CIGA - Alhambra International Guitar Competition

Repertoire requirements

Check website

• Preliminary Round · 15-20 min
  • Free choice program
• Semi-Final · 25 min
  • Free choice program
• Final · 30 min
  • Free choice recital

Official website

https://fundacionalhambraguitarras.org/

Visiting? A guitarist's guide to Alicante

Photo: Bfoto.ru, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Alicante, a historic Mediterranean port and vibrant city on Spain's Costa Blanca, annually hosts the CIGA - Alhambra International Guitar Competition. This event draws guitar enthusiasts to a region known for its sunny beaches and rich history, offering a blend of world-class music and a relaxing coastal holiday. From its ancient roots as Akra Leuka to its modern role as a tourist hub, Alicante provides a captivating setting for this international gathering.

Getting there

Alicante is well-connected. The Aeropuerto de Alicante-Elche (ALC), located just 11 km south of the city center, is the primary gateway. Bus C6 offers a convenient, 20-minute ride to the city center, departing every 20 minutes from the departure level of the new terminal, with tickets costing €4.50. Taxis are also readily available at the arrival level for about €20-25. If arriving by train, the Estación de Tren de Alicante (Alicante Terminal) connects the city via high-speed AVE trains from Madrid in under two and a half hours, and regular services from Valencia (under two hours) and Barcelona (up to five hours). Regional Cercanías lines link Alicante to Elche and Murcia. The city also has a comprehensive tram system, Estación del Tram, connecting coastal settlements up to Dénia, with Benidorm as a key changeover point. The main bus station, Estació Autobusos Alacant, provides numerous ALSA lines to major Spanish cities.

Compare trains, buses & flights to Alicante on Omio →

Spain runs on Type F sockets, standard across most of Europe, so you will only need a travel adapter if you are coming from the UK, Ireland, or beyond Europe.

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Where to stay

As a popular tourist destination, Alicante offers a wide array of accommodation options. Staying in the city center or near the Explanada de España puts you within easy reach of the competition venues, historical sites, and dining. For beach lovers, the areas around Playa de San Juan, easily accessible by tram, offer resort-style stays with direct access to the sea. Given the competition's timing in June, which is part of the high season, booking well in advance is advisable to secure preferred lodging.

What you'll hear

The CIGA - Alhambra International Guitar Competition is an annual event that attracts talented young guitarists from around the globe, competing for a first prize of €6,000 plus an additional €6,000 scholarship. While the specific repertoire for each round is detailed on the official website, the competition showcases a high level of artistry in solo performance. There is no concerto round for this competition.

While Alicante does not have a specific classical guitar composer tied to its local heritage, the competition's name, 'Alhambra International Guitar Competition,' resonates with the broader, deep-seated tradition of the Spanish guitar. This instrument's history, characterized by a fusion of European and Moorish influences, is woven into the cultural fabric of Spain's Mediterranean regions. Attending the competition in Alicante places you within this rich musical lineage, where the classical guitar's expressive sounds find a natural backdrop in the city's historical setting and vibrant atmosphere.

If you play as well as listen, explore Joaquín Rodrigo, the Valencian master in our repertoire finder, where you can hear each piece and find the sheet music.

The local table

Alicante's culinary scene is a delight, deeply rooted in Mediterranean flavors, with fresh seafood and rice dishes taking center stage. The region is famous for its paella and arròs a banda, a flavorful rice dish cooked in fish stock, often served with aioli. Another local specialty is arròs negre, rice darkened with squid ink. Seafood, caught fresh from the Mediterranean, is abundant, from grilled fish to various shellfish. Explore the Mercado Central for local produce and gourmet treats, and seek out restaurants near the port or in the old town for authentic regional cuisine.

Fancy a guided taste? Food and wine tours in Alicante →

While you're there

Between competition rounds, Alicante offers a wealth of activities. Explore the historic Santa Bárbara Castle, perched atop Mount Benacantil, offering panoramic views of the city and coastline; you can reach it by elevator or a scenic walk. Wander through the charming narrow streets of the Barrio de la Santa Cruz, the oldest part of the city, with its colorful houses and flowered balconies. Stroll along the Explanada de España, a marble-tiled promenade lined with palm trees, leading to the marina. For beach relaxation, head to Postiguet Beach, right in the city center, or take the tram to the expansive Playa de San Juan. The Archaeological Museum of Alicante (MARQ) offers insights into the region's ancient history, from Carthaginian Akra Leuka to Roman Lucentum. Day trips are also rewarding: the city of Elche, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its extensive palm grove, is a short train ride away (about half an hour). Valencia, Spain's third-largest city, is also easily reachable by train in under two hours, offering a vibrant cultural experience with its City of Arts and Sciences, historic center, and culinary delights.

Tours, tickets and day trips in Alicante →

More guitar events in Spain: Alhambra Junior International Guitar Competition (CIGAJ) · Certamen Internacional Andrés Segovia · Certamen Miquel Llobet · Concurso Ángel G. Piñero · Concurso Internacional de Madrid (FIGUIM) · Festival de la Guitarra de Córdoba

Also in June: Balaton Guitar Festival · Bale-Valle Armonica Guitar Competition · Baltic Guitar Days International Festival & Competition · Baltic Guitar Festival & Competition · Concurso Internacional Levino Albano da Conceição · GFA International Ensemble Competition (IEC)

Listing data is compiled from official sources and can change each edition. Always confirm dates, deadlines and requirements on the organizer's official website before applying or booking travel. Spotted an error? See our terms or let us know via the About page.

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