Benidorm Opinions?

[MrBrightSi]

Have to echo others on Benidorm. Have been with a Spanish speaking ex who lived in spain for 10 years, we enjoyed the old town and the visits to the surrounding mountains, even got dragged in to a brothel to visit one of her friends. If you can visit the old town and have a command of Spanish, you'll enjoy the Benidorm the Spanish know, if not, avoid the place at all costs, the one night we spent in the Giri(english) zone almost ended up with a fight between me on my lonesome and some scummy overweight family, entire family, while waiting to see sticky vicky.

[waynedear]

Resurrection time.
Jules and I are having (currently) 4 nights here the last week of November for our wedding anniversary.
Kind of a 'just to see' break.
I am full of trepidation but there is a distant twinge of excitement.
I do love Blackpool, I was born there, it's I know very different now but we have great fun with the grand children on our yearly piers, chips and illumination day/night.
Anyone done this time of year ?

[fat80b]

We did a couple of days there earlier this year.

I had pretty low expectations but in the end thought it was great.

The beach, the entertainment, the people watching all great

But the highlight was the food in the old town in particular the pintxos and the drinks which were fantastic and good value.

I only went because for years my parents have been saying it’s great and I thought we’d go to shut them up and having been, I now agree with them.

[waynedear]

fat80b said:

We did a couple of days there earlier this year.

I had pretty low expectations but in the end thought it was great.

The beach, the entertainment, the people watching all great

But the highlight was the food in the old town in particular the pintxos and the drinks which were fantastic and good value.

I only went because for years my parents have been saying it’s great and I thought we’d go to shut them up and having been, I now agree with them.

Just what we wanted to hear, ta very much.

[steveo3002]

waynedear said:

Anyone done this time of year ?

expect it to be very hot day and night , hope your accom has a/c

[Gareth1974]

I 'had' to go once, on a stag do, and was dreading it, but had a much better time that expected.

I spent as little time as possible in the rowdy end of town, the old town was perfectly pleasant though,

Went on a day out to nearby Guadalest https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Castell_de_Guadal... which I'd recommend, also took the light rail train from Benidorm to Altea, which is also well worth a visit, with nice old cobbled streets and pretty squares.

Also hiked up to visit La Creu de Benidorm, a pretty pleasant walk with good views at the end (although some might say that the only good view of Benidorm is through the bombsight of a B-52)

Edited by Gareth1974 on Tuesday 11th July 09:43

[a311]

Benidorm is what it is. I’ve been on stag doo’s and day trips. We did a family holiday up in the hills above Benidorm where there’s a zoo and water park and there was a free shuttle into the town. There’s some really upmarket restaurants, and loads of fun pubs. My dad has lived in Spain for over 20 years although an hour and a bit south of Benidorm, it’s a year round resort which is why a lot of ex pats are out there. My dads birthday is In November so been at that time of year many times, you can get bright sunshine, and can feel quite pleasant if you can find a sun trap. You could get lucky and get low 20’s but high teens would be the norm. Not exactly sun bathing weather but you may get a place with a heated pool.

There’s actually some cultural stuff to do in the vicinity too. I’d recommend a trip to Guadalest-it was originally an 11th century fortress built in the Muslim conquest.

https://www.spainthisway.com/places/guadalest.php

Benidorm is one of those places when mentioned conjures up certain images and opinions shall we say but it’s close to the airport and ultimately what you make of it IMO.

[dunkind]

Having read the the thread I’d imagine you’ll be surrounded by people that smoke and are unable to control their addiction. Very smelly.

[a311]

dunkind said:

Having read the the thread I’d imagine you’ll be surrounded by people that smoke and are unable to control their addiction. Very smelly.

It's illegal to smoke in enclosed spaces included bars and restaurants in Spain.

[Charlie1986]

I’ve got a old military friends meet up in September- we had the option of Benidorm or Skegness

We decided against the Benidorm option and going to Skegness instead. Reading this I’m not sure what is the best option

[Greendubber]

It's really not that bad, plenty of places away from the 'lads lads lads' type stuff.

Plus loads of nice places near by you can visit

[Tyrell Corp]

I got roped into a Benidorm holiday a few years ago - initially tried to wiggle out of it but actually really enjoyed it.

The big questions here no-one mentioned:

when? early or late season cooler temperature and a much less busy, avoid peak time if you can. Our hotel was only half full, only the last couple of days a large block booking arrived .

where? if you find a hotel slightly out of town off the beachfront - just a mile or two out and it is more peaceful -water park and zoo area near the hills with great views too. Get room on top floor corner for great balcony views,privacy and peace.

what? there is a bar there full of lagered up sunburnt shirtless lads watching MMA fight videos - kept out of that one, other more family orientated variety shows etc a lot more civilised. Didn't see any yob behaviour there all week.

why? actually a good experience, might change your preconceptions if you are smart and be in the right place at the right time. (off peak / well away from beachfront)

Edited by Tyrell Corp on Tuesday 11th July 12:58

[Al Gorithum]

Depends on what you're looking for and how much you want to spend. If you want higher-end consider Asia Gardens which overlooks Benidorm https://www.asiagardens.es/?utm_source=google&...

[Shnozz]

steveo3002 said:

waynedear said:

Anyone done this time of year ?

expect it to be very hot day and night , hope your accom has a/c

I am just back from my place about an hour South. After a ropey June this year its now full on Summer and scorchio. Late 30's this week. Air con is essential in the bedroom I would say this time of year. I like the heat but July and August its a bit sticky and only place outside of air con that it was just perfect was out on the sea.

[a311]

The bump post said they planned to go in November.

[MYOB]

Charlie1986 said:

I’ve got a old military friends meet up in September- we had the option of Benidorm or Skegness

We decided against the Benidorm option and going to Skegness instead. Reading this I’m not sure what is the best option

You have opted to go to Skegness rather than Benidorm? If you’re constrained financially I would understand this decision.

And I say that as someone who won’t go to Benidorm! Still, I would rather go to Benidorm than Skegness. There ARE decent parts to Benidorm.

[Leicester Loyal]

waynedear said:

Resurrection time.
Jules and I are having (currently) 4 nights here the last week of November for our wedding anniversary.
Kind of a 'just to see' break.
I am full of trepidation but there is a distant twinge of excitement.
I do love Blackpool, I was born there, it's I know very different now but we have great fun with the grand children on our yearly piers, chips and illumination day/night.
Anyone done this time of year ?

November is when they traditionally do the big fancy dress event, have you booked for those dates, worth checking out. November is pretty mild, you'll probably need jeans/trousers and a jumper for the evenings.

Benidorm is fantastic, been about 8 times since I first went at 21, cheap, cheerful and has some decent food options if you're into that stuff. You aren't going to get 5* quality but for what it is it's great.

I regularly go with the lads, on long weekends away or stags, and have also been with girlfriends too, weirdly enough me and my current gf are off there a week today, first time for her so I've picked a decent hotel with half board.

I think people who never go and experience it are mental, they're missing out, majority of people I know once they've been they go again and again for years.

[Shnozz]

a311 said:

The bump post said they planned to go in November.

Ah yeah, teach me to read his quoted post rather than the original resurrection.

November can be dicey, albeit less so than October. Have seen some rain both those months, albeit its still usually quite mild.

[a311]

Shnozz said:

a311 said:

The bump post said they planned to go in November.

Ah yeah, teach me to read his quoted post rather than the original resurrection.

November can be dicey, albeit less so than October. Have seen some rain both those months, albeit its still usually quite mild.

Where are you at Shnozz? Seen you post a few times with a place in the area. My dad's in Guadamar.

[waynedear]

Thanks for the input, we have done previous anniversary breaks in Berlin at the end of November, expect Benidorm to feel quite balmy.