Zafira Spain

Elche

The third largest city (by population) in the Communidad de valencia, Elche (Elx in Valencian) is the capital of the Baix Vinalopo region of the Alicante province. Located some 23 kilometres inland from the city of Alicante, Elche has a population of around 230,000 and is home to the most important shoe-making industry in Spain. Elche is also well-known for its palm grove which is the largest in Europe.

The Phoenicians created the palm grove in the 6th century BC, taking advantage of a warm climate and an ingenious irrigation system and they were later consolidated by the Arabs and now number over 200,000 covering an area of around 430 hectares and forming the largest palm forest in Europe. The Elche Palm Grove was named a World Heritage Site in the year 2000 by U.N.E.S.C.O and every palm tree is now protected. The female palms produce dates in the winter, and the bleached palms of the male trees are used for handicrafts and in festivals all over the region. The pruning and upkeep of palm trees, which can be as tall as 30 meters require a very skilful hand.

The Moors were defeated and expelled by the Christian king Jaime I (The Conquistador) towards the end of the 13th Century (1265) and the walled section of the city (Vila Murada) was occupied by the Christians while the remaining Moors relocated to the Ravel district. Elche remained a predominantly agricultural area right up until the 19th Century when the city became an important centre for shoemaking.

The famous Lady of Elche bust (Dama de Elche or Dama D’Elx) discovered in 1897 on the original site of the city dates from the Iberian period (4th Century BC) and can now be seen in the National Archaeological Museum of Madrid.

Elche is also famous all over the world for its elaborate reinactment of the life of the Virgin Mary - known as the Misteri D’Elx (Mystery of Elche). This medieval drama dating from the 15th Century takes place over 2 days in August (14th and 15th) and is held in the Basilica of Saint Mary. The Misteri D’Elx was declared a World Heritage Event by U.N.E.S.C.O in 2002.

The city is split in two by the River Vinalopo (river is a rather grand word for it, as it is little more than a creek) and many of the best attractions can be seen in the area around the river. A reservoir was built in 1632 and various native species are encountered within the district such as the Elche Poplar and within the municipality is an area declared to be of immense ecological value: the Laguna del Fondo. The former location of Elche, L’Alcudia, is located two kilometres away in the direction of Dolores. This site contains traces of prehistoric cultures (from Neolithic to Iberian) as well as vestiges from the Romans, the Visigoths and the Moors.

The ancient part of Elche houses the most interesting and important buildings and these include the Altamira Palace, the Moorish fortress, the Basilica of Santa Maria and the Moorish Baths. Its extensive municipal district is situated between the Sierras del Molar, Tabaià and Castellar and the sea and comprises the fertile irrigated lands of Camp d’Elx, dotted with rural hamlets such as Les Baies, Perleta, Els Bassars, Torrelano, L’Altet and Matola.

The area is easy to visit, as all buildings are located within a short distance of each other. The Municipal Archaeological Museum is inside the Altamira Palace. Its 300,000 palm trees contribute to Elx’s uniqueness and have become a symbol of its identity. These palm trees make up the southernmost and most extensive palm tree grove in Europe and were declared to be a World Heritage Site by the World Heritage Committee of the UNESCO in 2000.The Municipal Park is located near the Municipal Tourist Office and provides the space to relax, play or watch open-air performances.

Another park to the southeast, the Huerto del Cura (Priest’s Garden) is also worth mentioning. In this park you can see the seven-armed palm tree, much admired by the Empress Sissi, and a cactus garden. There are two watchtowers in the palm tree grove surrounding the city: to the north, the Vaïllos de Llanos and to the south, the Ressemblanc. The 12 kilometre coastline of Elx is located 15 minutes from the city.

The coast is divided into two areas of beaches, those belonging to Altet and those belonging to the Marina. In the Altet area the Els Arenals del Sol is one of the most frequented beaches and there is also a free beach known as El Carabassí. The beaches in the Marina are friendly and welcoming, and are surrounded by dunes and pine trees - the El Pinet, La Marina, Les Pesqueres and El Rebollo beaches.

Although Elche can be visited at any time throughout the year, the best period to visit the city is during the month of August when it celebrates fiestas in honour of the Virgin of the Assumption. A medieval lyrical and religious mystery play, the Misteri, is performed at this time and is an event that has recently been declared a World Heritage Event (vocal and nonphysical) by UNESCO. There are two acts, the Vesprà and the Festa, and the play is performed on the 14th and 15th in the Basilica of Santa María (St Mary).

El Campello
El Campello was chosen as a good site for a settlement back in the Bronze Age. After many centuries, and despite the modernization of the heart of the Costa Blanca, El Campello inhabitants have preserved and provided their town with a dual character, both rural and cosmopolitan. The remains left by various civilizations that have passed through the town can be seen even now along with the excellent beaches of this beautiful and contrasting landscape.
El Campello has a varied and attractive coastline of 23km in length, to the extreme north, next to the Coveta Fuma, there are cliffs and small coves of sand, gravel and rocks with clear water that are celebrated nudist beaches. Alongside the Port and the fishing area there is an urban beach that runs parallel to the seaside promenade and this is connected to another small cove that makes a perfect inlet for first- time sailors. Finally, there is the beach of Mutxavista, made up of fine sand and with all types of facilities, which runs for 3km to the south. There is a diving club that organises dives at various points of the Costa Blanca and a fishing village has been built amongst the cliffs that recreates the image of a traditional Mediterranean village.
Produce from the sea and the fertile lands make up the basis of the rich and varied gastronomy of El Campello. The local restaurants take great care in preparing the typical dishes of the area: el caldero campellero, el arroz a banda (rice with fish broth), el arroz meloso (a soup-like dish with rice), la fideuá campellera (paella made with noodles instead of rice), la bogueta amb tomaca (a fish dish), la olleta borda and el bollitori (a dish made with salted cod and potatoes). This attention to detail in gastronomy is reflected in the Concurso de Gastronomía Tradicional (Traditional Gastronomy Contest), held for the first time in 2005, which allows you to try the dishes which are entered into the competition.
El Campello boasts a wide variety of sporting activities. On the one hand, there is the Sports Marina and the Yacht Club, offering all kinds of water sport activity, including surfing schools, sailboats for hire, and scuba diving centres. On land, the Pabellón Polideportivo Cubierto indoor sporting facility and Polideportivo El Vincle sports centre offer a wide range of sporting possibilities, including basketball, handball, tennis, indoor football; there are also two reglementary football fields, one of which is grass covered, for outdoor matches.

Denia
Denia is situated north of Javea and is regarded as the very northern part of the Costa Blanca coastline. Denia and Javea are divided by the Montgo mountain - said to resemble a sleeping elephant, the mountain is certainly spectacular and offers a number of walking routes.
Denia is right on the coast and the 20 km of beaches are of very high quality with lots of brightly coloured restaurants and bars by the sea. Denia’s beaches are very wide with great water sports such as windsurfing, every year the beaches are awarded the European Blue Flag for their water quality and clean fine sand.
To the north of Denia there are the fine sand beaches of Les Marines. To the south of Denia the rocky area of Les Rotes with its spectacular coves of transparent waters which are ideal for those who enjoy diving or snorkeling.
The town of Denia is large with a real Spanish feel, it’s a working town unlike Javea (for example) which is very much more a tourist town. The main street in Denia has shady trees, lots of cafes and designer shops. It’s almost like being in a big city and Denia’s facilities are excellent with a modern hospital, spas and two high quality golf courses in La Sella and Oliva Nova.
At night Denia buzzes with nightlife, not necessarily discos but more with the hundreds of bars, live entertainment and restaurants, many of which are right on the sea front. There is charm and atmosphere but if you are looking for a younger more happening place, packed with clubs you would be better off trying Benidorm.
Many parts of Denia are quite industrialised, this is not your typical fishing village turned tourist resort, however it does appeal to some people because of this. Whereas many other towns empty for the winter with many restaurants and bars shuttered up, Denia hustles and bustles all year round with a good variety of amenities and facilities.
Another significant landmark in Denia is the old 16th century castle right in the middle on the hill which gives spectacular views, it also has a large and cosmopolitan port and a large marina. From here you can get to the Baleric islands such as Ibiza.
The name Denia came from the Romans, who named the coast Dianum and developed it as an important base on the way to North Africa. Around the 5th century the cathedrals, which were dedicated to Western Gods were removed. Around 713 the followers of Islam took power and re-named it Deniya. In the year 1036 it was recovered by the Spanish and was given the name Taifa de Deniya. When Jaime I seized the city in 1244, he named it Denia.
Denia experienced a major upswing in the middle of the 19th century for the manufacturing and processing of raisins, when dealing with raisins was no longer as profitable, Denia turned its focus to tourism, which has been its main industry since the early 1960’s.

Crevillente
You could be forgiven for believing that you had stepped through a hidden doorway into the Middle East when you visit Crevillente, a small town on the river Segura that sits at the foot of a mountain range of the same name walled in by the Hondones and the Vinalopó valley. Its hand-woven carpets are world-renowned for their quality and original designs that take their influence from the Orient whilst its Islamic architecture is interwoven with cave houses carved out of the side of the mountain, one of the few parts of the region that you can find these unusual properties.
Historically Crevillente made its name as a major producer of esparto (grass) mats. At one point this made it an important town with huge quantities exported to countries like France. This trend died out in the 19th century leaving an experienced workforce to find a new focus. Carpet manufacture must have been the obvious choice as this was the trade adopted by the town; and in fact is still prevalent. Today many parts of Crevillente are dotted with carpet factories, and it has a distinctly industrial feel. But the old town centre is still worth a visit, with old flat roofed Moorish houses, churches and the odd museum. Needless to say a town of this size offers an excellent selection of markets, shops, restaurants and other facilities.
In addition to townsfolk living in caves and ancient Muslim architecture, Crevillente has a number of beautiful parks, gardens and tree-lined avenues where visitors can take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the view. The most noteworthy of these is the Parque Nuevo on the Elche road, watched over by the neoclassical Casa del Parque, which houses the archaeological museum and municipal art collection together with the old laboratory of Crevillente-born Doctor Francisco Mas Magro, a medic whose investigation in the field of haematology made him a Nobel Prize candidate.
Although well away from the tourist enclaves, sporting enthusiasts are still well catered for; with the town boasting good municipal swimming pools and many other facilities.
Tradition is also an important factor in Crevillente life, and there are many fiestas (festivals) throughout the town calendar; some of which are a real spectacle and worth a look. The cuisine is another major bonus made up of mainly traditional Spanish fare; although international tastes are also catered for.
Crevillente is also blessed with some of the most attractive views and spectacular natural countryside in the Alicante province, with the Montaña de San Cayetano and El Hondo nature reserves found right on the doorstep. Crossed by small ravines, rocky and mountainous to the north with flat, dry plains to the south, Crevillente’s landscape is varied and colourful with walking routes aplenty and rich in flora and fauna. Amongst Crevillente’s dramatic and beautiful surroundings the visitor can find the San Cayetano mountain on the north-eastern outer limits of the municipality, which stands 817 metres above sea-level and, from its imposing height, a spectacular panoramic view of El Hondo lagoon, the river Segura and nearly the whole of the Vega Baja is breathtaking and almost unreal to behold. Surrounded by a dried-up river bed with ideal conditions for a wealth of typically-Mediterranean plantlife to flourish, walkers can find pine forests, palm trees, buckthorn, Kermes oak and mastic (or pistachio) trees along their travels. Conditions for rambling are perfect as there are no sharp slopes, loose rocks or precarious mountain passes and it is easy to occupy an entire day enjoying the silence and taking in the unrivalled views.

Cartagena
The ancient city of Cartagena is less visited than many other cities in southern Spain, though it has a lot to offer the discerning tourist.
Cartagena was founded (as its name suggests) by the Carthaginians in the year 227BC. It rapidly became their main trading port, and at one time was widely recognised as being one of the wealthiest cities in the ancient world. 2,000 years on Cartagena is still a major port and is the site of one of Spain’s largest naval bases, and many associated buildings occupy the port area. It is also from Cartagena that the world’s first submarine was born (though constructed in Cadiz). The self same submarine is displayed on the city front for all to see - unless out on loan to a museum.
Much of Cartagena’s Roman history has vanished. That is to say it has been built over. Efforts have increasingly been made to restore some of this heritage, with the primary example being the Roman amphitheatre on top of which the bull ring was constructed in 1854 (now open to the public). Aside from the Romans many other races left their mark here, including native Spaniards; as a result many ornate churches, palaces and government buildings line the streets of the older parts of the city.
Most of the sights in Cartagena can be seen on foot; indeed attempting to drive around many central zones is more trouble than it is worth. There are many parks and squares to stop and rest in, museums to visit, and an abundance of restaurants and cafes in which to sample the local cuisine. Shopping is another major draw to the town, which now boasts an array of fashion boutiques as well as large department stores; such as El Corte Ingles.
All things considered Cartagena is definitely worth a visit. It has much to offer its visitors in the way of culture; though equally a good place to have lunch, do some shopping or take a leisurely stroll.

Caravaca de la Cruz
Located in the northwest of the Murcia region is the holy town of Caravaca de la Cruz, with a population of approximately 25,000, it is a medium sized town with a history to rival that of any other in the region. One of only 5 Holy Cities of the world (as declared by the Vatican), Caravaca shares this honour with Rome, Jerusalem, Santiago de Compostela and Santo Toribio de Liébano. Pope Benidict XVI visited in 2002 for the benefaction of the cross.

Caravaca de la Cruz gets its name from a piece of wood in the shape of a cross with twin arms, which is reputed to have been part of the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. The legend relates that in 1232, Ceyt-Abuceyt the Moorish king at that time along with his Arabic subjects, all became Christians upon witnessing the appearance of the cross being lowered from the heavens by two angels, enabling an imprisoned priest to perform the mass. Since then the Catholic Church has acknowledged it as the True Cross (Vera Cruz) and it has been carefully guarded by the Christian faith ever since. The Cruz de Caravaca has become the symbol of the town and is now housed in the church sanctuary.

Though the area around Caravaca de la Cruz certainly witnessed some human activity during pre-historic times, possibly going back as far as Neanderthal Man, the present town is on the site of several Iberian settlements which were built in the surrounding hills. During Iberian and Roman times the Quipar valley was an extremely important trading route connecting the regions of Levante and Andalucia. From the year 713 Caravaca was part of the autonomous territory of Cora de Tudmir along with 6 other towns.

After the fall of the Kingdom of Murcia in around 1266, the town was given to The Knights Templar by Alfonso the Wise and they became responsible for defending the Christian frontiers during the struggle against the Moorish invaders. In 1344 by the Order of Santiago, Caravaca became the political centre of an extensive territory and by the Eighteenth Century it had become an important and prosperous town, thanks to the production of hemp and cereals.

Flanked by 14 defensive towers and fortified by extensive castle walls, Caravaca de la Cruz is an impressive and charismatic town, linked inextricably to the Vera Cruz (True Cross) which dominates the town and its inhabitants, the symbol of the cross can be seen everywhere. Never far from the thoughts of the people of Caravaca, their entire year is geared towards the first 5 days of May, when spectacular celebrations take place in honour of the cross. One of the favourite events during the celebrations is the Caballeros del Vino (Wine Horses), which features horses dressed in elaborate costumes, taking wine to the Sanctuary to be blessed, another splendid event is the racing of the harnessed horses. Of course the primary theme of the celebrations is the revered cross and the historic struggle between the Moors and Christians (Moros y Cristianos), and the grand parade on the fourth day of the fiesta features some colourful and stunning costumes.

There are a great many interesting places to visit in Caravaca de la Cruz and these include the sanctuary church begun in 1617, the Museum of the Vera Cruz located within the sanctuary, the Museo de la Fiesta (Fiesta Museum) located in the Palacio de los Uribe from the 16th Century, the Archaeology Museum, the Casa de Cultura, the renaissance Church of San Salvador, the Palacio de la Encomiendas from the 18th Century, the Plaza de los Caballeros del Vino, and the La Iglesia de Conceptión (Church of the Conception).

Calpe
Calpe is a very well known town on the Costa Blanca. There are certainly nicer spots than Calpe but nowhere has the amazing landmark that is the ‘Penon de Ifach’. This is a gigantic granite rock towering over 600 metres high. The rock is right on Calpe beach.
Calpe is definitely a big bustling town far removed from it’s origins as a tiny fishing village, on each side of the rock there are two fantastic sandy beaches and this is the reason why most people come on holiday here - the beaches are of a very high quality sand and the waters are clean. The beaches are so long and wide that unlike the nearby town of Benidorm, you can always find a spot on the beach. The facilities on the beaches are excellent with many play areas for the children right on the beach itself.
The Calpe beaches are superb and always hold a blue flag which means they are certified as being clean by the European Foundation for Environmental Education. They are surrounded by dozens of restaurants, bars and clubs offering a wide variety of food, drink and entertainment.
Also to the right-hand side of the rock is the famous Calpe fish market, each day, the fishing boats bring their catch in and you can even watch the fish auctions on the quay and buy the fresh fish yourself. The Calpe restaurants display the raw fish out the front and you point to the plate you want, it then goes back to the kitchen to be cooked.
Calpe was known to be the site of Iberian settlements and later the Romans built a fish salting factory - Los Banos de la Reina (Queen’s Baths) near to the modern day promenade. During the Arab Occupation (8th - 13th Centuries) the Castle of Calpe was constructed and Calpe was controlled by the Moors until about 1240 when it was re-conquered for the Christian king Jaime I. In 1290 a small town called Ifach was constructed by the Aragonese admiral Roger de Lauria on the slopes of Penon de Ifach and later under Pedro II of Aragon, the walls of the town were fortified to ward of morisco attacks. In 1359 during the War of the Two Pedro’s (Pedro II of Aragon and Pedro I of Castille) the town of Ifach was destroyed and its inhabitants took refuge in a farmhouse on a hill overlooking the bay and this was the base around which the modern day Calpe grew.
The town which developed was a walled town, essential at the time, as there were constant attacks from Berber pirates and in 1637 Calpe was sacked and 290 people taken to Algiers, where they remained captive for 5 years until they were released in exchange for pirate prisoners and gold. Calpe at this time had around 350 inhabitants. During the 17th Century an increase in population resulted in a number of Calpe’s inhabitants having to live outside of the town’s walls and during the 18th Century several projects were undertaken to extend the town walls in order to contain this growth.
This growth continued into the 19th Century at which time there was a considerable increase in the marine activities of the town - fishing and related industries became more important, also the production of salt. In the 1930’s a small tourism industry developed, as the first beachside hotels were built  to provide holidays for the emergent middle-classes. Growth of the tourism industry continued in Calpe throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s and accelerated rapidly in the 1960’s as it did along the whole of the Costa Blanca. Agriculture (almonds, raisins and carob beans), fishing and salt production have been the mainstays of Calpe’s economy up until the emergence of tourism which has now taken over as the main money earner.
There is plenty to see and do in and around Calpe, sun lovers will no doubt head for one of the fine sandy beaches for which Calpe is renowned and water sports enthusiasts will find lots of activities to keep them happy. In the beach and promenade area are Los Banos de la Reina (The Queen’s Baths), the remains of a Roman fish salting factory. Everyone will of course want to visit the spectacular Penon de Ifach rock formation, now a protected Natural Park, it was once a watchtower from which the inhabitants of Calpe could spot attacks from Berber pirates. It is now possible to climb to the top of the 330m high rock (a tunnel was constructed in 1918 to make this task easier) and enjoy breathtaking views of Calpe and the surrounding coastline. The number of visitors allowed on the rock at any one time is restricted however - so arrive early especially during the busy summer months.
Also worth a visit are the fishing port, the Archaeological Museum, the Festival Museum, the Hermitage of San Salvador, the Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de la Nieves and Mariners Square. There’s a street market every Saturday in the town and a flea market every Wednesday, in the summer months there are crafts fairs in the old town.
Calpe, like most Spanish towns and villages has its fair share of fiestas and celebrations and these include - The Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christians), 21st - 24th October, the Midsummer’s Festival, June 24th, the fiesta in honour of Calpe’s patron saint La Virgen de las Nieves with many fireworks and outdoor parties, held on August 5th, and the Feast of Saint Joseph in March

Cabo Roig
Well loved for its superb sandy “blue flag” beaches, its stunning views of the sparkling blue Mediterranean sea, its picturesque cliff walks and its busy nightlife, Cabo Roig has plenty to offer the discerning holidaymaker. Generally quiet during the winter months, Cabo Roig comes to life around May time and is often busy right through to November. Cabo Roig attracts holidaymakers from all over the world but primarily English, Irish and Spanish (particularly those from the city of Murcia who love this stretch of the coast).

The eye-catching 16th century watchtower, around which the town originally grew, is now part of a restaurant complex which overlooks the recently modernised marina. An estimated 2 million euros was spent on the refurbishment of what is now one of the Costa Blanca’s most desirable mooring spots.

Cabo Roig boasts a couple of excellent clean sandy beaches and these are a big draw for the holidaymaker during the hot summer months, the beaches are well maintained and safe for children and pedalos are available for hire for those who want a little exercise and adventure.

There is a superb cliff walk from Cabo Roig beach to La Zenia beach and there are numerous secluded coves where you can catch the sun with very little company, even during the summer season. The water is crystal clear and ideal for scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing, sailing, wind surfing, jet skiing and boat-hire are other popular activities available in the area.

Cabo Roig has a fine variety of shops, restaurants and bars, mostly centred around the well known Cabo Roig “strip” where there is plenty of choice for all ages and tastes. There are some fine restaurants for the discerning eater and also plenty of pub grub, fast food and takeaway establishments.

There is plenty to see and do in and around Cabo Roig, and having a rental car would be a great advantage. For golfers there are 3 excellent golf courses within a 5 minute drive and others no more than half an hour away. The go-karts at Punta Prima are popular with the children and this is a great place to spend an hour or two, they offer cars for all age groups and abilities and even have some mini-carts and mini-quads for the young ones.

Benissa
Benissa is one of the oldest towns on the Costa Blanca, now known mainly as one of the more popular tourist destinations of the Costa Blanca it also has a lot of history and monuments with the town centre retaining many historic buildings and small winding, cobbled streets. Although the town has had to adapt itself towards the tourist demand, it has not lost any of its’ personality. Situated between the green of the mountains and the blue of the sea, the town has preserved its marked medieval flavour. This, combined with the beauty of its’ beaches, coves and countryside create a beautiful scene, further enhanced by cliffs and jagged rocks.
Benissa merges into the town of Moraira to the north and merges into Calpe to the south. It enjoys a very scenic rugged coastline of over 4 kilometres with rocky coves, cliffs and pebbled beaches. Benissa is also only 30 minutes drive to the Costa Blanca’s biggest tourist destination, the town of Benidorm with it’s many attractions. Benissa is only an hour north of Alicante airport.

Benidorm
The biggest tourist destination on the Mediterranean coastline with over 4 million visitors every year, Benidorm is truly an all year round resort. With its many tourist attractions and facilities it is hugely popular with families especially during the summer months. Benidorm’s vibrant and exciting nightlife attracts young couples and singles (predominantly during the summer months) and its mild winter climate and huge selection of top quality hotels attracts the older generation from all over Northern Europe during the quieter winter months.
Benidorm is a love it or hate it place. As you approach Benidorm it looks like Manhattan with the huge high rises towering into the sky but somehow it seems appropriate unlike perhaps Calpe which is hemmed in by mountains and looks cramped. Originally settled by the Moors, Benidorm was just a small fishing village up until the 1950’s when it became a popular tourist destination. Rapid growth during the 1960’s fuelled the tourist invasion and Benidorm was quick to provide the ideal environment for the holidaymaker.
The early history of Benidorm abounds in stories of Arab invaders, pirate attacks and Christian re-conquests. Although there is evidence of settlements in the Benidorm area as far back as 3,000 BC, remains of a Roman villa and fragments of Punic and Roman ships in the Bay of Benidorm, the first real settlement was built by the Moors during the Arab Conquest (8th to 13th Centuries) and Benidorm developed as a fishing community from this time onwards.

The whole region was re-conquered by the Christian king Jaime I in 1245 and the town’s first charter was issued in 1325. The original castle of Benidorm, of which no evidence now remains, was built at around this time in a high and prominent position (in the area where the old village now lies), to protect Benidorm from pirate attacks of which there were many. Two terrible attacks occurred in 1410 and 1448 and Benidorm became somewhat depopulated after this.

Some improvement in the area occurred in 1666 when an irrigation drain was built to supply water to the surrounding land and by 1715 the population had grown to 216. In 1740 construction began on the Parish Church of San Jaime (Saint James) and by 1794 the population of the locality had reached 2,700 (a significant rise for the times).

Benidorm fishermen earned a huge reputation as expert tuna fisherman and the economy of the town grew around this industry and to a lesser extent around agriculture. By 1857 the population of Benidorm numbered 3,720 although it fell back to 2,976 in 1920 after an outbreak of phylloxera (1900 - 1914) destroyed a thriving grape growing industry.

At around this time the beginnings of a tourist industry appeared in Benidorm, fuelled by the building of a narrow gauge railway built in 1914, bringing a small number of tourists from inland towns such as Alcoy and Madrid.

In 1952 there was a big drop in fish catches and Benidorm’s fishing industry went into decline. In 1956 the town council approved a plan of improvements geared towards the tourist industry and new building in the town was planned with leisure and tourism in mind - this decision proved to be spot on and in 10 years the population increased from 2,726 in 1950 to 6,259 in 1960. Growth was accelerated in 1967 by the opening of the airport at El Altet (Alicante) and a huge construction program began to cater for the increased influx of tourists. The population of Benidorm grew with the tower blocks in 1970 - 12,003, in 1981 - 21,544 and in 1997 - 50,176. The tallest building is the Gran Hotel Bali at 186 metres.
Benidorm’s rise has been dramatic and it has become a fantastically successful resort catering for people of all ages and nationalities. Crowded all year round and with an awe inspiring range of facilities and entertainment, Benidorm has something for everybody. Busy particularly in the summer with families and the young and extremely popular during the winter months, with the elderly (escaping the colder climates of the UK and other North European countries).

Love it or despise it, Benidorm certainly delivers everything asked of it and you will be hard pressed to find a resort with more to offer. So this is Benidorm, fishing village done good
Benidorm has suffered from a somewhat tacky image being linked with being cheap and cheerful, full of fish and chip shops and brimming with drunk English lager louts. Thankfully the Benidorm tourist board are now addressing this negative image and looking to take the resort more upmarket. It also should be pointed out that a tremendous amount of Spanish people enjoy holidays in Benidorm too.
There is a superb amount of attractions in Benidorm, of course there are nightclubs, bars and restaurants galore but Benidorm also a number of unique attractions not found elsewhere namely the theme parks, Terra Mitica, Terra Natura, Aqualandia and Mundomar.
The reason Benidorm has become so large and so popular is the beautiful setting. There are two wonderful sandy bays, Poniente and Levante, separated by a rocky promontory that offers great views in each direction. The Benidorm beaches are long and wide, although very crowded in summer. Levante (to the left) is probably the busier than Poniete. There is also a very good beach south of Poniete at Finestrat.
Benidorm also has an old town near the castle with narrow streets.
Needless to say Benidorm is packed with restaurants, pubs, bars, cafes and nightclubs, many of them English and Irish.
From the Benidorm beaches you can see a rock known as Peacock Island because of the birds there. You can catch a boat there from the port or even better catch the boat to Calpe. The waters are very clear and filled with schools of fish.
The Benidorm Palace offers a Las Vegas-style show complete with dinner with dancers, flamenco, juggling, magicians and big band/orchestra. South of Benidorm towards Villajoyosa is the International Casino which often hosts well-known acts. There is an entrance charge and you need your passport to get in.