Benidorm, the much-loved fun capital of the Alicante region on Spain’s Costa Blanca, is renowned as one of the world’s most active and vibrant resorts. Hugely popular with the British contingency, Benidorm is the ultimate party town, with a host of attractions targeting not only the young, free and single, but also families looking for an active beach holiday. With over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, it’s no surprise many of Benidorm’s hot ticket attractions make the most of the climate – including an impressive array of theme parks and water parks. Here are just three from the diverse selection.
MundoMar
If you’re a family of animal lovers, MundoMar makes for an exciting day out. You’ll be able to get up close and personal with a host of animals including exotic birds, meerkats, sea lions, seals and, of course, everybody’s favourites, dolphins. The park’s picturesque setting features some unique vegetation and, along with the animals, makes for a great opportunity for young children to learn through a fun and interactive experience.
Aqualandia Waterpark
The name says it all and this is, in fact, Spain’s most famous and extensive water park. There’s no end to the fun and entertainment available, literally, on tap at Aqualandia. For the young members of the family, Adventureland is a dream come true, with slides, water throwers, a maze and a host of other child-friendly activities. For the older children (they must be above 1.2m to enter) the wave pool offers all the thrills and spills of the ocean in the safety of a pool. The piece de resistance of Aqualandia is the super chute, which holds the honour of being the highest chute in Europe. For the ultimate, adrenaline-fuelled free-fall, the Big Bang goes off!
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Terra Mittica
For something completely different to the watery fun of Aqualandia, Terra Mittica offers themed rides that will take you back to the ancient worlds of Greece, Rome, Egypt and the Mediterranean. With a range of exciting rides, live events, re-creations and shows, Terra Mittica allows every member of the family to enjoy some interactive and completely immersive fun, while actually being educational as well. With plenty of restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops, there’s enough here to keep you occupied for an entire day – or two! Divided into themed areas, the park is easy to navigate with the help of one of the free maps.
The three parks above are just a small selection of what’s available for family fun around Benidorm. Others include the Terra Natura, Aqua Natura, and the slightly further away Pola Park, in Santa Pola.
How to Get There: Benidorm
To reach Benidorm by air you’ll need to fly into Alicante Airport, which services the region. From there it’s a short journey of about 60kms and getting from Alicante Airport to Benidorm is easy with the range of private and shared shuttle services.
Private Taxi Service: With a private taxi or shuttle service, you’ll be able to get to your final destination in Benidorm in the shortest possible time. You can be at the door of your accommodation within 45 minutes of landing.
Shared Shuttles: To reduce the costs of getting to your accommodation in Benidorm, a shared shuttle ride is an excellent and convenient option. It’s a straightforward and very cost effective process from the airport at Alicante.
Where to Stay
Hotel Perla – Situated a short distance from Levante Beach, Hotel Perla offers an oasis in the heart of Benidorm. The hotel has a pool with sun terrace and the spacious rooms feature terraces, private bathrooms, TV and a contemporary décor. There are two onsite bars and a host of restaurants, bars and cafés within easy walking distance.
Hotel Servigroup Torre Dorada – Located in a quiet residential street just 300 metres from Poniente Beach, the Hotel Servigroup Torre Dorada has modern, spacious rooms, well appointed with ensuite bathrooms, satellite TV and balconies. The hotel features a kids’ club, along with a full entertainment programme. As well as an excellent onsite restaurant, the hotel features a lounge, cocktail bar and terrace.
Hotel Boutique Villa Venecia – Spectacular ocean views and luxurious appointments define the elegant appeal of the Hotel Boutique Villa Venecia. Within steps of Levante Beach and the Old Town, the hotel’s rooms feature designer décor and furnishings, Nespresso coffee machine, hydro-massage bath and free Wi-Fi. There is a terrace with hot tub and a spa with sauna and gym. The excellent onsite restaurant serves cuisine utilising local produce and wines and there is an ocean front bar.
