Travel tips: Benidorm, Spain

I had held off Benidorm as vacation destination for years as it is popular with northern tourists, particularly the British. While it is commercially touristy in terms of 100’s of condominiums and plenty of entertainment, it is a lovely place! Alicante is older and more cosmopolitan and Benidorm is built around tourists.  

I stayed in the old centro which has a few old buildings and the new town is the Vegas like streets with evening entertainment. The tram ride from Alicante, 1,15 mins is exquisite along the coastline of Spanish villas and olive and orange farms against a mountainous backdrop on the other side. 

The first place I visited on the Palmed boulevard was Dove park. I have one pic with three on my head. There’s a cart there selling seed and nuts for the white doves. In Benidorm, which gets its name from Beni (Arabic for sons of), all roads literally lead to the beach. A Hilly city and beautiful beaches. The main sight is the Balcony. A few sparse Roman remains in front of a church and viewpoint with great hospitality places. It’s very much like Cape Town with just mountains and sea.

                                      

At night

The legend of Benidorm is that a ship sailed in one day but all were dead. Seen as an omen, residents burnt it and the only remains out of the ashes was a Mary and Jesus relic. Thus the church perched on the hill overlooking the balcony and sea. I had a fabulous time there, meeting Dutch friends and an unusual night out on the town. Entertainment in Benidorm is like a mini Vegas. We saw an excellent cover Neil Diamond show, but each cafe and bar has their own entertainment menu from 7 till 1:00am with all the greats. It was well attended in winter but must be madness in summer. Benidorm overall is a pretty and vibey place with excellent shopping! Hard to resist, so much pretty stuff. The Spanish dress well, are small and alway smell divine! 

                                                

 Shopping streets and alleys. Even in winter by the way, there is always siesta from 14pm to 17pm.  Shops are then open again till 20pm. Though not all shops which can make it confusing.  But I guess Spanish time counts here.  May be open, maybe not. And definitely not by 10:00am promptly but maybe 10:10 :) 

                                        Walking around the old Centro

 Also with modern apartments which I presume many Spanish have as summer houses when they escape the Spanish heat to the coast.