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Though Europe is probably not the first destination that comes to mind when you think of a winter sun getaway, not all parts of the continent will be exactly plunged into darkness and face bitterly cold temperatures starting in December.
Certainly not this sun-drenched city lining the south coast of Spain, where the quiet season is blessed with a surprisingly warm, or mild climate, at worst, beachfront stays start from a cheap $40, and where seeing people out in shorts is not at all a strange sight.
We suppose our British readers need no further introduction, but to all our fellow Americans, welcome to Benidorm, the so-called Spanish Miami:
Mild Winters And Sunny Beaches
Straddling the southeast coast of Spain, Benidorm is a large town that started as a quaint fishing village.
From the 1960s onward, it converted into one of the busiest resort destinations, highly sought-after by Europeans year-round.
That’s mostly attributed to Benidorm’s dry weather.
The average daily maximum in winter can reach as high as 63°F, or even higher on some days, and the average minimum is 44.6°F, typically late at night when a cold breeze blows.
There is limited rain between December and March, at least compared to much of Europe, and based on TUI‘s assessment, you have a 57% chance of a ‘perfect’ sunny day, and a 43% chance of ‘seeing some clouds’ on others.
As for the sea, the Mediterranean is a bit too cold for swimming this time of year, at least for most, but if you’ve spent summers in Portugal before, or you live on the East Coast of America, and you’re used to the gelid Atlantic waters, 60-degree water won’t faze you.
Thanks to its non-brutal winters, Benidorm is particularly popular among U.K. and German tourists, who flock from their Northerly homes to Benidorm for the inexpensive getaway deals, the cheap beer and food, and the city’s resemblance to your favorite Floridian hub:
Why Is It Called The Spanish Miami?
It has a long sandy beach that extends for several miles, backed by a beautiful, Miami-style promenade interspersed with tall palm trees and casual alfresco eateries.
The cityscape is typically more American than European.
We’re talking tall high rises lining the waterfront and a bar-packed center brimming with youngsters you wouldn’t normally find in a quaint, cobblestone-laden Old Town: in other words, ‘Beni’ is somewhere you go for unwinding and having some fun.
Similarly to its American counterpart, Benidorm also has a ‘Strip’ to call its own: Calle Gerona runs parallel to the beach and it’s where all the trendiest cocktail bars, karaokes and late-night venues are centered.
The city itself plays host to some of the most in-demand nightclubs in Spain, including the Hippodrome, infamous for its riotous nightlife, a quirky, gay-friendly Gspot, and the well-attended KM Playa, boasting $3 lager and unobstructed views of Levante Beach.
Benidorm Is Just So Affordable
Benidorm’s affordability as a destination plays an equally-big part in wooing tourists, with local-favorites like Stars Lounge Bar serving early-evening tapas for as cheap as $5, and Localolita burger and fries starting from $11.
A majority of Spanish restaurants in town specialize in Valencia paella, a local variation of the traditional Iberian dish, and Mediterranean-style seafood, and you can get it for around $14.48 if you’re dining out in mid-range eateries.
When it comes to accommodation, there is a Meliá listing with an outdoor pool and buffet breakfast from $57 in the low-season, and an even-cheaper Poseidon Resort, with 2 swimming pools, a spa and recreational areas, priced a negligible $37 a night.
Fellow budget-friendly Hotel Primavera, 150 meters from the beach, costs $38 to book, and even if you’re actively looking to splurge on an all-inclusive stay, that’s a dirt cheap $85 a night at the Magical Cristal Park, a 5-minute walk from Levante Beach.
There is a running joke among Europeans that say Benidorm is the poor man’s Ibiza––as much as we love Ibiza ourselves, we’re not snobs, and we can definitely see how good old Beni, despite being ‘of the masses’, appeals to a wider audience.
It’s sunny. It’s lively. It’s by the ocean. It won’t break the bank––and for many Americans, it remains largely undiscovered, despite being a one-stop flight away.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
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