There’s more to Benidorm holidays than sun, sea and sangria, although you’ll find all three in plentiful supply in this former small fishing village on Spain’s Costa Blanca. And with well over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, and three Blue Flag beaches, it’s no wonder this resort has been so popular with Brits for so long.

And while it’s true that the town has its share of high-rise hotels, there are also plenty of wide, tree-lined avenues where you can watch the world go by, giving a pleasant impression of space. Equally, there’s been a marked increase in the amount of quality accommodation being built here, including five star hotels, in the last few years.

Gorgeous though the beaches are, if you can drag yourself away from the golden sands, there’s plenty to do on holidays to Benidorm, from hiking in the local mountains to boat trips to the Isla de Benidorm wildlife sanctuary. The old town, and many of the surrounding villages, give an idea of this area’s past, and retain a lot of quaint charm.