Like in an oasis
First of all, Benidorm, which is undoubtedly one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Spain, where almost all the main nations of Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America are represented, attracts not only immigrants, but also residents of other regions of Spain with its unique microclimate – the mildest on the entire Mediterranean coast of the country.
On land, the city is almost completely surrounded by high mountains, protecting it from sudden temperature changes and cold winds. In winter, the air temperature rarely drops below 14–15 ºC – and although every year is different, in December and January you are more likely to see Spanish adults and children splashing in the sea and older people sunbathing under the gentle sun, than wrapping themselves in blankets from bad weather. It happens that a couple of times during the winter, night temperatures still drop below zero here, but such a catastrophe (-2–3 ºC) can be easily survived with air conditioners or heaters.
In January 2017, when snow fell for the first time in 32 years in Denia and for the first time in 103 years in Torrevieja, in Benidorm there was nothing to suggest the cataclysm that had happened here two centuries ago; even old-timers cannot remember the exact date due to the lack of official meteorological studies. But, traveling in January-February on a regular bus from Madrid to Benidorm via Albacete, you can, as if by magic, find yourself out of a snowstorm and into a kingdom of palm trees and flowers, where nothing reminds you of winter.
In summer, the climate of Benidorm, where the sun shines about 320 days a year and 3-4 times a year, from May to September, it rains, sometimes with thunderstorms, is not much different from the traditional Mediterranean, with the only difference being that the water temperature in July can reach 27-28ºC, and the air can warm up to 36-38ºC.
Benidorm’s convenient transport links to Spain’s main transport hubs also speak in its favor. Most often, tourists and local property owners fly to Alicante Airport, from where there is a direct bus service to the city. The trip on a special bus lasts 45-50 minutes, and its final destination is Benidorm bus station, in fairness it must be said that it is located at a considerable distance from the center, about 25-30 minutes on foot.
