So let’s talk all things Benidorm. Situated on the Costa Blanca, approximately 45km from the airport in Alicante, Benidorm really is a ‘Brits abroad’ type of resort but with its own certain charm. With numerous flights from the UK each day you can be in Spain in a little over 2 hours.
Benidorm is home to a large ex-pat community, with people often retiring here for the nice weather and the slower pace of life.
We first visited in 2004 when G was just 3 years old. This was our very first travel adventure as a family and indeed was my first time on a plane! I’m sure I totally over-packed and panic bought but as anyone will know who has visited the resort before, it is well stock and very British!
We stayed at the Orange Hotel which is situated right in the heart of the club scene - we clearly did not know this at the time of booking and funnily enough our Tui rep did not mention this either! To be fair we were on a pretty high floor and with a 3 year old we were tucked up in bed by midnight, before the clubs really got going (although it did make for an interesting walk back to the hotel each evening!).
We stayed on a half board basis enjoying breakfast and evening meal at the hotel each day, although we did venture out a couple of evenings and ate at a couple of the nice restaurants you can find along the beach front area.
In terms of the resort itself, I remember being pretty impressed. You are on the. Mediterranean and the waters are therefore clear and blue, the beach is long and wide and its very clean (the beach is cleaned every evening). There’s plenty to do on the beach - in addition to the sun bed areas there are boat trips on offer, banana boat rides, paragliding, volley ball nets, children’s play areas and showers dotted all along this huge beach.
The main area runs from the McDonalds at the far end, right along to Mirador del Castella (this stretch of beach is called Levante Beach). From this end of Levante Beach you can turn right and walk up into the Old Town which offers more traditional shops and restaurants and is a good place to purchase your souvenirs. Remember that there is a siesta each day from around 2pm, with shops closing and re-opening at around 6pm.
A typical day here could consist of breakfast at your hotel, grab your sun-bed on Levante Beach and enjoy some R&R. Head up to one of the numerous beachfront restaurants / cafe / bar etc for a beer and / or some lunch and then head back to the beach for more tanning and maybe take a pedalo out for a spin. Head back to your hotel at around 4pm, shower and change and then walk along the front and up into the Old Town for around 6pm, Take a couple of hours to wander the shops before heading to a restaurant for a traditional paella in one of the Old Town more authentic Spanish restaurants.
Finish your evening with a stroll back along the beachfront, which is lit at night and perhaps pop into one of the bars along the front for a cocktail before heading back to your hotel. There are of course plenty of karaoke bars, clubs (as mentioned before) and even a McDonalds if you are like us and are partial to a McFlurry!
We re-visited a few years later during October half term, staying this time at the Dynastic Hotel. Staying again on a half board basis, this hotel has a free of charge spa / jacuzzi area which we used one rainy afternoon. For nicer weather it does of course have a nice pool area, nicely sized rooms and offers a good choice of buffet foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Situated just 7 minutes from the beach (and the McDonalds) this hotel also offers a sauna, spa and fitness centre.
Our most recent trip was one that G and I took together, this time staying at the Rosamar Hotel which is just 5 minutes along from the Dynastic, again on a half board basis. This hotel was a little more basic than what the Dynastic had to offer but was still well presented, with nice rooms and a decent selection of buffet foods on offer.
On this trip, as G was a little older, we decided to visit Benidorm Palace for an evening of food and entertainment. Priced nowadays at around 80euros per head for the platinum experience, it is a little pricey for an evening out but does include a 3 course meal followed by entertainment which includes dancing, singing, magic and acrobatics.
Terra Mitica is around 15 minutes by car from Benidorm and offers an array of rides and shows for both kids and adults alike. With prices starting at 41euros per adult and 35euros for kids (age 3-12) in low season, this is also a relatively pricey day out especially if you need to add in a taxi each way, food, drinks, souvenirs etc.
Another option to keep the kids amused is Aqualandia. Again this is a full day out situated in a park set within lovely grounds and boasts a lazy river, wave pool and lagoon plus the usual slides etc. There are the usual hamburger and pizza restaurants here plus a picnic area should you wish to bring your own food. There is also parking on site. With prices starting at 40euros for adults and 30euros for kids (age 4-12) it is again not exactly a cheap day out, but I’m sure one the kids will enjoy.
From Benidorm you can take the tram into Alicante which takes approximately1 hour and 25 minutes. Head to the Benidorm Tram Stop and catch the tram; running around every 30 minutes and costing just 6euros 50 cents for a return journey, it is well worth a morning out. We went one morning, walked around the shops and had a late lunch when the siesta kicked in before heading back to the resort. Alicante offers a great selection of stores together with bars, restaurants and cafes should you wish to visit a more city type setting.
Just north of Benidorm you will find Calpe which hosts a weekly market. Open until 2pm each Saturday, the market sells an array of goods including produce, souvenirs, clothing and jewelry etc. A taxi from Benidorm will cost around 27-33 euros or you can get the tram for around 3euros.
So Benidorm really is one of those places that gets a bad rep - yes it is very British; yes you can get fish and chips with mushy peas; yes it has a McDonalds; yes there are supermarkets selling British foods and brands; and YES this place really is a Mecca in the off peak season for those who will happily mow you down in their mobility scooters (!) and take up the whole of the pavement, BUT, and it’s a big but, it is an absolutely brilliant place for families, for young and old, anyone who wants a bit of summer or winter sun without having to travel too far, who want to be abroad but not too ‘foreign’ and I would highly recommend a visit.
I would say make the most of the resort - come for 2 weeks, hire a car and explore the surrounding area, drive up to Denia or Javier. Benidorm is just the start of your adventure on the Costa Blanca.
If you are on more of a budget then there are an abundance of Airbnbs available to book and self catering is made very easy with the swathe of supermarkets - there is even a Mercandona.
Anyway, pack your sun screen and get traveling!
See you on our next aventure
Tracey and Georgia xxx
click the link below for some fabulus excursions you can do next time you are visiting Benidorm!
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