If your idea of the perfect holiday is spending lots of time lounging on the beach, great weather, fantastic family attractions, and amazing nightlife then Benidorm could be the place for you! The resort, situated on the Costa Blanca, has an almost-iconic skyline of apartment towers running alongside four miles of beautiful, sandy beaches.

It’s safe to say that when visiting Benidorm you’ll always be able to find plenty to do. Whether it’s playing golf, paintballing, water sports or hiking, you could have an action-packed week or two in the sun, or enjoy a lazy little break doing next to nothing. And for today’s post, I thought I’d share my list of top 8 things to do while holidaying there. I hope you guys enjoy it.

01. LAVANTE BEACH

Lavante Beach is probably the most popular beach in Benidorm. And, in my opinion, this has a lot to do with its beautiful arc of pale, golden sand. During the summer months, the beach tends to fill up fairly quickly. But even on the busiest of days, you can usually find a secluded spot away from the rest of the crowd to sit and enjoy the sun.

Lavante Beach runs alongside a long line of skyscrapers. And if like me, the sea air tends to make you hungry, you can find hundreds of bars and restaurants along here to eat at. Of all the beaches I’ve ever set foot on, Lavante Beach is by far one of my favourites, and I can’t wait to visit it again some day. I think the kids would love it too!

02. MUNDOMAR

If you’re holidaying in Benidorm with your little ones, I highly recommend visiting Mundomar, a wildlife park that has shows and demonstrations that the whole family can enjoy. The park has lots of different species of mammals, birds, and reptiles, and you can tell by the rapport that the show animals have with the keepers that they’re very well cared for.

Mundomar is open every day from 10am till 7pm, and it’s one of the many attractions you can enjoy all year round, which is perfect if you’re planning on visiting Benidorm in winter. You can also upgrade your trip by booking a special experience such as swimming with the sea lions, getting up close to the dolphins, or even becoming a keeper for the day. It’s sure to be an outing that everyone will remember for years to come.

03. AQUALANDIA

If splashing around at a water park is your idea of fun, then look no further than the absolutely amazing Aqualandia! Home to the Big Bang, the tallest water slide in Europe, Aqualandia is one of Spain’s best and oldest water parks. It opened for business back in 1985 and has gotten bigger and better every year, with new rides and attractions being added all the time.

There are plenty of different things for the whole family to try at Aqualandia, from calm pools for the little ones, rapid rides for those wanting a little more excitement, and a vertical slide for those who love white knuckle rides. I know my two would both enjoy a trip to Aqualandia if we’re ever lucky enough to visit Benidorm again, as they love nothing more than the thrill of whooshing down brilliant water slides! Oh, and did I mention that the water for all these slides, pools and jacuzzis is piped straight from the Med? Following a bit of desalting, of course!

04. TERRA MíTICA

If you’re a parent with older children then I’d most definitely recommend treating them to a day out at Terra Mítica, a theme park that transports you directly to the history of Greece, Egypt, and Rome and is crammed with roller coasters, shows and other attractions.

Terra Mítica is aimed at those of us who enjoy an adrenaline rush, as most of the rides are those of the white knuckle variety. There are a few rides for the little ones to enjoy there, but it’s mostly aimed at adults and older kids. Unless, of course, your 4-year-old is like mine and loves nothing more than wild rides that would have most children crying for them to stop!

05. BALCÓN DEL MEDIERRÁNEO

The very first time I visited Benidorm was back in January 1991 during the Gulf War. Every morning we would have breakfast, and then the British would be led to a private room where we could watch the news and keep up to date with what was happening. Anyway, once the news had finished, my mum, dad and I would go for a walk around the town. And it was during one of those walks that I remember coming across the Balcón del Medierráneo for the very first time.

The Balcón del Medierráneo is basically a beautiful viewpoint between Benidorm’s two main sandy beaches, atop a rocky divider where a castle once stood. It has chess board tiles on the ground and white balustrades around the edge. And the views surrounding it are absolutely breathtaking. You should even be able to spot Peacock Island in the distance. Which brings me nicely to my next recommendation …

06. BENIDORM ISLAND – AKA PEACOCK ISLAND

Benidorm Island, more commonly known as Peacock Island, is a small island and nature reserve just off the Spanish coast. You can take a boat trip across from the mainland to visit the islands wonderful wildlife. And of course, you’ll be able to see lots of wild peacocks while you’re there! The boat leaves every hour from the port, and it just goes back and forth, so you can spend as little or as long as you like there. There’s a restaurant where you can grab a bite to eat, and when you look back at Benidorm with it’s huge skyscrapers you’re guaranteed to be taken aback. It really can be a lovely little trip that won’t break the bank.

I haven’t been to Peacock Island for a long time, but it was one of my favourite places to go when I was a kid. I’ll have to see if I can dig out an old photo that my mum has of me sitting on the island in a red cardigan. And if I can find it I’ll add it into this post at a later date. As long as you guys promise not to laugh. After all, it was taken back in the 90’s!

07. SIERRA HELADA

If you enjoy going for a hike whilst on holiday then make sure you check out the Sierra Helada Natural Park, which covers a large portion of the coastline just next door to Benidorm. Within minutes you can leave the sky-scraping towers behind you and find sky-scraping cliffs instead! All you need is a good pair of shoes, a hat to protect you from the sun, and a bottle of water, and you’re all set for a hike through a rugged landscape of limestone rocks and Aleppo pines.

At the northern end of the park, you’ll find a paved road that leads up to the fantastic Albir Lighthouse. And if you enjoy a more challenging walk then make sure you head for the radio masts at the highest point of the park, 300 metres above the sea. Sierra Helada is absolutely beautiful and well worth the short trek out of town to explore.

08. BENIDORM PALACE

For a night out to remember, make sure you head on over to the Benidorm Palace, where you’ll be treated to a spectacular variety show featuring live music, humour, magic, and, of course, some traditional Flamenco Dancing. Olé! You can also pay a little extra to have your dinner while you enjoy the entertainment. Many people say that the shows at the Benidorm Palace rival those in London’s West End, but at a fraction of the cost. And I’d be inclined to agree.

The Benidorm Palace is currently open from Tuesday through to Saturday, and the doors open at 8:30pm with the show starting at 10pm. It’s most definitely worth a visit if you want an enjoyable night out that isn’t going to cost a small fortune.

Have you ever been to Benidorm before? If so, do you have any other recommendations for things to do?
Make sure you let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for reading.
Twitter | Facebook | Bloglovin | Instagram | Pinterest