Benidorm
A visit to Benidorm is a must to make contact with authentic Spanish culture. The Old Town in particular is an impresive maze of cobbled streets and inviting establishments to drink and shop in. With its blue-domed church and white houses, it manages to retain its character amongst the forest of tower blocks to the east and west.
Sandy Beaches
Apart from Levante there are two main sea front areas handy to the town centre – Poniente and Malpas.
If you like Levante but would prefer something quieter then Poniente is for you. There are no beach bars and fewer hotels this side but plenty of provision is made for visitors including the opportunity to hire wind surfing boards. Life guards are on duty each day and there are ramps for the disabled. Again, the sand is spotlessly clean each morning thanks to the hard working hoover team. Poniente is also a great location to watch the sunset.
Malpas Beach is different again. Only a few hundred metres long it is sheltered and popular with volleyballers and other sportsmen and women. Don’t bring your dog though, they’re not welcome here or on any Benidorm beach.
Sightseeing
It’s easy to feel a connection with something ancient and artistic in the winding streets of the Old Town. The white stone balcony at the historical centre of Benidorm affords lucky sightseers extensive views. It’s also a popular spot with newlyweds for photo shoots.
The church of San Jaime looks down on all those seeking company or solace. You might also notice a plaque which commemorates the rescue of a small wooden figurehead from the ashes of ship ordered to be burnt after all the crew had perished of an unknown cause.
If you prefer the company of the living and breathing, underwater, then the Benidorm Aquarium on Calle Horno will provide you with hours of entertainment. The tanks include inhabitants of the Mediterainian sea , more tropical specimens, sharks, turtles and even eels. (Eeek!).
Shop ‘til you drop!
There are options for shopping on every day of the week, but Wednesday and Sunday by Hotel Pueblo are particularly good for bargain hunters on holiday. Local products like leather goods and tablecloths are always to be found, but really there’s something for everyone. The El Cisne flea market is held every Sunday and one Saturday each month where the bypass meets the old N-332 in the direction of Alfas del Pi. Tuesdays and Wednesdays there’s a big fruit and vegetable market. More about the excellent shopping in Benidorm
Eating out
Tapas Alley is where you want to be. Small dishes of seafood, meat and vegetable dishes are consumed with great gusto and washed down with gallons of wine and beer along the short covered street of Santo Domingo It can be very busy so be prepared to get amongst the throng. Ordering is easy even if your Spanish is limited – just point to what you like the look of and say ‘gracias’ repeatedly. There are also a number of friendly British establishments in the streets surround Pl. de la Constitutió.
Nightlife
When it comes to clubbing in the sun, most people immediately think of Ibiza.
But club life in Benidorm is really alive and kicking, and Benidorm is also home to some amazing nightclubs with each summer throwing up intense parties featuring some of the world’s top djs.
Most of the main clubs in Benidorm are situated along the same strip, Avenida Communitat Valencia, which is only a taxi ride away, costing approx. 7 or 8 Euros at the most.
Tickets for the major clubs vary between 15 to 30 Euros but will usually include at least one or two free drinks. And maybe even a free t-shirt if you arrive at the right time!
Disco´s
These are centred around ‘The Square’ in the centre of the Levant part of Benidorm. This is a party paradise with pure Disco’s each with their character & atmosphere plus many of the Cabarets and Showbars which also switch to Disco at around 2.30a.m. Many also offering adult shows and all open until late,late.