Museums and Art Galleries

When conjuring up an image of Benidorm, the first things that come to mind are usually not museums and art galleries but rather cheap beer, beaches and raucous nightlife. The city's well deserved reputation as a great value European holiday destination sees over 4 million visitors per year flock to its shores for fun in the sun, attractions galore and night time revellry. With so many holidaymakers, Benidorm and its available activities have grown rapidly and the city is home to a whole host of fun and interesting things to do, including a number of historical buildings, monuments, museums and art galleries.

City Museums and Art Galleries

Casa Museo de Benidorm – Set in beautifully landscaped gardens, this rather sombre 19th century building is home to Benidorm's main contemporary art gallery that houses an impressive collection of paintings, pottery and sculptures. Located in Benidorm's Old Town on Passeig de la Carretera (Walking Street) the museum is free to visit and frequently hosts visiting exhibitions from other galleries and private collectors.

Exposicion Los Clicks Toman – Also located in the Old Town on Carrer de L'Almadrava, this little museum is a kids favourite and houses a wonderful collection of Playmobil characters and complete reconstructions of historical castles and armies as well as modern day music bands and movie sets. Souvenirs are available and the museum has a very reasonable entrance fee.

Centro Cultural Maritimo – It seems like you don't need to venture out of Benidorm's Old Town to see the majority of its museums as this is another one that is located on Paseo Colón, just in front of the marina. The museum offers free entry and features exhibitions showcasing the history of Benidorm's maritime and fishing industry.

Museo de Cera – Located on Av. del Mediterráneo just before you reach the Old Town, this is Benidorm's version of London's famous Madame Tussauds, with a slightly naughty twist as it also houses the Museum of Erotic Art. It boasts an impressive collection of over 100 waxwork figures by the sculptor José Ballester, including popular music and movie stars such as Elvis Presley and Charlie Chaplin. Not to worry if you are visiting with children as the Museum of Erotic Art is in a separate exhibition area.

Surrounding Area Museums

Museo de Antonio Marco – Also referred to as the ‘Dolls House Museum' this is a must see museum when visiting the enchanting mountaintop village of Guadalest, the most visited village in Spain. The exquisitely crafted world of miniatures, set over two levels is all the work of one man, Antonio Marco who has dedicated over 19 years of labour to his collection. The quality and detail of his dolls houses are every little girls dream, with beautiful furniture, tiny working lamps and even miniature family portraits.

Vehículos Históricos Vall de Guadalest – Located on the steep and picturesque CV-755 before you reach Guadalest Village, this museum is a biker and collectors dream. It mainly showcases old motorcycles and a few micro-cars from the 1920's through to the 1970's but also has some fine examples of other collectables such as radios, typewriters and sewing machines.

Museo de L'agua – Due to its nearby location, many people visit this ‘Museum of Water' as part of a day trip to the stunning Algar Waterfalls. The museum showcases the importance of ancient irrigation systems and Roman aqueducts and the impact they had and still have in shaping the landscape and its agriculture. The water theme continues to modern day water treatment and hydroelectric plants. The museum is located just off the roundabout in the small town of Callosa d'en Sarriá and just a couple of kilometres from Algar Waterfalls.