Lost in Benidorm: A Spontaneous Day of Sun, Streets, and Surprising Portraits
An Unplanned Adventure
I didn’t plan this trip to Benidorm—it was one of those last-minute decisions. I booked a flight, packed my camera bag, and just went—no itinerary, no expectations. Sometimes, the best travel experiences happen when you leave room for spontaneity.
First Impressions: Beaches and Old Town
I wandered aimlessly on my first full day, soaking in the atmosphere. I strolled along Poniente Beach, explored the charming Old Town, and lost myself in the narrow streets. It was all about getting a feel for the place—the sounds, the smells, the rhythm of life here.
(Side note: I photographed that day on a different camera, which I’ll explain in a future blog post—stay tuned for that!)
Day Two: Coffee, Cameras, and Candid Moments
The second day was when things got interesting. I started early with a coffee at Cafeteria Madness—an unassuming little spot that served one of the best cups I’ve had in Spain. The owner was so friendly that he even gave me a second coffee on the house! Fueled by caffeine, I set out with my Leica M11 and Voigtlander 35mm f/2 Ultron for a day of street photography.
My route was simple but packed with visual gems:
Poniente Beach – Morning light glinting off the water.
Old Town – Colourful buildings, laundry hanging between balconies, locals chatting in squares.
Balcón del Mediterráneo – Stunning cliffside views over the sea.
Levante Beach – Lively, full of tourists and sunbathers.
Back to Poniente – Completing the loop.
(For those curious, I mapped it later—I walked about 6.5 miles / 10.5 km that day! No wonder my feet were sore.)
Street Photography & The Language Barrier
I focused on candid street shots and asked a few people for portraits. My Spanish is… limited, to say the least. Yet, with a smile, a gesture, and a camera in hand, I captured some great portraits despite the language barrier.
One thing that struck me? By late afternoon, I was sunburnt and sweating, while locals wore coats and jumpers as if it were autumn. I hadn’t fully adjusted to the Mediterranean climate yet!
The Third Day: A Sunset and a Farewell Portrait
On my last full day, I revisited Cafeteria Madness—this time, I asked one of the women working there if I could take her portrait before I left. She agreed, and I’m so glad I did; it’s one of my favourite shots from the trip.
Later, I hiked up to Tossal de la Cala for sunset. The view over Benidorm’s skyline was breathtaking, so I grabbed a few landscape shots with the Leica, trying to capture the golden light washing over the city.
Final Thoughts
Benidorm surprised me. I expected a typical touristy beach town, but it had so much more—character, charm, and incredible light for photography. It left me wanting to return or, at the very least, seek out more spontaneous trips like this one.
Oh, and about that other camera I used on the first day? That’s a story for another post…
