Disabled Facilities on Benidorm Beach and ACCESSIBLE BEACH POINT An accessible beach point is an area where the disabled can gain access to the beaches and the sea via adequate infrastructures such as accessible public transport, reserved parking spaces and other elements such as access ramps, shaded areas and changing rooms. A specialised team is onsite to assist.
GROUPS It is advisable that groups book in advance to ensure that the services provided are not over congested at any one time and to be able to provide additional support personnel for assistance if necessary.
Please Call: +34 966 815 467 +34 966 81 54 00
FREE SUN LOUNGERS AND UMBRELLAS The Benidorm beaches department has an agreement with the company responsible for sun loungers and umbrellas. (This may change at any time, if a new agreement is reached with a different company). They offer a free card to people with the following characteristics:
• More than 65% disability.
• Registered as a resident at the town hall.
• Owner of a property in the town of Benidorm.
• All documents must be presented at the following address: R.A. Benidorm, Provima building, Lepanto st corner with Mallorca st.
Please Call: 96 585 45 48 Fax. 96 586 05 77
Benidorm beaches have three disabled access points:
1. Levante beach, Calle Murcia. Surface area: 218 m 2 Operating since 2000
2. Poniente beach, Mont Benidorm Avenue: Surface area: 138 m2 Operating Since 2001
3. Poniente beach, Elche park: Surface area: 150 m2 Operating since 2003
FACILITIES - 1 access ramp. 1 walkway. 1 adapted changing room. 1 adapted WC. Shaded areas. Windbreaks. 3 adult amphibious chairs. 1 child amphibious chair. 3 pairs of amphibious crutches different sizes. Lifeguards as support personnel to help with bathing. Buoys to delimit bathing area.
TIMETABLE
SUMMER
1st June to 30th September
The 3 areas: Open 09.30 a 18.30
WINTER
Rest of year except 15th January to 14th February
2 areas Parque de Elche & Valle Murcia
10.30 – 14.30
STANDARD REGULATIONS
1. If a bather uses the amphibious wheelchair they will be assisted by a staff member.
2. People with higher grade of disabilities must be accompanied by an adult. The organisation cannot be responsible for administrating food, drinks or sun cream.
3. Accessible WC will be exclusive for people with disabilities and the organisation.
4. Families of the users can stay in the shaded area as long as the space is not needed for other disabled users.
5. People with disabilities who use the amphibious chair to access the water and then decide to swim of their own accord must sign an agreement saying this is under their own responsibility and that the town hall or organisation will not be responsible for any possible consequences.
6. The frequency and duration of the bathing time will depend of the number of users waiting in the area and the staff available.
Other nearby beaches such as Albir and La Cala will also have access points.
Albir beach now has amazing access facilities for people with reduced mobility, with reserved parking, ramps and special walkways for wheelchairs, and places with shade in the area which was formerly the biblioplaya.
You can find further assistance on our Facebook Page
The views from the cross (La Cruz,) are spectacular both day and night, it is well worth a visit just to see the stunning scenery across Benidorm and the surrounding area.
Benidorm´s famous cross is situated at the top of the Sierra Gelada Natural Park, and stands around 438m above sea level with the viewing platform at 217 meters above sea level.
Access to the cross is now only suitable for pedestrians as the city council have closed the access road to all vehicles, except for some authorized exceptions, such as residents, emergency services or those that have a justified cause. The council state that if any citizen or tourist "needs access by car, permission can be requested in advance through the Council of Mobility" and each specific case will be studied.
The council of mobility can be found the 2nd floor of Benidorm Town Hall in the plaza of SSMM los Reyes de España, Benidorm Old Town, office opening hours are Monday - Friday 08.00 - 14.00 or email
In the area of the cross there are now several seating areas and new information boards have been erected.
A taxi will cost on average of 6€ from the new town. You can also continue walking across the mountains to Albir Lighthouse.
Q & A - Will a taxi take me all the way to the cross? No a taxi will take you to the end of the road, the cross itself is situated on the top of the mountain with access via some steep steps, so is not suitable for those with walking difficulties. The views over Benidorm are still fantastic even from the end of the road.
Make sure you take water etc with you as there are no services at the cross itself.
This is just a guide to give you some idea of the walking distance from Morgan Tavern. You will also find an interactive map HERE, just put your starting point in and it will give you a couple of different routes with time and distance. There is now good street lighting on the road to the cross.
History of The Cross, La Cruz, the Cross Benidorm
The first cross appeared on top of the Sierra Helada in 1961. The original cross which was made of wood and was carried on the shoulders of the entire village from San Jaime church in the old town.
The day became known as the “day of forgiveness” for the villagers and was the culmination of a mission by local Catholic monks to prove that the village had not lost it´s “soul” from the terrible “frivolous” Bikini wearing tourists, deemed to be committing a terrible sin by wearing such clothes, or lack of! at the time despite having permission direct from Franco to allow the Bikini on beaches. Just two years earlier the Bishop of Orihuela, Alicante threatened the then Mayor, Pedro Zaragoza that he would place signs on roads into the village stating that the Mayor and residents would likely go to hell for allowing the wearing of these “garments of sin”.
Today, visitors will see a large metal Cross which was erected in 1975 and is made from parts of old railway tracks.
BENIDORM VERSES THE AMALFI COAST, ITALY
We are always saying that a Holiday in Benidorm has something for everyone, no matter what you are looking for, be it a quite restful holiday or a 24/7 party, but how do other places measure up?
Derek and I had what we expected to be a dream holiday on the Amalfi Coast for my big 50th birthday (2016), but it was far from the dream holiday we were expecting, but it did make us seriously appreciate what Benidorm and the surrounding area has to offer both locals and tourists. Here is a comparison of the two areas. I expect prices will have risen in the Almalfi region since 2016, but prices for drinks and food have basically stayed the same here in Benidorm:-
BENIDORM VERSES THE AMALFI COAST
THE AIRPORT
Naples - A nice airport, clean and tidy but very very chaotic on arrival. The queue to the car rental pick up point was miles long and we were told there would be a two hour wait for the shuttle bus, so dragged our cases for 15 mins to the car rental section, which was just as chaotic. Keys to the car handed over, no checks done etc. 4 out of 10
Alicante - Again a nice clean and tidy airport, quite good signage and nowhere near as chaotic as Naples, car rental points are inside the airport. 9 out of 10.
DRIVING
Amalfi. Not for the faint hearted. Very poor road conditions, road markings are almost nonexistent and rules of the road are generally ignored. Definitely not a good experience for an inexperienced driver. The only road in good condition in the whole area was the toll road and even that is far from perfect. 2 out of 10
Benidorm.
Although somewhat “madder” than the UK. Spanish driving is relatively tame in comparison to Italy. Traffic lights take a bit of getting used to as often drivers receive a green light at the same time as pedestrian. No such problem in Italy where traffic lights are a rare sight. Spanish roads are excellent quality even up in the mountains and smaller villages. 10 out of 10
THE HOTEL
San Angelo Hotel, Pimonte - Classed apparently as a 4* hotel, we had even paid extra for a "Superior" Double room. The room we were first shown to had paint flaking off the ceiling in the bedroom area and the bathroom, a bathroom mirror was stuck onto the wall with sticky tape. After asking at least 4 members of staff if this was indeed a superior room all of who said yes it was, a phone call was made to the booking agent who organised a room change for us, we were then given a room with a very distant sea view and told this was indeed a superior room, it was slightly better but no way would it be considered a superior room in any 4* hotel I had ever been in anywhere else in the world.
A good size terrace but no furniture provided to sit out on it. Plastic cups were provided, but these were not replaced for the duration of our stay (10 nights), although there was a fridge no tea or coffee making facilities were there.
Their idea of a double bed was 2 single beds pushed together with a sheet over.....
The bathroom was just about adequate although on the booking site they make a big thing about power head showers the water managed to come out at a normal rate and I think we only had one hot shower during the stay and that was at 5 am one morning.
The public areas of the hotel were good but the rooms left a lot to be desired. No tourist information was provided either in the public areas of the hotel or the room.
Its seems that the grading system in Italy is not really worth anything, as all a 4 or 5* hotel have to provide is 24/7 reception service and air-conditioning, (we did have air-con but it was either on or off you had no control over the settings)
Breakfast - Ham, cheese, bread and cakes, exactly the same for the entire stay. 2 out of 10
Benidorm Hotels - Although we have not stayed in any we have worked in enough to know that a 4* hotel would provide the facilities expected. 9 out of 10
BEACHES
Amalfi coast - There are no real beaches in the area, and to sit on any of the beaches/platforms you have to pay around 15€, sun lounger hire is around 15€, parasol 15€. 2 out of 10
Sorrento main beach
Benidorm - With 5 beaches to choose from and all FREE there is no comparison 10 out of 10
Benidorm Levante Beach, no comparrison
THE GENERAL AREA.
Amalfi Coast - Undoubtedly some spectacular scenery around the coastline, but get two minutes away from that and it is unbelievably dirty, rubbish at the side of the roads and very very run down buildings, comparable to a 3rd world country. Car parking (if you can find any) will cost you on average 2.50 per hour, in Amalfi itself it was 5€ per hour. There are not that many tourist attractions and the area is not really classed as suitable for a children's holiday. 3 out of 10
The Costa Blanca - We have some spectacular scenery of our own here, parking is generally free or at the very most around 2€ for the whole day. The whole area is clean and tidy with some lovely traditional villages etc. and some of the best blue flag beaches in the whole of Spain. The area is suitable for the whole family with plenty of tourist attractions and things to do and see. 10 out of 10
FOOD
The Almalfi Coast - Not a great deal of choice really unless you love pizza or pasta and even this is expensive a meal for 2 with 2 drinks 1 spaghetti and one lasagne cost 47€. Steaks are a good quality and average price around 18€ BUT once bread and water is put on the table another 10€ can be added on also chips etc are another additional charge around 5€. A lot of places also add on a 10 or 12% service charge, before you know it your bill it up to over 60€ just for 2 main meals and 2 drinks. Even ice cream is expensive as much as 7€ in some tourist places for just 2 small scoops and if you eat in an additional charge will be applied. An English Breakfast is very very difficult to find and will be around 10€ for a very basic one. There are a few fast food places but you have to travel miles and miles to find them. 2 out of 10.
Benidorm - Benidorm undoubtedly spoils you for anywhere else as it is so cheap here where you can get a 3 course Chinese meal from as little as 5€ and that includes half a bottle of wine, beer or a soft drink, the choice is amazing and you will always find somewhere to eat no matter what time of day or night it is. 10 out of 10
The Scores
Amalfi Coast - 15 out of 60
Benidorm/Costa Blanca 58 out of 60
If anyone has a holiday experience they would like to compare in a similar way to their holiday in Benidorm, please send your article to
camping villasol - If you are looking for camping in Benidorm ... you have already found it!
The Villasol campsite is your campsite. Close to the Levante beach and the main leisure areas of Benidorm, Villasol is a campsite perfect for families and an ideal place to spend unforgettable holidays with family or friends.
Villasol Benidorm integrates a completely different concept of services. The direct contact with nature and the fun of a campsite, but with the most diverse amenities at your service with the aim of satisfying the most demanding campers, without forgetting the essential services of a campsite: the spectacular swimming pools, the toilet with hot water and heating, restaurant and cafeteria, terraces, social lounge, supermarket, sports area and WiFi.
Walking Distance in minutes to...
the nearest beach 19
the main strip 9
the Rincon entertainment area 6
the nearest Theme Park 16
the British area 9
the Spanish area 33
Do not wait any longer and come and discover your campsite!
Accommodation
For all those who value greater privacy and maximum comfort, Villasol Camping & Resort offers a wide variety of accommodation and bungalows fully equipped, elegant and very welcoming. Discover the incredible cabins, exclusive villas, original suites and of course, the new exclusive area of Bungalows Deluxe with large garden areas. In addition, if you want to enjoy a more traditional camping, the Camping also has large plots for tents and caravans.
Cabins
Each is located on an independent plot, with enough space so you can park your car at the door with complete peace of mind. They have 220V light, water, TV and free WiFi service.
These cabins, have capacity for five people and are distributed in two rooms , one with three beds, two of them in bunk beds, and another with a double bed.
They have equipped kitchen , dining room, terrace and bathroom with shower and hot water, air conditioning, bed linen, towels and cleaning at the entrance. Staying in our area of mobile home camping , you can enjoy all the services, facilities and activities of the campsite: its swimming pools, children's entertainment and nightlife among many others.
This type of accommodation is ideal to enjoy both short and long stays . Rent a cabin for long periods of time if you want to enjoy the mild winter of Benidorm. The more days you rent, the cheaper it gets!
Villas
Here you have the opportunity to stay in comfort, without giving up the style of a campsite.
These are a small complex of three houses within the same building. This two-story building consists of three homes: Villa Jazmín, Villa Margarita and Villa Gardenia.
With a rustic atmosphere the Villas are fully equipped and have a modern and functional style to make your holidays perfect. Each of them has a terrace large furnished that will allow you to enjoy pleasant evenings in the cool Mediterranean breeze.
Villa Gardenia
Villa Gardenia is located on the top floor of this complex, which makes it the villa with the best views of the entire campsite. From your terrace you can enjoy great views of the Sierra Gelada and the city of Benidorm. It has a parking space so you do not have to worry about the car, two double bedrooms, living room, bathroom and kitchen .
On the lower floor of the complex are two further Villas: Villa Jazmín and Villa Margarita .
Villa Jasmine
Villa Jasmine is the largest villa and it features a double bedroom, one twin bedroom, a large living room with TV, kitchen fully equipped with utensils, refrigerator, stove and microwave, large bathroom with double shower, WC and washbasin, and parking space so you can park your car with total peace of mind, and of course, a magnificent terrace.
Villa Margarita
Villa Margarita, is the smallest and most welcoming villa. It has a bedroom with double bed, a spacious living room with TV, fully equipped kitchen with utensils, fridge, hob and microwave, a large bathroom with shower, toilet and sink, parking space and a beautiful and spacious furnished terrace .
Villa Jazmin and Villa Margarita, the villas on the lower floor, offer the possibility to connect forming a single house, creating a large capacity accommodation that makes these villas the ideal camping option to go with children, with family or with the group of friends.
Suites
Can you go camping and hotel at the same time? at Villasol campsite the answer is yes.
In Villasol they have created an innovative concept that makes luxury camping, Suites, hotel rooms, spacious and equipped, designed to enjoy the nature and the atmosphere of the camping without giving up the comfort of a hotel.
Each of our suites is a separate room, with private bathroom with double shower, own terrace and adjoining parking space so you can park your car peacefully.
They are also fully equipped with bed linen and towels, mini-fridge, television, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. All the comforts for you to enjoy to the fullest and with total comfort of our luxury camping in Benidorm as if you were in a hotel.
They are also the perfect option if you want to enjoy camping with your partner.
Comanches
With the Comanche Experience you can experience the new trend of international camping: glamping. An authentic luxury campsite with fully equipped tents to make camping more comfortable than you remember.
TheComanche area is formed by a series of spacious and fully equipped tents. Each one has two bedrooms with two large independent beds, which makes this camping option, the ideal option for accommodation for four people, and the best option for camping to go with children. These stores have a kitchen equipped with two burners, refrigerator, and basic kitchenware, a living room with a table and the weekly kit of sheets and towels and parking space.
Plots
Villasol has the most spacious camping pitches for your caravan, motor-home or tent, with 450 independent plots from 80 m2. All of them have a 220V light connection, satellite TV connection and WIFI service for a fee.
Plots are flat and independent, and are surrounded by deciduous trees, such as mulberry trees, which, in addition to improving the environment, make it possible for the plots to enjoy a cool shade during the summer months and are surrounded by sun in winter .
The plots have a continuous maintenance service that is responsible for cleaning all the common streets with access to them. It is the priority of the Villasol campsite to maintain all common facilities at the highest level of cleanliness and conservation.
If you want to come on holiday with your group of friends or family, the plots of the Villasol camping are spacious enough and have the most modern services that a campsite can offer you to enjoy an unforgettable vacation.
Choose the area of the campsite that you like and enjoy all of their facilities, services and activities!
Services and activities
Have fun in our swimming pools (heated and outdoor) and in the magnificent garden area that surrounds them. In addition Villasol offers a varied entertainment program and entertainment activities so you can enjoy your family holiday on the idyllic Costa Blanca.
Villasol provided all the necessary services so that your stay in our camping is as complete as possible and your experience is unique.
The campsite has a restaurant and cafeteria, the perfect place to have breakfast or, simply, to have a snack as a rest before resuming the swim session in the pool or the activities of animation.
You can do your shopping in the supermarket. The supermarket opens every day of the year from 8.30 am to 7.30 pm so you can make your daily shopping with total freedom and comfort.
The campsite has an outdoor theme tropical pool, ideal to enjoy the warm summer days when you do not feel like going down to the beach. With palm trees, garden areas and beach bar, you will be transported to a tropical and summery environment.
In addition, the Villasol campsite is a campsite with an indoor heated pool that will allow you to enjoy the camping in winter, give yourself a good dip off season or enjoy the most varied exercise sessions to keep your body in shape.
Closed between June 15th and September 15th.
Villasol also has sports facilities at your disposal so you do not stop practicing sports during your holidays in Benidorm. The basketball court, the swimming pools or the petanque courts are some of the sports facilities that await you at our campsite.
Activities
Camping Villasol want your vacations to be fun which is why they offer activities of all kinds. From night shows of magic, karaoke or disco-mobile to activities for children in the pool or crafts.
Children's Animation
There is a wide variety of activities for children to keep them happy.
Toilets and Hygiene
Villasol has the best and most hygienic toilet services.
Knowing the great importance of this service, there are 6 large blocks of toilets fully equipped and strategically located throughout the facilities for your total comfort.
In addition, there are 7 blocks of sinks for the cleaning of kitchen utensils, chemical toilet services, toilets for people with reduced mobility, bathrooms for children, station for motorhomes and car washes.
Laundry
In the laundry block of the Villasol campsite , you can do the laundry with the same comfort you would do at home, with facilities with washing machines, dryers and ironing boards, and everything you need to wash the clothes in a fast and comfortable way.
The History of Benidorm, Benidorm to many people equates with a modern day Sodom & Gomorrah, full of lager-crazed youths on a 15-day bender; stags and hens sleeping all day and drinking all night.
Obviously if you go looking for it then you will find plenty of evidence that such activity takes place, but its mostly in the area known as ‘The Square’ where you will more than likely encounter that sort of behaviour.
But there is another Benidorm; a very Spanish resort, that actually has a lot of history and its a great place to holiday and has something to offer everyone young and old.
The History of Benidorm with photos from the early 1900s to present day
Benidorm has existed since 8th May 1325 when it gained it´s town charter from Admiral Bernat De Serria at Polop castle which was then part of the kingdom of Valencia. The giving of town charters was carried out until the 17th century as a way of removing the Moors and allowing Christians to inhabit the area.
The first settlements in the area can be found at Montbenidorm a hill in Cala Finestrat that you can see at the far end of the Poniente beach. Here there are burial grounds and remains of an Iberian settlement that dates back to the first century B.C. Archaeologists discovered remains of fishing nets here firmly tying Benidorm to the sea even then. A figure of Tanith who is a Phoenician goddess of fertility and the heavens was also unearthed here as were remains of Roman settlements nearby.
It is the long history of fishing which created the myth that Benidorm was a small charming fishing village when in fact it never was. The fishermen of Benidorm were actually deep sea fishermen who spent many months in the Atlantic, South America and north of Spain. They were famous all over Spain for their skills with trap netting and were much sought after in the 18th century.
The History of Benidorm
They had for many years used Almadraba netting an ancient Arabic tradition to catch Tuna by placing a maze of deep sea netting to progressively smaller inshore pools. A tradition which continued until the 1950´s at the Rincon De Loix to catch Tuna as they migrated across the Mediterranean.
Benidorm grew around the rocky outcrop now known as El Castillo (in the old town) but it´s beginnings were hampered by raids from pirates during the 15th century and the town was almost destroyed as inhabitants fled. In the 16th and 17th centuries the town was strengthened by the castle being rebuilt and made larger ( it is sad but today nothing remains of the castle). In 1665 the town really began to grow as water from inland was bought to the town along channels. This was the single biggest cause of the population increasing at this time.
With water came agriculture and olive groves sprung up all over Benidorm with every spare meter of land being used to cultivate this valuable commodity as well as Orange and Lemon groves. It was the sea and agriculture that would maintain the town until the 19th century when the road to Alicante was built.
Benidorm Beach rules in 1907 - Men, women and animals were forbidden to bathe together on the beaches of Benidorm, each had separate sections they were permitted to occupy, with most of the children being in the women`s section, the animals were placed next to the women and had to be bathed during the day before 18.00. These regulations were mandatory for neighbours and anyone who visited Benidorm. The rules also clearly stated that "No person can bathe during the day without covering themselves decently," and members of the opposite sex were also not permitted to walk or stand outside their own zones. No one really knows when this rule was faded out but it is thought it lasted for around 5 years and there is clear evidence of families together on the beaches in 1920.
Once road access opened from Alicante and the national railway joined Benidorm to Alicante and other parts of Spain in 1914 the first tourists begun to arrive in Benidorm from Alcoi and Madrid. It was also at this time that Spain lost many of the colonies in South America so the much needed income from deep sea fishing began to decline. The first tourist hostals were built on the Levante in 1925 which was the start of the holiday industry for the town.
The History of Benidorm
The Hotel Bilbaíno was set up by Pedro Cortes Barceló and was the first hotel to be opened in Benidorm. It opened its doors in 1926 and ever since then has been in continuous operation on the seafront of this famous beach on the coast of Levante.
It was not however for another 30 years that the foreign invasion slowly began in the form of package holidays to the Costa Blanca. In 1952 the Almadraba netting which had earned an income for many local families was closed in the Rincon de Loix now known as the Rincon in the center of the Levante Playa tourist area of Benidorm. This meant a loss of income and the need for a plan to regenerate the town for it´s now dwindling resident population.
Alicante airport did not open until April 1967. Once opened this was the biggest contributing factor to Benidorm´s success as a holiday resort, together with the introduction of modern jet airliners. These made flying more cost effective and for the first time enabled the ordinary family to enjoy a basic holiday abroad. This was the beginnings of the end for many seaside destinations in Britain such as the channel islands which saw tourist numbers decline rapidly as tourists headed to the beaches of Benidorm. Passenger numbers reached 8.9 million in 2005 .
Benidorm was the model that all early holiday resorts were based on. The success culminated in 1977 when Benidorm entertained 12 million visitors a figure that has never been bettered.
A visit to Benidorm needn't lack contact with authentic Spanish culture. The Old Town in particular is an evocative maze of cobbled streets and inviting establishments to drink and shop in. With its blue-domed church and white houses, visit Tapas Alley for some authentic Spanish food and atmosphere. Benidorm manages to retain its character amongst the forest of tower blocks to the east and west. Do yourself a favour and time your visit to coincide with one of the more than 55 fiestas that occur in Benidorm every year. For the main fiesta dates click here
The history of Benidorm. The Bikini War and Zaragoza´s influence on Benidorm
Pedro Zaragoza was born in Benidorm on May 15th, 1922, after training in Alicante and at the Nautical School of Barcelona, he went on to do various jobs as a commercial traveler and in the business field. After the death of his father, he returned to Benidorm as director of the Caja de Ahorros del Sureste de España, becoming mayor on December 10th, 1950 and holding his position until the summer of 1966.
Pedro Zaragoza, who died on April 1st 2008 aged 85.
The transformation of Benidorm was largely due to the work of Zaragoza, who remained mayor for 17 years. Not that he initially envisaged development on such a scale: in the early days he visualised a small town with agreeable plazas and boulevards, lush gardens and comfortable hotels.
Having arranged for water to be pumped to Benidorm from 10 miles away to service the village, (celebrated with a stone being placed in 1960 in the fountain at Elche Park with the inscription "of illusion is also lived"). Zaragoza set about encouraging package tour operators who could fly planeloads of tourists to Spain. Initially he contacted airlines in Germany and Scandinavia, and came up with the less than snappy slogan "sun and beach" to attract visitors from northern Europe and the British started to flock to Spain.
With the British came the bikini, leading to the most celebrated episode in Zaragoza's career as mayor. He had seen the two-piece swimming costumes in magazines, and knew that - in northern Europe - they were considered unremarkable. In Spain, however, they were banned by General Franco's regime.
In 1953 - on the principle that "you couldn't stop it" - Zaragoza authorised the wearing of bikinis at Benidorm. No one in the country had attempted this, and there was uproar. As members of the Civil Guard scuffled with scantily-clad girls on Benidorm's beaches, the local archbishop threatened to excommunicate Zaragoza, who decided to appeal directly to Franco.
At 6am one morning he set off for Madrid on his Vespa motor scooter, arriving in the Spanish capital eight hours later. "I changed my shirt but I went in to the General with my trousers spattered with motor oil," he later claimed. "He backed me, and the bikini stayed."
The Spanish economy had never really recovered from the devastation caused by the Spanish Civil War, which lasted from 1936 to 1939. Zaragoza realised that tourism was an opportunity to revive national fortunes, and his example was to be followed throughout Spain.
In 1956 Zaragoza approved plans to build the now famous avenues along the Levante which would welcome at first Spanish tourists and later those from Holland then Germany and later from Britain. However Benidorm is a Spanish holiday resort and the Spanish do make up the majority of visitors, despite the myth that Benidorm is today only for the British.
As Benidorm was gradually transformed, he became an enthusiast for high-rise architecture: "I realised that if we built upwards we could have more space around. People could be near the beach, they could have balconies, fresh air, a sea view."
The History of Benidorm - La Cruz (The Benidorm Cross)
The first cross appeared on top of the Sierra Helada in 1961 and was the culmination of a mission by local Catholic monks to prove that the village had not lost it´s “soul” from the terrible “frivolous” Bikini wearing tourists. Deemed to be committing a terrible sin by wearing such clothes, or lack or clothes! at the time despite having permission direct from Franco to allow the Bikini on beaches, Just two years earlier the Bishop of Orihuela, Alicante threatened the then Mayor, Pedro Zaragoza that he would place signs on roads into the village stating that the Mayor and residents would likely go to hell for allowing the wearing of these “garments of sin”.
Today, visitors will see a large metal Cross which was erected in 1975 and is made from parts of railway tracks. The original cross which was made of wood and erected in January 1962 was carried on the shoulders of the entire village from San Jaime church in the old town. The day became known as the “day of forgiveness” for the villagers, whom, by their very participation had proved that they were indeed spiritual and religious, unlike the tourists flocking in every increasing numbers for the sins of fun, sun and other such fleshy pastimes.
The views from the cross are spectacular both day and night it is well worth a visit to see the stunning views right across Benidorm and the surrounding area.
Who remembers the Lemon Express?
In 1971, a British man called David Simpson decided to launch his own train service, using old, wooden railway carriages, with the aim of connecting the coast between Denia and Benidorm.
He created an authentic train experience, even serving meals which were included in the cost of a ticket. This was reportedly the first touristic train service in Spain and despite a troubled launch (when Simpson had to give up his plans for the engines to be steam powered), it eventually became a much loved service.
The carriages were painted in a distinctive yellow colour and became extremely popular with both tourists and the locals, hence the name "The Lemon Express"
Unfortunately, by 2005, the Lemon Express service had to be suspended, because of problems with the lines and subsequently the line was totally overhauled, which meant that many of the old trains were left to rot in El Campello.
Although several efforts have been made to resurrect the "Lemon Express", they have been unsuccessful, but many of the earlier travellers to the Costa Blanca will have some happy memories of their trips along the beautiful coastal tracks.
Benidorm Facts/Myths
Benidorm is wall-to-wall high-rise apartments............
In 1954 Pedro Zaragoza Orts, the then young Mayor of Benidorm, created the Plan General de Ordenación (city building plan) that ensured, via a complex construction formula, every building would have an area of leisure land, guaranteeing a future free of cramped construction seen in other areas of Spain. It is the only city in Spain that still adheres to this rigid rule, and if you climb to the top of the Sierra Helada, the promontory at the end of the Rincon de Loix, you get a stunning view of how green the city is and just how close it is to the mountains.
Benidorm has to import sand from Morocco to maintain its beaches.
This little gem originated when a tour rep made a joke to his clients while on the coach bringing them from Alicante Airport to their hotel in Benidorm in the early 70s. Unfortunately his comment passed into media history. The resort’s seven kilometres of silky soft sand are absolutely natural, and the city is actually an exporter that supplies high-grade sand to a number of the local resorts.
Benidorm spends more on keeping just its beaches clean than most cities do on all their streets.
The History of Benidorm in VideoBenidorm 1950s in colour, Alicante, Calpe, Guadalest,
Alicante and; Benidorm in 1961
Benidorm holidays - 1962
Benidorm holidays - 1979
Benidorm 1982