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.
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.
Shirtless Brit enjoys the sunshine in Benidorm, far from the UK’s autumn chill
British-themed pubs and restaurants cater to the hundreds of thousands of Brits who travel to Benidorm each year.
Many spend their days relaxing on the beaches, getting a tan.
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.
A man drives a mobility scooter along the beach in Benidorm
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.’
Benidorm’s three main beaches have the prestigious Blue Flag, awarded to high-quality coastal areas.
Benidorm has been a thriving tourist destination since the 1920s.
Tourists and expatriates sit at tables in a restaurant advertising English breakfasts.
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.
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.
The mayor of Benidorm has openly welcomed tourists, who bring in large amounts of money
Today, Benidorm is known for hosting a friendlier and often calmer crowd looking to spend a few days tanning on its many beaches.
Benidorm is also known for being a top-class destination for the elderly.
Benidorm is also known for its family-friendly offering. Pictured: People are seen pushing baby strollers in the sunshine on Wednesday
British tourists and expats are seen pushing baby strollers near the beach in Benidorm on Wednesday
Brits bring back their hard-earned cash to spend on food and drink in Benidorm
It’s not just Brits who benefit from cheap flights and hotels during the summer, locals also benefit from increased employment.
Locals benefit from the influx of tourist-related money that arrives each summer.
Benidorm is known for its three main beaches, Levante Beach, Poniente Beach and Mal Pas Beach.
Tourists are seen walking along the beach in Benidorm on Wednesday
Hundreds of people are seen sunbathing in Benidorm
It is estimated that Britons account for a third of all tourists visiting Benidorm each year.