featured in the brochure as a host for Marvão—Fátima Marques will present "Bosque de Outono" ("Autumn Forest"), a creation inspired by the...