Originally, it was a tuna fishing village located on the Costa Blanca in Spain, kissed by the sun most of the year, with an ideal microclimate thanks to the protection of the mountains behind it and the Mediterranean Sea.
Attracted by these exceptional conditions, in the mid-fifties, the first tourists from Northern Europe arrived and joined the national tourists, Benidorm decided to become one of the first tourist destinations.
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| Picture: Harry Fabel |
The driving force behind the General Plan of 1956, which shaped the city as we know it today, was Mayor Pedro Zaragoza Orts. It was not easy, but he was a visionary. To remember the efforts made and the success achieved, the phrase De ilusión también se vive is carved in stone in the fountain at the end of the Parque de Elche. Even the illusion lives.
Today, Benidorm is the first certified Smart Tourist Destination in the world. When you arrive in Benidorm, a municipality in the province of Alicante belonging to the autonomous community of Valencia, giants suddenly appear on the coast.
The skyline is reminiscent of that of New York, full of buildings (in reality, many of them for tourist use) that point towards the sky, but here they all have a view of the sea and are not closed in a row. The high-density, low-impact model, although some argue that a high degree of spatial concentration is more harmful, seems to reduce a large part of energy consumption and, above all, the percentage of land occupation.
The rule in Benidorm regarding construction is 30% built land and 70% vacant land, but this varies depending on the plot. The fact is that the percentage of green space in the municipality is 32.16%, higher than the 20% recommended by various environmental bodies.
Pavements and avenues between buildings create space. Pedestrians always have priority on wide streets where vehicles have a speed limit of 10 to 30 km/h. It’s a city where traffic is calm, orderly, and quiet. The cycle paths are extensive and in some places placed between the two lanes, so other vehicles can better see cyclists. However, everything in the city is easy to reach on foot.
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| Picture Harry Fabel |
The oldest part of Benidorm, El Casco Antiguo, contrasts with so much modernity, with low houses and narrow, clean streets, where all kinds of shops can be found. Worth seeing are Plaza de la Señoria, Plaza de San Jaime, where the neoclassical church of the same name stands (1740-1780), and Plaza del Castell, with the remains of a small fortress from the late Middle Ages. Last but not least, a short staircase takes you down to the Mirador del Castillo, the balcony of the Mediterranean that overlooks the sea, from where you can enjoy unforgettable views, the port with its restaurants, and the boat rental point. It is now a panoramic location that is large, spectacular, and accessible to everyone.
The Tossal Castle, an ancient Iberian settlement that developed around the 3rd century BC a short distance from the current city center, whose archaeological remains can still be seen today, closed off Playa del Poniente. It was part of the defensive network on the promontory of the northern coast of Alicante, built in 77 BC by the Roman Quintus Sertorius to control the passage of ships from the opposing side, in the context of the first Roman civil wars.
With cliffs 300 meters high and an area of over 5,600 hectares, of which 4,920 are maritime, the Sierra Helada Natural Park became the most important "land-sea" park in the Valencian Community in 2005. It has enormous ecological and environmental value and a rich historical and cultural heritage, offering a glimpse into 150 million years of geological history. At the foot of the cliffs are rare fossil dunes. These formations, formed more than 100,000 years ago when the sea level was lower than it is now, are among the most important in the world in terms of the amount of sand accumulated and height. Walking in the park, I see marked routes for cyclists and hikers with different difficulty levels, allowing you to enjoy the fresh air and beauty while meeting people doing sports. From the highest point, you have an exceptional panoramic view of the gulf.
A curiosity: Benidorm was the first place in Spain where women could wear bikinis (we are in 1961). To rid the city of its frivolous reputation, the inhabitants carried a large cross on their shoulders from the church of San Jaime and Sant'Anna in Sierra Helada and planted it on top: it has now become a new tourist attraction (Mirador de la Cruz).
The Benidorm coast has also been awarded the world standard for ecotourism, promoted by the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme). The beaches are awarded certifications recognizing the excellence of their equipment, cleanliness, safety, rescue, and information services. The waters are marked with the international blue flags of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and the Ecoplayas flags of the Asociación Ategrus, which document ecological sustainability and high-quality standards. All beaches are free, and some areas are accessible to disabled people who can dive into the water in a wheelchair. Playa de Levante, two kilometers long, is the most fun and lively, day and night. The three-kilometer Playa de Poniente is more relaxed and less crowded. Between the two is the urban and family beach Mal Pas. At the foot of Sierra Helada, you can enjoy the freedom and nature of Cala del Tio Ximo and Cala Almadrava, between sand, rocks, and pebbles, ideal for snorkeling and diving.
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| Picture: Harry Fabel |
The island of Benidorm, not far from the coast, is part of the natural park and is uninhabited but can be reached for snorkeling, climbing, or a simple boat trip. The legend is very romantic and tells of the giant Roldán who fell in love with a beautiful lady. But the woman fell ill, and it seemed that she could only survive thanks to the sun's rays. The desperate giant struck the Puig Campana mountain with force to make the light illuminate his beloved for longer, and a piece fell into the sea and brought life to the island, where Roldán later transported the body of his beloved to her eternal rest.
The economic life of the city is continuous, as seasonal tourism has emerged that also focuses on sports, conferences, and events. The Benidorm Canción International Festival, a singing competition in which national and international celebrities performed from 1959 to 2006, was renewed in 2022 as the Benidorm Fest. The winner of this festival gets to represent Spain during the Eurovision Song Contest. Since 2010, the Benidorm Low-Cost Festival of indie music has also been taking place. For lovers of the genre, there is no shortage of theme parks: Mundomar, with a dolphinarium and exotic animals; Aqualandia; Terra Mítica, where you can discover ancient Mediterranean civilizations; the Terra Natura zoo; Aqua Natura; and the 18-hole golf course.
Benidorm is the third most visited city in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona in terms of overnight stays, so everything must work very well. The population is 70,450, but the number of inhabitants fluctuates from 150,000 to 400,000. Today, the English are the most numerous tourists and often live in Benidorm for long periods of the year, followed by Belgians, Dutch, Luxembourgers, and Germans.
From this information, valuable elements are extracted to improve the quality of life of residents and visitors so that everyone can benefit sustainably in the long term. By comparing trends from the past with those of today, projections and corrections for the future are made, also thanks to the discovery of trends and observations about Benidorm and its services: in short, the strengths and areas for improvement are highlighted.
The residents are in favor of sustainability because it gives them work, well-being, a well-cared-for living environment, and accessibility. They are involved in decisions with the municipality and the private sector, addressing the town hall's problems and needs in the areas of construction, culture, and heritage.
Benidorm is one of the few tourist destinations in the world that is active all year round, despite the seasonal influences. We talk about the Benidorm effect, a process that makes the city one of the most environmentally friendly places. It was certified as the first Smart Tourist Destination (DTI) in the world in 2018 after meeting the requirements in five categories: sustainability, accessibility, new technologies, administration, and innovation. It is recognized as an innovative tourist destination, consolidated on an advanced technological infrastructure that guarantees the sustainable development of the tourist area.
Additionally, Spain was placed first among the greenest countries in Lonely Planet's Best in Travel guide in 2024, thanks to the work done to encourage off-season travel, expand renewable energy, and bring tourism to previously neglected destinations.
When to go?
The climate is mild all year round, and the sun shines almost all the time. The environment is really pleasant.
How to get there?
The nearest airports are Alicante (40 km) and Valencia (140 km), from where you can reach Benidorm by bus, taxi, or rental car. It is a pity that there is no train connection between Alicante airport and the beautiful city.
How to move around?
Mostly on foot, but also by renting bicycles, or by bus and taxi.
What to bring?
Cool leisure clothes and sweatshirts, swimwear, more or less warm jackets depending on the period in which you are staying in Benidorm. Sportswear for the different land and sea activities you want to do, and then a hat, sunglasses, water bottle, and comfortable shoes for walking and/or running.
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