A Transforming Holiday At Benidorm
Benidorm used to be an idyllic fishing village up until the 1950s when it became a popular holiday resort. Many soon discovered Benidorm’s sun, sand, sea and sangria and all the rest it has to offer. Benidorm lies in the north region of Costa Blanca which makes it an excellent choice for European holiday makers who want a seaside vacation. More than 4 million visitors visit this town annually.
History
Benidorm was basically a simple fishing village from days of old; in fact, it dates back to 3000 BC. There have been some ancient ship fragments found in the bay as well as a Roman villa. Benidorm was set up in the 8th century when the Arabs arrived, but it was only when the Moors settled in Benidorm that it was transformed into a significant fishing village.
Benidorm was further developed when the Christian Re-conquest occurred and after about 100 years, the town was destined for great things although it was frequently attacked by Berber pirates. The attacks destroyed its castle until only a handful of locals remained as fishermen.
However, the town flourished again with the installation of an irrigation drain in the year 1666 to produce vegetation; construction started again with the San Jaime Parish Church in 1740 and the population began increasing soon after.
Turn of Events
Agriculture turned Benidorm’s misfortune into growth although fishing was still the mainstay activity, with tuna drawing in much revenue for the expanding town. The population continued to climb but a phylloxera outbreak in 1920 damaged the thriving grape industry; and disaster struck Benidorm again in the early 1950’s when the fish catches decreased.
But thankfully, tourism started to emerge with the railway constructed around the region. It brought many tourists to Benidorm and its coastline towns brought hope and life to the ailing economy. The population increased steadily when the Alicante airport opened in 1967. Today, there are over 50,000 residents in Benidorm with many more in the summer.
Modern Benidorm
Today, Benidorm is very successful as a popular holiday resort with its 2 amazing beaches, theme parks and pubs, clubs, discos and bars. There is plenty of entertainment and activities for the whole family. There is plenty of fun in the sun and interesting water sports like scuba diving, jet-skiing, wind surfing and sailing.
There are breathtaking natural landscapes like the unique rock formations. There is even a casino for those who want to try their hand at the table; the Costa Blanca Casino is Spain’s biggest casino. You may want to go back in time at a fanciful mock Medieval Tournament which provides a sumptuous feast and entertainment or explore the local market on Wednesdays and Sundays. There is so much in Benidorm that a day or two would not suffice to enjoy all that it has to offer.