Welcome to This Is Benidorm

The intention of ThisIsBenidorm.info and sister sites like ThisIsSpain.info is to give information to visitors and tourists to Spain, to those considering moving here and/or those already here, particularly those just finding their way around. ThisIsBenidorm is dedicated to this popular tourist destination and, increasingly, retirement choice on the Costa Blanca. If you are more interested in the Costa Del Sol then ThisIsFuengirola.info is for you.

This Is Benidorm

Benidorm

Situated on the sunny Costa Blanca of Spain, the vibrant city of Benidorm is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. The city is conveniently located just a 40 minute drive from the busy Alicante Airport, where visitors can take advantage of a number of budget flights to and from most of Europe, Britain and Ireland. There are good road links via the national AP-7 motorway and N-332 dual carriageway, linking Benidorm to many of Spain’s major cities, towns and villages. Within the city there is a local bus service, 2 different city tour buses and a tram that runs to Alicante. A good selection of international car hire companies operate from Alicante Airport, and most of Benidorm’s hotels offer a car hire help desk.

Climate

Benidorm, and indeed the whole of the Costa Blanca, enjoys some of the finest weather in Europe. The peak summer months of July and August can get exceedingly hot so try to avoid being a ”Mad dog or Englishman” during the scorching afternoons, and take great care with young children. When visiting during these months, air conditioned accommodation can make all the difference to a pleasant or miserable holiday. The mild weather usually continues well into the winter months, and it is not unusual to see people enjoying a BBQ for their Christmas lunch !!

Accommodation

One thing Benidorm has in spades, is it’s accommodation options. Package holidays are big business here and visitors can choose from self catering holiday apartments, bed & breakfast guest houses, budget hotels, all inclusive hotels and luxurious 5* Hotel & Spa Resorts. Privately owned holiday let townhouses, bungalows and villas are a good option for large families and groups, and there are camping resorts and camp grounds for those with camper vans, caravans and tents, some with fully equipped chalets and a wide range of great facilities that include swimming pools, parks, playgrounds, sports options, eateries and shops.

Beaches

Part of the magic that attracts thousands of holidaymakers to Benidorm each year is its fantastic beaches. The main 5 kilometres of coastline include the large golden sand beaches of Levante and Poniente. The slightly smaller Levante Beach enjoys a city location, making it Benidorm’s most popular, with excellent facilities and a whole host of exciting water sports. The city’s harbour area separates the beaches, with Poniente to the south which is the larger, and due to it’s location slightly away from the city centre, usually less busy. Poniente also enjoys good facilities and both beaches are backed by lively promenades offering a wide selection of shops, bars and restaurants. Outside of these beach areas the coastline becomes rugged and rocky making it ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving. There are also a few naturist beaches here including Cala Almadraba and Cala Tío Ximo.

The City

If looked at from the small cove that separates Benidorm’s 2 beaches, the main tourist part of the city is to the right and is where you will find hundreds of shops, cafés, bars, takeaways, restaurants and nightclubs. To the left, and separated by the Old Town, the city continues although with less tourist attractions and mainly made up of holiday apartments, hotels and commercial buildings. L’Aiguera Park takes up a large chunk of the city and is home to the new town hall and Plaza de Toros bullring. The park is an ideal place to escape the heat of the day and enjoy a picnic in the shade of its trees. There is also the smaller Paloma Park, popular with the locals who while the day away chatting and playing chess.

The Old Town

This is the most attractive part of Benidorm, and has managed to retain its historical charm with its narrow lanes and little nooks and crannies. The Old Town is easily recognisable by the beautiful blue domed roof of San Jaime Church that sits on a headland overlooking the ocean. Being Benidorm, even here among the picturesque old buildings, the great entertainment and shopping opportunities continue along the pedestrianised ”Walking Street” where you will find well known high street brands and trendy boutiques. There is also a popular gay scene with glitzy drag shows and buzzing nightclubs.

Wining & Dining

There is definitely no shortage of establishments for visitors to enjoy food and drink in Benidorm, and in the popular parts of the city you will find PR’s outside the bars and restaurants enticing passers by with special offers, drinks promotions and even free shots. With the city’s large number of British holidaymakers, great value ”Full English” breakfasts are advertised in numerous bar/restaurants and you will find popular takeaways such as kebabs for as little as 2.50€ Fresh local produce, seafood and a large variety of rice dishes feature highly on Spanish menus and wonderful little tapas bars are everywhere. For the widest choice of these delicious little treats, all in one area, a visit to ”Tapas Alley” in the Old Town is a must. Another excellent dining option is a flamboyant show accompanied by a choice of 4 course meals at the famous Benidorm Palace.

Entertainment

The biggest problem with entertainment in Benidorm is when to call it a night!! Known as the party capital of the Costa Blanca, many visitors from all over mainland Spain and Europe choose Benidorm for party weekends, and the city is famous for Stag & Hen parties. The choice of bars and clubs is staggering, and with such competition among them, ridiculously low drink prices are one of the city’s main attractions for the hedonistic youth who visit in their droves. It’s not just about drink till you drop though, there is a great selection of more family and middle age orientated bars and restaurants that offer entertainment such as pool, darts, table tennis, quiz & bingo nights, karaoke, live music and stand up comedy acts. Visitors can also enjoy museums, theatre, lively shopping complexes, 10 pin bowling, mini golf and movies.

Attractions & Excursions

A visit to a theme or aqua park is high on most peoples holiday itinerary, especially families with young children. Benidorm certainly doesn’t disappoint with a choice of 3 exciting theme parks and 2 aqua parks. There is also quad bike and segway excursions, go-karts, downhill mountain bike rides, jeep safaris and a good selection of wind, board, beach and water sports. Benidorm’s weather is ideal for a few rounds of golf and visitors can choose from fun pitch & putt, a challenging 9 hole course and fabulous resort & spa offering 2 professional standard 18 hole courses. A bit further afield, but less than a 30 minute drive, are the stunning Guadalest Valley and Algar Waterfalls that can easily be combined on a day trip. The towns of Calpe, Altea, L’Alfás del Pi and Villajoyosa also offer plenty of fun things to do on a day excursion.

This is Benidorm

This site can only be of benefit if it is current and is constantly being updated. The speed with which Spain is changing means that there is always pressure to update it. If you see mistakes or omissions or you have information that you would like added, please feel free to contact us. We wish you every success with your new life and/or an enjoyable holiday. If there is anything we can do to help, please do not hesitate to ask.

¡Mucha Suerte y Feliz viaje!

This is Benidorm