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General Description of Benidorm
Benidorm was a sleepy fishing village 50 years ago; today it stretches just over 3 mls along the coast from east to west and 1¼ mls inland from north to south at its widest point. The old town – with its blue-domed church, port, esplanade, white houses and narrow streets – struggles to retain any traces of character in a forest of tower blocks and unsightly, post-1950 developments. Away from the old town, the heaviest concentration of skyscraper hotels is at Rincon de Loix and a ¾-ml-wide strip behind the Playa de Levante. There is more to Benidorm than the popular idea of sun, British-style bars and restaurants, and its large expatriate community, but not very much. The appeal of its beaches, lively nightlife and almost year-round sunshine, though, is strong for a sizeable sector of the holiday market.
Market/Suitability
Young, fun-seeking singles, couples and families looking for beaches, plenty of evening entertainment and a place that caters to the British tourist. Not for those seeking an upmarket holiday or local culture. From November to April, the age profile rockets up to retirement age.
Location/Contact
Location: In southeast Spain, on the Costa Blanca, directly on the Mediterranean Sea. 65 mls south of Valencia. 26 mls northeast of Alicante and 32 mls northeast of its El Altet airport.
Position: Against a backdrop of some low, gentle, barren mountains, the coastal plain shelving gently to a south-facing Mediterranean shore.
Postcode: 03500
Accommodation
A heavy concentration of high-rise holiday hotels and apartments, mainly good but of no great quality, specialising in bulk bookings. Few 5-stars.
Beach
Rated among the best in mainland Spain for those who like them big, sandy and often crowded. There are 2 main beaches, separated by the old town, both with attractive promenades, and sunbeds and parasols for hire in summer. East of the old town is Playa de Levante, about 1½ mls of clean sand and safe bathing, stretching to the Rincon de Loix. The other main beach, Poniente, west of the old town, reaches as far as the area known as La Cala, some 2 mls away. There are fewer hotels this side, and the beach is much quieter and less congested.
Shopping
Concentrated in the old town. No shortage of souvenir outlets. Open-air market on Weds. Shoes and leather goods are particularly good buys. Alcohol and cigarettes are bargains compared to the UK.
Entertainment
Daytime: water-skiing by cable tow, fishing, scuba-diving, boat trips (including semi-submersible). Drier activities include tennis, squash, riding, golf, go-karting and rambling in the nearby hills. Wax museum, aquarium and water theme park. A huge theme park, Terra Mitica (Mythical Land), just outside the resort, is divided into themed areas such as ancient Rome, Greece, Egypt etc, and includes rides, shows and interactive games.
Nightlife: the town throbs to the beat of dozens of discos. Amusement arcades; hundreds of bars. An entertainment centre with shows, 3 mls SW. Most attractions are lively and noisy, catering for the UK market. More sophisticated choices are in the old town.
Eating Out
Throughout the resort are fast-food outlets, as well as local and international restaurants. Seafood, rice dishes and tapas are typical local specialities. British food is easy to find. Upmarket restaurants in the old town. Prices are very reasonable compared to the UK.
Public Transport
12 relatively easy-to-use and efficient bus routes cover the resort. Buses run regularly to nearby towns and cities. A delightful narrow-gauge railway runs along the coast between Alicante and Denia. Taxis and hire cars are readily available and reasonably priced.
Local Excursions
Guadalest Castle; the Algar waterfall; Aitana Safari Park. Cactus-landia at Altea and beauty spots in the mountains are popular. Shopping and cultural trips to Alicante and Valencia.
Serving Airports
Alicante (ALC)
Flight time from the UK: 2 hrs. 15 mins
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