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Narrow streets criss-crossing and merging, wider boulevards populated with Spanish and international restaurants, British pubs and Basque Tapas Bars, gay-friendly zones, independent boutique shops and a café on every corner.
You will find empty squares filled with a captivating stillness during siesta and non-stop chatter when it’s time to eat and drink.
Happy people – tourists, workers, visitors and locals. All loving the charm of Benidorm Old Town.
Calle Alameda
Balcón del Mediterráneo
There is no better place to begin the Old Town odyssey than high on the headland that juts out into a sparkling Mediterranean Sea.
Renowned throughout Spain, the Balcón del Mediterráneo has evolved from the old fortified castle that once stood here into a glorious viewing platform with a white-painted stairway guiding you down towards the ocean.
Balcón del Mediterráneo
And as you look back towards the coastline you begin to appreciate the full scale of Benidorm with Levante Beach and the New Town to your right and Benidorm Port and Poniente Beach to your left.
Cala Del Mal Pas
For some, the Old Town’s petite little cove remains an undiscovered gem in the heart of Benidorm. They might see a photo and wonder to themselves ‘where on earth is that?’
Mal Pas Beach is the smaller cousin of Benidorm’s gigantic Levante and Poniente stretches of sand. It’s less noisy than its bigger neighbours, providing a modicum of seclusion while topping up the tan and swimming in The Med.
Cala del Mal Pas
And, of course, with easy access to the Old Town for a paella lunch or some tasty tapas, it is no surprise that when people first come across Benidorm’s Mal Pas Beach they return time and again.
And it is so easy to find; simply head to Club Náutico de Benidorm – Benidorm’s Port/Marina where you catch the boat to Isla de Benidorm, Calpe and Isla de Tabarca – and on your left you will find the entrance onto Mal Pas Beach.
Alternatively, if you are up on the Balcón del Mediterráneo and Plaza del Castillo at the top of the Old Town promontory, there is a set of stairs from where you can wind your way down to Pasaje de Colón to arrive at Benidorm Port and Mal Pas Beach.
Stairs down to Cala del Mal Pas
Dove Park
Elche Park, or to give it its Spanish name, Parque de Elche, is another of Benidorm’s famous landmarks.
Most Brits refer to it as Dove Park due to the abundance of dove’s making it their home. And over the decades it has become renowned as a meeting point or simply a place to take a seat, relax and enjoy the buzz of people of all nationalities and birds of just one – Doves!
Located between Poniente Beach and Carrer de Sant Pere, this is an altogether different strip of land to the infamous Strip in the New Town. Here we have palm trees, vegetation, fountains, kids play areas and non-stop views of the Mediterranean Sea. And all within steps of Benidorm Old Town.
Dove Park
Tapas Alley: Spain on a Plate
No visit to Benidorm Old Town would be complete without a stroll down Calle de Santo Domingo, affectionately known as Tapas Alley. This buzzing little street is a feast for the senses, with tantalising aromas wafting from every doorway. Here, you’ll find traditional Spanish tapas bars offering everything from patatas bravas and jamón ibérico to fresh seafood and local delicacies.
The best way to enjoy Tapas Alley? Go with an open mind and an empty stomach. Order a caña (small beer) or una copa de vino tinto (glass of red wine), and let the bartenders guide you through their specialties. Don’t miss dishes like gambas al ajillo (garlic prawns), albóndigas (meatballs), or pulpo a la gallega (Galician-style octopus).
And don’t be shy, language is not a barrier so don’t let it hold you back. Remember, Tapas Alley is more than just a meal; it’s an experience that captures the heart and soul of Spanish dining culture.
And will only add to you Benidorm holiday.
Calle de Santo Domingo (Tapas Alley)
Shopping
You can spend hours meandering through the streets of Benidorm Old Town, soaking up the atmosphere and falling under the spell of this special part of the resort.
And it gets even better if shopping is your speciality!
From jewellery to fashion, sweets to traditional Spanish fayre; indoor markets to outdoor churros stalls, shopping in Benidorm Old town is an experience we all love.
El Jardín by Di Marco
And, of course, you will come across big brands such as Zara and the always popular Ale-Hop but it is the smaller, idiosyncratic and independent boutiques that make Benidorm Old Town such an interesting destination for the shopaholic in all of us.
Maria Aracil
L’Aigüera Park
This elegant, neo-classical park might best be described as a neat dividing line between Benidorm Old Town and the new developments that reach for the sky in the Levante area. Either way, it is a refreshing piece of green for the city, offering a wonderful relaxation and leisure zone for such a jam-packed holiday resort.
Designed by Ricardo Bofill back in the late 1980s, L’Aigüera Park is just what the doctor ordered, providing a fresh space to enjoy a quieter aspect of Benidorm which is often overlooked.
When staying in the Old Town, a morning walk shakes away the cobwebs of a late night and enhances the appreciation that Benidorm has much more to offer than bars and clubs.
Additionally, within the park you will find the Óscar Esplá Auditorium, a 500-seat cultural space, and the larger Julio Iglesias Auditorium where the famous Benidorm Fest is held as part of Spain’s competition to select their entrant for the Eurovision Song Contest.
L’Aigüera Park
Nestled between Levante and Poniente promenades, this uniquely charming quarter offers a glimpse into an authentic Spanish culture, history, and a lifestyle that is a world away from the bustling rhythms of Rincón de Loix and the New Town area. Old Town aficionados will often whisper to each other, 'If you know, you go'.So, what's all the fuss about, why visit Benidorm Old Town?
