If you’re looking for a holiday with more to it than sunbathing and drinking cocktails, then you might think Benidorm is out of the question. Think again! Benidorm has loads more to offer than just sun, sea and sand and, in reality, holidays in Benidormhave the potential to be fun, exciting and action-packed, you just need to know where to look.
For gorgeous local wildlife above and beyond the Spanish waiters, Sierra Helada Mountain and National Park is well worth a visit when you come to Benidorm. It sits between Benidorm and the neighbouring seaside town of Albir and has some stunning views once you start making your way up the mountain; on a clear day you can see all the way to Ibiza. You can walk up as much of it as you like and you won’t need specialist walking gear, just some decent shoes and plenty of water as you won’t find shops at the top due to it being a protected natural park.
Roughly translated, Sierra Helada means Ice Mountain or Frozen Mountain, and is sometimes referred to by these names. Have a look at the mountain from the right angle at night and you’ll see why; it looks like a huge iceberg sticking up out of the sea.
The park is home to plenty of local wildlife, so remember to take you camera and get some snaps of the plant life, insects, birds and even dolphins. To spot the dolphins, head towards the side of the park that’s just off the coast of Albir, where you’ll find a large fish farm that regularly attracts groups of dolphins.
For a bit of history and culture, visit Placa Del Castell between the two main beaches in Benidorm (Poniente beach and Levante beach). A castle and fort stood in this area until 1812 when British and Spanish troops blew it up in their efforts to drive out the French. There’s now a balcony and viewpoint from which you can take in gorgeous views all across Benidorm, as well as old cannons from the area’s fort days.
Benidorm old town is also worth visiting if you’re the type of person who gets restless sitting on the beach all day. There are plenty of lovely little plazas, narrow streets and quirky Spanish shops here and you can choose from numerous authentic Spanish eateries to stop and refuel at.
Once you discover just what Benidorm has to offer, you’ll never look at it in the same light again!
Have you ever been to Benidorm? What can you recommend and what shouldn’t we waste our time with?
Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Jet 2 Holidays. Image Credit: gaelx
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