Benidorm is considered the tourist capital of the Valencian Community. This is due to the remarkable growth of this immense coastal municipality over the years. Located on the Costa Blanca, Benidorm has the highest number of visitors during the holiday season, since, although it has a population of approximately 67,000 inhabitants, in summer it exceeds 400,000. These numbers lead Benidorm to be the third Spanish municipality with the highest offer in terms of hotels, after Madrid and Barcelona.
A fact no less, is that Benidorm is considered the city with more skyscrapers by numbers of local citizens from around the world. Between skyscrapers, beaches and historical places, Benidorm offers an excellent panoramic view of the city from different tourist spots.
1. Parque de l’Aigüera
The Parque de l’Aigüera was built in the late 1980s and has two outdoor amphitheaters, the “JulioIglesias” and the “Óscar Esplá”. There, events are held during the year, which are recommended to spend an entertaining evening. Surrounded by green spaces, the Parque de l’Aigüera is located a few meters from the Plaza de los Toros, in the central area of the city, ideal for spending time with the family and for the little ones to enjoy nature in the middle of the city.
2. Benidorm City Council
Benidorm City Council is one of the busiest places in the city, not only for its history and location, but also for its imposing building built in 2003. On the south face of Benidorm City Council you can see a perfect finish with sheets of glass with a particularity that makes it unique. It is the engraving on the crystals of approximately 60,000 names and surnames, ordered alphabetically. These are the names of each of the citizens who were registered in the year of its construction.
3. Port of Benidorm
One of the most historic places in Benidorm is, without a doubt, its port. The interesting thing is that, being a fishing town in the mid-nineteenth century, Benidorm did not have its own port. However, this changed in the first half of the twentieth century, when they created the port of work, which was expanded between 1957 and 1971, ending with reforms and extensions in 1999. Before this, fishing boats arrived at Poniente Beach.
At present, the Port of Benidorm serves as a tourist attraction for recreational boat rides, known as “Golondrinas”, which run from the port to the island of Benidorm.
4. Church of San Jaime and Santa Ana
If you prefer to know historical places, you can not miss the Church of San Jaime and Santa Ana. This construction dates from the eighteenth century, when it was used as a Christian temple. Located between the squares of the Lordship, San Jaime and the Castle, the Church of San Jaime and Santa Ana has a captivating history.
It was on March 15, 1740 when the figure of the Virgin of suffrage arrived, in an aimless boat. This ship was set on fire for fear that it would bring some unknown disease, but the Virgin remained intact, surviving the flames that enveloped her.
5. Plaza de la Cruz
If we talk about historical places in Benidorm, the Plaza de la Cruz is one of them. This square is of great importance and one of the busiest tourist places, since it is the union between the new area of the city and the old town. The Plaza de la Cruz has a large branched palm tree, which replaces the place where the term cross remained, for which it bears its name.
While this square is small, the size of a circle on the sidewalk, it could go unnoticed by anyone, but the story behind this stonemason with a palm tree taking the place of the original cross of previous centuries, the Plaza de la Cruz is located in the central area of Benidorm, surrounded by pedestrian streets with accommodations, shops and restaurants around it.
6. Old town of Benidorm.
Benidorm’s Old Town is one of the most historic places in the city, as its name says. After the invasion of pirates in the fifteenth century and the wars produced during the nineteenth century (War of Independence), the so-called Old Town was totally destroyed.
Already in the nineteenth century, more precisely in 2002, the Library was removed to give rise, today, to a lively pedestrian space, full of street artists, artisans and, in times of tourism, is one of the most visited sites, since, in addition to the above, it is located in a central area and surrounded by bars, restaurants and outdoor music.
7. Viewpoint and Plaza del Castillo
The square and the viewpoint of the Castle bears his name due to the medieval castle of the fourteenth century, which was located on the hill of Canfali (Plaza del Castillo). With a great history behind, in the”Plaça del Castell” you can see through the “mirador del Castell”, within a central area with a well and arches, used to carry out ceremonies and events, such as weddings.
On the other hand, the viewpoint and Plaza del Castillo are located in front of the Church of San Jaime and Santa Ana, from where you can contemplate an unforgettable panoramic view of the beaches of Poniente and Levante.
8. Paseo de Poniente
The Paseo de Poniente is located a few meters from the port, passing through the Elche Park. This place was built between 2006 and 2009, and its particularity is its multicolored path in the form of a “zigzag”, next to the Poniente beach. The Paseo de Poniente is one of the most modern places in Benidorm, especially for walking with the family, cycling or exercising.
9. Poniente Beach
Poniente Beach is located next to the Paseo de Poniente, and has one of the few freshwater springs, “Les Fontanelles”, 10 meters from the coast. Beyond the beach, you can see the Intempobuilding, which is the tallest skyscraper in Benidorm, and the fifth in Spain, with 187 meters high and 47 floors. Further away is the Hotel Bali, which reaches 186 meters.
10. Levante Beach
Located between the viewpoint of the Castle and the Rincon de Loix,Levante Beach is one of the largest in Benidorm, where you can not only spend a day of sun, beach and sand, but also this beach is known for having numerous nightclubs and pubs, so they call it “the guiri area”. Levante Beach has a length of more than two kilometers of coastline and shops, ideal for teenagers.
11. Cala del Tío Ximo
Just 20 meters from the coast, Cala del Tío Ximo is located in the Serra GeladaNaturalPark. This site is known for being a perfect place to snorkel and get away from the crowds for those who prefer to connect with nature without so many movements and sounds around.
12. L’Almadrava Cove
For water fans, Cala de l’Almadrava is an excellent option, as it has possibilities to dive and get to know the bottom of the sea, surrounded by aquatic animals that will make this experience unforgettable. With only 50 meters long, you can descend along a path to this beach with rocks and fine sand, ideal to spend a sunset in front of the sea.
