Petrer & the José Tomás Guitar Festival: a guitarist's travel guide
International Guitar Festival José Tomás Villa de Petrer · Petrer, Spain
In the hills inland from Alicante, the town of Petrer hosts one of Spain's most respected guitar festivals, named for José Tomás, the great teacher whose pupils include David Russell. Held over two weeks each July, it grew from a modest guitar week into a full festival of concerts, masterclasses and competition, and it carries Spain's top guitar honour, the Premio Trujamán.
Getting there
Petrer shares a station with neighbouring Elda on the Madrid to Alicante line, so the train is straightforward, with Alicante about half an hour away. The nearest airport is Alicante-Elche (ALC), a little over half an hour by road.
Compare trains, buses & flights to Petrer on Omio →
Where to stay
Petrer and adjoining Elda together make a comfortable, unpretentious base for the festival, with the auditorium and old town within easy reach. Alicante and its beaches are close enough to combine a few festival days with some coast.
An interactive map of hotels, apartments and B&Bs across Booking, Expedia, Airbnb and more, centred on Petrer.
See stays in Petrer →What you'll hear
Rather than a single competition night, this is a fortnight of guitar: more than twenty recitals by international artists, a closing gala, masterclasses, a luthiers' fair, and a competition with categories from the youngest players up to professionals. An honorary prize is given each year to a major guitarist, so the concert programme is studded with famous names. It is an immersive, generous way to spend a summer week around the instrument.
If you play as well as listen, explore Federico Moreno Torroba's Spanish guitar music on Sheet Music Plus →
Where to eat
The cooking here is inland and hearty: arroz con conejo y caracoles, rice with rabbit and snails, and gazpachos manchegos, the game stew served over flatbread that has nothing to do with the cold soup of the same name. Down on the coast the province's rice and turrón are never far away.
While you're there
Petrer has its own hilltop castle and old quarter to explore, and nearby Novelda is a jewel of Modernista architecture. Alicante, with its castle, beach and port, is an easy day out. A rental car makes the day trips simple, and GetYourGuide lists guided tours and tickets across the region.
Enter the pieces you play, and GuitarComp shows how your programme maps to this competition's rounds and which other events you qualify for.
See full competition details →Competition dates, deadlines and the current compulsory work change each edition, so always confirm at the official site: guitarrapetrer.com.