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Benidorm

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Benidorm's beaches and many leisure facilities has made it the Costa Blanca's main tourist area. It boasts some of the best beaches in Europe , with 3 miles of fine sand which is cleaned daily, the quality of the services and activities, and the clear water being the main reasons why it attracts so many visitors. Since the 1950's Benidorm has changed dramatically in its appearance, once a small fishing village it is now a sprawl of skyscrapers and hotels. Benidorm has cleaned up its act since the 80's and now the young British holiday makers and 'larger louts' who gave it a bad name are no longer the majority of the tourists to this town. Now you will find more and more elderly holiday makers from England, Germany and Northern Spain come to Benidorm.

The Playa de Levante (the sunrise beach) is located 2 kilometres from the old town centre, the Sierra Gelada and the Ricón de Loix. The Playa de Poniente (the sunset beach) is located on the edge of the old town centre, near the Finestrat cove. There is also a smaller bay between the two main beaches and another smaller beach at La Cala de Finestrat.

The historical centre is located around the Canfali vantage point, which is the most emblematic image of Benidorm with a white stone balcony and a vantage point.

Walks can be taken in the Parque de Elche, excursions taken to the Sierra Gelada, you can go swimming on the best beaches of the Costa Blanca, go to the cinema, visit the Aquatic Park , eat and drink in restaurants for all budgets, and practise sports such as sailing and diving and also enjoy the nightlife.

The true capital of the Costa Blanca, Benidorm is one of the symbols of the Spanish tourist growth, the small village of fishermen and farmers, which had 2.000 inhabitants at the beginning of the century, has grown into one of the most important tourist complexes of the world, capable of lodging 5.000.000 visitors a year. Theme parks, tennis, squash, golf, athletics, go-karts, paragliding, swimming, sailing, motor boats, rowing, fishing and deep sea diving are just some of the activities that Benidorm and its surroundings offer you as well as offering you a rich cuisine with a wide choice of rice and fish. The secret of Benidorm´s attraction as a tourist destination is in its beaches and the variety of leisure activities on offer. Benidorm has a busy calendar of "Fiestas" (Spanish holidays), a wide range of excursions to offer the visitor, a magical nightlife, a rich and varied gastronomy and endless possibilities of entertainment. For all these reasons and many more Benidorm is the ideal destination for all, don´t think about it any more and come and see for yourself.

Whilst strolling around Benidorm, don´t forget to keep an eye open for the impressive sand sculptures on the Levante Beach . The artists have a bad time protecting them in heavy rain, fortunately for all of us who admire their work, a new sculpture is created nearly every day.

Climbing down the steps, on to the promontory,you arrive at the Balcón de Benidorm and is the best area indeed for a magnificent view of both beaches, there are plenty of telescopes for a close-up but make sure you have your camera with you.

Benidorm has three sandy beaches measure a total length of 5304 metres between them.
There are 640 public benches in the town but 5270 sun loungers on the Levante Beach alone. All beaches in Spain are public ones and for the enjoyment of all. Dogs are not allowed.
Both Spanish and Valenciano are the official languages on the Costa Blanca.
The Costa Blanca is situated in the Province of Alicante which forms part of the bigger region of Valencia .

Aigüera Park

The biggest park in Benidorm was built to transform a stretch of the old riverbed running down from the bullring to the town centre back in 1989 according to the plans of a very famous Barcelona architect, Ricardo Bofill. The park has a formal outlay and is classic ancient Greece in style. You can enjoy the shade of the trees and cool green grass under palms

It boasts a theatre and an open air amphitheatre seating 3500 spectators. Many events are held there during the warmer months of the year. The park is closed to the public at night, public conveniences are also available.
Within the park is a bust of the singer, Julio Iglesias. Julio has very special connections with Benidorm because it was here he started to climb the ladder to fame by winning the Benidorm Song Festival.

In the Plaza Triangular, at the Benidorm Centre end of the Avenida Mediterráneo and just in front of the huge rubber tree is a tourist office kiosk. Ask them for a copy of the map showing the routes and numbers of the urban bus service including those out of town. The timetable of all routes is included. We think you will find it really useful. They have plenty of glossy brochures on the area too.

Back in the year 1740, a floating hulk was towed ashore off the Poniente Beach . All the crew had died mysteriously. After serious discussion and argument, the authorities of Valencia ordered the ship to be burnt for fear of contamination by the plague.

Whilst raking over the ashes looking for nails, some youngsters uncovered the small wooden figurehead which appeared to be intact from the flames. She was Our Lady of Carmen.
Considered a miracle, she was named some time afterwards, Our Lady of Suffrage and has been venerated ever since.

Before the happening, the population of Benidorm was enumerated at 40 persons, during the following census it had risen to 2526 persons. No other logical explanation has been given to account for this.

The original sculpture was taken by sea to Valencia in 1948 for preservation and annually, coinciding with the festival of Our Lady of Carmen, the Lady of Suffrage receives homage in Benidorm every 16th July. There is a plaque on the side wall of the church of San Jaime (photo above) commemorating her.

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