TRAVEL - BENIDORM

BENIDORM // COSTA BLANCA

WORDS: GAVYN ANDREWS

SUN, SEA, SEX OH AND A GOOD GAY SCENE.

Benidorm has to be one of the most recognised holiday destinations on the planet due to its lively nightlife, short flight from the UK & Ireland and the excellent value and climate that it offers.

Northern Irish holiday makers have been travelling here for decades however many things have changed since the cheap and cheerful days of the package holidays offered to us by the likes of Budget, Airtours/ Aspro and Falcon Holidays from yester year.

Today you can pretty much book however and whenever you want with low cost airlines and OTA’s offering dynamic packages to suit all price points. If you’re up on your tech usage and prefer to book using mobile phone Apps then Expedia, TripAdvisor and Airbnb also now have amazing ways to search book and save. The hit TV series Benidorm followed many UK holiday makers spending time in the well-known Benidorm hotel Solana and gave us all a great insight into what it might be like to live, work and holiday in Benidorm not to mention showcasing some of the Costa’s stunning beach and mountain locations. I think the shows character Kenneth owner manager of the Solana’s onsite hair salon Blo & Go also helped raise the interest of the LGBTQ community.

It might come as a surprise to visitors but you will be quite simply spoilt for choice on the Costa Blanca with its much celebrated rich and diverse history. The majority of holidaymakers will head straight to the bustling resorts of Benidorm and Alicante to lap up the beach and entertainment but it is worthwhile looking at alternatives such as Altea and Moraira which offer a much more traditional Spanish experience and a wealth of beauty on the same doorstep.

To the north, is a curtain of mountains which runs parallel to the sea, descending at times to form cliffs; to the South, a vast plain of sand patches, palm trees and salt deposits make up the backdrop for the beaches? From the valleys, which are covered with stepped orchards and keep alive its Moorish past, to the palm trees of unmistakable African origins?

Benidorm often gets referred to as a concrete jungle due to the mass number of sky scrapper type hotels which customers flocked to in the booming 80s and nighties. Many of these properties have now been redeveloped and or improved for the modern day tourists.

Costa Blanca offers so many entertainment and attractions it would be impossible for me to showcase them all but the below is a quick list of the key ones not to be missed. Aqualandia – massive water park; opens from May to September. Mundomar – Sea-life and Animal Park with dolphins, seals. Terra Mitica – a massive theme park with roller coasters and other thrill rides, shows etc. Terra Natura – Wildlife park with over 1,500 animals and during the summer a water park.

Explore the wine and almond growing region of Calpe, a 30 minutes’ drive north of Benidorm

Benidorm has been an LGBT gay mecca for years and you can understand why. It has one of the largest gay scenes in the Costas and is home to many British and Irish Expats some of which even run and own the venues which all make up the heart of local scene. The feel of Benidorm is very different to that of the likes of Mykonos in Greece or even Barcelona and Madrid as it attracts a much more diverse gay clientele with an array of styles and interests. Personally I feel it to be much less Gay Circuit party and in your face than those destinations.

Beni as its often fondly referred too offers a more traditional type of gay holidays with its fabulous Drag and Show bars, Exclusive Men only venues with dark rooms for cruising etc.

I recommend staying in or as close to the old town as possible as its where most of the gay scene is centred around. You will find many different types and styles of accommodation and I would suggest the 2019 newly built hotel Bristol which is also only 250 metres from the beach as an excellent base. If you are more on a budget or prefer to just roll in from a night out then another firm value favourite is the 3* Roca Mar right in the heart of Casco Antiguo.

The old town’s streets are filled with multiple gay / friendly bars, restaurants and cafes or why not check out the men only cruise venues if that is your sweet spot. The atmosphere of the old town will hit you from the minute you enter with the colourful street café culture and the classic disco and dance music all around echoing through the narrow cobbled lanes. Benidorm offers various gay festivals throughout the year from its annual Prides to Drag weeks and Leather /Fetish weekends. I can truly say that anyone and everyone is welcome in Benidorm regardless of where you come from Benidorm has to be one of the most friendly/welcoming spots. If you are an early bird though then you’ll notice that the majority of venues do not open until late which is actually more common than you think when travelling in mainland Europe. Many cafes and bars in the area do open from mid-afternoon but most of the gay bars and clubs only really kick in after 22:45.

My advice would be try the many different café bars like Caspers, Harbour View Café, and even Terrace Bar 69 for some daytime people watching all washed down with some great food and drink of which you can get excellent meal deals and Happy hours on offer.

As the night progresses and you get ready to hit the town in your finest summer gear its open choice really for where and what you fancy doing or seeing. Bears Bar is open until 4am if your after some local Hairy men or fetish or why not try Benidorm’s very own EAGLE or its little sister Screaming Eagle.

If like me you are game for a laugh and don’t mind the piss being taken out of you (After all you’re on holiday) then I highly suggest you hit the likes of Rich Bitch or Klee Kafee show bars as you will be guaranteed some amazing comedy and entertainment and the crowds offer some really good value to any night out.

Spanish gay venues will often have dark rooms etc as part of the attraction but if you prefer to be a little more private then I think that the H2O Sauna Is a welcome Oasis for you to relax and let yourself go at.

Like any holiday it’s important to know your own limits as to what you enjoy and expect but Costa Blanca has been one of the longest established resorts offering the LGBTQ community a very safe space to simply let your inhibitions go.

Please note many festivals such as Prides have had to be changed due to the global pandemic of 2020 so my advice is to always stay safe, keep up to date with the local Foreign office advice and get to know your in-destination representatives from tour operator’s hotels and LGBTQ destination support. Never travel without Holiday Insurance and make sure your policy covers you for Covid-19 outbreaks.

If you have not thought about Benidorm or have been put off the Costa Blanca for whatever reason in the past then please give it a rethink.

Finally I just want to say let’s get Summer 2020 back on track support our LGBTQ Tourism workers and LGBT Destinations, Venues and Hoteliers and I look forward to many, many, many more trips away.