Holiday in Benidorm

About Benidorm

Benidorm is a city of superlatives and contradictions - a skyscraper Manhattan by the Mediterranean, it polarizes like hardly any other holiday destination in Europe. The city on the Costa Blanca has more high-rise buildings per square kilometer than New York, welcomes over ten million visitors annually, and despite all its urbanity, offers two of the best city beaches in Spain. Those who dismiss Benidorm as just a mass of hotel complexes have never experienced the fascination of this unique place. The two main beaches are the heart of Benidorm and explain why the city is so successful. The Playa de Levante in the east is a wide, golden crescent with fine sand and crystal-clear water, lined with hotels, restaurants, and a vibrant beach promenade. The Playa de Poniente in the west is broader, quieter, and popular with families. Between the two lies the Balcón del Mediterráneo, a viewpoint on the cliff of the old town, from which one can overlook both bays and the skyline - one of the most iconic viewpoints on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. The old town on the ridge between the beaches is Benidorm's best-kept secret. Here, in the narrow white alleys around the church of San Jaime, you suddenly feel transported to an Andalusian village. Tapas bars serve excellent pinchos, cats nap in the sun, and the view from the church terrace over the turquoise bay is simply stunning. In the evening, the old town transforms into a lively mile with live music, flamenco, and street performers. Benidorm is also the entertainment center of the Costa Blanca. Theme parks like Terra Mítica, Aqualandia, and Mundomar are right at the city's doorstep. The Isla de Benidorm, a distinctive rocky cone in the sea off the coast, is accessible by excursion boat and offers snorkeling opportunities in a marine reserve. The Sierra Helada, a nature park east of the city, surprises with dramatic cliffs and hiking trails high above the sea. From Germany, you can fly to Alicante in just under three hours and reach Benidorm in 40 minutes by car. The TRAM train connects Benidorm directly with Alicante. The climate is one of the mildest in Europe with over 300 sunny days, making Benidorm a popular winter destination for seniors from Northern Europe.