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Shopping: The streets of Benidorm are lined with gift shops catering for people on holiday and the supermarkets are fully stocked with well-known brands. Prices in the holiday resort are cheap, particularly alcohol and cigarettes. There is an open-air market every Wednesday and a rastro (car boot sale) every Sunday next to the railway station. The town of Altea is worth a visit on Tuesdays for its outdoor market or simply for a leisurely stroll along the promenade, while Alicante is a good destination for shoppers in search of some more sophisticated shops.
Restaurants: Top-rated restaurants in Benidorm include China Garden, India Gate, Mme Butterfly and Witches Bistro. All the major fast food restaurants are also available and the old harbour is the best place to try out the local cuisine.
Nightlife: Benidorm is one of the biggest nightspots on the Med with something to suit all preferences. There are loads of bars hosting live shows, quizzes, bingo, karaoke and drag shows… and lots of live bands playing everything from Abba to ZZ Top. Those looking for a party in Benidorm should go to Wheeltappers, Sinatras, the Palladium or the Stardust Benidorm.
Activities: Benidorm's major holiday attractions are its spectacular beaches. The two huge sweeping crescents stretch for over three miles (5km) and are known as Levante and Poniente - Spanish for sunrise and sunset. They are kept meticulously clean and are consistently voted among the cleanest and most popular beaches in Europe. All sorts of watersports can be organised from the beaches from swimming and diving off the man-made rafts to jet skiing, banana boat rides, parasailing and scuba diving.
On the outskirts of town tourists can visit the water parks or Terra Mitica, Spain's largest theme park with a terrifying roller coaster. There are also loads of options for those wishing to escape Benidorm for a day; beautiful mountainous countryside surrounds the holiday resort and jeep safaris and cycle trips around this rugged interior are becoming increasingly popular.
Alicante, 25 miles (40km) south of Benidorm, is the Costa Blanca's main city and has a number of interesting sights. Other good days out include a coach trip to the ancient mountain fortress at Guadalest, built by the Moors in 715, and the town of Altea with its delightful medieval cobbled streets and beautiful Mediterranean views, eight miles (13km) north of Benidorm.
Negatives: Benidorm is not a good choice for those wanting an authentic Spanish holiday; it's a bit like Blackpool in the sun, but for those looking for entertainment and nightlife it can't be beaten. The resort abounds with hundreds of persistent touts trying to sell tourists everything from trinkets to timeshare apartments. There are also insistent promotions staff outside the bars and restaurants, but can be worth chatting up as they sometimes offer free drinks. Benidorm caters for all ages; older visitors may think there are too many youngsters while others think there are too many OAPs!
Nearby Attractions
Situated on the outskirts of Benidorm, Terra Mitica is Spain's largest theme park and, with its rides, shows, restaurants and shops, can be a great day out for all the family. Rides like the Tizona, an inverted roller coaster.
