Benidorm represents us!
benidorm It could not be understood if you do not talk about its strategic enclave. Located between the mountains of the Sierra de Aitana, this town protects itself from the rain and the north winds to settle as "pancha" and exploit a microclimate well known by half of Europe . As was evident, this beach tourism and its potential could not be ignored and since then the idea of spending a few weeks on the go at an affordable cost became his tourism model. However, improvements in transport such as the tramway connection with the AVE in Alicante or the not inconsiderable air traffic from the airport makes Benidorm also an interesting getaway . Something that also affects the way of discovering and enjoying it. Here is a small manual.
FROM TUNA TO BALI
The tip of the iceberg of its characteristic and Emirati skyline is the one that remains the tallest hotel in the Old Continent . Above, at more than 180 meters high, the most characteristic and descriptive panoramic view of Benidorm is obtained. And the first thing that surprises, beyond the vertigo, is that it is not a busy or overwhelming city. But to understand it, you have to travel –mentally- to the fifties and learn about the work of the mayor who decided to change everything. Pedro Zaragoza thought of tourism as the necessary incentive to a little fishing village that he saw as the tuna traps ran out . The new economic sector also meant changing urban planning and betting on height, and this is where this viewpoint takes on a key role in understanding what was done.
The first thing that was done was to bet on separate skyscrapers, a system that allowed many people to be accommodated but without the detriment of them feeling canned. in between, gardens, palm trees and low houses perfect for allowing the wind to sneak through the cracks of this great concrete and brick comb. In addition, the tall buildings also had to act as large umbrellas, perfect for maintaining a human temperature in the middle of August at ground level. In this way, a new city capable of accommodating up to 400,000 people without it looking like the current Hong Kong . And after this 'plate' of history and architecture, a good beer on the terrace, a couple of photos to show off and back to sea level in a panoramic elevator less adrenaline than its name suggests.
The tallest hotel in Europe
THE ‘BIKINI’ CROSS
There is a viewpoint, in this case natural, that allows you to continue with this historical approach while contemplating the city . at the top of the frozen saw rises an imposing cross with which the Benidorm of the 50s she sought religious redemption for having allowed the use of the two-piece swimsuit to foreigners . In addition to planting this symbol governing everything, good old Pedro Zaragoza had to take his scooter , arrive in Madrid, meet with Franco and convince him and the necklaces that the regulation of the use of this swimsuit was beneficial for all . And he got it in a very curious way shown in this short.
Aside from this nod to history, the climb to this peak allows one to bathe in a romantic sunset, confirming that this gigantic symbol has served to commemorate relatives who have already disappeared and that, in some way, it is a kind of Christ of Corcovado in the generous comparison between Benidorm and Rio de Janeiro.
Benidorm's 'skyline': FALL IN LOVE
LIFT VS. WEST
To understand Benidorm, you have to know how to differentiate the two beaches and choose the most appropriate depending on the trip. In general, these are the big differences. I raised It is a British Overseas Territory, a place where multilingual locals abound and whose density of towel per square meter of sand reaches the levels of the Tokyo subway. Of course, its characteristic night lighting and the progress of some gambling dens such as the Ku or the Daytona Rock Bar they turn it into a temple for night owls. For its part, Poniente is more country and calm . Its bike lane, its beautiful and undulating promenade designed by the OAB studio and its less accumulation of umbrellas make it the favorite of local vacationers.
And in between the two, a tiny historic center in which the Balcón del Mediterráneo brings it together and reminds the old castle that stood here and that today has been replaced by an immense terrace designed so that the view does not take away from the sea . The church of San Jaime and the street of the cats complete a short tour of that fishing village that is only recognizable at these points. Before leaving the horn-rimmed glasses in the glove compartment, the municipality keeps some ace up its sleeve such as the contemporary town hall, the legendary Julio Iglesias auditorium in which that festival of the song as old as essential was celebrated or the Benidorm Palace , a modernized variety stage whose titanium exterior invites some grown-ups to nickname it 'the Guggenheim of Benidorm'.
Sunset and we go to Ku: the temple for night owls
THE NEW ERA ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY
That Benidorm is becoming more sophisticated and reinventing itself is a reality that emerged far from the heart of the beach. On the slopes of the Puigcampana mountain, just on the other side of the AP-7, they have been experimenting with another type of tourism for a decade. That is where the Asia Gardens proposes an exotic trip thanks to facilities that make the adjective luxurious crude and where Meliá pulls out of its sleeve a town-resort called Villa Aitana . His latest experiments go further.
The failed Terra Mítica theme park is about to start a new stage with experienced and professional managers who they are not afraid of winter and that they have opted for a new hotel , the Luxor , which seeks to transfer the experience of traveling through those Mediterranean civilizations to the rooms. For its part, Villa Aitana has decided to take itself more seriously its fantastic golf facilities and overcome the incentive-anecdote of playing with the skyline in the background. To do this, it has chosen to self-manage and claim the two fields in which professionals and trainees can enjoy practically every day of the year.
Relax...
But the small universe that these complexes have set up has crossed the road. Rather, it has generated a contagious effect that has affected other establishments that were previously content to seduce tacky tour operators. It is the case of Don Pancho one of the first hotels to open that has undergone a complete renovation in order to become sophisticated and offer premium sun and beach without losing the Mexican essence of that ancestor of the owners who arrived from the other continent and was called Pancha and whose charisma still smiles here. Another example is that of the Villa Venecia, a charming building located in the historic center that, instead of competing with the large family complexes, chose to be converted into a Boutique Hotel that guarantees the best views of the entire coastline.
Benidom 'the night'
GASTRONOMIC HONESTY
The safari in search of authentic stoves is less complex than it might seem. Or, put another way, in Benidorm you can eat VERY WELL without having to follow clues or stars . Only based on honesty and a few restorers who do their job well and have very clear ideas. A perfect gastro rally has to include the Mal Pas cauldron, a traditional tavern where they never tire of mixing rice with seafood and making it good. Also the paella in Poniente where the Ulia restaurant deserves a point and apart with desktop for being modern, cozy and tasty.
The night and the tapas lead to a parallel universe located in the heart of Benidorm , where pintxo bars such as Aurrerá and maños such as Cava Aragonesa act as gastronomic embassies for their regions with the occasional local outburst. Tapas from bar to bar to the point of babbling and satiety makes the most clueless end up thinking that they are in the Old Town of San Sebastian, since in Santo Domingo street and its parallels Basque typography prevails. And the cup, at the Marrs, a perfect club located in a traditional Alicante house where local youth congregate before unleashing the night and reggaeton.
Tapas with care in Cava Aragonesa
More risky are the tables of two new bets. The first is the tasting menu of the aforementioned Villa Venice , a restaurant that has learned from the best Spanish coastal chefs to propose an evening in which The plankton jelly with corvina morsels and olive oil spheres, the prawn salad with wasabi mayonnaise and the cheek with vegetable cous-cous triumph. . In short, a successful bet to look like a French Relais & Chateaux in which to combine rest with good cuisine.
The second big news is the talent of **Sara Gómez at the helm of Solotúla**. This gastrobar is still looking for itself, which is why its appearance is somewhat chill out and theater nights are organized from time to time. But the jewel is the kitchen, with a very young chef who does not stop experimenting and who is capable of modernizing any dish and inventing wonders such as her cuttlefish noodles with cockle tartare.
NATURE AS THEME PARK
There are two factors that influence the fun way they have in Benidorm to enjoy their surroundings. On the one hand, there is the fact that it is a hotbed of tourism , which allows you to do a lot of trial and error and try a thousand and one ways to make an excursion. On the other hand, there is the fact of being in a very peculiar enclave, with an island as the center of the photographic objectives and the divers and a natural park that borders the last urbanizations.
This allows Serra Gelada itself to become a Narnia for hikers who can traverse the old road on electric bikes such as those from TAO Bikes, on Segways and even buggies. Beyond the means of transportation, the tour offers rewards such as views of the city and the discovery of the cove of Tio Ximo , a hidden beach where only the inhabitants of Benidorm throw in their towels.
Tao Bike in the Serra Gelada Natural Park
In addition to the bathroom going down to his bed of stones allows you to know the story of the real uncle Ximo , a countryman who took over the place and built a small shack that he rented to newlyweds on their wedding night. The end point of the little adventure is the 18th century fortification that was built against the pirates and that is in an arm from which the cliffs in full splendor can be seen. Clay-like giants that are the tallest in the Peninsular Spain and before which it is convenient to remember that yes, you are still in Benidorm.
Other nearby natural pearls are the jeep safaris through the Marina Alta, Altea and the Sierra de Bernia with the Fuentes del Algar as an objective or the vineyards of Bodegas Mendoza. Although their main payments are in the vicinity of Villena, this family of winegrowers chose to make wine on their plot in Alfaz del Pi and build a winery in which wine tourism has taken off thanks to the enthusiasm with which they explain their wines and how unusual it is to find this quality in these latitudes.
Wineries Mendoza