Benidorm means different things to different people. This coastal town in Valencia, Spain has a natural landscape that is equivalent to none. It faces the Mediterranean in all its glory and is surrounded by the colossal Puig Campana. The mountain feeds its beauty quotient.

For many years now, the town has been a tourist hub and its popularity is not shrinking at all. In fact each year in summer, it houses nearly 5 million people, and the number of tourists in that figure is pretty large.

The tourists are a cosmopolitan mélange. Many of them are British or Dutch or Scandinavians. In fact, it is worthwhile to note that few areas in the town have such high presence of these nationals that you would not see a Valencian around. To cater to this tourist explosion of the British kind, Benidorm deals specifically in few British pubs. These offer food and wine bound to the British taste-bud.

Benidorm was always naturally grounded in beauty. It had all the old world charm that reeked in Spanish recess. With time, owing to the huge tourist inflow, it has also added a concrete jungle to it. Today, Benidorm has a skyline full of skyscrapers and tall buildings. These are the ones that bestow the best of hospitality to the tourists. Real estate has also cut the right corners owing to such strong tourist presence.

Benidorm, as we see, holds quite an entertainment appeal. You will find plenty of thrills, pastoral recesses, adrenalin-pumping adventure, and cool bars with a floaty feeling, great ethnic food, and shopping bazaars and most importantly the animal, water, and theme parks. It’s important to elaborate on them a little.

Theme parks- theme parks are spread over long areas and they are present at all places. This means that you can lay holiday siege on them if you are at the suburbs and you can also look to have fun if you are accommodated at the center of the city. Let’s take a look at few major theme parks.

Terra Mitica- it’s a theme park with an awe-inspiring setting. It’s at the foothills of Puig Campana and offers some amazing roller coasters. Terra Mitica’s five areas have rides for one and all. Top of the bill are the adrenaline pumping, gravity defying white-knuckle rides like Magnus Colossus and SynKope. Next come more family oriented experiences such as The Rapids of Argos, and finally there are more gentle rides especially designed for kids which include mini-versions of the thrill-a-minute adult rides. On any side the vision goes, the dense setting of Campana lures the holiday-crowd into its folds.

Mudomar park- this is another one that offers a grad day out for the children. Mundomar is a theme park inhabited by aquatic animals such as dolphins, penguins and sea lions as well as tropical birds.
The main Show of the day is the Dolphins. A 40 minute spectacular water ballet with a team of beautiful girls moving as one among the Dolphins - who are obviously enjoying every moment
The Dolphins Show is done with synchronized swimmers, exercising their routines alongside the dolphins. This show is unique and exceptional due to its complexity and singularity. Surely a holiday event that the children will remember for the rest of their lives
Try to get your child selected to go in the boat that the dolphin pulls.
The sea lions and the seals also put on a humorous show that the kids love. And the parrots on roller-skates provide no end of entertainment though the person conducting the shows is speaking Spanish so you won’t understand everything that’s going on.
Away from the birds and animals there’s a children’s park with plenty slides and other amusements and a selection of cafés and restaurants should provide a welcome break to the adult contingent.

Aqualandia park- is reputedly Europe’s largest water park with over 20 rides and areas,
It is a must for fans of water slides and you will easily be able to spend a full day here. Be aware that the water in the slides is saltwater and not fresh water. Once inside you can rent lockers for the day to keep any valuables safe and you can also rent large rubber rings to take on the slides.

Terra natura- as the name suggests, it has nature written all over it. For the motley holiday bunch, this feeling is so refreshing. It’s like lying in the cradle of nature where each thing gets a new definition. There is plenty of adventure, crazy animals strewn here and there. To add to the fun, there is a lot of food on offer and all that is simply a cut above the normal. It’s sumptuous as it offers a wholesome fare. You can choose from the ethnic, continental and other cuisines. Children can wrap up their own pizzas and burgers and satiate their junk cravings completely.

Excursions- Benidorm is a haven for those who would like to go for all kinds of water-sport activities. The idea is to have as much fun at as little price as possible. There is snorkeling and scuba diving. The last one needs technical know-how but if you are versed with the art then there is a host of marine Mediterranean life on offer.

Bazaars- shopping bazaars remind of very old times that we have read of in school books. The barter is no more an active trading theory and you have to pay in currency but the feel quite belongs to the old world. Each place hosts the bazaar on different days. Few hold it on Wednesdays and Sundays. Others might have it on Saturdays and Sundays. The whole idea is to hold public attention each day.

It sells leather goods, glassware, tablecloths, shoes, utility items and almost every thing under the sun. The goods are scattered and there is a frothing sea of them waiting to be picked. Caution note for tourists: these are highly negotiable merchandise; so, do not pay what is initially being asked of you.

Bars and pubs- these are simply a source of delight. They have a fair cosmopolitan presence and cater to all. Benidorm has a super active night life built around these pubs and it has done rather well on this ground. The pubs offer best local beverages with a dash of the international. You can have foods of all kind. Mediterranean Sea food is the one people crave for. The recipe has such terrific spices that the holiday-crowd cannot but ask for second help.

The Beaches- the major beaches have the blue flag certification from the European Union. Stretching for a luxuriant six kilometers from Levante Beach in the east to Poniente Beach in the west, consistently high quality blue flag bathing, lifeguard patrols, a wealth of water sports and an impressive approach to cleanliness mean these beaches are among the best in Europe. This means that they offer the best of environment. During top-holiday upsurge, they are bound by a carnival spirit. Music floats in air and the aroma of food is suspended thickly. Hosts of souvenir shops readily display their ware. The masseurs and masseuse come to gather in the delightful riot of craftsmanship. They show their own unique talents to heal and relieve the tourists.

Benidorm Travel Tips

Benidorm has gathered quite repute as a strong tourist destination which draws visitors from all parts. Though it has a strong British and Irish tourist presence, the Flames and the Dutch are not inconspicuous. Treading largely on the influence of the Mediterranean which gives its climate a coastal feel and its beaches an awesome aura, Benidorm acquires great importance for all kinds of tourists. There are mammoth skyscrapers; in fact Gran Hotel Bali is the tallest building in the country. It stands at 623 feet.

There is something that the tourists need to sort out. After all, they are tourists and can always be fooled or swindled by a section of indigenous people so it’s better to understand about the town in detail. Its beaches, its souvenir shops, its bazaars, its night pubs, its parks and also its various accommodations must be known in detail. Moreover, knowing a place well can help us experience it better and cut down on unnecessary costs. For the purpose, we are discussing few travel tips within the ambit of this article.

Benidorm shopping tips- the bazaars are reminiscent of old barter days, although even the most current bazaar traditions are followed. Alcohol and cigarettes are especially cheap. An open air market is held every Wednesday and a Rastro is held every Sunday. These are the car boot sales. If you are looking for some really cheap ware, attack Altea on a Tuesday. Alicante is another shopping destination which houses the most intricate wares that includes top brand-lines across the globe.

There are a lot of regalia available in the old town near the Levante. The spread is generally aligned to local handicraft. Caprabo in Bodega Ham is another brilliant idea. It’s a super market chain dealing in quality Spanish cheeses and Serrano ham.

Restaurant tips- there are quite a few restaurants which provide great ethnic food. These are the Mediterranean Sea delicacies. Apart from them, the restaurants also promote and indulge in global cuisines filled with the temptation of ethnic spices. Many restaurants cater to British and Irish taste buds. This is obviously tourism gimmick. You are more likely to customize your self to the preferences of the nationals having the highest footfall. Witches Bistro, China Garden and Madame Butterfly are the most reputed ones.

Hotel tips- Melia Benidorm is hotel with two 23 storied building joined by a reception archway. It caters to the very elitist spread. All the rooms are sea facing and the facilities are avant garde. Hotel Palm Beach and Servigroup Torre Dorada are two more hotels of high prominence. The idea is to find the best hotels with discounted prices. For this, travel agents in the New Town shall be contacted.

Another thing of note is that if you are a north European traveler; make sure that the villa you choose has perfectly placed air conditioner.

Weather tips- there are quite a few weather tips. Though Benidorm is adequately blessed with moderation in terms of weather and yearly temperature average is 19.3 degree Celsius, there are few things which need to be understood prior.

First of all, it is not safe to venture to the beaches in summer between 12 noon and 3 pm. This may result in a mild sun stroke. Secondly, it is advised to avoid visiting the place in August due to excessive heat and temperature hovering above 40 degrees. It is equally advisable to avoid it in the month of November owing to the chance of excess rainfall.

It is better to pre-evaluate the temperature through many online sites which give the prediction for forthcoming 10 days.

You must at all cost understand if the Gota Fria is any where near. It simply mars the beaches and also brings torrential rains with clinical temperature drops.

Benidorm beaches- Now most of these have Blue Flag authentication which is a great recognition coming right through European Union. The beaches and night clubs are the reason why the tourist culture thrives. Excursion trips can be arranged through travel agents. They include snorkeling, scuba diving, jet skiing, parasailing and banana boat rides.

Theme parks are spread over the central town and outskirts. The top four theme parks are Terra Mitica, Terra Natura, Aqualandia, and Mundomar Park. A travel tip associated with the parks is park discounts which are offered on Terra Mitica and Terra Natura with the travel agents and Aqualandia and Mundomar park at the tourist office.

Negatives to be taken care of- if you are looking for an authentic Spanish holiday, this is not the place for you. If you are looking for nightlife and beach luxury, it’s just right for you. Touts are spread everywhere. They are the ones who would try to swindle you. They would take you to a glassware store or look to fetch you a timesharing accommodation. They have their set commission with them.

Promotion staffs outside bars and restaurants look to tease you into buying their products. If you are smart just be a connoisseur and taste their beverage before leaving the scene.

The currency conversion scams must be taken proper note of. Exchange rip offs means you will have to settle for currency prices far below the international quote for the day, this is unless you have a ready currency converter at hand; one that the audit firms use. The rates for check and cash is conveniently molded by the exchange agents, one must keep an eye on the transaction and look to find the rates prior to confirming the transaction.

The reps will suggest you that the best time to go to the market is during the week, they emphasize that during these days, the market is more serene and chances of being pick-pocketed is far less. During weekends, the prices are far cheap though so during the weeks you stand to be pick-pocketed by the sellers instead. Our advice: visit during weekends.

If a tourist can glance over these travel tips and cautions, he can perhaps enhance his experience of this very beautiful place.

Benidorm hotels

Benidorm is a Spanish coastal town in the Alicante province of Valencia. It looks towards the Mediterranean for its scenic compass and is lorded over by the colossal Puig Campana. Today, the place has become a huge tourist hub. What this means is that it had to undergo a complete reformation in the last few years to counter the tourist in-flow. This is why you can witness high-rises and skyscrapers all across the Benidorm skyline.

In fact, Benidorm is loosely refereed to as the Manhattan or Beniyork. Benidorm has all kinds of accommodation to cater to the pleasant onslaught of tourists. With over 30000 hotel beds, it can’t go much wrong even in summer months when the tourist pressure is very high.

Let’s take a look into a few of these hotels:

Melia Benidorm- it encompasses a huge garden and two swimming pools styled on salt lakes of the west. It’s resplendent in its grandeur. Two 23 storied towers provide 526 rooms cumulatively. This is joined by a hall reception area which uses the visual treat of an indoor garden. Convention centers, spas, health and beauty centers and cafeterias are scattered through the hotel premises to give a feeling of contemporary brilliance.

This merges well with the old world charm which the beaches and Campana so effectively create. The terraces are spacious and the rooms and terraces look over the Mediterranean. This is just the current-pastoral mix a holiday seeker would find revelry in.

There is all kind of rooms; the superior, deluxe and standard double catering to different purse strings. Each has the view of the sea. Air conditioning and heating arrangements are adequate. There is satellite television on offer along with direct to dial phones.

There are mini bars if one needs to find the correct heady feeling that goes so well with enjoying a holiday. Further, there is a laptop facility to stay connected with the world. (Though with such holiday ambience who would want to)

Mini clubs, gyms, saunas, playground for children add to the fun. For adults, there is the 18-hole golf course within 1.9 miles.

Palm Beach Benidorm Hotel- a unique sense of tranquility dawns on you the moment you enter this hotel. The hotel has such a large variety of plants that you almost mistake it for a tropical haven. Beverages keep flowing over the counter and they are really heady mixes.

There are 299 rooms altogether and the hospitality shown by the concierge staff is second to none. The restaurants are exclusive and cater to different fares. There is the ethnic Mediterranean Sea food. It also offers other global cuisines. Gyms, sauna and spa all add to the relaxation measures. The gym offers it in a different way. It has to be coupled with the remaining techniques to come up to the desired effect.

It also has a free car parking space, business amenities, and indoor, outdoor pools.

Hotel Servigroup Torre Dorada- it is ideally placed on the Benidorm surface and provides a great view. It has 243 rooms and most of them are perfectly refurbished lately to create the effect of brilliance.

Air conditioning and heating standards are well met. There is the scope for satellite TVs. Bathrooms is also well equipped. The hotel is located on the outskirts just to add to the feeling of the old world charm sought by the holiday-revelers. This is not a problem though. You can look forward to a bus-stop walk to get connected to the center of the town. Moreover, Poniente beach is mere 200 mts walk and the beach is an absolute delight to the senses, recognized by the European Union by a blue flag.

The hotel houses two swimming pools which includes one for the children. Mini clubs is another feature which makes the children shriek with joy. These are precisely the reason why the hotel is accorded with the status of a family-hotel. The hotel also offers free dance lessons for those who stay for long and are willing to go through the dance schedule.

Agir Hotel- located fairly proximal to the Levant beach in the boulevard area of Benidorm, the hotel has truly found its feet after being reconstructed in the year 2006. The hotel supremely combines the tourist requirements for shopping and relaxation. There are quite many shopping and souvenir stalls at the center of the city which is very close to the hotel. Similarly, there is the Levant beach (a blue flag beach recognized by the EU) which can let a tourist relax with no care of the world.

The staff force really looks after you well. The hotel is splashed all over with current designs that add to the flavor of the place as it rings truer alongside the old world setting of Benidorm.

The Agir offers single, double and superior rooms. The superior ones are laid with sofas, Jacuzzis, balconies and armchairs. All the rooms of this hotel consist of minibars, satellite TVs, air conditioners and related aspects of modernity.

For those bent towards relaxation, there is a solarium and a rooftop pool. Spas offer Turkish baths for soothing the senses to the point of pleasant numbness; with time this numbness transfers into boundless energy.

The restaurant offers top Mediterranean food which punches in the right ethnic flavor. It also caters well to the British, Flemish and Dutch taste buds as these make a large percentage of the motley tourist groups.

Hotel Rober Palas- the hotel is proximal to the Albir resorts and the visitors can push off to the resort for enjoying the supermarkets, spas and other features of festivities and relaxation. The hotel rooms offer complete climate control and a fridge if hired from the reception lobby. There are bathroom driers mandatory for a coastal recess. There are spacious bedrooms with different sizes of beds. The staffs offer 24 hour service and are industrious enough to extend a helping hand. Pools are a great source of relaxation and the shades are reminiscent of the African Jungles.