Getting the best from Benidorm

Benidorm has stayed popular amongst European holidaymakers for decades. If all you care about is discovering somewhere before anyone else does, or indeed if you're desperate to be far away from the crowds, it probably isn't for you. Benidorm is a lively, sociable place, with affordable holiday deals available all year round & a climate that stays reliably warm & dry from early spring to late autumn, with the highest average winter temperature hovering around 15°C.

There's so much to do (& plenty of chilled out places to do nothing at all, should you wish) that it's easy to adapt Benidorm to your precise needs, be it family fun or a little sunny luxury.

Friendly family fun

Faced with four theme parks, safe beaches & a cheerful selection of family shows & entertainers, your kids'll have trouble finding an excuse to say "I'm borrrred". Aqualandia, the water park just east of Benidorm, has water rides to suit all ages & levels of bravery. You can even jump in with the park's friendly sealions. If sealions aren't enough for you, head round to nearby Mundomar, where dolphins, flamingos, parrots, turtles & penguins all live side-by-side. Some of them even put on shows! Well - with a little help from their human guardians. These two little parks are ideal for an afternoon out with the littlies.

Terra Mitica & Terra Natura, on the other hand, will probably need a whole day. Mitica is all about the rides; most of them are for the older kids & adults, but there are kiddies' options too. Natura is next door (they're both just north of Benidorm), & showcases the animals & ancient cultures of the world.

Beachwise, both Levante & Poniente are family-friendly. Levante has family entertainment laid on & gets pretty busy, while Poniente is more chilled out & often less crowded. Benidorm's beaches are cleaned every night, so the sand is spotless each morning. Be aware that conditions aren't always ideal for swimming, here - check the signposts or ask a beach attendant, & always accompany your little ones in the water.

Affordable five star

If you fancy a little luxury & pampering, part of Benidorm's most recent evolution included a number of smashing 5 star hotels, where you can find remarkably affordable nightly rates, especially if you're booking last minute. Many have excellent spas, where you can indulge in beauty treatments or simply relax in the sauna.

The two Jack Nicklaus courses at nearby Real de Faula Golf Club offer the perfect opportunity to practise your chips & putts. If you fancy turning this into a full-on golf holiday, Costa Blanca boasts fifteen 18 hole courses, some of them designed by Seve & many featuring on well-respected lists of "world's best golf courses".

Willkommen, bienvenue

You may be unaware that Benidorm is bubbling over with cabaret, ranging from splendid world-class shows to more raucous productions. There are family shows & cheeky shows, dancing & drag, & a healthy selection of tribute performers - Peat Loaf is now famous in his own right, while The Temptations & Sister Act are consistently described as "excellent. It's a fun way to relax - if you don't normally go to shows, perhaps you should give it a try!