Benidorm, a gem along the Costa Blanca, is famed for its sun-soaked beaches and vibrant nightlife. But as the sun sets, this seaside town becomes a haven for those seeking a laid-back evening. From leisurely dining experiences to tranquil strolls by the sea, let's explore how you can unwind in Benidorm during the evenings.
Benidorm's culinary scene is a delightful mix of traditional Spanish flavours and Mediterranean influences at restaurants. Begin your evening with a visit to a local eatery. Here, you can enjoy a leisurely meal, savouring dishes like 'paella,' a fragrant rice dish brimming with seafood, or 'tapas,' small plates perfect for sharing.
After dinner, why not head to a beachside café? Picture yourself sipping a soothing 'café con leche' while listening to the gentle waves. These spots provide a relaxing ambiance, perfect for reflecting on your day or planning tomorrow’s adventures. Watch the world go by as the sun sets, bathing the sea in golden hues, offering a serene end to your evening. These cafés are ideal for a peaceful nightcap or a quiet chat with friends.
Sometimes, the best way to relax is with a good book. Whether on your balcony or a quiet corner of a café, losing yourself in a story is a delightful way to spend the evening. Let the narrative transport you to another world as the gentle sea breeze or the soft murmur of café chatter forms a soothing background. There's nothing quite like the joy of a good book to help you wind down and escape the hustle of everyday life.
For those evenings when you're keen on staying in, the digital world offers a variety of engaging pastimes. You might start with a classic like chess, a timeless game where strategy and foresight reign supreme. Alternatively, you could explore the imaginative realms of online role-playing games, where you can embark on epic quests and create your own stories. If you're in the mood for something more interactive, online trivia games can be fun to test your knowledge on various topics with friends or other players worldwide.
And if you're looking to switch gears, you could explore the world of online poker. This title blends skill and strategy, making it a captivating and intellectually engaging experience. With platforms like PokerStars readily available, learning about the various hand rankings in poker is particularly intriguing. For instance, traditional' high' poker rankings are used in poker variants like Hold’em and Omaha, while versions such as Omaha Hi/Lo adopt the 'Ace to Five' low hand rankings. Getting to grips with these different rankings can add an enjoyable and challenging aspect to your quiet night in.
Why not end your evening by gazing up at the starry sky? Benidorm's beaches can be wonderfully peaceful at night, offering a perfect spot for some star gazing. Lay back on the soft sand, let the sound of the waves serenade you, and marvel at the celestial wonders above. It's a moment of tranquility where you can reflect, dream, or simply enjoy the beauty of the universe. This simple yet profound activity reminds us of the endless wonders surrounding us.
Benidorm's promenades, such as the famous Levante Beach walk, offer a serene setting for an evening stroll. The sound of the sea creates a calming backdrop as you meander along these paths, perhaps stopping to admire a street performer or capture a sunset photo. Feel the gentle sea breeze, enjoy the soft glow of streetlights, and observe the harmonious blend of tourists and locals alike. These strolls are perfect for unwinding and soaking in the laid-back coastal atmosphere.
For a more serene experience, explore some of the areas of Benidorm. The Old Town, for example, with its charming streets and quaint squares, is a wonderful place to wander as the day fades. Meander through narrow lanes lined with colorful houses stumble upon hidden art galleries, or simply sit at a secluded café to watch the world go by. These hidden corners offer a peaceful retreat from the bustling beachfront, allowing you to immerse yourself in the town's authentic charm.
In summary, evenings in Benidorm offer a treasure trove of experiences for those looking to relax and unwind. From indulging in local cuisine to enjoying a quiet game, there’s something for everyone. So, as you plan your nights in this vibrant town, remember there are countless ways to enjoy its quieter, more leisurely side.
This article is for use by the development team for the purposes of running tests on the site. There is no information regarding Benidorm Displayed here and adverts may not be genuine
December 28th –The day of Santos Inocentes (Holy Innocents) is celebrated much like another Western holiday, April Fool’s Day. This holiday finds children and adults playing practical jokes on each other. This is a fun day to run wild and play some pranks on your friends and family.
GOT YOU
Homeless on the Streets - Benidorm, Albir, Altea - There are so many reasons why people end up living on the streets in our towns and cities and thankfully, there are many people willing to support them in whatever way they can. Be that giving them some change, buying or making food, donating to charities or as the amazing volunteers from Project 4 All do each day, giving up their time and money to make sure they are fed and taken care of.
However, it's so sad to read some people's views and assumptions as to why they have ended up in this situation. Many are quick to judge that they have problems with alcohol or substance abuse whereas, this is just a small percentage of the reason why they are without a home. Occasionally, they may turn to alcohol as a means to escape the reality they face each day, but, wouldn't we all if that was our life?
For those without savings or friends and family to hold them afloat in times of trouble, we are all just a couple of pay checks away from losing our home and being in the same situation.
How you can help the legitimately homeless on the streets of Benidorm, Albir and Altea - Project 4 All are always looking for volunteers for either cooking or driving? Or food donations are always welcome? Please contact the Project 4 All Hotline and be the change you want to see!
+34 604 833 114
PROJECT 4 ALL is an all-inclusive, self-funded, non-profit organization that relies solely on donations.
Coffee 4 All - Homeless Support - Make some ones day a little brighter by visiting the cafes, bars and restaurants listed on Coffee 4 All Facebook Page. This ensures they know they can eat that day and that there are people out there that care.
1. Ask a member of staff in a participating venue for a Post-it note.
2. Write the item you are donating. Drink/Sandwich etc.
3. Give your note and donation to a member of staff.
4. Smile, knowing you've made someone's day that little bit easier.
City Streets Community Project Benidorm Helping to reduce poverty and hunger on the City Streets
Even sadder is that here in Benidorm, just like every other large town or city, there are some that appear homeless, but are part of organised groups, these prey on the sympathy of tourists. These people are actually driven into the local towns and placed in strategic spots, purely to obtain money during their shift, they are then collected at the end of the day and driven home to split their profits. If you are in any doubt if some one is genuinely homeless or not, please DO NOT give money, but food and water.
Therefore, with help from Project 4 All we will be sharing stories from some of the people on our local streets, and we hope by doing so, we will not only highlight how these men and women ended up here, and what their ideal life would be like in the future, but most importantly, to give them a name.
They once lived "normal" lives with a home, family, children, employment, dreams....
We want them to know they are not invisible.
Sometimes just a friendly "hello" from a stranger can mean the most...
MEET NICO
Nico is 57 years old and is living by the port in Altea. He has a tent and sleeping bag provided by Project 4 All, who check in with him and provide him with meals, clean clothes and support.
Originally from Romania, he speaks excellent Spanish after moving to Spain 23 years ago.
He has been homeless for five years and was originally staying in the campo before coming to the port area three years ago.
He has done many jobs, both in Romania and here in Spain, including working on tanks and for various construction companies.
Unfortunately, due to an accident which shattered his ankle, leaving him dependent on crutches and unable to work, he was eventually forced to use a wheelchair, which was also provided by the charity. He is currently waiting for hospital treatment to see if anything more can be done for him.
As is usually the case, there were other personal circumstances which led to Nico becoming homeless.
In an ideal world, he would like to receive his pension from Romania and stay here in Spain with a small studio or apartment one day. However, as he can't get back home to complete the paperwork in person, this is proving very difficult.
Nico told us about his love for live music and past visits with friends to Restaurant Mantenía in Benidorm, which served his favourite soup, Ciorbă de burtă and Mici, a spicy, garlic sausage. Unfortunately, it's been a few years since he has been able to visit...
It's important we realise the people we walk past daily, have lived normal lives with family and friends around them, but sometimes they find themselves alone in a situation they never expected.
However, every time Project 4 All stop for a chat, they see many people saying hello, or dropping a few cents in his flat cap.
As we've not been able to find a venue in Altea to join Coffee 4 All yet, these donations are very much needed so he can get what he needs from the local supermarket.
If you are in the area, please wave and say hi to Nico and let him know he is not invisible.
*Photo and information published with permission from Nico.
More stories will follow shortly.
Spain's Animal Welfare Act - March 2023
Mandatory Dog Insurance. POSTPONED. The new law requires all dog owners to secure public liability insurance for each pet. This obligation was expected to come into effect on September 29th, 2023, but has now been POSTPONED.
Article 30 of the legislation explicitly states that individuals who own dogs must engage and sustain civil liability insurance coverage for potential third-party damages throughout the animal’s lifespan.
Individuals with existing home contents insurance policies may already have some degree of coverage for their pets. However, come September, another requirement will be necessary – dogs included in an insurance policy must have a microchip, which is also law.
You will find that each town hall and autonomous region has it’s own regulations on dog ownership.
Dog ownership courses in Spain -POSTPONED.
The new law adds a point that has caused much controversy: all people who own or want to own a dog must take a free course, regardless of their breed or physical characteristics, in advance or, if already owned, within a maximum period of two years from the entry into force of the new regulation.
According to the BOE, the course in question must be carried out by all those people who "choose to be owners of dogs" and by those who are already owners, who will have a period of two years from September 29th, 2023 to complete it. The training course will have an "indefinite validity" and its accreditation must be accompanied by civil liability insurance for damages to third parties "that includes in its coverage the persons responsible for the animal, for an amount of sufficient amount to cover the possible derived expenses, which will be established by regulation."
The course will consist of three parts: one of care and veterinary, another of animal welfare and another of legislation, more information will follow shortly.
Dangerous dogs in Spain with the Animal Welfare Law 2023
Until now, the dogs considered as potentially dangerous in Spain, based on their behaviour and physical characteristics, were as follows:
Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffodshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, Akita Inu, Doberman, Bullmastiff, Dogue de Bordeaux, Neapolitan Mastiff, Boxer, Dogo Canario (Presa Canario), Bull Terrier, Tibetan Mastiff.
However, when the Animal Welfare Act 2023 comes into force, the term "potentially dangerous dog" will be changed to "special handling dog". and their classification will be determined through a sociability assessment according to their behaviour.
If, after testing, the dog is classified as a "special handling dog", owners must follow certain security measures to prevent assaults or escapes.
These are the infractions and sanctions provided for in the new regulations, with up to 18 months in prison.
Fines will range from 500 to 10,000€ for minor infractions and 10,001 to 50,000€ for serious and from 50,001 to 200,000€ for very serious ones.
Actions involving an injury or death of an animal may be punished with prison sentences, ranging from 3 to 12 months if the animal does not die and from 6 to 18 months if it does. Actions involving an injury or death of an animal may be punished with prison sentences, ranging from 3 to 12 months if the animal does not die, and from 6 to 18 months if it dies.
Minor and serious infringements
Here is a list of the infractions provided for in the new law.
They will be minor infractions (from 500 to 10,000 euros fine):
The law considers a minor infraction "any conduct that, by action or omission and without causing physical damage or alterations of its behaviour to the animal, entails the non-observance of prohibitions, care or obligations established by law or those derived from the breach of administrative responsibilities by the owners or responsible for the animal." This includes:
- Lack of communication in the loss or removal of an animal.
- Allow animals to circulate in public spaces without supervision, as well as leave them on a leash.
- No sterilization of animals with uncontrolled access to other animals.
- Leaving animals unsupervised in conditions that may be harmful to their health, such as inside a closed vehicle; or at home for more than 24 hours, in the case of a dog, and 72 hours in the case of cats.
Serious infractions, fines between €10,001 and €50,000 even if they do not involve physical harm to the animal:
Serious infractions will be considered all those that involve damage or suffering to the animal, that do not cause death or serious sequelae, and the violation of all the obligations and prohibitions required by the new legislation:
- Not correctly identifying the animal.
- The misuse of aggressive or violent methods in animal education.
- The administration of substances that harm animals or alter their behaviour that are not prescribed by a veterinarian and have a therapeutic purpose.
- Modifying or mutilating the body of an animal without authorization.
- Use animals as an object of reward, prize, raffle, promotion or advertising claim that has not been authorized.
- Breed and/or trade with non-native wild animals.
- The shipment, not provided for by law, of live animals.
- The removal, relocation or displacement of community cats in situations other than those allowed in this law.
- The abandonment of one or more animals: includes not picking up the animal from residences, veterinarians or other similar establishments in which they had previously deposited them, despite not entailing risk to the animal.
- The theft, theft or misappropriation of an animal.
- Feed with offal from other animals that have not passed the appropriate health controls.
- Permanently keep dogs or cats on terraces, balconies, rooftops, storage rooms, basements, patios and similar or vehicles.
- Committing more than one minor infraction within 3 years.
Very serious infringements (50,001 to 200,000 euros)
All the infractions considered very serious included in the law are:
- Breach of obligations and prohibitions required by law when the death of the animal occurs, provided that it does not constitute a crime, as well as the unauthorized slaughter of animals.
- The assisted death of animals with inadequate means or by an unqualified person.
- The training and use of animals to fight and quarrel with other animals or people.
- The use of pets for human consumption.
- Kill community cats outside the cases authorized in this law.
- The breeding, trade or exhibition of animals for commercial purposes by unauthorized persons or the sale of dogs, cats and ferrets in pet shops.
- The use of animals in prohibited activities, in particular in cultural and festive activities, in mechanical attractions, fairground carousels, as well as the use of wildlife species in circus shows.
- The use of genetic selection of companion animals that entails deterioration for their health.
- The commission of more than one serious infringement within three years, when it has been declared by a final administrative decision.
The fines in question may come from the hand of other 'accessory sanctions' that may involve:
- Intervention of the animal and its transmission to an animal protection centre or to the one determined by the competent authority.
- Withdrawal of weapons and licenses, and confiscation of the means used to perpetuate the infringement.
- Temporary suspension of licenses, authorizations or permits that may be up to six years for very serious repeat infractions and up to two years for serious infractions.
- Temporary closure of premises and establishments that may even be definitive if there are repeat infringements.
- Disqualification for the exercise of activities related to animals, and possession with animals, for a maximum period of five years for serious infractions and five to ten years for very serious
- Withdrawal of subsidies or aid in the field of this law.
- The obligation to carry out re-education or training courses in welfare, animal protection and animal rights and/or work for the benefit of the
Keep in mind that, in addition, actions involving an injury or death of an animal may be punished with prison sentences, ranging from 3 to 12 months if the animal does not die, and from 6 to 18 months if it dies.
Please note the above has been translated from Spanish to English, so some detail may be slightly lost in translation, read the original article here.