Benidorm is a seaside resort on the Costa Blanca in the province of Alicante, Valencia, Spain. It has a large Spanish population as well as a large retired British population. Benidorm was built compact thanks to the foresight of the town's mayor who in the 1960s saw a vision of a resort which grew upwards. Now it is slowly spreading westwards. Today Benidorm is famous for tall hotels and holiday apartment blocks, some of which are over 25 floors high. Since 2006 Benidorm has also seen a huge increase in the quality of accommodation and now attracts not just package holiday visitors but tourists who demand 5-star hotel and spa complexes. Due to the July-August crowd of young people, many apartments will insist on a refundable deposit for certain times of the year.
Tree lined wide avenues give a feeling of space where there are over 1,000 places to eat and drink and watch the town in full swing. The streets offer a very vibrant atmosphere day and night with something to offer visitors of any age group. There are over 41,000 hotel beds and modern tourist apartments. The biggest assets are the 4kms of Blue Flag** safe sandy beaches which draw people from all over Spain in Summer months and from all over Europe 365 days of the year. Benidorm is an ideal sun destination both in Summer and Winter due to the mild climate where day time temperatures rarely fall below 18c. ** Note Benidorm lost its Blue Flag Beach status for the Levante Playa in 2009 this is expected to be reinstated in 2010 following an issue with one spot check water test. The Poniente Playa still retains Blue Flag status. The Levante Playa was awarded Blue flag status again in 2010.
