BENIDORM Costa Blanca
Just a few decades ago Benidorm was a small town, little more than a village. Today, it has a population of 52,000, which rises to over 200,000 in the summer. The resort is so successful that the average tourist accommodation occupancy rate throughout the year is eighty-five per cent. As one would expect there are a multitude of hotels and restaurants to suit all tastes and pockets. The range of entertainment from which one can choose varies from the sophistication of the Benidorm Palace to a style which aims to cater more for the young and the young at heart. Benidorm is famous for its nightlife. Shops abound, and the town possesses its own castle, in addition to its own island a short distance off the coast. The older part of the town with its narrow streets, small bars and cafes is situated close by the steep headland, which divides the shores of the bay into two magnificent broad sandy beaches. Benidorm’s busy weekly market, every Wednesday, attracts customers from many miles around. In view of their need for space, some special attractions have been located on the outskirts of the town. They include the Casino, and the psuedo-medieval castle where feasts and jousting take place. Amongst many others, two very popular attractions are worthy of note, Aqualandia with its accent on water based fun for humans, and Mundomar where the dolphins and sea lions hold centre stage amongst a variety of other sea creatures. There are, as expected, the harbour with its yacht club, and the inevitable golf course. Opening in the year 2000, and to all intents and purposes fully operational by the year 2001, will be the greatest attraction of them all. The world is soon be introduced to Terra Mitica, ‘Dream Land’ in the local dialect, the Costa Blanca’s answer to Disneyland, Paris. One could say, “Disneyland with sunshine all the year round”.
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