| Benidorm is situated on Spain's east coast (Costa | | | | For the party animal, Benidorm is probably the "Mecca |
| Blanca),on the shores of the Mediterranean sea, and is | | | | de Espana", with its main Spanish rival possibly being |
| protected on three sides from most adverse weather, | | | | Ibiza and described by some as a Spanish Blackpool |
| by the mountains of Sierra Helada to the east, Aitana | | | | but with a different culture, more sun and better |
| to the north and Tussal de la Cala to the west, with | | | | beaches. |
| Benidorm's fourth side dominated by two deeply | | | | This is not all that Benidorm has to offer, for with its all |
| curved bays which keep the sea tranquil, and ensure | | | | year round diverse entertainment for singles, couples |
| that sunbathers and swimmers remain in a safe and | | | | or families, young and old alike, this is truly a holiday |
| warm environment for most of the year. | | | | experience not to be missed. |
| Situated off the N-332 approx 40 minutes from | | | | Family Entertainment. Benidorm has rich and varied list |
| Alicante airport, Benidorm is rated as Spain's top | | | | of activities for families with children of all ages, |
| holiday destination, due mainly to its year round | | | | amongst the best are: Terra Mitica, Terra Natura, |
| temperatures, which average between 12 degrees in | | | | Mundomar, Aqualandia and Desafio Medieval (medieval |
| winter and 28 degrees in summer, and its three Blue | | | | show, with knights jousting etc, plus dinner) all can be |
| Flag natural golden beaches. | | | | found on the internet for more detailed information. |
| There is an abundance of activities to be found here, | | | | Hire Car. This is a very good idea, to enable you to |
| for those that require the thrill a minute type holiday, | | | | explore the beautiful villages and towns outside of |
| with water sports that include jet skiing, kayaks, water | | | | Benidorm, and with all the major car hire companies |
| skiing (try the cable ski off the Rincon de L'oix, at the | | | | along Avenida del Mediterraneo, just off Levante |
| northern end of Levante beach), parascending, scuba | | | | beach, such as Hertz, Avis, Europa and Centauro, so |
| diving (three actual professional/amateur clubs) and | | | | shop around for the best deal. |
| snorkelling. You can also hire boats or organise fishing | | | | Excursions. Most hotels organise some sort of |
| trips and scuba diving trips to Peacock Island, where | | | | excursion package which you can take, but there are |
| you can swim with an extravaganza of marine life. | | | | also five free sightseeing trips on offer, taking you to |
| For the fresh water enthusiasts, there is Aqualandia | | | | the markets at Altea, through 7 Spanish villages, |
| with its waterfalls, zigzags, rapids, cascades, lakes, | | | | Guadelest, Botanical Gardens or the wine making |
| kamikaze rides, black hole wave swimming pool, or for | | | | valley of Jalon (where you can taste the merchandise). |
| those that don't want the "gimmicks", there is an | | | | For the free excursions, just contact the Round Town |
| Olympic swimming pool in Foietes sports complex and | | | | news Tourist information office located in the Rincon |
| a swimming school Lope de Vega. | | | | side of Benidorm, opposite the hotel Melia, for your |
| For those without webbed feet, there is Foietes sports | | | | tickets. Round Town office also assists in all your |
| complex, with athletics of various diversities on offer | | | | holiday queries, including some Spanish phrases, for |
| including several bowling alleys, bowls clubs, billiard | | | | those of you that want to get into the true spirit of |
| clubs, go-karts, horse riding, tennis, golf, paintball, | | | | your holiday. |
| trekking, quad biking and adventure expeditions. | | | | Hotels. There are apparently 145 hotels, with a total of |
| If this isn't your idea of a holiday, why not just relax, | | | | 38,000 beds on offer, plus numerous Apartments (this |
| soak up the sun, on one of the three beaches | | | | is the third highest in Europe, behind London and Paris). |
| Benidorm has to offer. To the north there is Levante | | | | For the people that are not afraid of heights, stay at |
| (sunrise) beach, nestled below the Old Town is Mal | | | | the Hotel Gran Bali **** which is the tallest building in |
| Pas cove and to the south is Poniente (sunset) beach, | | | | Spain, standing at 51 floors high. |
| so you can sunbathe from sunrise to sunset on these | | | | History. Benidorm was officially born in 1325, when the |
| golden beaches. | | | | lord of the Baronia de Polop awarded it a town |
| Levante Beach. This is generally the most populated | | | | charter to establish its own identity within Spain. The |
| beach area, where it is ideal for the snorkelling | | | | locals are fiercely proud of their heritage, mainly of a |
| beginner, as there are some smooth rocks on the | | | | seafaring nature, where for over 200 years have had |
| seabed, a home for many fish, without the swimmer | | | | the majority of the Mediterranean tuna fishing industry. |
| getting out of his/her depth. | | | | Since the 19th century, Benidorm has provided most of |
| On this beach it is only a short walk from the waters | | | | Spain's sea captains and crew members. |
| edge to a nearby bar, cafe or restaurant, where, if | | | | Take a stroll through the old town and see St. James |
| your feeling in need of exercise, order a pint instead of | | | | church which was built in the 18th century, and many |
| a half, and watch the muscles in your arm work out. | | | | other interesting buildings along the narrow cobbled |
| Mal Pas cove. This is a small bay adjacent to the | | | | streets and plazas. You can also take all this in doing a |
| marina, where tranquil water laps onto the golden | | | | "Tapas and Vino" crawl, along two designated routes |
| sands, with a natural wind-break of the Old Town cliffs | | | | through the Old Town, which is much more civilised |
| behind you, an ideal spot for the sun worshipper. This is | | | | than the usual pub crawl. |
| also an ideal spot for the snorkelling beginner, as the | | | | Fiestas |
| water is calm and fairly shallow. | | | | The Three Kings - 5th Jan Carnivals- 16th-20th Feb |
| Poniente beach. This is arguably the best beach in | | | | Fallas - 14th-19th March Semana Santa - 1st-8th April |
| Benidorm, and it is also the longest, less crowded of | | | | Hogueras de san Juan - 19th-24th June Virgen del |
| the beaches, but be aware, you have slightly longer to | | | | Carmen - 16th-22nd July Aiguera Park (musicians and |
| walk for a drink or something to eat, so maybe take a | | | | shows) - 1st-31st August Fiestas Barrio L, Malsa - |
| picnic with you. | | | | 11-28th-30th Sept Moors and Christians - 4th-7th Oct |
| Benidorm does not close down in winter, like other | | | | Spectacular free show plus fireworks - New Years |
| holiday destinations in Spain and still attracts visitors all | | | | Eve |
| year long, due to its average temperatures and | | | | Plus many other smaller fiestas, to many to list, get the |
| entertainment on offer. With between 800 and 1300 | | | | full itinerary from the tourist office or Round Town |
| bars (depending on which write up you read), it's easy | | | | News. |
| to see why so many Hen and Stag parties are staged | | | | Restaurants. Benidorm has everything your taste buds |
| here. | | | | desire, from Italian, French, Indian, German, English and |
| There is also an extensive and varied entertainment | | | | of course Spanish cuisines. There are too many to list, |
| schedule on offer, with places like Benidorm Palace, | | | | without upsetting the rest, so go on a cuisine cruise, |
| which has their extravaganza evenings with full show, | | | | and go back on the diet when you get home. |
| 3 course meal, drinks and dancing for 40 euros. | | | | Shopping. This is definitely the place where you can |
| In Villajoyosa there is Casino Mediterraneano with its | | | | shop till you drop, from cheap clothes shops to more |
| Buffet dinner (3 course),wine and show for 24 euros, | | | | expensive ones, try Plaza del Mar shopping centre in |
| plus a flutter at the tables or on the bandits if you | | | | Finestrat. Best buys probably leather coats and |
| desire it. | | | | jackets, and of course get your cheaper spirit and |
| Molino Benidorm, mainly drag show and drinks, plus a | | | | cigarettes for home. |
| multitude of different bars offering a variety of | | | | In conclusion, Benidorm is a diverse city, where you |
| entertainment shows consisting of singers, comedians, | | | | can have a fun-packed holiday or a quiet and relaxed |
| karaoke etc, plus a vast assortment of Disco, R | | | | cultural holiday, with something for everyone, but to do |
| &B, House music clubs such as Cafe Benidorm, | | | | Benidorm full justice, you will just have to come and |
| Hippodrome, Loch Ness and Champions to name but a | | | | see it for yourselves. |
| few. | | | | |