The role of the mayor in history
Benidorm was lucky to have a mayor in the 1950s. Pedro Zaragoza was distinguished by revolutionary solutions at that time. What is the cost of being allowed to wear bikinis on the beaches! Among the same number of bold initiatives is the course towards high-rise construction in the city entrusted to him.
Modern Beniodorm is often called the Mediterranean New York - 8 of the 20 tallest buildings in Spain are located here.
The city is strikingly different from other, more authentic places on the coast, which attracts. In terms of popularity among tourists (in terms of the number of overnight stays), the resort holds the third place in the country after Madrid and Barcelona, overtaking Valencia and Seville.
Famous towers:
Intempo (192 meters) is the tallest residential building in Europe. Construction began in 2006 and was completed in 2021.
Gran Hotel Bali (186 meters). From 2002 to 2004, the hotel was the tallest skyscraper in Europe.
Torre Lugano (158 meters). An apartment building. Its construction lasted from 2004 to 2008.
Neguri Gane (145 meters) The tallest residential building in Spain from 2001 to 2008.
Benidorm for living and relaxing
Skyscrapers, of course, made the name of Benidorm. But it's not just about them. Other factors also play a role.:
- 300 sunny days a year;
- magnificent sandy beaches;
- excellent infrastructure for living and entertainment;
- colorful festivals, such as the International Tourism Week;
- famous night spots.
The sights also deserve special mention.:
- Terra M&tica amusement park
- Mundomar Marine Animal Park;
- Terra Natura Zoo;
- Benidorm Island (Isla de Benidorm);
- observation deck «Mediterranean Balcony» (Balcón del Mediterráneo); Plaza del Pueblo is the epicenter of nightlife with many karaoke bars and live music venues.
Beaches are another great reason to be proud of Benidorm. There are two main ones: the party Levante (translated as sunrise) and the more peaceful Poniente (translated as sunset), designed for families with children. Both were awarded the Blue Flag. Beaches in Spain are municipal, free of charge, but sun beds are rented for money.
Of course, the city also has disadvantages. As often happens, they follow from the advantages:
- There are many tourists all year round, but especially during the bathing season (from May to October).
- The vibrant nightlife of visitors can be disturbing to the inhabitants of some areas.
- Traffic jams, especially in high season.
- Many of the buildings were built a long time ago, and their quality leaves much to be desired.
Who chooses Benidorm?
European retirees, especially from the UK and the Nordic countries, have historically loved this resort. By the way, the city is convenient for people with disabilities and parents with strollers. There are wooden descents to the beaches, and buildings are equipped with ramps.
Families with children. The beaches are suitable for relaxing with kids, and Poniente is especially good in this regard. We talked about amusement parks above. You definitely won't be bored here! It is noteworthy that Benidorm is quite suitable for life due to its well-developed healthcare, good international schools and the proximity of Alicante and Valencia to large university cities.
European youth, especially from the UK. Benidorm is famous for parties and a fun nightlife, music festivals. How does this relate to the interests of the first two categories of vacationers? Different groups of tourists choose different "temperamentally" areas.
Many people not only spend their holidays in Benidorm, but also stay for the whole season. Europeans from more northern countries often winter, taking advantage of the mild local climate. The city is also convenient for digital nomads.
There are many Russians, Ukrainians, and immigrants from other former Soviet countries on the Costa Blanca in general and in Benidorm in particular. People come here not only from Europe, but also from America and Asia.
The best areas of Benidorm
Levante Beach area It's a busy, tourist-packed place with high real estate prices. There are bars, clubs, casinos, hotels of various levels, shops, cafes, restaurants. Ideal for buying short-term rental housing.
However, thanks to the international school located in this location, Levante is also a center of attraction for foreigners with children.
Poniente Beach area A peaceful family place, the exact opposite of the Levant. A reasonable choice for your own living and rental housing in the long term. Property prices are slightly lower than in the Levant.
The Poniente beach promenade, which imitates sea waves and cliffs in its shape, is a masterpiece of architecture that has received several prestigious awards. It was designed by Spanish architects Carlos Ferrater y Lambarri and Javier Marti y Gali.Rincon de Loix. The area is known as the "English quarter" because of its popularity with the British. There are many expats here, as well as European retirees. Housing prices are average and below average.
Cala de Finestrat. Quiet, prestigious area. Housing prices are high. There are many luxury projects here.
There are quite a lot of Russians in Finestrat.
Active construction is underway in this location and closer to Poniente.
Locals prefer Poniente or Cala de Finestrat for the balance between tranquility and amenities.
Terra Mitica district. There are many new buildings in the area. Housing prices are average. There are many investors among the buyers.
Benidorm for investment
The city attracts not only vacationers, but also real estate investors, which is not surprising.
1.High demand for rent
Millions of tourists visit Benidorm every year. In addition, many come for several months or move to a permanent place of residence. The demand for both short-term and long-term rental housing is high. Rental yield: 5.7% per year.
2. Interesting prices compared to other coastal regions
Although property prices in Benidorm have increased in recent years, they are still not as high as in cities such as Barcelona or Marbella. Apartment prices start from 100,000 euros per studio. In Alicante, housing is cheaper, but rental income is lower.
3. Capitalization growth
Due to limited space (Benidorm is surrounded by mountains), the housing supply cannot grow indefinitely, which is already a prerequisite for higher prices.However, investors should also consider the risks.:
- High competition in the sale or rental of certain types of real estate. For example, there may be an oversupply in the low-cost studio segment.
- The risk of additional expenses when buying an old home. It is better to give preference to objects with a high energy efficiency status.
- The risk of complicating the rules of short-term rentals if Benidorm follows the path of restrictions already adopted in some other regions.
Types of real estate in Benidorm and prices
Studios: 100,000 180,000 euros. For investors with a limited budget.
One- and two-bedroom apartments: 150,000-300,000 euros. For seasonal stays or rentals.
Penthouses: 400,000-1 million euros or more. For investment or your own residence.
Villas (outside the city): 500,000-2 million euros. For high-net-worth buyers who value a lot of privacy. For example, urbanization near the Sierra Cortina mountain range is popular.
Commercial real estate (bars/hotels): 300,000-5 million euros. For entrepreneurs and business investors.
Primary market versus secondary market:
- New buildings (approximately 20% of the offer) are mostly high-rise buildings with modern amenities.
- Secondary housing (80%) - many buildings from the 1970s and 2000s, some of which need renovationrepairs.
Market prospects in 2025
The Spanish housing market is active. Real estate prices increased by 11.2% in 2024, according to the Institute of Statistics. This year, the upward trend in sales and prices continues.
The demand among foreigners for objects more expensive than 500,000 euros decreased after the curtailment of the Golden Visa program in April, but the interest of visitors was not limited to the possibility of obtaining a privileged residence permit.
Many people consider the Spanish coast to buy seasonal housing for themselves or to earn a stable income from renting. Some choose resorts and not only cities to move to. Benidorm is ideal for any of these purposes.
Thank you for your help in preparing the material to Yulia Titova, head of the agency RENTSALE
