In The Cheap And Tacky Benidorm Sun Is Always Shining

Benidorm skyline with Gran Hotel Bali 

In the cheap and tacky Benidorm there isn't much to do, culturally speaking. But you can rest your tired bones and brains on 4km of beautiful Blue Flag sandy beaches, drinking Margaritas and Mojitos all day long under a crystal clear sky. And then, as the night falls over the city and you have your batteries charged, you can go party from dawn till dusk, just to restart the cycle the next morning.

Contrary to what I said about the small urbanizations scattered along Costa Blanca, Benidorm is popular with the Spanish; and with the North Europeans; but not only. The less than three weeks of rain a year policy Benidorm's sky has, is a joy for any sun lover tourist.

Beautiful promenade with beach views

The story of Benidorm is the story of a chrysalis turning into a butterfly, as it developed from an obscure Roman villa, to Moorish settlement, to small fishing village, and eventually to the tourist hub it is today. In the last half century the city transformed beyond recognition and since the Alicante airport open in 1967, it never looked back. The people of Benidorm left behind the tuna catch technique passed down from the Arabs and decided to make a living perfecting more modern techniques travel industry employs.

Today, Benidorm is Europe’s biggest holiday resort, a far cry from the sleepy fishing village of barely more than half a century ago. It receives 5 million tourists a year and it has a myriad of skyscraper hotels and holiday apartment blocks, restaurants and spa complexes.

Residencial In Tempo project

Just to illustrate how far Benidorm has come in the last years, Gran Hotel Bali is the tallest hotel in Europe and it was the tallest building in Spain, from 2002 till 2006 when it was surpassed by Torre Espacio from Madrid. However, upon completion, Residencial In Tempo, resembling an 11 and the letter M and commemorating the victims of Madrid's March 11, 2004 terrorist attack, will become the tallest building in Benidorm and the tallest residential tower in Europe.

Though the resort is packed during the summer months for the obvious reasons, the mild winter temperatures make it a popular destination year round. Gone are the time when Benidorm's streets were deserted during the winter months. As the city's popularity increases further, the Northern Europeans looking to escape the gloomy rain in their countries come to enjoy the Spanish sun during some cheap Benidorm holidays. The hotels offer tempting New Year packages, organizing highend shows and sophisticated dinners, Benidorm Palace's Las Vegas style cabaret and dinner show being the most famous in town.

Benidorm beach in June

But Benidorm has something to offer to both young and old, families and single. The Wednesday and Sunday street markets and the Bazaars are great for buying cheap shoes, clothes, paintings, pottery, and other more or less useful things of doubtful quality. Many tourists also take advantage of the cheap alcohol and cigarette prices, and I know of people that went back home with their luggage packed with the poisonous products, even at the cost of leaving behind clothes and other personal possessions.

Tip: The cigarette prices in Spain are set by the government and there is no need to shop around. You can buy them at any Tobacco shop for the same price.

Just outside Benidorm there are plenty of family fun opportunities. Up on the hill, looking down over Benidorm, there is Terra Mitica, one of the biggest theme parks in Spain, featuring five civilisations of the Mediterranea and some fun rides and shows. However, Terra Mitica is fun to visit even if you don't go on the rides. I didn't, yet I enjoyed it immensely. Other nearby theme parks include Aqualandia (family water park), Mundomar (animal and sealife park), and Terra Natura (wildlife and water park). 

Benidorm might not be Barcelona, nor Madrid, might not be bursting with cultural activities and might be way too crowded. Yet, the tourists flock here year after year. Of course, not everybody loves Benidorm. I personally am not crazy about it. It is new, shiny, sunny and tall, but I guess I need more than that to be happy.

What's your favorite beach holiday resort?

Benidorm Jet in the background

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