Great place to have fun in the sun

As I stood on the edge of the sandy foothills overlooking sunny Benidorm, its true picture started to unravel. And that was not just in the literal sense, as We were now graced with spectacular views of the whole coastal town from our Jeep tour.

Benidorm has built up a reputation over the years as being a cheap and cheerful, partying holiday destination for British holidaymakers. Like Spain's equivalent of Blackpool (no offence, Blackpool).

But as I find out first-hand, there is much more to experience.

Lucho, my tour guide, explains the weather stays hot here all year round, thanks to two towering mountains which keep the cold air at bay, and create a unique micro-climate. This has helped Benidorm to become a popular destination for the sun annually.

Its development first started in the 50s, when planners set out to build the town to a specific model. And it has now sprung up to be one of Spain's most visited tourist hotspots.

The model has become so successful, in fact, it's even prompted officials from the likes of Saudi Arabia and Miami to visit Benidorm to study its design.

The best-known images of Benidorm are the soaring buildings along the beachfront. But nestled behind is a scenic, natural environment.

The Jeep tour allows you to see the landscape in all its glory. It was among the many sporting activities on offer, and one of the most enjoyable.

It sets off through the bustling town centre, before making for the sandy foothills which loom over the town. There, many great sightseeing opportunities

are available from the back of the open-top Jeep.

Among them, you can get a good glimpse of Europe's tallest residential building, now under construction, which features a design in memory of victims of the Madrid terrorist attacks in 2004.

Just make sure to take a coat on the tour as it gets quite cold higher up – as I found out in my T-shirt.

Seeing the landscape – the towering hotel buildings, sandy hills in the background, and with the hot (but not too hot) temperatures, it reminded me of California.

And that is the type of setting Benidorm is striving for – a fun and outgoing place.

Its outdoor attractions let you explore the best of its coastline.

Electric bikes can be rented from Tao Bikes, and you are free to journey anywhere you like.

The beach roads are scenic, with the ocean splashing against the rocks and sand below.

The bikes reach a top speed of 25mph, and do most of the work, making climbing hills a brisk task.

With all that sea in front of you, its only right that a range of thrilling watersport activities are available.

From the port, you can take part in kayaking, snorkelling and scuba diving. For the latter two, a 15-minute boat journey takes you to a small rock island off the coast, where you can descend into the ocean depths.

If you don't want to work up too much a sweat, then a fully equipped and tourist-friendly golf club will let you tee off. Players of all levels are welcome.

It was the food which stood out to me the most though, with four- and five-star eateries scattered across the town. They all serve up fresh, local seafood and produce – across at least three courses. And if you have room, the desserts are just as tempting.

My favourite was the paella dishes. When served with muscles, octopus and lobster, they are simply lip-smacking.

A tasty range of wines is also available – again, many are produced locally.

If you're a real fan, you can even venture further in land for some wine-tasting to Enrique Mendoza's winery, which has made wine since the 1970s.

My accommodation for the trip was the four-star RH Royal Hotel ( exclusively for adults), located within a short walking distance of the sea.

It was very well maintained, cosy and compact, offering a complimentary breakfast, a bar and pool.

Arriving at Benidorm, I was unsure what to expect. But I discovered great local food, and activities to experience the best of its coastal setting.

And with the sun beaming down all year, it is a destination worth visiting whatever the season.

Travel facts

Voted in list of top 10 best destinations in Spain to visit (TripAdvisor).

Find out more at www.benidorm.org

RH Royal Hotel website – www.rh-hotels.co.uk (£118.19 for one adult over four nights with bed and breakfast).

Snorkelling trip with Diving Stones (£14.50) www.divingstones.com

Ulia Restaurant – www.restauranteulia.es