visit benidorm: Our vacation during the Benidorm Fiestas Patronales 2015

This is a report on my vacation to Benidorm in 2015. We went especially for the Fiestas Patronales, the big fiestas of Benidorm. I hope this report gives an idea of the atmosphere during the festivities and encourages holidaymakers to visit Benidorm outside of the peak season.

We arrived on Friday in Benidorm and checked into our hotel near the park. The weather was exceptionally good and there was not a cloud in the sky. This was important to us, because the last time we went to Benidorm in November, It rained throughout the Fiestas and spoiled the fun. I don't mind one or two days of rain (usually just a half and our and then the sun is back), but only the day we arrived had good weather and the rest of the vacation we only saw rain and grey clouds...

Not this year. Normally the weather in November is pretty stable. A pleasant 22 to 24 degrees Celsius and lots of sun during the day. In the beginning of November, we still have lots of people sitting at the beach. Taking a dip in the sea takes a little courage, but nonetheless, you can see a lot of people swimming and having a good time in the water. The only real downside of Benidorm in November is that the sun will start to set around 5-6 PM. In the evening, a pullover or a light vest will be enough though. It cools down, but never really gets cold.

The funfair of Benidorm is even
more beautiful at the evening

We arrived the day before the festivities. The big funfair opened this evening, so we strolled the park to go and took a look. Huge masses of people visit the funfair. If you don't like the crowds, visit in the early evening, because the later it gets, the more crowded it gets... We ate one of those heavenly roasted potatoes stuffed with vegetables, tuna and a special sauce and washed it down at the Porto stall (where the people are always dancing). We didn't do any of the attractions, but really enjoyed watching the kids having fun in the -to us- sometimes strange attractions.

On Saturday the festivities opened with church bells and an air bombardment. Its looks as horrible as it sounds. Anyone who isn't used to the fireworks in Spain will have a great scare. They fire off bombs that just explode in the sky! Keep some distance with small kids, it could be very pain full for their ears.

Deafening mascletta every day

From then on, all shackles go off for the Benidorm'ers. They are all involved in Penya's, these are neighbourhood-clubs set up for the festivities. They transform empty shops, bars and even garage boxes into their party headquarters. Loud music and laughter will sound throughout the old town for the next 5 days, only to be silenced by the bombs thrown on the streets by the kids – and grown ups. Remember; If you are in for a silent retreat vacation; Benidorm is not the place to be during the fiestas... We stayed in the old town, but requested a more silent room (which we got without any problem!) facing the inner court of the hotel. This did not prevent us from hearing the fire crackers whole nights, but we were tired enough to sleep through it. Ear plugs could be a life saver! The next 5 days it is all parades, concerts and fireworks. Too much activities to write down in this report! Most reception desks of the hotels will have a sheet of paper with the most important activities on them, but do check the internet also (just type in Fiestas Patronales Benidorm 20..).

The afternoon mascletta (every day) at 14h on the Av. Del Mediteraneo is a must do if you have never experienced mascletta. Some tourist hate it, others would not miss it for the world. Basically, they hang thousands of bags of gunpowder on strings. These explode very loud while they also shoot bombs in the air... This unbelievable racket lasts 20 minutes and will leave you stunned. No need to see them every day, the last ones are the biggest and they even have one night time mascletta.

Avoiding an attacking bull.
Spectacular and bull-friendly

Another great experience was Sunday at the bull ring. Young Benidorm macho's try to stay in the bullring as long as possible while they release a young raging bull. Don't worry, the bull certainly does not get killed or hurt! It is an innocent game for the bull, but you do sometimes see one of the courageous boys getting hurt really bad by jumping over the edge of the ring or being gripped by the young bull. The professionals perform in the evening. You do have to buy tickets (10 EUR) but I can assure you it is worth watching! Huge grown Toros Bravas storm the ring and the young lads challenge them to attack and turn away at the very last moment. Sometimes they even jump over the bulls, making a salto. It is a lot more dangerous than the amateurs in the morning; when they make a mistake, the bull will try to pierce them with his impressive horns. We've seen some serious injuring happening and this will leave you at the tip of your seat. Again, no bulls get hurt during this activity. Supporting these kind of activities could even proof to save the Toros Bravas and the bull-culture of Spain, without the cruel killing of the bulls.

The correfoc, if you like the suspense
of being chased by firework spitting
monsters

Another great activity where you hardly see any tourists is the Correfoc. This activity is around 3 am, so not your average hour, and you will find out why... The Correfoc is basically a tour around the old town, following a wagon with strange techno music, while being chased by creatures and creepy instalments who shoot fireworks at you...! It is loud, often a little dangerous and it will get your blood pumping. Of course, this is not an activity for young children. Try to have an old sweater with a hood or a shawl to cover most of your head. Glasses (even safety glasses) could prevent a spark flying into your eyes. I did have a few holes in my light sweater, so don't wear your finest clothes during the Correfoc! Don't be scared; you take as much risk as you like by being in front of the parade (dangerous and often you need to run away from something) or staying reasonably safely at the back (like my wife did).

We also saw a lot of things by just walking around in the old town. Not only the penyas having a party in the small streets, but also big concerts and free open air party's and even serene night masses with beautiful singing in the church of the old town. If you really want a taste of the atmosphere of the Fiestas, you should be in the old town!

This child had the time of her life,
throwing confetti from the float

On Tuesday, there is a parade of floats, each float tells its own story for about 15 minutes. This is mostly socially critical and told in Spanish, so not really for the tourists. The big parade on Wednesday IS something for the tourists: almost one hundred carnival floats ride through the old town. It rained confetti and candy for hours! After this parade ends, you need to hurry towards the Poniente Beach for the big final fireworks. This is really incredible firework, you will remember it. No You tube clip could capture the wow-effect of this fireworks display!

After the big fireworks, the party is done for the Spanish, but then the Brits wake up and throw in another day of festivities... It all started years back when Sinatras offered a free drink on the Thursday after the Fiestas to anyone who came in a fancy dress. After a while, this became one of the biggest fancy dress parties I ever witnessed. The whole Square (Av. de Mallorca and surrounding streets) is full packed with people wearing the craziest outfits. Almost everyone joins the fancy dress party! The party already starts around 14h and goes on until midnight (continues throughout the night, but the small fireworks at midnight give the signal for most of people to go home). Walk around, drink a beer, and have a laugh. You really will enjoy the fancy dress party! We went back to the hotel around 2AM to get some sleep before having to check out, tired but satisfied about one of the best vacations we ever had!

Practical information

- The Benidorm fiestas are always around the second Sunday of November. They start the day before.
- The Fiestas do seem a less appropriate time for children, but one day of the Fiestas is always for the children. They have a mini-mascletta and many more activities in front of the town hall. Also, the fair behind the bullring will certainly be liked by your kids.
- As said before, if you are not into fireworks, loud bangs and people partying on the streets, maybe you should consider another period for your vacation or try to stay in a hotel away from the crowds near the centre of town or Levante Beach.
- Prices for flights and hotel rooms can go up around the Benidorm Fiestas. Most hotels get booked full for this week, so if you like a specific hotel, don't try to book to late and do not hope for a last minute, because chances are you will not find a room in your preferred hotel.

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Excursions / Experiences
Benidorm Fiestas
Benidorm City
Nightlife in Benidorm

Some more photo's of the memorable Fiestas Patronales in Benidorm