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Although Europe is probably not the first place you think of when you think of a winter sun place, no every region of the continent may be completely submerged in shadow and may experience bitterly cold temps starting in December.

Not just this sun-soaked city on the south coast of Spain, where beachfront stays start from as little as$ 40 and where seeing people out in shorts is not at all strange sight. The quiet season is blessed with a surprisingly warm, or mild climate, at worst.

We suppose our English readers need no further advantages, but to all our fellow Americans, delightful to Benidorm, the so-called Spanish Miami:

Mild Winters And Sunny Beaches

Benidorm, a large area on Spain’s south coast, was originally a small fishing village.

From the 1960s eastward, it converted into one of the busiest hotel locations, very sought-after by Europeans year-round.

That’s largely attributed to Benidorm’s arid climate.

The average everyday optimum in spring can be as high as 63°F, or even higher on some time, and the minimum temperature is 44.6°F, which is normally reached late at night when a cool breeze blows.

There is limited rain between December and March, at least compared to much of Europe, and based on TUI‘s assessment, you have a 57 % chance of a’ perfect’ sunny day, and a 43 % chance of’ seeing some clouds’ on others.

As for the sea, the Mediterranean is a bit too cold for swimming this time of year, at least for most, but if you’ve spent summers in Portugal before, or you live on the East Coast of America, and you’re used to the gelid Atlantic waters, 60-degree water wo n’t faze you.

Benidorm is particularly well-known among U.K. and European tourists because of its low cost of travel, the low beer and food, and its resemblance to your preferred Floridian gateway:

Why Is It Called The Spanish Miami, So?

It has a long sandy shore that extends for some miles, backed by a beautiful, Miami-style pier interspersed with large palm trees and relaxed patio restaurant.

The typical city is more German than American.

We’re talking tall high reaches lining the shore and a bar-packed core replete with girls you would n’t usually find in a quaint, cobblestone-laden Old Town: in other words,’ Beni’ is somewhere you go for unwinding and having some fun.

Similarly to its American counterpart, Benidorm also has a’ Strip’ to call its own: Calle Gerona runs parallel to the beach and it’s where all the trendiest cocktail bars, karaokes and late-night venues are centered.

The city itself plays host to some of the most in-demand nightclubs in Spain, including the Hippodrome, infamous for its riotous nightlife, a quirky, gay-friendly Gspot, and the well-attended KM Playa, boasting$ 3 lager and unobstructed views of Levante Beach.

Benidorm Is Just So Affordable

Benidorm’s affordability as a destination plays an equally-big part in wooing tourists, with local-favorites like Stars Lounge Bar serving early-evening tapas for as cheap as$ 5, and Localolita burger and fries starting from$ 11.

A majority of Spanish restaurants in town specialize in Valencia paella, a local variation of the traditional Iberian dish, and Mediterranean-style seafood, and you can get it for around$ 14.48 if you’re dining out in mid-range eateries.

When it comes to accommodation, there is a Meliá listing with an outdoor pool and buffet breakfast from$ 57 in the low-season, and an even-cheaper Poseidon Resort, with 2 swimming pools, a spa and recreational areas, priced a negligible$ 37 a night.

Fellow budget-friendly Hotel Primavera, 150 meters from the beach, costs$ 38 to book, and even if you’re actively looking to splurge on an all-inclusive stay, that’s a dirt cheap$ 85 a night at the Magical Cristal Park, a 5-minute walk from Levante Beach.

There is a running joke among Europeans that say Benidorm is the poor man’s Ibiza––as much as we love Ibiza ourselves, we’re not snobs, and we can definitely see how good old Beni, despite being’ of the masses’, appeals to a wider audience.

It’s sunny. It’s lively. It’s by the ocean. It wo n’t break the bank––and for many Americans, it remains largely undiscovered, despite being a one-stop flight away.

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