Spain’s iconic sun-and-beach tourism city is experiencing one of its best moments, leaving behind the global tourism crisis brought on by the pandemic. A destination for both parties and relax, Benidorm deserves a visit for its towering architecture too. Nearly three million people chose Benidorm in 2024 and only Barcelona rivals this enclave on the Costa Blanca in terms of tourist appeal. Half of these visitors came from outside Spain, primarily from the United Kingdom, Portugal and Ireland.
The Mediterranean skyscraper city—dubbed the “New York” or “Dubai” of Spain’s coast— conjures up images of vacations, beaches and parties in the minds of millions. Crisis after crisis, Benidorm stands tall, growing upward in hotels and rooms to become an architectural icon straddling modernity and kitsch. The contemporary history of Benidorm began nearly 70 years ago when a visionary mayor during Franco’s dictatorship foresaw beaches filled with tourists and a booming economy for locals.
This “vertical city” was transformed into a paradise destination, thanks to its prime seaside location and mild climate that attracts tourists year-round. Seven decades later, that tourist dream remains strong. Two main beaches and countless spots to savor Spain’s most iconic cuisine: paella, though the area is actually home to other varieties of rice dishes. A city that naps under its mild temperatures but always keeps an eye open for fun. It is a winter haven for retired Spaniards and Britons, offering rest after a lifetime of work and a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community, hosting one of its annual highlights: the Benidorm Fest, the Spanish prelude to the Eurovision Song Contest.
Beyond the golden sands and warm blue Mediterranean waters, Benidorm is woven into the fabric of modern Spanish history. It was here that the first bikinis were spotted, where Julio Iglesias became a global singing sensation, and a haven for showbiz stars who shone brightest in other eras. Benidorm’s high-rise urbanism, once controversial, is now a good example of sustainability, though it hasn’t escaped criticism for its excessive gigantism and occasional corruption scandals. Yet in Benidorm, everything eventually settles into place because, for many years, annual vacations here were the pinnacle of life for the average Spaniard or Briton and the city has always rewarded its visitors with whatever they desired.
Both Levante and Poniente beaches are ideal spots to achieve the bronzed skin tone that carries so much symbolism in today’s world. Year after year, the most used photo in Spanish media to illustrate summer is none other than Benidorm’s packed beaches. Benidorm embraces the Mediterranean with the vision of a Greek “polis” a city-state where the sole purpose is to enjoy, whether you’re here for a bachelor party, a quick getaway or a state-subsidized senior citizens’ trip. There’s always a nightlife venue for every taste, a place where you can truly be yourself without worrying about the outside world. Just you and Benidorm.
photography. Vincent Urbani
words. Antonio Vega
