10km further north lies Benidorm, surely one of Spain’s most famous holiday resorts with twin, crescent-shaped beaches. The development of Benidorm can be largely attributed to recently deceased former mayor, Pedro Zaragoza who actively promoted the town across Europe, even obtaining special dispensation from Franco for holidaymakers to wear the bikini on the resort’s beaches in the 1960s.
To the east is Levante beach, to the west Poniente - each offering blue flag bathing and lifeguard patrols. Both beaches are rigorously cleaned each morning, revealing pristine sand for the daily sunbathers.
Levante beach shelves gently into the water, making it a good choice for families and children are well catered for. For the more energetic there is a good choice of watersports (including parascending and jet skis) as well as a “wet playground” with diving boards and slides. In short, this is a lively beach with plenty of amenities and lots going on - unsurprisingly, it can get pretty crowded in peak season!
With easy access to the Old Town, Poniente beach is slightly quieter and less crowded with a more laid back atmosphere. Families are again well catered for and there are plenty of amenities within easy reach. With sea views to the west, Poniente also offers spectacular sunsets.
Not to be forgotten is Malpas beach. This is a fairly small beach with a quieter atmosphere, located close to the harbour and bordered by palm trees.
The beaches are backed by a skyline that almost rivals that of New York with towering hotels and apartments to accommodate the many holidaymakers that visit each year. There are also plenty of restaurants serving everything from sauerkraut to smorgasbord to a cooked English breakfast – reflecting the cosmopolitan nature of the resort. And these in turn are surrounded by many bars and nightclubs, indicating a lively atmosphere - day or night.
The old town is hidden away on the spur of land that separates the two beaches. The ruins of the old fort can still be seen - destroyed during Spain’s War of Independence. The original village is now surrounded by a choice of shops, restaurants and tapas bars.
As you’d expect from a popular resort, there are plenty of attractions close by to keep the whole family amused. The more energetic can choose from jeep safaris, sailing, cycling, scuba diving and climbing excursions whilst Cactusland offers a more sedate pace.
For an enjoyable day out, families can choose from Munomar Marine Exotic Animal Park or Aitana Safari Park. And all age groups are well catered for at Aqualandia - a huge waterpark with slides, rapids and waterfalls as well as gentler pools for smaller children.
Just outside town is Terra Mitica, a theme park divided into different Mediterranean “lands” with themed rides and shows to entertain the whole family. Adrenalin junkies can ride the longest wooden rollercoaster in Europe or turn upside down at 100km per hour whilst younger visitors can enjoy mini replicas of the most popular attractions.
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