International cuisine, culinary traditions inherited from the Arabs, the heritage of sea traders, not to mention the typical dishes of the fishermen in the region offer an extraordinary list of specialties. Fish and rice dishes are the jewel in the crown: Rice with mullet and pumpkin, traditional fish casserole, rice with anchovies and spinach or "pebrot" (this dish is prepared with a fish called dolphin fish and although it is found in very few places in the world, Benidorm is one of the privileged ones.) are some of its typical dishes, while for something sweet, sweet potato cakes and San Blas cake.

Another option that Benidorm offers is to go for tapas, a Spanish habit of eating informally and with a lot of variety. The city has a wide range of bars and pubs that serve tapas and pinchos "canapés" to accompany a good wine. In addition, Benidorm celebrates many gastronomic events that allow you to try the best of local gastronomy at great prices: The annual calendar for discerning foodies features events such as Hot Food Week, Tapas and Pintxos Competition, Gastronomy Week and Rice Week .

In addition to a wide range of restaurants, cafes and bars with international cuisine for all tastes, Benidorm stands out for its top restaurants, where you can enjoy the best dishes from land and sea.

Our favorite restaurants

At Falúa

The La Falúa restaurant, just a few meters from the Poniente beach, has placed itself at the forefront of gastronomy on the Costa Blanca. It serves the best of traditional Mediterranean food, with signature dishes such as Chateaubriand tenderloin, Lomo de Merluza al Estilo La Falúa with saffron sauce and grilled foie gras with port reduction. A special mention must also go to their rice dishes such as Monkfish and Scallop Rice (Arroz Caldoso de Rape y Almejas de Carril). Their wine selection is also excellent!

Belvedere

The Belvedere restaurant, located in the center of Benidorm, offers incredible views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea from all its terraces. Its menu is based on signature cuisine, especially high-quality Mediterranean cuisine, and some of its star dishes are Rice with duck, mushrooms and foie gras (Arroz de pato y boletus con foi) and Tuna Balfegó with sauteed shiitake, codium seaweed and cream of pickled mussels (Balfegó tuna ventresca con salteado de shiitakes, alga codium y cremoso de mejllón escabechado). It is an ideal restaurant for romantic dinners.

D-Vora

D.VORA Gastrobar is the Gastrohotel RH Canfali restaurant. A charming restaurant in Benidorm that offers you the best avant-garde fusion cuisine. Let yourself be captivated by the immensity of the sea, the light of the Mediterranean and a comfortable interior designed to delight all your senses. A unique atmosphere to experience the D.VORA gastronomic experience.

Try the special dishes:
-Grilled marinated octopus with romesco sauce, duo of potatoes with canary mojo sauce and olive emulsion (Pulpo macerado al grill con romesco de rocotó, dúo de patatas al mojo canario y emulsión de aceituna peruana) -Candied artichokes
with potato foam, Joselito balls, and natural yolk with truffles (Alcachofas confitadas con espuma de patata, papada Joselito, y yema al natural truffada)

Ulia

Restaurant Ulía, located on the seafront on Poniente beach, specializes in traditional dishes, cuisine based on fish and fresh seafood of the best quality, as well as rice dishes, especially rice with lobster (Arroz con Langosta de la Bahía). It also has a wide variety of wines and homemade desserts. In addition, the windows overlooking the sea are impressive.

Llum de Mar

Llum de Mar is a charming restaurant in the old center of Benidorm, in Villa Venecia Hotel Boutique Gourmet. This restaurant stands out for its prestigious chefs. Its menu offers very popular dishes such as cod au gratin with saffron aioli or Iberian pork tenderloin with foie gras. It also has an extensive dessert menu.

Restaurant with MICHELIN stars: El Xato

El Xato is one of those restaurants whose charisma can be breathed for miles, located in the town of Nucía, just five minutes from Benidorm. El Xato, a place that has been open for 107 years, recently entered the top 5 of the best luxury restaurants in the world.

Shopping

As one of the most important cities on the Mediterranean coast, Benidorm has all the necessary services to make your life comfortable. As a result, the shopping options are varied, for all tastes and budgets.

The city center is the ultimate shopping area. The shopping area stretches from Plaza Triangular to Avenida de Los Almendros and crosses the most important streets. Here you will find the most famous national and international brands, both in clothing and accessories, cosmetics, shoes, jewelry, sports, etc.

The Levante and Rincón de Loix districts are also popular for trendy boutiques, designer shops, supermarkets and gift and souvenir shops. Avenida del Mediterraneo is the main shopping area in the Levante district.

For groceries, the indoor market in the Rincón de Loix neighborhood (Benidorm Rincon de Loix Mercado local) is a great place to shop.

If you prefer a shopping center, don't miss La Marina de Finestrat, one of the largest shopping centers on the Costa Blanca. Next to this shopping center you can also find an El Corte Inglés Outlet with many discounts. Street markets are one of the hallmarks of the city, where you can find a wide variety of products at good prices. Visit the Foietes street market (Mercadillo Municipal de Benidorm) next to the municipal sports center, which is open on Wednesday mornings. It has around 300 stalls where you can buy fruits and vegetables, food, bags, clothing, shoes and accessories, jewelry, decorations, crafts, flowers and plants, etc.

On Wednesdays and Sundays, you can visit the Pueblo street market, located in the Levante area. And the most special market is El Cisne, a typical antiques market, very popular for its international nature, with live jazz music and close to Ermita de Sanz, the epicenter of the city's agricultural past. You can visit it on Saturday and Sunday morning, on the N-332 national road near Benisol camping.

Festivals and traditions

Although it is a destination where different nationalities come together, the Costa Blanca has managed to preserve its traditions and special charm. As a result, festivals are held every year in the province of Alicante, celebrating its history and culture. They are particularly important in Benidorm.

Every November, Benidorm hosts the patronal Feasts in honor of the Virgin of Suffrage and the Apostle San Jaime, being the most important in Benidorm. It takes place every year for 5 days, from the second weekend in November to the following Wednesday. The originality of the staging of the Defense of the Patron Saint of Benidorm recreated on the Poniente beach can be seen alongside processions, pilgrimages and other traditional acts. There are recreational-festive events: musical performances, parades, correfuegos, etc.. There are also fireworks events: despertàs, mascletàs, cordàs. Peñas (groups) carry out a multitude of complementary activities, among which the Cabalgata del Humor (Parade of Humor) stands out.

Noche de San Juan is celebrated throughout the province of Alicante on June 23 of each year. In many coastal towns, including Benidorm, the shortest night of the year is celebrated with bonfires on the beach, music and fireworks - plus the occasional night swim.

They are rituals designed to strengthen the spirit, overcome resistance and fear of the unknown, attract love, luck and health. A push for inner renewal to gain new energy and burn at the stake everything we want to leave behind in our lives. San Juan rituals revolve around three main elements: Fire, Water and Earth (herbs).
Fire as a purifying element that helps us to burn all that is bad, to leave bad luck and negative energies behind. One of the oldest rituals is to jump over the fire nine times to ward off evil spirits and have protection throughout the year. The ancient myth says that if you jump hand in hand with your partner, the union between the two will be long-lasting.
On the night of San Juan, the sea water is special. Those who dare to enter the cold waters and jump nine waves on their backs will achieve health and happiness for the whole year.
Herbs (thyme) that grow on the ground are a magical element. On that special night, the medicinal herbs that grow in the field, such as thyme or rosemary, multiply their beneficial effects and healing properties.

Moorish and Christian festivals are one of the most important in the city.
The Moors and Christians Festival is a very old tradition dating back to the 16th century. It commemorates the confrontation that took place between Moorish and Christian soldiers in the 13th century over the rule of Spain.
The events are held in honor of the city's patron saint, who also played a decisive role in the battle. Thanks to the sudden and unexpected intervention of the saint, the victory went to the Christians, despite the fact that they were outnumbered by the Moors.
This Fiesta generally takes place in late September to early October. Streets decorated as in the Middle Ages, magnificent processions, exciting simulated battles... This is the festival of the Moors and Christians: days full of magic, legends and spectacle. This festival recreates the historical clash between the two cultures.

If you can't make it to Rio for Carnival then make sure you get to Benidorm Carnival. When? 2023 Saturday 18 February
Starting on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday with a massive, colorful parade full of intricate costumes, dancing and joy and ending on Shrove Tuesday with the symbolic burial of the Sardine on the beach, the streets of Benidorm come alive with music pulsating, dancing and celebrating.
The Children's Carnival from 10:00 on Escuelas street, from where the parade will start 30 minutes later, will go through Ruzafa and Herrerías streets to the Plaza de SSMM Reyes de España.
The carnival for adults will gather at 20:30 on Tomás Ortuño Street with Venus. From this point the parade will leave half an hour later, following the same route as the Children's Carnival. Benidorm will say goodbye to Carnival on Tuesday, February 21, with the Sardine Funeral, which will start at 9:00 pm in the Plaza Mayor.

Benidorm Pride - A newcomer to the Benidorm festival scene, but already becoming one of the biggest and most popular events – certainly the most extravagant! Billed as fun, friendly and flirty, it's only fitting that Spain's most beloved beach resort celebrates the gay community with a very special Pride week in September. Thousands dress up colorfully for the stunning parade along Levante Beach, with the event also featuring free music, DJs and a stunning white party.
From: Monday, September 4, 2023
To: Sunday, September 10, 2023

At CaseSpania we have two spectacular projects in Benidorm, on Poniente beach, one completed - Intempo Residencial Sky Resort - and one to be handed over this year - Benidorm Beach Residencial .

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