- Beaches in Benidorm
- Benidorm island
- Benidorm landmarks
- Amusement parks
- Delicious points on the map
- Note to shopaholics
The center of resort entertainment on the Iberian coast of the Costa Blanca is not accidentally called Spanish Manhattan. Almost half of all the tallest buildings in the country are located in Benidorm, moreover, they were built during the last decades.
In the middle of the last century, the fishing village turned into a modern Mediterranean resort where you can spend your holidays with pleasure. The question of where to go in Benidorm can be easily answered by adherents of active beach holidays, and fans of excursions, and shopping lovers, and gourmets who prefer to spend most of their time tasting menus in restaurants.
The beaches of Benidorm boast excellent infrastructure and organization of space, hotels - a variety of rooms, and catering establishments - delicious food and service "like a mom's." And what else is needed for happiness for a person who has flown in to rest from the labors of the righteous on the shore of the warm sea?
Beaches in Benidorm
The resort is located on the Mediterranean coast in the province of Alicante. It offers several beaches, each of which has its own advantages and features:
- Playa de Levante stretches east of the historic city. It is covered with fine golden sand and is about 2 km long. Levante is the most popular with guests of Benidorm due to its advantageous location and a large number of necessary equipment. For a few euros, you can rent a sun lounger and parasol, or go and sunbathe on the Playa de Levante with your own towel - all public beaches in Benidorm are free to enter.
- To the west of the Levante is the Playa de Poniente. It is loved by the locals, and there are many more Spaniards in Poniente than foreign visitors. The beach stretches for 3 km, and throughout its territory you will find cafes and playgrounds, fitness equipment and rental equipment for water sports. On the beach, entertainment is organized for both adults and children, and the safety of visitors is monitored by a rescue service.
- Between the two "resort-forming" beaches of Benidorm there is another one, where tourists with children prefer to come. The small and calm bay of Malpaz guarantees a calm sea and the absence of waves even during strong winds, and the Blue Flag, flying over the strip of golden sand, symbolizes the special ecological situation and cleanliness in this part of Benidorm.
Where to sunbathe if you prefer wild cliffs over high-rise hotels as a backdrop for your beach photos? In the eastern part of the resort in Rincon de Lois, the coastline is quite indented, and the rocks and the sea form two bays. Small beaches here are suitable for those who like a quiet holiday away from the hustle and bustle of civilization. Snorkeling and diving are popular in Almadrava and Tio Chimo Coves.
Benidorm island
A small piece of sushi opposite the Poniente beach in Benidorm was chosen by peacocks. A large family of beautiful birds lives here. But not only hunters for peacock feathers land daily on the island of Benidorm. Lovers of wild beaches and diving go on board the ship: about a dozen interesting sites are marked on the maps of underwater dives in the waters around the rocky island, some of which are deep-water.
It is said that in the Middle Ages, the island of Benidorm served as a base for sea robbers. Pirates went ashore with looted treasures and sailed again to hunt for Spanish and Portuguese galleons. In the first half of the 19th century. the island gave shelter to the inhabitants of the town who had escaped from the cholera epidemic raging on the mainland.
Today, ships departing from the city pier every day, delivering tourists to the island. A small restaurant on the shore offers its guests a seafood menu, and lovers of the underwater world go for a walk on a boat with panoramic windows. Passengers take seats below the water level and can watch the life of marine life through the windows.
Benidorm landmarks
The historical part of the former fishing village is not much different from those in other Spanish medieval towns. During your walks, you will also see the old cobblestones, which are paved with sidewalks; and narrow, winding streets, whose width, according to tradition, does not exceed the length of a spear; and houses built several centuries ago and have not lost their flavor.
The city sightseeing tour invariably includes several architectural landmarks of Benidorm. The oldest surviving city temple was consecrated in the second half of the 18th century. in honor of Saints James and Anna. Even older is the observation tower, erected in the 16th century. Today, only picturesque ruins remain from it, but the view from them to the city and the sea opens up, as before, amazing. Between the two main beaches of Benidorm, on the Mediterranean Balcony, there is another observation deck.
Amusement parks
After the decision was made to develop the resort in the region, the construction of not only hotels and restaurants began. The list of the nearest plans of the organizers of the tourist infrastructure also includes entertainment facilities. Today, the resort and the surrounding area have several theme parks, well known outside of Spain.
The variety of five thematic zones will captivate guests of the Terra Mítica park for a long time. You will visit Greece and Rome, Egypt and Iberia, and at the end you will stroll around the Mediterranean islands. On the territory of the park there are roller coasters and a labyrinth of the Minotaur, children's carousels and paintball grounds, several Ferris wheels and observation towers, one of which allows you to look at Benidorm from a 100-meter height. Terra Mítica hosts various shows every day for the whole family. You will see a gypsy performance, take part in archaeological adventures in Egypt, visit a pirate ship, get acquainted with the dances of the priests of the goddess Isis and cheer for your favorite gladiator during the battle in the arena of the Roman theater.
Interested in marine life? Then you should go to the show at the Mundomar in Benidorm. The Marine Animal Park offers tickets for dolphin, sea lion and penguin performances. Feathered artists - parrots are invited to their own show, after which the audience can communicate with the birds and participate in their feeding. The Mundomar observation deck overlooks the neighboring Aqualandia water park.
In Aqualandia, guests enjoy all kinds of water attractions and entertainment. The park has water slides of various heights and degrees of difficulty, pools with artificial waves and "paddling pools" for the youngest visitors, waterfalls and areas for water games. The artificial river with rapids at Aqualandia is a great place to learn to raft.
All theme parks in Benidorm have their own car parks, which is why it is convenient to come to them with a rented car. Public transport to the parks leaves from the center of Benidorm. Each city of entertainment has a zone with restaurants and cafes, the menu of which includes special children's meals.
Delicious points on the map
Since we are talking about food, it is worth talking about the most visited catering establishments in Benidorm, especially since Spanish resorts have never experienced a shortage of cafes and restaurants:
- Delicious hot snacks are the main feature of Babylon. On the menu you will find shrimps and mussels cooked over charcoal and dressed with all kinds of sauces; Spanish lasagna with fresh cherries; all kinds of vegetable salads. Beer is recommended to visitors as a drink. The number of its varieties represented in Babylon is impossible to count.
- Beefsteaks and steaks, meat salads and specialty sauces - all this is invariably present in the Vagabond menu. Visitors note in the reviews and top-class service, which is especially valuable for a person in need of relaxation.
- The menu at the Michaels Restaurant in the historic part of Benidorm changes according to the time of day. The early risers are offered a traditional European breakfast, English and Spanish dishes can be ordered for lunch, and in the evening the establishment often becomes a place where whole families gather.
- The chief of Agir Restaurant willingly uses modern techniques in culinary. The interior of the restaurant is made in the Art Nouveau style and is consistent with the general style. The establishment is popular with adherents of healthy food and lovers of beautiful views: the windows of the main hall overlook the city boulevard.
Fans of "clubbing" should go to The Club-it or Infinity - the best nightlife in Benidorm. In the first, foam parties are often held, and the highlight of the entertainment program in the second is a professional male striptease.
Note to shopaholics
Take a break from the hot sun in the spacious and modern shopping malls of Benidorm, or enjoy shopping in small, authentic souvenir shops featuring local crafts? The choice is yours, because you can satisfy the passion of a shopaholic at the resort both in the old town and in the new quarters.
La Marina is Benidorm's largest and most popular shopping center in the Finestrat area. In the mall, you will find hundreds of shops and boutiques of popular world brands and Spanish designers. The department store offers clothing and electronics, jewelry and tableware, leather accessories and souvenirs.
The Merca Piel chain is pleased to present leather goods. You will find stores of this brand in different areas of the resort.
Popular shopping routes also start at Levante Beach. From here, the streets run towards the city, where many designer shops with clothing and jewelry are concentrated.
