Benidorm was never on my bucket list. I had a very particular vision of what Benidorm would be like, and, if I’m completely honest, that vision was probably what stopped me from ever wanting to visit. I had made my mind up about the destination without ever actually experiencing it for myself.
So, when I was invited to travel with Jet2 and Visit Benidorm to discover an alternative side to the destination, I jumped at the chance. I wanted to see whether the Benidorm I’d imagined was anything like the Benidorm I’d actually experience. It turns out, it really wasn’t.
Over the course of my trip, I discovered a very different side of Benidorm – one filled with incredible food, wine tasting, nature, adventure, rooftop cocktails, hidden coffee spots and beautiful views. I explored the Old Town, cycled through a nature park, went kayaking, headed inland on a jeep tour and discovered restaurants I would happily return to.
Travelling from Yorkshire to Benidorm
As we were flying quite early in the morning, I headed down to London the day before my flight, and stayed overnight at the Radisson Blu right opposite London Stansted. It was actually my first time flying from London Stansted, and I was pleasantly surprised by how easy the journey was. I travelled down from Yorkshire, changed at Peterborough and then it was straight on to the airport.
For anyone travelling from Yorkshire or further afield, I’d definitely consider doing the same, particularly if you have an early flight and you can find flights to Benidorm via Alicante with Jet2 right here We then landed at Alicante Airport before continuing to Benidorm by private transfer.
The private transfer made the journey incredibly easy. Once we landed, we didn’t have to worry about finding our way to the resort – we could simply sit back and enjoy the journey.
Where to stay in Benidorm
We stayed at Innside Costablanca with Jet2holidays, and the location was one of my favourite things about the hotel. It’s right on the seafront, so you have the beach and sea practically on your doorstep, while Benidorm Old Town and plenty of restaurants and bars are also within easy reach.
The hotel has a modern, relaxed feel and is adults-only, which suited this trip perfectly. I loved being able to walk straight outside and be by the sea, and the location also made it really easy to explore different parts of Benidorm on foot.
The hotel was a great base for the trip, particularly because we were out exploring so much of the time but could still come back to somewhere relaxing in the evening.
Other hotels in Benidorm
There are plenty of accommodation options in Benidorm, so where you stay really depends on the type of trip you’re looking for. You can find everything from large beachfront hotels and adults-only hotels to family-friendly accommodation and hotels closer to the Old Town.
For me, being close to the seafront was ideal because it meant I could enjoy the beach and views while still being close enough to explore everything else.
Things to Do in Benidorm
One of the biggest surprises for me was just how much there is to do beyond the obvious. Before visiting, I hadn’t associated Benidorm with nature, adventure or outdoor experiences, but I ended up doing all three.
Explore the Nature Park by Electric Bike
One of my favourite experiences was an electric bike tour through the nature park. It was such a different way to see Benidorm.
When you think of the destination, it’s easy to picture the famous skyline and busy bars, but head away from the main areas and you’ll find a much quieter and greener landscape. The e-bikes made it easy to explore without worrying too much about the hills, and I loved being able to see another side of the area.
If you’re looking for something a little different to add to your Benidorm itinerary, I’d definitely recommend an electric bike tour.
Take a Jeep Tour Inland
We also headed inland on a jeep tour, which was another brilliant way to see more of the area. Getting away from the resort and exploring the countryside gave me a completely different perspective.
It’s easy to stay within the main tourist areas when you’re on holiday, but I always think some of the best travel experiences come from getting out and seeing what’s beyond them.
Go Kayaking and Try Water Sports
We also got out on the water for a kayaking experience. It was great fun and another way to experience the coastline from a completely different perspective.
If kayaking isn’t for you, there are plenty of other water-based activities available too, including jet ski experiences and other watersports. So if you’re someone who likes to keep active on holiday, there are plenty of ways to add a little adventure to your trip.
Explore Benidorm Old Town
Another must when visiting Benidorm is spending some time exploring the Old Town. It’s a completely different atmosphere from some of the more modern parts of Benidorm, with narrow streets, little bars, restaurants and plenty of places to stop for food and drinks.
We enjoyed tapas here one evening, and it was one of my favourite ways to experience Benidorm after dark.
Where to Eat in Benidorm
Food ended up being a huge part of my trip, and I was genuinely surprised by the variety of places we visited.
La Posada
We had lunch at La Posada, which was our introduction to the food scene in Benidorm. It was a great way to start the trip, and throughout the rest of my stay I continued to discover just how varied the restaurant scene is.
Tapas in the Old Town
We enjoyed tapas in Benidorm Old Town, which was such a lovely evening experience. I loved the atmosphere of wandering through the Old Town, stopping for different dishes and drinks at La Taperia. It’s definitely somewhere I’d recommend heading to if you want to experience a different side of Benidorm.
Aruba Restaurant
We also enjoyed lunch at Aruba Restaurant, right by the sea. There’s something about sitting down for lunch with a sea view that instantly puts you into holiday mode.
After a morning of wine tasting, it was the perfect place to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
D-VORA
Lunch at D-VORA was another highlight. The combination of good food and the setting made it another memorable meal from the trip, and by this point I was definitely beginning to realise that my expectations of Benidorm had been completely wrong.
Exotico
Dinner at Exotico was one of the standout meals of the trip. In fact, I’d go as far as saying it was some of the best food I had during the whole trip. It was the perfect way to finish a busy day of exploring and another reminder that Benidorm has a food scene that deserves much more attention.
A Hidden Gem for Coffee
One of my favourite little discoveries was a coffee spot that felt like a real hidden gem at Moka Bloom. I had a pistachio frappe, which was absolutely delicious, and I ended up buying some coffee and a couple of mugs to bring home. I love finding places like this when travelling.
It’s not always the big attractions that stick with you. Sometimes it’s finding a little café, discovering something you wouldn’t normally order and bringing home a small souvenir that reminds you of the trip. The coffee and mugs will definitely remind me of Benidorm for a long time to come.
Wine Tasting at Bodegas Enrique Mendoza
Wine tasting probably isn’t something I’d have immediately associated with a Benidorm trip, but visiting Bodegas Enrique Mendoza was one of the experiences I was really glad to have.
We spent time learning more about the winery and tasting the wines, and it was a lovely way to experience another side of the Costa Blanca. If you enjoy food and wine, I’d definitely recommend adding a winery visit to your itinerary.
It also perfectly sums up what surprised me about this trip – there are so many experiences beyond what I had originally imagined Benidorm to be.
Cocktails at Selvatico Rooftop
Selvatico Rooftop was another absolute favourite. We stopped for cocktails and the views were just beautiful. I loved it here.
Looking out over Benidorm from above, cocktail in hand, was one of those moments when you stop and think, I could definitely get used to this.
It’s the kind of place I’d happily return to, whether for sunset drinks, a special occasion or simply to sit and enjoy the views.
Benidorm at Sunrise
One of my favourite moments of the entire trip wasn’t an organised activity at all. I got up really early one morning and went out for a walk to watch the sunrise. The beaches were beautiful, the streets were quiet and there was a completely different atmosphere to the Benidorm I’d experienced during the day.
It was peaceful, and I felt really comfortable walking around on my own. The people I met during the trip were friendly, and that sense of feeling comfortable exploring was something I really appreciated.
It also made me realise that there are so many different versions of a destination depending on when and where you experience it.
Is Benidorm Good for an Adults-Only Holiday?
If you’re looking for a trip with good food, wine tasting, rooftop cocktails, watersports, cycling, Old Town evenings and plenty of opportunities to relax, Benidorm can offer all of that.
Staying at an adults-only hotel like INNSiDE Costablanca also gave the trip a more relaxed feel. There are plenty of options if you’re considering an Adult only holiday and jet2holidays, whether you’re travelling as a couple, with friends or simply want a break with a more grown-up atmosphere.
A Different Side of Benidorm
Looking back, the thing I enjoyed most about this trip was being proved wrong. I’d never had Benidorm on my bucket list because I had already decided what I thought it would be like.
But I discovered a destination where I could spend the morning cycling through nature, go wine tasting in the afternoon, enjoy tapas in the Old Town, kayak along the coast, take a jeep into the countryside and finish the evening with cocktails overlooking the city.
There were incredible restaurants, beautiful views, friendly people and plenty of opportunities to slow down and simply enjoy being somewhere new.
And then there were the quieter moments – walking along the beach at sunrise, finding a hidden coffee spot, bringing home a couple of mugs and sitting with a cocktail at one of the city’s rooftop bars.
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