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Benidorm is a seaside resort on the Costa Blanca in the province of Alicante, Valencia, Spain. Offering value holidays to over 5 million visitors every year since the 1970's. Benidorm is compact thanks to the foresight of the towns mayor who in the 1960´s saw a vision of a resort which grew upwards. Today Benidorm is famous for tall hotels and holiday apartment blocks many of which are over 25 floors high. Since 2006 Benidorm has also seen a huge increase in the quality of accommodation offered and now attracts not just package holiday visitors but a more discerning and demanding tourist who look for the new 5 star hotel and spa complexes which have been completed recently.

Tree lined wide avenues give a feeling of space where there are over 1,000 places to eat and drink and watch the town in full swing. The streets offer a very vibrant atmosphere day and night with something to offer visitors of any age group. There are over 41,000 hotel beds and modern tourist apartments. The biggest assets are the 4kms of Blue Flag** safe sandy beaches which draw people from all over Spain in Summer months and from all over Europe 365 days of the year. Benidorm is an ideal sun destination both in Summer and Winter due to the mild climate where day time temperatures rarely fall below 18c. ** Note Benidorm lost it's Blue Flag Beach status for the Levante Playa in 2009 this is expected to be reinstated in 2010 following an issue with one spot check water test. The Poniente Playa still retains Blue Flag status

[edit] Get in

AIRPORT: There are daily flights to Alicante Airport from most major European cities serviced by over 30 low cost and scheduled airlines. The majority of incoming flights are fom the UK which offer the best value seat prices due to high competition in this sector. There are also many low cost airlines flying from various UK airports which offer great prices.

TRAINS: Benidorm is served by fast trams from Alicante (journey time 1 hour 9 mins) which connects to the rest of Spain through the national rail network. High speed trains offer connections through France and the rest or Europe via Alicante. Intending passengers should note that in Alicante, the trams terminate at Mercado station, about 1 kilometre from the main (RENFE) station, and in Benidorm the station is about 2 km from the town centre. There is also an hourly train service from Benidorm to Denia.

BUSES / COACHES: Benidorm has a good local bus service which connects to local towns such as Altea, Alicante and Calpe. A new coach and bus station opened in 2008 with International routes to many European countries such as Bulgaria, Romania, Italy and France. Most visitors pre-book with the many transfer companies who offer cheap transport from Alicante airport direct to recognised Hotels.

TAXIS: From Alicante airport Licensed taxis operate from the terminal building with a journey time of 45 minutes to Benidorm.

CAR: Benidorm is well connected to the rest of Spain via the national motorway network. Madrid and Barcelona are under 5 hours drive. Benidorm is close to the Autopista 7.

[edit] Get around

Discovering Benidorm is easy on foot as the resort is very compact especially the Levante Playa area which is chosen by most visitors as the area to stay. There is an excellent local bus service which runs until midnight. However walking time from one end of the resort to the other is less than an hours stroll.

[edit][add listing] See

Benidorm has two spectacular Blue Flag (Note: Blue Flag Status on the LEvante Playa was lost in 2009 but it is expected to be back in 2010) beaches the preferred Levante and more sedate Poniente which is preferred by locals and families. The Poniente Playa has just seen the opening of (August 2009) a new 13 million Euro promenade including a boardwalk at beach level and easier access for wheelchair users. In total there are 4kms of safe, sandy beach in Benidorm.

As a purpose built beach resort everything is geared toward fun and enjoyment there is therefore not much to see for those looking for culture. However the surrounding towns and villages which are less than 20 minutes dirve by car or 30 minutes by bus are well worth exploring for anyone looking for "Real Spain". In Benidorm the old town does still retain some of the quaint past when the town was a small village. Head for the old town Church where you will find the most interesting part of the town.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Aqualandia: Family water park.
• Mundomar : Animal and sealife park.
• Benidorm Palace: Las Vegas style cabaret and dinner show seating over 2,000
  • Altea : Stunning old town just 12kms by bus from Benidorm
• Terra Mitica [1]: Huge theme park with thrill rides a must visit place.
• Terra Natura : Wildlife and water park.

Walking: For those who enjoy walking there are many intersting place to walk if you take a local bus to the outlying villages such as Finestrast, Villa Joyosa and Albir or Calpe.

Boat Trips: There are boat trips to the Isla de Benidorm wildlife sanctuary and Calpe. In Summer you can take a trip to Tabarca a small island off Alicante.

[edit][add listing] Buy

An abundance of cheap leather and shoes are on offer all year. Also look out for artisans markets which take place throughout the year during Fiesta times and in July August. At these you can buy local cheeses and produce plus jewellry, pottery and paintings. Most visitors from outside of Spain also take advantage of the cheap Alcohol and Cigarettes. Note Tabacco prices are set by the government in Spain so buy at any of the Tabacoo shops no need to shop around.

[edit][add listing] Eat

There are over 1,000 places to eat. The best area for restaurants and Tapas bars are found in the old town where you will find of course Spanish cuisine and also English, French, Algerian and Dutch food. On the Levante area food is typical tourist fare with many English cafe bars offering home style food to the English visitors. It is best to search the old town however if you want some real quality local food such as the famous Jamon and excellent local wines from the Jalon valley.

[edit][add listing] Drink

There are 800 bars selling alcohol and as such competition is huge. There are many small bars offering bottled beer at 1€ and themed bars are in abundance. You will find British pubs, Dutch bars and Irish bars plus the many Spanish cafeteria bars which offer local Spanish favourites. Basically whatever your tipple you will find it in Benidorm.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Benidorm offers over 240 Hotels and holiday apartment complexes from 1 to 5 star rating. Everyone will find a room to fit their budget. Competition is massive therefore prices are some of the lowest in Spain especially out of season. Shop around for good deals. The most popular places to stay are the lively Levante ideal for families and groups. The old town preferred by couples and more mature visitors offering a less frantic holiday. The Poniente ideal for beach holidays and peace and quiet. Also La Cala Finestrat on the outskirts of Benidorm preferred by those who want a relaxed holiday away from the late nights and discos.

Location Benidorm To find where to sleep in Benidorm

[edit] Safety

One feature over the last few years on travel forums is pick-pocketing and even some cases of mugging in Benidorm. When someone asked about "Muggers Alley", two different locations were given. Be careful in crowds, notably the Wednesday market which has general things which you can buy as cheap elsewhere and the Sunday market which has older things and collectibles. Valuables should not be left in (empty) cars or apartments. Lock all doors and windows when leaving your apartment.

Despite these warnings visitors should remember that at peak times Benidorm hosts up to 200,000 people, therefore the true crime numbers are actually quite small. Sadly crimes are talked about around the many bars and tend to be exaggerated somewhat. In reality Benidorm is as safe as any other busy tourist resort where the majority of petty crime takes place late at night and usually involves alcohol fuelled crimes.

[edit] Get out

The towns nearby are worth a visit. Altea is a quiet up-market town with a lot more Spanish Culture and a stunning original old town which is well preserved. It also has a weekly outdoor market. Guadalest is a village that also deserves to be visited, many of the houses here are over 400 years old and there are spectacular views of the mountains. For a great day out the city of Valencia is a must which you can reach by express coach in 90 minutes from Benidorm.

If you hire a car you will also find the entire region is a hive of small villages and picturesque mountains. A recommended route to see the real Spain is to head toward Finestrat just 9kms from Benidorm and drive from there into the mountains where you will find a different world. For wine lovers head toward Calpe (30 minutes drive) and take the signs for Jalon where you will find the wine growing region and almond groves.