Benidorm after dark: before the show

A town built for the evening

Benidorm is known for its hotels, its beaches and its skyscrapers. Wikipedia notes that the Gran Hotel Bali, at 186 metres, was Spain's tallest skyscraper for five years, and that the Intempo building is now the tallest in the Valencian Community. After dark the towers light up along the shore, which is the picture many visitors have in mind when they plan an evening here. A theatre show fits that mood: the whole town leans towards the night.

Walking the seafront

The three big beaches are Levante, Poniente and Mal Pas, and all three have held a Blue Flag since 1987, according to Wikipedia. Levante and Poniente are the two long sands, and the promenade between the buildings and the water is the easiest way to spend the hour before an evening out. Summer nights in Benidorm often stay above 20 degrees Celsius, which Wikipedia calls a tropical night, so a walk along the front after dark is comfortable in the warm months and cooler in winter.

A viewpoint at dusk

Viewpoints on Benidorm's headland look over the sea and over the long curve of beach, with the tower blocks lined up behind. They are a good place to watch the light change before the show. If you have a table booked, keep an eye on the time, and leave the viewpoint early enough to reach the theatre without hurrying. The walk is easy, but hills and steps make it slower than it looks on a map.

The sightseeing buses

Visit Benidorm lists open-top double-decker sightseeing buses that run from Rincón de Loix through the centre and along the coast, one of them by way of Avenida Severo Ochoa. Audio guides are available in several languages, and 24-hour, 72-hour and seven-day cards cover the sightseeing buses and the urban network. For an unrushed afternoon before an evening show, a hop-on ride is a good way to see the town and get a feel for the coastline from the top deck.

Eating before the show

If your ticket does not include dinner, eat before you go, because the venue's food and drink are add-ons and guests mention waiting for them. Those who book one of the venue's dinner packages have to arrive before the dinner cut-off, or the meal cannot be served. Either way, a late lunch or an early meal in town leaves you with an easy evening. Choose a place near your hotel or on the way, and give yourself time to walk to the theatre afterwards.

Getting back after the show

Decide how you will get home before the show begins. A taxi is the safe plan, and the venue lists taxi service among its facilities. If you are staying in the area, the bus network and the sightseeing lines run in the town, though their evening hours vary by line, so check them on the day. The guide to getting to the Palace covers the coach from Alicante airport and the parking.

Read next: How to get to Benidorm Palace

A day first, a night after

Wikipedia gives Benidorm more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year and mild winters, which makes it a town where a daytime plan and an evening show sit comfortably in the same day. The excursion lines that Visit Benidorm lists go to Guadalest and to the Algar Waterfalls, and the beaches are free. Leave yourself a gap in the late afternoon to rest, so you arrive at the Palace ready for a long evening instead of already tired.