🇪🇸 Editorial: Benidorm Fest 2024 – Beaches, vistas, bikes, and so much more nice

Just like last year, That Eurovision Site received the wonderful opportunity to cover Benidorm Fest and discover the truly unique city of Benidorm. I was excited to make the trip, although I was also entirely unsure of what to expect. The city most definitely wasn’t a place I ever expected to travel to, and while I knew the city had a lot to offer, I was unsure what it had to offer for me personally. Benidorm, it turns out, is an amazing destination for everyone, so let’s dive into the city, its story, and more, shall we?

Correcting the narrative

Benidorm has quite the reputation across Europe, although perhaps nowhere as incorrect or unfortunate as in the Netherlands and Belgium. Thanks to a wide variety of reasons, stereotypes of Benidorm as being exclusively for pensioners and, somewhat paradoxically, young partygoers began to stick. Now, this isn’t the first obstacle on the road for this fishing village turned bustling tourist destination. And, just like those previous obstacles, Benidorm is working past this one with innovation, friendliness, and the power of the Spanish food, music, and sun.

The history, hills, and high buildings of Benidorm

And what a history Benidorm has to look back on. From the birth of its tourism industry about a century ago to the birth of Benidorm Fest thanks to tourists and their bikinis (yes, really, check out this 2014 short film for more on that), the city now caters to everyone from nature lovers and professional athletes to food enthusiasts and the clubbing crowd. The impressive skyline not only leads to great vacation pics, but also makes the city more sustainable. The high density leads to a more pedestrian, cycle, and public transit friendly city, that also uses less electricity than comparably populated locations (as A/C use is lower at higher floors). And between the small footprint of the city and its unique beach, you can spend all day relaxing in the marvelous Mediterranean sun.

Beyond Benidorm’s beaches: Food, sports, cliffs and valleys

Benidorm is known for its beaches, but it really has so much more to offer. Not only are there many sporting events, such as the recent Cyclocross World Cup round or the BOXAM Boxing Tournament, but athletically minded people can find a true paradise on their hotel doorstep. Whether you prefer your adventures on paved or unpaved roads, cycling adventures await you around Benidorm. Prefer hiking or running? Visit nearby El Castell de Guadalest and discover some local history and breathtaking views along the way. Want to go rockclimbing? Multiple amazing options surround the city, and those willing to go for a short drives have the entire Costa Blanca as their oyster. And that is not even to mention all the amazing swimming, diving, sailing, and so on that you can do on or in the astoundingly clear Mediterranean waters.

But those who want to take it slow can do so as well. Benidorm has many, many, many, amazing food options, only a handful of which I got to try. From the fun tapas bars along the Calle de Santo Domingo or great breakfast buffets at the Benidorm Mélia I stayed at to the exciting presentation and beach view of Urban Beach or live music and desserts to die for at the Exótico, Benidorm has food experiences for everyone. And I haven’t even mentioned the wine yet! Amazing Spanish wines with every flavour profile under the sun awaits for those who wish to try. Want something else? No one does orange juice or cocktails like Spain, whilst coffee lovers can drink stellar espressos and more.

The section where a Dutch person talks about bikes

One of the many adventures during my short stay in Benidorm was riding an e-bike across town. Over the last handful of years, Benidorm has put significant investments into its bike infrastructure. Many kilometers of bike lanes can take you to almost anywhere in the city, and even the areas where they are absent are very pleasant to cycle on thanks to cars being made to drive slow and careful. Bike rentals can be found across the city, from the city bike I toured around on to MTBs and racing bikes if you want to explore the surrounding hills and mountains. And you can take your own bike too, as more and more hotels offer services such as secure places to park your bike, or even allow you to take it into your room.

Benidorm Fest: a massive cultural event

For me, of course, the main attraction during the weekend was Benidorm Fest. The festival, which has a history dating back to 1959, is a major draw for visitors, and for good reason. Not only is Benidorm Fest itself a massive, impressive, and all-around very fun event, but it also leads to many more activities. Between the official Euroclub drawing 4000 people, the gastronomic event that is TapaFest, and the countless other Benidorm or Eurovision related activities around town, the cultural landmarks that are Spanish food and music create an indescribably atmosphere.

See you again, Benidorm

My trip to Benidorm was short, jampacked, and fun. It also was an astounding success, as I would love to return to the city. I want to drink more Spanish wines and swim in the sea. I want to lounge on the beach after a long day out, which is possible thanks to Benidorm’s excellent public transit connections to Alicante and beyond. And I want to experience Benidorm Fest all over again, together with all the amazing people from Eurovoix, ESCplus, 20 Minutes, Wiwibloggs, ESC Today, ESCUnited, just to name a few, and all the lovely people from Benidorm I met along the way.

What did you think of Spain’s Eurovision 2024 selection? Where does their entry for Malmö place in your rankings? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site” on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, BlueSky and Tiktok as we gear up for Eurovision 2024!

News Source: That Eurovision Site, Various

Photo Credit: That Eurovision Site