Benidorm
Benidorm is a resort on the Costa Blanca. The city is located 41 km from Alicante. Benidorm has approximately 70,000 inhabitants. Formerly it was a small fishing village. Now it is one of the most famous resorts in Europe. In the summer the population may reach over 500,000. The attractive old town lies on a promontory that separates the two main beaches. These are the Levante beach (the new Benidorm) and the Poniente beach (the old Benidorm). The historic center is the old fishing village. Benidorm has a third - smaller - Beach: Pas Mal.
Many pensioners are overwintering in Benidorm. Mostly Dutch, Flemish, German and British pensioners spend winter here. In summer Benidorm is a very popular holiday destination.
After London and Paris Benidorm held the largest number of hotel beds in Europe. Benidorm has the largest number of high buildings (35 meters and above) in relation to the inhabitants in the world. On average, for every 180 residents there is a building of 35 meters or higher.
Both in summer and winter, the weather is nice. Through the mountains behind the city the bad weather doesn't reach Benidorm very often. Benidorm beach is the driest region in Europe.
Benidorm has many attractions:
The 18th century church of San Jaime.
The park Aigüera (designed in neoclassical style by architect Ricardo Bofill.
Aqualandia, Mundomar, Terra Mitica and Terra Natura, four large popular theme parks.
An extensive nightlife.
The island off the coast. The popular tradition says that this island was born of the huge piece of rock that is missing at the top of the nearby mountain Puig Campana. In a war tour with Charlemagne, the brave Roland cut a piece of the rock with his sword. It have slid down from the mountain slope into the sea and became the present island.