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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Really want to go to Benidorm

26 replies

Comedycook · 18/06/2024 13:05

Might be because I'm rewatching the TV show...but I'm absolutely desperate to go to Benidorm. Who's been? I think it looks really fun...am I right? I'm not adverse to a bit of tackiness on my hols and do like a bit of culture too😂

OP posts:
SatoshiNakamoto · 18/06/2024 13:09

There’s not much culture in Benidorm although the old town was lovely last time I went. It is a city - as you fly in you can see the scale of it. There’s a lot of people there is high season. I last went in June and the people on the beach were packed in like sardines. I cannot deal with that many people so I was glad we were in Calpe and just visited for the day.
But it is fun. I really want to go for Elvis weekend!

Slothcrazy34567 · 18/06/2024 13:24

I've been a few times and would happily go again, .yes there's tacky stuff and drunk brits, but there's also lots to do and lots of entertainment.
We've been in September a few times, weather's still good but not as busy, you can choose to stay a little further inland to avoid the noise at night, there's always lots of great tribute acts and entertainment to see in the evenings, lovely beach and promenade of shops and bars, attractions to visit.
Yes it has a reputation but there's much more to it than that
I recommend, choose a hotel slightly inland, it's much quieter, avoid the brits square if you're not into big nights out and getting really drunk, research which tribute acts are on where and which nights, there's a very good Take That act, and an amazing beatles one too.
Go slightly out of season, may and September are good,
Magic natura water park and zoo are amazing , and just have fun!

Bjorkdidit · 18/06/2024 13:46

You could probably have a great trip by flying into Alicante, spending a couple of days there and then getting the tram along the coast to Benidorm, Altea and Denia, and probably other places along the way. Then you could see the horror that is Benidorm and then spend most of your time in other naicer places.

It's worth remembering that Benidorm grew up where it did because of the lovely beaches.

Original poster
Comedycook · 18/06/2024 14:02

Thanks for these replies, very helpful! I will say I certainly don't mind some neon lights and a good tribute band! Although the packed in like sardines on the beach doesn't fill me with joy. Mind you, I prefer the pool to the beach anyway.

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 18/06/2024 14:04

Its sure as Hell not my idea of fun but we are all different and you might well hate my ideal holiday so if you fancy it why not?

Illpickthatup · 18/06/2024 14:07

I've been a few times and it's great if you just embrace the tackiness. The entertainment is great, the beach is lovely and the old town is absolutely gorgeous.

We're going in 2 weeks with my parents. My DH has never been and has never wanted to go due to it's reputation but has agreed to go as DSD will absolutely love it. I think he might surprise himself when we get there.

BouleDeSuif · 18/06/2024 14:08

I really like Benidorm. I didn't expect to, I'm teetotal and don't do pubs etc but I had a really good time.
It's incredibly clean, friendly, the old town is lovely.
It's easy to avoid the tacky bits.

Queenofheart · 18/06/2024 16:44

We've been a couple of times recently due to special birthdays and I've loved it.

We've been May and October and the weather has been great both times, we always stay in a nice hotel and split our time with the tackyness of the new town, tribute bars, karaoke, sports to the Old Town where they have nice tapas/cocktail bars and lots of great shops.

The beach is stunning, it does get busy at weekends with the locals but if you're in a hotel you have that option.

Cheermonger · 18/06/2024 16:47

We went this January, to the old town and it was gorgeous - warm, sunny, great food and drink and we had a fantastic time. Got the tram to Alicante and you could see all the other nice little towns along the way. Loved it!

CheeseSandwichRiskAssessment · 18/06/2024 16:50

I agree staying in Alicante and taking the tram to a different stop each day is really nice.

FionnulaTheCooler · 18/06/2024 16:58

Don't stay in the Sol Pelicanos, the hotel where a lot of the series was filmed. The pool is absolutely freezing. Make sure you do your research on hotels before you go, some of the further out ones have a trek up a massive steep hill to get there. Benidorm is great though, loads to see and do and plenty of places to eat out. People aren't far wrong when they say its like Blackpool with sun, but I like Blackpool so it was a good holiday for us.

ilovepixie · 18/06/2024 19:39

Yes it's tacky, loud and busy, but it's also brilliant, the tribute acts are fantastic, and you will have a great time.

ilovepixie · 18/06/2024 19:41

The Presidente is a great hotel, right in the middle of the action and some great tribute acts in its nightclub. Also near the Wednesday and Sunday market which is good.

Icanttakethisanymore · 18/06/2024 19:44

We visited once for coffee late morning as we were staying up the coast in Calpe. Not my idea of fun to be honest; lots of very unwell-looking people on the beers at 11am. Some people went to the extent of driving mobility scooters from one bar to the next, presumably because the short walk might have hampered their efforts to do as much damage as possible to their bodies in the shortest time possible.

Velicirapitor · 18/06/2024 19:44

No you don’t, trust me it’s dreadful.

Greentreesandbushes · 18/06/2024 19:50

Prostitution is rife, loads of British men get ripped off, also drugs - I am the most frumpy, middle aged miserable looking woman and the drug dealers offered to sell me “Mandy, Charlie or pills” in broad daylight. The noise at night isn’t great, women screaming and shouting at 4am, blokes with shirts off all the time. A lot of bars sell counterfeit alcohol, that can put you in hospital. However maybe for a long weekend might be fun, keep your wits about you, the coast is lovely

TammyJones · 18/06/2024 21:50

BouleDeSuif · 18/06/2024 14:08

I really like Benidorm. I didn't expect to, I'm teetotal and don't do pubs etc but I had a really good time.
It's incredibly clean, friendly, the old town is lovely.
It's easy to avoid the tacky bits.

Same - took my 14 year old
Surprisingly loved it.

JengaNonConfirming · 18/06/2024 21:58

I'm currently staying in a hotel in the hills just outside the town. We visited the Old Town today and left after 2 hours, it was rundown, packed, the beaches at bursting point and it smelt. As for mobility scooters, I've never seen so many, mostly for 2 people. We couldn't wait to leave!

Imustgoforarun · 18/06/2024 22:45

I went for a long weekend end of November last year. I had the most amazing time. We stayed in a beautiful hotel on the sea front, waking up to the sound of the waves every morning. The weather was lovely. We had the most amazing tapas in Tapas Alley, we went to the famous tribute bars. It was cheap I agree. Lots of Spanish there in November. I would certainly go again.

Illpickthatup · 19/06/2024 10:34

@Greentreesandbushes

I am the most frumpy, middle aged miserable looking woman

That's probably why they offered you Mandy, Charlie and pills.

PCcrisps · 19/06/2024 10:54

I'm going for an event in November. I've never been and its not what I'd usually choose for a holiday, but I think with a group it will be fun.

Verite1 · 19/06/2024 12:54

Benidorm new town is awful. I would stay in Alicante, Calpe or Altea and then just travel in if you want to visit.

Nap1983 · 19/06/2024 12:58

I went for the day when i was in Alicante for a long weekend, thought id hate it, actually had a fab time. Wouldnt go for a week or my main holidays but a weekend of tacky fun i could! P

Original poster
Comedycook · 19/06/2024 15:20

Thank you for all these replies. Really appreciate it. Despite the odd negative thing to think about I think overall I'd love it! Will try to make it happen I hope!

OP posts:
Original poster
Comedycook · 20/08/2025 11:01

This is an old thread but I thought I'd come back and say I did make it to Benidorm this year...well almost...we stayed in nearby Albir which was absolutely gorgeous and just perfect. We did drive through and look at Benidorm which was enough for me to be honest...it was incredibly busy and crowds are not my thing. The beach was nice but just too busy for me to enjoy I think. I will say Benidorm looked incredibly clean... absolutely spotless. Was pleased I got to see it at least but probably wouldn't want to holiday there.... Albir was really great though. The beach is slightly pebbly but so nice...the town was not too busy but not too quiet so just perfect for us. Thanks again for the advice

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