Benidorm - Spain

Until the late 1950's, Benidorm was a small village and this is the way I remember that place when my parents went on holidays in Spain in the early 60's.  Today it stands out for its hotel industry, beaches and skyscrapers, built as a result of its tourist-oriented economy. The skyline formed by its numerous tall hotels and apartment buildings is unlike any other on the Costa Blanca (White Coast).  I wet back to Benidorm in 2014 after roughly 50 years and was absolutely amazed by the transformation.

Benidorm Today

Benidorm and its Beaches

                                      View of Benidorm from the Observatory Deck

It is said there were settlements in the Benidorm area possibly as far back as 3000 BC. Settlements in this area were however small and it was not until the arrival of the Moors that the local population began to grow.  The Christian King James I of Aragon reconquered the region in 1245.  Benidorm’s history for the next few centuries was plagued by attacks from the sea by Ottoman and Barbary pirates.

The Observation Deck by the Sea at Benidorm

Small Island near Benidorm



This was an interesting formation as it seems that only part of what now forms the island was raised from the sea.

Taking in the Glorious View
 

By the 18th century Benidorm fishermen had become famous.  The success of the fishing industry, together with a growing local agriculture, fuelled a strong local economy.  In the early fifties, Benidorm’s fishing industry went into decline; a factor in encouraging the town council to approve many new development plans aimed at the tourist market.  Today the town is Europe and Spain’s biggest holiday resort and responsible for a significant chunk of Spain’s large tourist industry, with five million tourist visiting Benidorm every year.

The Beach Walkway at Benidorm





We stayed in Benidorm and spent the evening there, window shopping and taking in the sights.  Before returning to my friend's place, we went to a café and had the traditional thick chocolate drink with "Churros"; a type of fried doughnut dough and sprinkled with caster sugar and sometimes cinnamon.  It was delicious. 

Benidorm by Night

The Café where we had our Hot Chocolate and Churros