Benidorm is facing one of the biggest transformations in its modern history. The well-known tourist city on the Costa Blanca plans to completely redesign its famous coastline and is preparing a new promenade with an estimated investment of around €50 million. The final design will not be chosen from a single firm, but selected through an international architectural competition.
Spain Expat Press Editorial Team
by Marlon Gallego Bosbach
With the project, Benidorm aims to further strengthen its position as one of Spain’s most important holiday destinations while also adapting public spaces to the demands of modern tourism.
A new promenade for an international tourism hub
Benidorm’s promenade is one of the most recognisable coastal areas in Spain. The view of the high-rise buildings along the Mediterranean, the long sandy beaches and the vibrant atmosphere have made the city famous around the world.
However, parts of the infrastructure date back to previous decades and no longer fully meet today’s requirements. The city authorities therefore see the need for a comprehensive renovation.
The new promenade is intended not only to have a more modern appearance, but also to become more functional. The plan is to create an area that places greater emphasis on pedestrians, quality of life and a better connection between the city and the sea.
This is about more than just a simple renovation: Benidorm wants to create a new urban focal point that will be attractive to both residents and millions of visitors.
International competition to decide the future of the coastline
To find the best possible solution, the city is launching an international competition. Architectural firms from various countries will be invited to submit their ideas and develop concepts for the future design.
The aim is to find a design that addresses several challenges at the same time: a modern appearance, sustainable construction methods, improved use of public space and adaptation to the effects of climate change.
The authorities hope that the competition will result in an exceptional project that will further strengthen Benidorm’s architectural profile.
Sustainability plays a central role
An important part of the project is the sustainable development of the coastal area. Like many Mediterranean regions, Benidorm faces the challenge of combining tourism growth with environmental protection.
The new promenade is therefore intended to provide greater comfort for pedestrians, use modern materials and incorporate solutions for extreme weather conditions.
Green spaces, shaded areas and improved overall comfort could also play an important role. The aim is to create a public space that works not only during the peak season, but can be enjoyed all year round.
Benidorm aims to further transform its image
For a long time, Benidorm was regarded primarily as a symbol of mass tourism. The city, with its many high-rise buildings, became internationally known for affordable holiday packages, crowded beaches and a particularly lively nightlife.
In recent years, however, this image has increasingly changed. Benidorm has been investing more heavily in sustainable tourism, digitalisation and the improvement of public spaces.
The new promenade is intended to be part of this strategy. The city wants to demonstrate that a popular holiday destination with millions of visitors can become both more modern and more sustainable at the same time.
Great importance for tourism on the Costa Blanca
For the tourism industry, the project is of particular significance. Benidorm is one of Spain’s most visited holiday destinations and welcomes numerous international guests every year – including many visitors from Germany, the United Kingdom and other European countries.
A modernised promenade could increase the city’s appeal in the long term and help attract new target groups.
Experts view such investments as an important factor in the international competition between holiday destinations. Particularly in view of travellers’ rising expectations, quality, sustainability and modern infrastructure are playing an increasingly important role.
Further major projects are transforming Benidorm
The new promenade is part of a wider development strategy for the city. Alongside the coastal area, Benidorm is also working on further urban projects to continue improving housing, infrastructure and public spaces.
In previous years, individual sections of the promenade had already been modernised. These included improvements to lighting and facilities, among other measures.
The new major project is set to mark the next step in this process: a complete redesign that could shape Benidorm’s connection with the Mediterranean for decades to come.
A new landmark for the Costa Blanca?
It has not yet been decided which design will win the international competition. However, one thing is certain: the project could become one of the most significant construction projects on Spain’s Mediterranean coast.
Benidorm not only wants to preserve its famous skyline, but also create a new seaside meeting place. The planned €50 million promenade could therefore become a symbol of the city’s transformation – from a traditional holiday resort into a modern, sustainable tourism destination.
The future of the Benidorm coastline will therefore not be determined solely by concrete and architecture, but by the question of how Spain wants to shape its most popular holiday destinations for future generations.
