Mundomar Theme Park Benidorm

Mundomar Theme Park Benidorm -  Mundomar is a theme park inhabited by aquatic animals such as dolphins, penguins and sea lions as well as tropical birds. As much as possible each species lives within an area closely resembling its natural habitat. A great day out for the children.

Things to do for families in Benidorm

The dolphin show is the highlight of the day. There are two shows per day and each lasts for 30 minutes. There is a large amphitheater to watch the show from or alternatively it’s great to watch it from one of the underwater viewing points which provide a unique sight of these lovable creatures in action. Every show two children are selected to go in the boat that the dolphin pulls.

The sea lions and the seals also put on a humorous show that the kids love. The parrots on roller skates provide no end of entertainment though the person conducting the show is speaking Spanish so you won’t understand everything that’s going on.  (The sea lions and tropical bird show has an educational theme to raise awareness about the environment. The person conducting the show translates some parts in English so you will understand what’s going on)

There is also a show of exotic birds flying which is a very colourful display. All of these shows are on twice daily but times tend to vary from year to year so you should find out the times as soon as you get there.

As a lovely souvenir of the day at set times, you can have your photo taken with the dolphins, sea lions and parrots.

An amazing option is to swim with either the dolphins or the sea lions and this is something which you will not forget in a hurry. You get to spend 30 minutes with the dolphins or 40 minutes with the sea lions. While both experiences are wonderful I would highly recommend the dolphin encounter as we enjoyed it immensely. You should book this at least two days before you want to do it as it gets very booked up especially in the high season.

In summer the park can be very hot but there are usually men walking around with fine sprays of water to help you keep cool and you will often be sprayed during the shows which you will probably greatly appreciate.

Mundomar Theme Park Benidorm

Away from the birds and animals there’s a children’s park with plenty slides and other amusements and a selection of cafés and restaurants should provide a welcome break to the adult contingent. There are also plenty of open areas where you can sit and relax and even enjoy a picnic if you choose to bring one.

Many people do spend the whole day in Mundomar but this will probably depend on how many of the shows you watch and how old your children are. It is a good idea to get there quite early as the first of each of the two shows are often a bit better than the later ones. If you prefer to only spend a half day in the park then you may want to combine this with a visit to the Aqualandia water park which is just next door.

How To Get to Mundomar Benidorm

Mundomar is in the Rincón de Loix area behind the northern end of Playa Levante. C/ Sierra Helada, s/n, 03503 Benidorm, Alicante, Alicante, Spain 

Buses the No 1 and No 11, but they tend to be packed with people going to the nearby Aqualandia so jump in a taxi to get there.

Mundomar Ticket Prices, Information & Opening Hours 2023

Opening hours  

April - OPEN From 10:00 - 18:30. Afternoon admission begins at 2:00 PM. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th 10th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 21st, 22nd 23rd, 28th, 29th 30th

May -  OPEN From 10:00 - 18:30, Afternoon admission begins at 14:00. 1st, 3rd, 4th 5th, 6th, 7th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th 21st, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 31st 

June - Open every day from 10:00 - 18:30 Afternoon admission begins at 14:00 

July - Open every day from 10:00 - 19:00.  Afternoon admission begins at 15:00 

August - Open every day from 10:00 - 19:00.  Afternoon admission begins at 15:00 

September - Open from from 10:00 - 19:00.  Afternoon admission begins at 15:00 1st, 2nd & 3rd  

Open from 10:00 - 18:30 Afternoon admission begins at 14:00 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th 17th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th 30th (CLOSED 1th, 18th, 25th)

October -  Open from 10.00 - 18.00, 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th 8th, 9th, 10th 11th,12th, 13th, 14th 15th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th,  28th  29th, 31st (CLOSED 2nd 16th, 23rd, 30th)

November -  1st Open from 10.00 - 18-00

* The opening calendar may be subject to changes.

See Top 25 things to do in Benidorm

Spains Most Popular Tapas Dishes

Popular Tapas Dishes, but What is tapas?

Tapas are a variety of small savoury Spanish dishes, often served as a snack with drinks, or with other tapas as a meal. To “tapear”, going from bar to bar for drinks and tapas, is an essential part of the social culture of Spain, and is something that every visitor to Spain should experience.

Because tapas are informal, and the bars are often busy, they are commonly eaten standing up at the bar or at small tables or even upturned barrels, and the atmosphere is convivial and noisy. In most tapas bars you will see traditional cured hams hanging from the rafters.  The more rubbish on the floor the more popular the bar.

TO FIND OUT ABOUT BENIDORM´S FAMOUS TAPAS ALLEY CLICK HERE 

History of tapas
There are a number of theories of the origin of the custom of eating small snacks with drinks. Legend has it that because of illness the thirteenth century Castilian king Alfonso X (the Wise) had to eat small snacks with his wine between meals to maintain his strength, and after recovering passed a law that wine or beer served in taverns had to be accompanied by food. More probably the origins were practical, with bread or a small plate of ham or olives being used to keep dust or insects out of the drink (the literal meaning of “tapa” is “lid”). It was also the custom for agricultural and other manual workers to eat small snacks so that they could continue working until the main meal of the day.

How to order
The first thing to do is check whether you can order tapas at the tables. In some places they only serve tapas at the bar and you have to order raciones (large plates) at tables or out on the terrace. Once seated, don’t order everything at once. Many tapas are already prepared and you could end up with 5-6 dishes arriving at once. Also, you may see something “walk by” that looks good, so best to start with just one or two tapas each and take it from there.

If they are all displayed in units, just point to what you like the look of, there is no need to worry about the Spanish names.

The barman will usually run a tab for you, which is paid after you have finished eating. Some bars, where food and drink is taken outside, charge with each round of tapas and drinks.  it is a general rule to tip 10% if you have been served at the table (and have had good service). If it´s only had a quick snack and a drink standing at the bar then just leave the change.

Tapas, Pinchos and Montaditos - Whats the difference

Tapas has evolved over the years and varies depending on region and the selection is vast to say the least and most are so beautifully presented that they look like little works of art. The British normally associate the word tapas with all the little snacks, but officially they are categorized as either tapas, pinchos and montaditos.  Traditionally Tapas come in little terracotta dishes, which can be hot or cold but need to be eaten with a folk.  Pinchos or Pintxos are more from the North of Spain and are served on a toothpick, pintxo" in Basque language or "pincho" in Spanish means thorn or spike.  Montaditos more from the South of Spain are slices of bread with things on top and generally served cold, just to confuse things these can also be found with toothpick in them to stop toppings falling off the bread.  Basically they are all tapas ie small portions of food.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE MORE POPULAR TAPAS DISHES, BUT THERE ARE 100´s AVAILABLE.

Click on the links for recipes 

Patatas bravas are served across Spain, though how they are served can vary depending on the region. Potatoes are cut and fried in oil before being served with either a spicy tomato-based sauce

Croquetas are fried balls of deliciousness that are served across bars and restaurants in Spain. They can come with a variety of meat, fish, and vegetable fillings with some of the most popular including ham and cod.

Gambas al ajillo  fresh prawns that are cooked in sizzling olive oil with garlic and chili peppers, packing a flavorful punch.

Montaditos  Small sandwiches that are often served toasted with a variety of meat, fish, and vegetarian fillings.

Ensaladilla Rusa  Potato salad mixed with tuna, mayonnaise, and vegetables like carrots and peas, may have its roots in Russia, but the dish is popular across eateries in Spain.

Pimientos de Padrón Small peppers that come from Galicia, in the northern part of Spain. They’re fried in oil and salted, and every so often a few of them will have an extremely spicy flavor.

Gazpacho A cold soup originally from the southern Spanish region of Andalusia. Vegetables like garlic, onions, peppers, and cucumbers will be chopped and mixed with oil and vinegar to create a refreshing soup that's especially great in the hot summer months.

Popular Tapas Dishes

Revuelto scrambled eggs with various fillings

Gildas are a simple assembly of anchovy, olives, and chili peppers, The name means Lollypop  Make your own 3 1/2 oz marinated anchovies in olive oil, 10 oz guindilla chillies, cut into 3/4-inch pieces, 8 oz pitted green olives.  Curl up each anchovy and thread it onto a cocktail stick, along with two or three guindilla chillies and an olive. Stack the gilda onto a plate and serve immediately.

Gambas a la plancha are whole, unpeeled shrimps that are salted and cooked on a flat iron grill. The heads are left on for extra flavour.

Popular Tapas Dishes

Papas arrugadas are very small potatoes that are boiled in salt water, drained, and slightly roasted before being served with mojo, a sauce consisting of garlic, paprika, red pepper, olive oil, and sometimes cumin.

Chipirones are small squids that are usually fried or grilled whole to offer a healthy and delicious snack.

Albondigas Spanish meatballs that come with a wide range of dishes at tapas bars. Pick up the saucy meatballs — made with pork, beef, or a mixture of both — and pop them into your mouth with toothpicks for a succulent bite.

Zamburiñas  Galician scallops that are cooked in a tomato sauce and elaborated with olive oil. The scallops themselves are firm and take on the flavour of the tomato broth.

Morro Frito - If you like pork scratchings then you’ll like this dish. It is essentially pieces of fried pork snout covered with a liberal coating of salt and a very popular tapas in Spain to snack on whilst enjoying a drink. When it’s perfectly crunchy, it’s a delight to eat.

Magro con Tomate - Chunks of lean pork served covered with a thick tomato sauce.

Queso con membrillo is a sweet and savoury tapa made using manchego cheese layered with a paste of quince, vanilla, lemon, and sugar.

Pulpo a la gallega consists of octopus cooked in boiling water, seasoned in paprika, and served hot in olive oil. Find out how to cook an octopus HERE

Chorizo al vino is made by slowly cooking smoky chorizo sausage in red wine.

Calamares a la romana are battered and fried squid rings.

Ham  Jamon. And if it is Iberian, even better. This is one of the Spanish products most-liked by visitors and as a tapa is usually served with bread or picos and colines (small dish of crunchy bread typical in Spain).

Cheese In Spain there are many varieties and you will most typically be offered a local cheese. Some of the most well-known are Manchego (typical of Castilla – La Mancha), Idiazábal (Basque Country), Roncal (Navarre), Mahón (Balearic Isalnds) and Majorero (Canary Islands). More information on Spanish Cheese HERE

Tortilla de patatas, or tortilla española, is an omelette made with potatoes bound with egg and is usually flavoured with onions. As tapas, they are commonly served in small wedges.

Arroz del Día rice of the day, with meat and/or seafood, served at lunchtime

Huevos rotos - Also known as huevos estrellados, these are fried eggs with a runny yolk served over a bed of ham and fried potatoes. The yolk is broken up and runs over the other ingredients. It is usually served with bread to dip into the egg yolk. There are other popular versions which substitute the ham for baby eels, prawns or other cured pork products.

Cuttlefish - Served grilled with mayonnaise or alioli sauce In many places, fried chopitos (similar to cuttlefish but smaller in size) are popular, which in Andalusia are known as puntilliutas.

Paella - The most popular dish in the Valencia region. Its main ingredient is rice and it is made with vegetables and, depending on the type, with meat or seafood.

Pescaíto frito - Fresh breaded fish and fried in olive oil. This is found mostly in Andalusia where it is often served in a paper cone, prepared with a flavourful spice mix. There it is also known as bienmesabe.

Pinchitos moruños (Moorish kebabs): Little meat cubes (usually pork) marinated in oil, garlic, and spices--cumin, coriander, sometimes turmeric and chili--threaded on skewers and grilled.

And to drink?
The most popular drinks are beer and wine. Also common are cider, vermouth and sangria.Beer is often served in a caña (20 cl. glass) but can also be a doble (double the quantity), quinto or botellin (20 cl. bottle), or jarra (half litre). Lager is the most popular beer. As for wine, the most well-known is Rioja.

FIND LOTS MORE SPANISH RECIPES HERE We offer a terrific selection of Spanish Recipes to help bring a little bit of your holiday in Benidorm home to your dining room.  Follow the link to find more favourites

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What are your favourite Tapas Dishes? comment below, we want to hear from YOU. 

Benidorm Old Town

Benidorm is a city of two parts, the New Town area which is where most of the entertainment takes place and incorporates Levante Beach, but there is another very Spanish side to Benidorm the Old Town area.

In the Old Town of Benidorm you will find traditional white-washed houses, wonderful churches and the famous El Mirador de la Punta del Canfali, (The castle look out point), beaches Mal Pas and Poniente and of course Benidorm Port, lovely parks (Parque de Elche and Parque de L´Aiguera) and a maze of cobbled streets with some fantastic shops, boutiques, dozens of quaint restaurants and 100´s of bars all bursting with character and of course for traditional Tapas a visit to Tapas Alley is a must. The Old Town is a complete contrast to the New Town.

Fiesta Dates for 2023

THE WALKING STREET is Passeig de la Carretera this is the pedestrian street that runs through the old town more or less parallel to the sea. Here is the main shopping area, with loads of bars and restaurants from the streets that run off here.

To get there walk down Av. Mediterraneo to the very end. Go down the road between Bankinter and El Italiano restaurant. Walk underneath the bridge. Turn left at Hotel Bristol Park. Keep going straight and you will come to a pedestrian street. This is 'walking street'.

Another way is, at the end of Av. Mediterraneo take the street to the left of Bankinter. You will see Specsavers optician on your left. Turn right just passed Specsavers then left at Ale Hop. This is 'walking street'.

If you continue along 'walking street' you will come to Dove Park. You cannot miss it.

At one point you will come to a fork in the road by Pinocchio. The right fork is 'walking street’ but if you take the left fork and keep walking straight ahead and up the hill you will come to the blue domed church of  San Jaime y Santa Ana and the famous Balcon del Mediterraneo (the mirador)

The city of Benidorm has been gay-friendly since late 19th century and is amongst the oldest gay-friendly towns in Spain. With a friendly gay scene,  Nightlife is also famous among the gay visitors. Read more HERE

The Old Town area is also where nearly all the Fiesta Parades take place.

Benidorm the Old Town - NIGHTLIFE

The Old Town's evening and late night entertainment can only be described as diversified. There's karaoke, cabaret and even transvestite bars, all of which guarantee a night of top class entertainment.

BEACHES

Cala Mal Pas

This is the name given to the small cove that separates the two main beaches in Benidorm it is situated between Punta Canfali and the port, and at only 120 metres long with fine golden sand offers a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere. More information HERE

Poniente Beach

At more than 3km long Poniente Beach is the longest beach in Benidorm, making it an ideal place to stroll along during the day or evening, it is usually much quieter and features a new modern promenade designed by the architect Carlos Ferrater, there are a wide selection of restaurants, bars and clubs. More information HERE

 Iglesia de San Jaime y Santa Ana (St James Church)

The church of “Saint James is dedicated to the patron saint of the town, is set at the very top of the Old Town on Canfali hill. It is a Neoclassical building, built in the 18th Century with the typical blue Mediterranean tiled dome.

Inside you´ll find a statue of the Virgen del Sufragio, the well-loved patron saint of Benidorm. The Virgin has her own small chapel containing the little wood sculpture which, as the story goes, was found on a boat adrift on the high seas.

The legend of the Virgin says that in 1740 the residents of Benidorm were surprised by the arrival of a ship who had sailed there without crew. It was thought that perhaps the cause of the disappearance of the crew was the plague and this instilled dread in the local villagers. The authorities decided to burn the boat to keep people safe. It was burned without removing anything. When the flames were extinguished, the children searched amongst the remains and  found “intact and shining” an image of the Virgin with the Child Jesus in her arms.  The Fiesta day of the Virgen del Sufragio is always held on the second Sunday of November.

The church is open for Mass at 10am until 13.00 and then is closed until the evening Mass is at 7pm then one at 8pm, On Sunday various Masses are celebrated throughout the day and the church is open until after the last Mass. Beautiful music is piped during the day throughout the building and it really is a stunning church well worth seeing whilst in Benidorm

THE BENIDORM VIEW POINT, EL MIRADOR de la Punta del Canfali

The castle/fortress was situated on the big rock that divides the two beaches (Levante and Poniente) and its main purpose was to guard against invasions of the Berber pirates.  The castle was thought to have stood here around 1325, this is the highest point in Benidorm, with its characteristic white balustrade  it is one of the symbols of the city. The viewpoint has two parts, a top with benches and rest areas, and another viewing point down quite a  few quite steep steps which offers views closer to the sea. 

Sadly the castle sustained significant damage during the peninsular war and was then abandoned and most of it disappeared in 1812.  Today only a few remains of the walls and one arch are still visible, which you can see on the lookout rocks (Mirador), this area is also known as "Balcony of the Mediterranean." and one of Benidorm Old Towns most visited tourist spots with panoramic 360º views.

You will see in the sea a Geiser, this was in working order up to a few years ago but, It was detected that the water was eroding the structures in the area, such as the balustrade, the buildings and the rocks that make up Punta Canfali and sadly is no longer functional.

To get to the Plaza del Castell, there are many streets that converge to it, all of them with their own special charm. A nice hike is for example Alameda Street. When you get to the beginning of Calle Mayor, turn left, it is a street that leads directly to the sea and takes the first right, to climb the area of ​​Callejón, you will see many old buildings, cobbled and narrow streets and stone arches.  A small slice of what was, within what is now a modern city.

THE PORT

Enjoy a wander round the port, watching the boats come and go to the Benidorm Island, Tabarca and Calpe. 

Maritime Cultural Centre

Situated opposite the port on Paseo de Colon, is the Maritime Museum, where you will find a permanent display of various model ships.  The centre was established as a permanent reminder of the achievements of local seamen.   Entrance is free of charge.

PARQUE de ELCHE

The famous Elche park is home to hundreds of beautiful white doves and know to many as Dove Park, it is also known for its spectacular palm trees.

It is located just in front of Poniente Beach,and is close to Benidorm Harbour.  This is a lovely shady park and a great place to sit and people watch..

TAPAS ALLEY -  Officially runs from Pl. de la Constitutio, and along Santo Domingo 

Head into the little cobbled streets in the historic old town you can enjoy mouth-watering morsels of Spain from the many tapas bars

The small dishes of tapas are perfect for sharing and for trying food that you may not feel comfortable ordering as a main course in case you don't like it.  It is also perfect for getting a taste of some of the more expensive dishes, such as Denia Red Prawns or the more expensive Spanish Jamon, without running up a massive bill.  Find out more HERE

Benidorm The Old Town Municipal Market

Glorious groceries. This indoor market is where locals stock up on fresh foodstuffs. The fruit and veg stalls dazzle in greens and reds, and the delicatessens entice passers-by with the scent of ham. Pick up some Spanish classics like “jamón ibérico” (cured ham), “churros” (fried dough sticks) and some of the region’s famous oranges.

Benidorm Old Town Market day is Wednesday.

PLAZA MAYOR SQUARE

For a main square, Benidorm’s Plaza Mayor is quite small but still worth a visit. Despite its relatively small size for a main square, the Plaza Mayor is still a fairly iconic part of Benidorm. Sip sangria inside in one of the quaint bars and restaurants as the sun sets behind the rooftops. Just outside are a series of shops too if you fancy a few impulse buys on the way home too!

 

THE HOUSE OF L`HORT DE COLON MUSEUM - House Museum - Casa Museo de Benidorm

The house of l'Hort de Colón which is one of the few houses of the nineteenth century that still stand in the city. The house has an area of just over 280 square meters distributed over two floors, and reflects the type of homes that were built for the well-to-do families of the town.

The house is used as a museum and for cultural activities throughout the year and is well worth a visit. Permanently on display in the museum are a variety of paintings and sculptures, along with seasonal exhibitions.  You will find this museum on at 16 Calle de Tomás Ortuño.

BOCA DEL CALVARI MUSEUM

This small museum is located in the spot where until the mid-1970s the old town hall was located, the original house was completely demolished and a new building was built to serve as the museum's headquarters.  The present museum has been open since 2015.

The museum hosts temporary exhibitions of different themes which change every few months, check the boards outside for what is currently on display.  This museum can be found right on the corner of Calle Tomás de Ortuño

General Opening Hours - Monday: Closed. Tuesday: 5:0 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 10:30 - 13:30 and 17:00 - 20:30 Saturday and Sunday: 10:00h - 13:30h

THE PARQUE DE L’AIGUERA – KNOWN AS THE GREAT CENTRE OF BENIDORM

This is a long, extensive public park in the neoclassical style, designed by architect Ricardo Bofill. It´s a truely beautiful park and well worth a visit. The park separates the old city from the modern buildings and it has two amphitheatres used for cultural events in the summer months. The Benidorm song festival takes place in the Julio Iglesias auditorium in the park for two days in the month of June, and various other music festivals are held during the year.  The park ends at the Bullring and an enclosure which is used for fairs during fiestas.

BENIDORM BULLRING (Plaza de Toros)

Several bullfights with top named matadors are held every year. If you’ve ever doubted the popularity of the sport, wait ’til you see how packed it gets.  The bullring is also used during fiesta times for The running with the bulls and amateur bullfights.

The bullring in Benidorm was opened in 1962. Capacity of 9,971 people.

January 2021 Benidorm to turn the bullring into a library and civic center. This area stopped hosting events due to structural problems two years ago

The City Council is putting out to ender the drafting of the project, included in the EDUSI, (European development funds for sustainable growth) which will be ready in three years.  

Services planned are: a central library with multiple spaces, including study rooms and an auditorium; youth and youth information center with a large exhibition hall, hotel room for associations, multipurpose, rehearsal and training, and kitchen room; and a multicultural and multifunctional center with offices and warehouses for associations. It also includes the creation of a stage in the stands of the bullring and the installation of a fixed stage and sound and lighting equipment.

The project has a global budget of 8,695,691 euros and will be ready throughout 2023

HOTELS AND APARTMENTS IN BENIDORM OLD TOWN

Hotels in the centre of Benidorm are ideal for those wanting to take advantage of the beach and also for those who are perhaps looking for something a little different from their holiday in Benidorm! Most are situated on the charming cobbled streets.   All have a very good reputation and most important of all they prove very good value for money.

USE THIS PAGE TO FIND YOUR PERFECT HOTEL OR APARTMENT SITUATED IN THE OLD TOWN AREA 

REVIEWS TO ALL APARTMENTS AND HOTELS CAN ALSO BE FOUND HERE 

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