The reason why Benidorm is the great tourist centre of the Costa Blanca lies in its beaches and the wide range of leisure attractions. Benidorm has one of the best beaches in the world.
The finensses of the sand, cleaned daily, the quality of the services and the clearness of its waters are the main reasons for the massive annual influx of visitors. The Levante beach, where most bathers go, is two kilometres long and stretches from the town centre to the Sierra Helada and the Rioncón de Loix. In high summer, the sheer number of people is both spectacular and colourful. The Poniente Beach goes from the old town as far as the Finestrat Cove. This beach has sand as fine aas the Levante beach but is quieter. Between the Poniente beach and the old town there is a cove known as Mal Pas beach, reached from the port or one of the stairways which go down from the castle.
The Old Quarter lies around the Mirador of Punta Canfali, the emblematic image of Benidorm with its white stone balaustrade which can be reached by going down a strairway. Near here is the Neoclassic church dedicated to St. James the Apostle. From the Plaza del Castillo you can reach the Playa de Levante or the Shopping centre by walking through typical narrow white-walled streets. To walk round the impressive shopping centre, star at the Plaza Triangular and walk along Martínez Alejos, Gambo and Doctor Pérez Llorca streets or the wide Avenida del Mediterraneo.
Another interesting walk starts at the Town Hall and runs parallel to the Playa de Levante along Avenida Alcoy and Avenida Madrid. This is one of the most attractive of Benidorm’s night-life places. The big park in Benidorm is L’Aigüera, designed by Ricardo Bofil with neo-classic tourches, which divides the town in two.
The other great secret of its success is the wide range of leisure activities on offer. There are endless possibilities for foreigners, natives, children, the young and the old alike, to enjoy themselves. Every gastronomic, musical, cultural, commercial and cinematographic delight is to be found here, You can walk through the Parque de Elche, take a trip to the Serra Gelada, bathe on the best beaches of the Costa Blanca, go to the cinema or the aqua park, eat and drink in places to suit all pockets, go sailing or subaqua diving and enjoy the night sports.
