The annual Medieval Market opened in Benidorm yesterday evening, this year located in Parc d´Elx (Dove Park) at the start of Poniente beach and the bottom of the "Paseo de la Carretera" - or walking street as it is better known.

Dove Park

Dove Park is a lovely shady park with plenty of palm trees where you can sit to people watch, a very popular Spanish pastime and with a massive population of white doves - although between you and me I think that they are actually white pigeons!
This is also the place where you will find the entrance to Mal Pas beach - a small sandy cove ap 100 metres up from Dove Park. Steps lead up to the Mirador from here - which use to have "love padlocks" along the length of the handrail - until they were removed by the Council!

Step back in Time

Spit roast pig

There are plenty of stalls to browse through, many with hand made items - and all the stall holders are dressed in period costume, making it that bit more authentic.
If you are hungry there is a delicious smelling bbq wafting through the air - with a spit roast pig turning and ribs and sausages on the grill, all served with hunks of bread and pickles.

Herbal remedies

The market is there until Sunday evening - opening at 11am until 2pm then closes for lunch and re-opens at 6pm until around 9/10pm... probably depending on how busy it is. There were certainly plenty of people around yesterday.

Poniente promenade

Dried fruit and nuts - very health and pretty

It´s a lovely way to spend an evening - browse around, have a drink and bite to eat then take a lovely stroll down the Poniente promenade.
Many visitors never get to this end, instead staying on the Levante beach. This beach is a lot quiter and generally favoured by the Spanish and families... no loud music blasting from bars at this end - instead smaller tapas type bars.

Outlet Fair

There is also another market on in Benidorm which starts today - an "Outlet Fair" at the Town Hall Square. Many local shops and businesses will be participating, offering discounts of up to 50% on end of season stock. Opens from 11am until 10pm and there till Sunday evening.
A little bit of a shame that they both choose the same weekend - you would have thought that the Council spread them out to entice visitors to come back over 2 different weekends!