FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

The Terra Mítica Amusement Park

For

It

Nightlife

IT’S best known for its stag parties and excessive boozing - not to mention its own TV pro - gramme.

But there is a lot more going on in Benidorm than most people realise.

Spain’ biggest tourist resort - which receives between 10 to 15 million tourists a year - is surprisingly popular with Spanish visitors and has a distinctly middle class feel in many parts.

The giant skyscraper resort, which is considered the ‘birthplace of package tourism’, was first launched as a holiday destination in 1925, but didn’t become popular until the 1950s and 1960s.

While in the 1980s and 90s, it garnered a reputation as being the preferred destination of British and German lager louts, it has massively cleaned up its

The church of San Jaime y Santa Ana

is a statue of the Virgen del Sufragio and the saint’s chapel. Unlike the rest of the city that boasts skyscrapers, the courtyard around the church speaks to the city’s past architecture.

Balcony over the mediterranean

This lookout point with views over both Benidorm and the Med is one of its most popular landmarks. Although most people have no idea of its important historical significance, between the 14th and 17th centuries, a castle stood on the headland to protect the city from pirates. However, when the French took over the castle in the 19th century, the English navy destroyed it. Now, only leftover stone from the castle is visible on the balcony along with a small monument with cannons as a nod to its history.

The Serra Gelada Natural Park

L’Aigüera Park

There are many ways to connect with nature during your time in Benidorm, and this natural park is an ideal option for those looking to hike or catch scenic views. On the trail, visitors can see the La Escaleta watchtower ruins and get a great view of the sea from the La Cruz lookout. This portion of the sea has a diverse marine environment, making it a great place to snorkel or scuba dive.