The cities of the old part of Europe are unusually attractive even for those who seem to reject any "Western trends". They deserve close attention - no one will be able to dispute this fact. And that's why it's time to tell us about the sights of Benidorm in Spain in as much detail as possible.
In this article, we have selected all the most interesting places in the city and the surrounding area that you can see on your own. We made a map of the location of attractions. For gastro travelers, our rating of the best restaurants with national cuisine, where you can spend an ideal evening, will be a plus. And finally, by tradition, a fascinating video review.
El Casco Antiguo de Benidorm
This stretch of town boasts superb views that are hard to find. Tourists in the reviews recommend going here in the evening. Then, in addition to the magnificent views, you can enjoy lovely lighting, romantic music and children's entertainment. The embankment is replete with cafes and restaurants of various price categories.
Mundomar
The marine animal park is small, but its inspection is recommended for every tourist. In addition to dolphins and seals, there are also meerkats, turtles, flamingos. The location of the park on the mountain makes it also an excellent observation deck. A well-thought-out show with dolphins pleases visitors. The area is shaded, and even on hot days it is comfortable here.
Levante beach
This object is the exact answer to the question of where to go in Benidorm. Even at the beginning of autumn, the coast is overwhelmed with crowds of tourists. In summer, the load is even higher. The place is suitable for those who are used to being "in a whirlwind of light." But it is worth noting that the infrastructure of Levante raises a lot of criticism. Entering the sea is difficult even for experienced travelers and physically fit people. But parallel to the beach strip, a gorgeous embankment was laid out.
Poniente beach
Dozens of visitors celebrate the long, until the end of October, and sometimes even the first days of November, the swimming season. The beach strip is wide. At the end of the season, one cannot count on "fresh milk". But under normal health conditions, bathing is comfortable and enjoyable. During the velvet period, the beach is almost empty. Experienced people recommend moving away from the port, and occupying another, cleaner, part of the coast.
Terra Natura
This amusement park is just what to see in Benidorm is advised to anyone coming from afar. Those who have been there are going to return again. The administration allows you to take food with you, so organizing modest picnics is not difficult. A zoo, combined with a water park, will also appeal to family leisure.
Mediterranean balcony
A story about the sights of Benidorm with photos and descriptions will certainly not be complete without mentioning this place. A remarkable area is located on a cliff between two key beaches of the city. Left - Levante, right - Poniente. In the 21st century, the Mediterranean Balcony has ceased to be a commonplace observation deck. It turned into an autonomous architectural complex. A white stone balustrade looks gorgeous. And through a public telescope, a very distant island is examined. The site is located at a height of 23 meters. The blue and white tiles used to decorate the terrace are compared to the Portuguese azulejo. In plan, the Mediterranean Balcony resembles a pentagon. The lighting fixture looks more like a chandelier.
For your information: in the past, the rock was crowned by a fortress that held back the attacks of Algerian pirates. In 1812, when repelling the French invasion, the citadel was destroyed so that it would not be used by the invaders.
Old town of Benidorm
Getting to the old town of Benidorm is not difficult - you just need to move away from the "balcony". The territory is eagerly visited by tourists, especially the inflow increases with the onset of the warm season. The main stream of tourists rushes to the ancient streets in the evening when the heat subsides. The atmosphere is familiar to lovers of Mediterranean tourist destinations: the sea, pleasant dishes, unobtrusive, calm leisure. In addition to walking, tourists will find exciting shopping and pleasant restaurants. It is worth looking at Piazza Senoria, on Tapas Street (named Santo Domingo on the city map).
Church of St. Joachim and St. Anna
In Spain, it is impossible to avoid the establishment of a Christian cult, as in other states. Foreigners can think whatever they want, but for a certain percentage of local residents, this is an unbreakable part of tradition. Attention is drawn to the neoclassical style of the building. You need to look for the entrance to the temple in San Jaime Square.
Elche Park
A walk in the park will be a logical continuation of your visit to the old town. It's nice and romantic to walk here. An alley formed by palm trees allows you to enjoy the feeling of the proximity of the sea. With the onset of the evening, especially on holidays, the number of visitors to the park is noticeably increased. In addition to cafes, restaurants, the green corner boasts the presence of playgrounds and sports equipment. It will be easy to freshen up - a few hundred meters separate Elche from Poniente.
Fact: with the onset of the holiday season, the city's population instantly grows by almost 7 times.
Tossal de Cala
This is the name of a remarkable mountain. It is located in the extreme west of the city, but even from the center, the walk will not take too much time. At the top, tourists can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area. They go there to get attractive pictures. The ascent is easy, because the mountain has been thoroughly equipped. You can also get to your destination by car. There are signs along the paths for pedestrians and along the road that will prevent you from getting lost. At the top are the ruins of an ancient Iberian settlement. Excavations are ongoing here.
Recommendation: For daily grocery shopping, a Carrefour supermarket is ideal.
Benidorm Island (Isla de Benidorm)
A piece of land is removed from the city of the same name - and it is not only viewed through a telescope. Visitors and local residents swim in the waters of the bay, sunbathe on the rocky areas of the coast, and taste seafood in a cafe. But the main center of attraction is the Aquascope (a vessel with an extensive underwater part, allowing you to admire the beauty of the sea).
The place is for brave people who will not be stopped by aggressive-minded seagulls. It is necessary to find out in advance in which season the birds are most active. If their attacks are likely, it is worth preparing a reliable headdress. A quieter option is a boat trip around the island. From the top of the hill there is a pleasant view of the city and the sea. Motor ships and pleasure boats help to get to the desired place. On the rocky, uncomfortable slopes, only scanty hard grass and scanty shrubs have taken root. The dimensions of the island are 350x260 meters. Things are much more advantageous with underwater animals. On land, tourists will be attracted only by peacocks and goats.
Fact: the city of Benidorm breaks the stereotype of Spain as a "cozy country of modest houses" - it is full of skyscrapers.
L'Aiguera Park
An excellent place for entertainment in Benidorm is Lagueira Park. The total area of land cultivated in the 1990s is up to 120 thousand square meters. The territory of the park neatly separates old and new areas. When arranging the territory, they carefully followed the neoclassical style. In addition to green alleys, visitors will also be delighted by the stands, which are more reminiscent of amphitheaters. Concerts and other public events are held there, but up to 80% of them occur in the summer months. The territory of the park is close to the city hall building. The street of the same name is located in parallel. It is here that large city celebrations are organized. The atmosphere is invariably pleasant and calm.
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Gran Hotel Bali
This is the name of the tallest building in the entire city district. A selected observation deck was placed there.From the 45th floor, a bird's-eye view opens up.
Price: for hotel guests 2 euros 50 cents, for outsiders 6 euros. Tickets are sold on the 43rd floor, which can be reached by elevator.
Recommendation: Calling home from Benidorm is most beneficial through public telephones located near official offices and reputable retail outlets.
Serra Helada
This name was given to a natural park located 5 kilometers from the central part of the city. A strip of asphalt was laid across the territory leading to the lighthouse. There is no admission fee. But it is better to time the visit to the early morning or sunset hours, so as not to suffer from the heat. Geologists note that Serra Elada is part of the eastern region of the Penibetiko mountain range.
Excursions are organized to these steep slopes. But making a trip on your own will not be a problem, take water and go.
Benidorm Palace
Talking about interesting places and sights of Benidorm and the surrounding area, you should definitely mention Benidorm Palace. The concert hall is unmatched in Spain and even on the Mediterranean shores in general. Concerts of popular celebrities or variety shows are held here 2-3 times a month. The institution is justifiably compared to the Moulin Rouge. The ticket price ranges from 52 to 62 EUR. Apart from the show, the fee covers a sumptuous dinner. The sale goes through an official resource, which even has a Russian-language version.
Terra Mitica
The impressive size of the amusement park allows it to be confidently included in the list of attractive objects in the resort. Both children and adults willingly go here. Terra Mítica will offer its clients 25 attractions, some of which are famous for their truly extreme nature. However, entertainment is also provided for those in need of quiet leisure. The ticket price starts from 30 euros. Literally translated, the name means "land of myths", which reveals the essence of the park. The territory was divided into a number of thematic sections.
Guadalest
It is a separate city near Benidorm. The road will take 22 kilometers. But the journey is worth it to experience the charm of a modest town of 217 people (2019). The castle of the XI century is located here. The territory is full of a lot of museums - automobile, Middle Ages, dedicated to microminiature. Visitors buy hand-made souvenirs, cheeses from homemade cheese dairies.
Recommendation: when visiting a restaurant, immediately clarify whether the tip will be taken into account when drawing up an invoice, or whether you need to add 10-15% separately.
Nacimiento del Vinalopo
The total area of the national park exceeds 17,000 hectares. This space was called the lungs of the province for a reason - there are lush trees at every step. On a walk, tourists see the mills of three hundred years ago, and the old paper production, and the slowly flowing surface of the river. Some vacationers say that according to their impressions this is the jungle, and not the Spanish land.
Algar Falls
You need to look for them in the mountains of Alicante. Springs beat with cold water (up to 17 degrees). And yet there are a lot of bathers here. The area is covered with dense vegetation, barbecues have been set aside, and a number of cafes have even been designed here. The space is distinguished by picturesque views. Water cascades look majestic and luxurious. In combination with the branches, with the play of light and darkness, an incredible color is created. Motorists and car rental enthusiasts will appreciate the free parking. A good infrastructure has been prepared for tourists.
Fact: contrary to popular belief, there are not 2 beaches in Benidorm, but 5.
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Where to eat deliciously?
Traditionally, we have compiled a rating of the best restaurants in Benidorm, where you can taste delicious traditional Spanish dishes. All establishments were selected solely on the basis of positive ratings in the reviews of tourists.
- Chic establishment number one (in our opinion) - gastrobar D-VORA on Placa de Sant Jaume 5. We arrange a romantic dinner here, a great place for an evening dinner overlooking the city.
- Refuel Cafe Bar Restaurant on Calle San Pedro 10. Ideal for dinner with the whole family after long sightseeing walks. Specializes in British cuisine. Great meals, great sunset views, good service, in general we definitely recommend.
- For fusion lovers, we recommend Amigos Restaurant & Roof Terrace on Calle Palma 14. Among tourists, inconspicuous, and this he wins. Delicious food service and a great atmosphere to relax.
- Amigos Bistro by Nas & Dino on Avenida Armada Espanola 19. Nice place serving large portions, especially the guys are good at making a medium rare steak.
- Another favorite place among the locals is Paneil's at Carrer de la Palma 12. They cook here exquisitely as for their own. That is why, although there are few reviews, we definitely recommend visiting British cuisine lovers.
In fact, the city is full of restaurants of different price categories, there are always overcrowded establishments, and there are also empty ones in the evenings. Moreover, in our experience, a fully loaded restaurant does not always mean its popularity and quality of service. Trust your intuition and our list of good places to eat.
Gastrobar DVORA
