Benidorm expert Lucy Young, who has lived in the Spanish resort for more than 20 years, recently toured the usually bustling strip – but it was virtually deserted
Lucy took a walk along the strip at 10pm at night (Image: benidorm stuff/Youtube)
A Benidorm expert has revealed what the beloved Spanish resort is really like during winter – describing it as “completely dead”.
Expat Lucy Young, who operates the Benidorm Stuff YouTube channel, recently explored the normally heaving strip which resembled a ghost town.
Opening her vlog, she remarked: “It’s very quiet… in fact it’s dead! Pretty much as dead as it gets. There are plenty of places open but there are just not many people around. So let’s go for a wander and see if we can find any life in December. The whole of Benidorm is just completely dead at this time of year.”
Lucy, who has resided there for more than two decades and is recognised as the Benidorm Enthusiast, embarked on her walk on a Tuesday evening just past 10pm, informing her 75,900 followers it was as deserted as they’d ever witness.
Nevertheless, acknowledging it was off-season, she recognised that the vacant bars and hushed streets were anticipated, though she occasionally forgets just how eerily quiet it becomes.
The empty streets of Benidorm (Image: benidorm stuff/Youtube)
She mentioned that she showcases just how “absolutely wild” the destination becomes during peak season, making it crucial to demonstrate it during its most tranquil period as well.
While wandering past venues that are typically packed with revellers, Lucy provided some understanding into the various factors behind the nearly deserted streets. She described how Levante Beach bustled with daytime activity during winter months and noted the Old Town’s lively afternoon atmosphere – but questioned where everybody disappears to after dark.
She revealed: “Many tourists that come in December just stay in their hotels. It can get pretty nippy and I don’t think people realise just how nippy it can get.”
The influencer explained that temperatures plummet by around 10 degrees once evening arrives, with no refuge from the cold.
She mentioned that hotel accommodation offered warmth, comfort and entertainment, making it the preferred choice for many visitors to remain indoors.
Not usually how it looks(Image: benidorm stuff/Youtube)
However, she hinted at a more concerning factor, suggesting the strip wasn’t as secure as it once was, leaving some people reluctant to wander out after dark.
She elaborated: “I think it is down to the age group as well. We do get a slightly more mature age group at this time of year and I think sadly some just don’t feel particularly safe around here late at night anymore.
“It is a real shame because this area used to be welcoming for all ages at all times of the year really. But I think in recent years most people will agree that this area has changed and not for the better.
“If you are not a hardcore partygoer you may well be put off by this area these days. Even I can feel a little bit intimidated walking around here and I know these streets like the back of my hand.”
She mentioned that the most animated areas of Benidorm were near the Hotel California bar and The Crown pub where a handful of people had congregated for beverages.
Lucy explained some of the reasons behind it (Image: benidorm stuff/Youtube)
Lucy later quipped that she anticipated seeing tumble weeds blowing along the street by the time she reached the strip’s end due to how deserted it was.
The content creator recognised that some visitors might actually favour Benidorm in this state, typically because they can secure seats for year-round entertainment performances without others chattering over them.
However, for winter visitors, she recommended they shouldn’t anticipate the strip being “absolutely bouncing” before stressing once more: “The strip at night? It is pretty dead and deserted.”
Following the video’s publication, which you can view in its entirety here, one viewer remarked: “Omg don’t think I have ever saw it so empty Lucy.”
Many people commented on the video (Image: benidorm stuff/Youtube)
Another commented: “Coming out for the new year, really looking forward to it and hope it’s worth it.”
A third observer noted: “Still love Benidorm at New Year it will be so different then.”
One individual questioned: “Why is it like this? I live 45 minutes away, never seen it like that since lockdown.”
