British holidaymakers have faced a barrage of anti-tourism protests in Spain this year, leaving countless visitors furious after shelling out hundreds of pounds to enjoy their time abroad over the summer.
Tens of thousands of Spaniards flooded cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao and Santa Cruz de Tenerife throughout the season to deter the more than 85 million tourists who visit Spain each year.
But there is one city, a haven of holiday bliss, where sun lovers have been welcomed en masse without judgement or scorn: Benidorm.
With the UK’s brief summer coming to an abrupt end and giving way to autumnal temperatures, photographs taken today along the Spanish town’s beach show that Brits fully intend to make the most of Benidorm’s hospitality for as long as possible this year.
The photographs show the classic Benidorm scene: shirtless expats and tourists strolling along the beach and enjoying the Spanish sunshine while sitting in restaurants advertising full English breakfasts.
People from all walks of life flock to Beniforme to enjoy the summer sunshine.
![Forget anti-tourism protests... there's one part of Spain that will ALWAYS welcome tourists! As autumn arrives, Brits still have plenty to enjoy in the sunshine in BENIDORM 7 Shirtless Brits are a regular fixture in the region during the summer. Here one is seen with an Aston Villa FC tattoo on his back.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1726142963_569_Forget-anti-tourism-protests-theres-one-part-of-Spain-that-will.jpg.webp)
Shirtless Brits are a regular fixture in the region during the summer. Here one is seen with an Aston Villa FC tattoo on his back.
![Forget anti-tourism protests... there's one part of Spain that will ALWAYS welcome tourists! As autumn arrives, Brits still have plenty to enjoy in the sunshine in BENIDORM 9 Shirtless Brit enjoys the sunshine in Benidorm, far from the UK's autumn chill](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1726142964_253_Forget-anti-tourism-protests-theres-one-part-of-Spain-that-will.jpg.webp)
Shirtless Brit enjoys the sunshine in Benidorm, far from the UK’s autumn chill
![Forget anti-tourism protests... there's one part of Spain that will ALWAYS welcome tourists! As autumn arrives, Brits still have plenty to enjoy in the sunshine in BENIDORM 11 British-themed pubs and restaurants cater to the hundreds of thousands of Brits who travel to Benidorm each year.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1726142964_595_Forget-anti-tourism-protests-theres-one-part-of-Spain-that-will.jpg.webp)
British-themed pubs and restaurants cater to the hundreds of thousands of Brits who travel to Benidorm each year.
![Forget anti-tourism protests... there's one part of Spain that will ALWAYS welcome tourists! As autumn arrives, Brits still have plenty to enjoy in the sunshine in BENIDORM 13 Many spend their days relaxing on the beaches, getting a tan.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1726142965_977_Forget-anti-tourism-protests-theres-one-part-of-Spain-that-will.jpg.webp)
Many spend their days relaxing on the beaches, getting a tan.
![Forget anti-tourism protests... there's one part of Spain that will ALWAYS welcome tourists! As autumn arrives, Brits still have plenty to enjoy in the sunshine in BENIDORM 15 The region is known for welcoming a variety of ages, unlike neighbouring Ibiza and Tenerife, which are known for their wild parties that are mainly aimed at younger tourists.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/Forget-anti-tourism-protests-theres-one-part-of-Spain-that-will.jpeg.webp)
The region is known for welcoming a variety of ages, unlike neighbouring Ibiza and Tenerife, which are known for their wild parties that are mainly aimed at younger tourists.
![Forget anti-tourism protests... there's one part of Spain that will ALWAYS welcome tourists! As autumn arrives, Brits still have plenty to enjoy in the sunshine in BENIDORM 17 A man drives a mobility scooter along the beach in Benidorm](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1726142966_592_Forget-anti-tourism-protests-theres-one-part-of-Spain-that-will.jpg.webp)
A man drives a mobility scooter along the beach in Benidorm
![Forget anti-tourism protests... there's one part of Spain that will ALWAYS welcome tourists! As autumn arrives, Brits still have plenty to enjoy in the sunshine in BENIDORM 19 More than 800,000 Britons travel to Benidorm every year](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1726142967_960_Forget-anti-tourism-protests-theres-one-part-of-Spain-that-will.jpg.webp)
More than 800,000 Britons travel to Benidorm every year
A thriving tourist destination since the 1920s, the region has consistently welcomed travelers from around the world who come to laze in the sun and spend their money on hotels, food and drink.
Although it was known for attracting masculine behaviour in the 1980s, the towns of the Balearic Islands, including Ibiza and Mallorca, have since welcomed the party-hungry clientele, leaving Benidorm to host a friendlier, often quieter crowd looking to spend a few days tanning on its many beaches.
Benidorm’s three key beaches, Playa de Levante, Playa de Poniente and Playa de Mal Pas, are so well maintained that all three have the prestigious Blue Flag, awarded to beaches and marinas of the highest level.
And tourists from all over the world, but especially from Great Britain, know this very well. It is estimated that in 2023 832,000 people will travel to Benidorm, which is almost a third of all tourists who visited the city that year.
It’s not just Brits who benefit from cheap flights and hotels during the summer, as Benidorm Mayor Antonio Perez said in January:
‘The tourism sector continues to generate employment and wealth and reaffirms the strength of the destination Benidorm, which has almost completely recovered from the setback caused by the pandemic, which halted tourist activity for months and closed the hotel industry in our city for the first time.
‘Benidorm… is a benchmark in the management of the health crisis and has also been a benchmark in the recovery that has followed.’
![Forget anti-tourism protests... there's one part of Spain that will ALWAYS welcome tourists! As autumn arrives, Brits still have plenty to enjoy in the sunshine in BENIDORM 21 Benidorm's three main beaches have the prestigious Blue Flag, awarded to high-quality coastal areas.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1726142967_975_Forget-anti-tourism-protests-theres-one-part-of-Spain-that-will.jpg.webp)
Benidorm’s three main beaches have the prestigious Blue Flag, awarded to high-quality coastal areas.
![Forget anti-tourism protests... there's one part of Spain that will ALWAYS welcome tourists! As autumn arrives, Brits still have plenty to enjoy in the sunshine in BENIDORM 23 Benidorm has been a thriving tourist destination since the 1920s.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1726142968_6_Forget-anti-tourism-protests-theres-one-part-of-Spain-that-will.jpeg.webp)
Benidorm has been a thriving tourist destination since the 1920s.
![Forget anti-tourism protests... there's one part of Spain that will ALWAYS welcome tourists! As autumn arrives, Brits still have plenty to enjoy in the sunshine in BENIDORM 25 Tourists and expatriates sit at tables in a restaurant advertising English breakfasts.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1726142968_115_Forget-anti-tourism-protests-theres-one-part-of-Spain-that-will.jpg.webp)
Tourists and expatriates sit at tables in a restaurant advertising English breakfasts.
![Forget anti-tourism protests... there's one part of Spain that will ALWAYS welcome tourists! As autumn arrives, Brits still have plenty to enjoy in the sunshine in BENIDORM 27 It is estimated that 832,000 people will travel to Benidorm in 2023, representing almost a third of all tourists who visited the city that year.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1726142969_133_Forget-anti-tourism-protests-theres-one-part-of-Spain-that-will.jpg.webp)
It is estimated that 832,000 people will travel to Benidorm in 2023, representing almost a third of all tourists who visited the city that year.
![Forget anti-tourism protests... there's one part of Spain that will ALWAYS welcome tourists! As autumn arrives, Brits still have plenty to enjoy in the sunshine in BENIDORM 29 Although Benidorm was known for attracting youthful behaviour in the 1980s, towns in the Balearic Islands, including Ibiza and Mallorca, have since welcomed party-hungry clientele.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1726142969_328_Forget-anti-tourism-protests-theres-one-part-of-Spain-that-will.jpg.webp)
Although Benidorm was known for attracting youthful behaviour in the 1980s, towns in the Balearic Islands, including Ibiza and Mallorca, have since welcomed party-hungry clientele.
![Forget anti-tourism protests... there's one part of Spain that will ALWAYS welcome tourists! As autumn arrives, Brits still have plenty to enjoy in the sunshine in BENIDORM 31 The mayor of Benidorm has openly welcomed tourists, who bring in large amounts of money](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1726142970_614_Forget-anti-tourism-protests-theres-one-part-of-Spain-that-will.jpg.webp)
The mayor of Benidorm has openly welcomed tourists, who bring in large amounts of money
![Forget anti-tourism protests... there's one part of Spain that will ALWAYS welcome tourists! As autumn arrives, Brits still have plenty to enjoy in the sunshine in BENIDORM 33 Today, Benidorm is known for hosting a friendlier and often calmer crowd looking to spend a few days tanning on its many beaches.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1726142971_244_Forget-anti-tourism-protests-theres-one-part-of-Spain-that-will.jpg.webp)
Today, Benidorm is known for hosting a friendlier and often calmer crowd looking to spend a few days tanning on its many beaches.
![Forget anti-tourism protests... there's one part of Spain that will ALWAYS welcome tourists! As autumn arrives, Brits still have plenty to enjoy in the sunshine in BENIDORM 35 Benidorm is also known for being a top-class destination for the elderly.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1726142971_621_Forget-anti-tourism-protests-theres-one-part-of-Spain-that-will.jpg.webp)
Benidorm is also known for being a top-class destination for the elderly.
![Forget anti-tourism protests... there's one part of Spain that will ALWAYS welcome tourists! As autumn arrives, Brits still have plenty to enjoy in the sunshine in BENIDORM 37 Benidorm is also known for its family-friendly offering. Pictured: People are seen pushing baby strollers in the sunshine on Wednesday](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1726142971_863_Forget-anti-tourism-protests-theres-one-part-of-Spain-that-will.jpg.webp)
Benidorm is also known for its family-friendly offering. Pictured: People are seen pushing baby strollers in the sunshine on Wednesday
![Forget anti-tourism protests... there's one part of Spain that will ALWAYS welcome tourists! As autumn arrives, Brits still have plenty to enjoy in the sunshine in BENIDORM 39 British tourists and expats are seen pushing baby strollers near the beach in Benidorm on Wednesday](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1726142972_288_Forget-anti-tourism-protests-theres-one-part-of-Spain-that-will.jpg.webp)
British tourists and expats are seen pushing baby strollers near the beach in Benidorm on Wednesday
![Forget anti-tourism protests... there's one part of Spain that will ALWAYS welcome tourists! As autumn arrives, Brits still have plenty to enjoy in the sunshine in BENIDORM 41 Brits bring back their hard-earned cash to spend on food and drink in Benidorm](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1726142973_302_Forget-anti-tourism-protests-theres-one-part-of-Spain-that-will.jpg.webp)
Brits bring back their hard-earned cash to spend on food and drink in Benidorm
![Forget anti-tourism protests... there's one part of Spain that will ALWAYS welcome tourists! As autumn arrives, Brits still have plenty to enjoy in the sunshine in BENIDORM 43 It's not just Brits who benefit from cheap flights and hotels during the summer, locals also benefit from increased employment.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1726142974_300_Forget-anti-tourism-protests-theres-one-part-of-Spain-that-will.jpg.webp)
It’s not just Brits who benefit from cheap flights and hotels during the summer, locals also benefit from increased employment.
![Forget anti-tourism protests... there's one part of Spain that will ALWAYS welcome tourists! As autumn arrives, Brits still have plenty to enjoy in the sunshine in BENIDORM 45 Locals benefit from the influx of tourist-related money that arrives each summer.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1726142974_845_Forget-anti-tourism-protests-theres-one-part-of-Spain-that-will.jpg.webp)
Locals benefit from the influx of tourist-related money that arrives each summer.
![Forget anti-tourism protests... there's one part of Spain that will ALWAYS welcome tourists! As autumn arrives, Brits still have plenty to enjoy in the sunshine in BENIDORM 47 Benidorm is known for its three main beaches, Levante Beach, Poniente Beach and Mal Pas Beach.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1726142975_974_Forget-anti-tourism-protests-theres-one-part-of-Spain-that-will.jpeg.webp)
Benidorm is known for its three main beaches, Levante Beach, Poniente Beach and Mal Pas Beach.
![Forget anti-tourism protests... there's one part of Spain that will ALWAYS welcome tourists! As autumn arrives, Brits still have plenty to enjoy in the sunshine in BENIDORM 49 Tourists are seen walking along the beach in Benidorm on Wednesday](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1726142975_103_Forget-anti-tourism-protests-theres-one-part-of-Spain-that-will.jpg.webp)
Tourists are seen walking along the beach in Benidorm on Wednesday
![Forget anti-tourism protests... there's one part of Spain that will ALWAYS welcome tourists! As autumn arrives, Brits still have plenty to enjoy in the sunshine in BENIDORM 51 Hundreds of people are seen sunbathing in Benidorm](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1726142976_184_Forget-anti-tourism-protests-theres-one-part-of-Spain-that-will.jpg.webp)
Hundreds of people are seen sunbathing in Benidorm
![Forget anti-tourism protests... there's one part of Spain that will ALWAYS welcome tourists! As autumn arrives, Brits still have plenty to enjoy in the sunshine in BENIDORM 53 It is estimated that Britons account for a third of all tourists visiting Benidorm each year.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1726142976_91_Forget-anti-tourism-protests-theres-one-part-of-Spain-that-will.jpg.webp)
It is estimated that Britons account for a third of all tourists visiting Benidorm each year.