How to get to Benidorm Palace

Where it is

Benidorm Palace is at Avenida Severo Ochoa 13, postcode 03503, on the Costa Blanca. It is a freestanding building, and from the road you cannot miss it: the walls curve and are clad in polished metal that reflects the palms and the street. The venue's own pages give that address for the box office and the show. Visit Benidorm's sightseeing bus route uses Avenida Severo Ochoa, which makes the avenue easy to find on a map or in a taxi.

From Alicante airport

Coaches run between Alicante airport and Benidorm. Check the current timetable and fares with the coach operator before you travel. Plan a short taxi or local bus ride for the last stretch, and allow extra time on the way back if the show ends after dark. A taxi or a pre-booked transfer is the other option, and it takes you to the door.

By train or tram

The Alicante TRAM network runs up the coast to Benidorm and beyond. If you are staying in Alicante itself, or arriving by train from the coast, this is a calm alternative to the road. Expect to finish with a taxi or a local bus from the Benidorm station to the theatre, and check timetables on the day rather than relying on last year's. Rail and tram services change, and a coach from the airport is usually the more direct choice for travellers flying in.

Local buses and taxis

Benidorm has an urban bus network, and Visit Benidorm lists tourist cards valid for 24 hours, 72 hours or seven days, with unlimited travel on the sightseeing buses and the whole urban network. Check which line serves Avenida Severo Ochoa from your hotel. The venue lists a taxi service among its facilities, and taxis serve the avenue. After an evening with a drink in your hand, a taxi is the least stressful way back to a hotel.

By car and parking

The venue says it has free parking, and its facilities page lists parking for cars and for coaches. If you are driving, build a margin into your timing, because parking and finding your table both take longer in a large venue than they do at a small one. Remember that most people will want a drink with the show, so think about who is driving before the evening begins. A taxi or the bus leaves the whole party free to enjoy the night, and the car stays where it is. Groups arriving by coach are catered for too.

On arrival

The booking page wants you at the venue no later than 10 minutes before the start time on your confirmation, and the venue suggests checking in at the box office 10 to 15 minutes ahead. Allow longer on a first visit, because you need to find your table in a large room. Your mobile ticket appears on your phone as soon as you book, so save it before you leave the hotel. Guests describe a photographer working the entrance, and the venue lists a cloakroom among its services, so decide whether you want to leave a coat before you reach the doors.

What to wear

The venue recommends smart casual and advises against beach clothes, flip-flops and sports shoes. The room has air conditioning that heats and cools, according to the venue's facilities page, so a light layer is sensible even in summer. Benidorm's summer highs are typically between 28 and 32 degrees Celsius, with nights that often stay above 20, according to Wikipedia, which is why the contrast between a hot street and a cool room can surprise guests. In winter the opposite applies: the winters are mild, but you will still want a coat for the walk. In practice, smart casual means a clean shirt or a simple dress rather than a suit.

Photos, pets and other rules

In general, taking photos or video during the show is not allowed, so keep your phone away once the lights go down and enjoy the show instead. Pets are not allowed in the building. The venue is accessible for people with reduced mobility, with ramps, lifts and adapted bathrooms, and the booking page also lists wheelchair access. If you have specific needs, such as a particular table or help with a wheelchair, phone or email the venue before the date and ask, instead of discovering the limits on the night.

When to go and getting home

The venue lists its regular show nights as Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and the booking calendar shows which dates are on sale. The room is indoors and air-conditioned, so the weather matters much less than it does for a daytime outing. What matters is the way back. Decide before the show how you will get to your hotel, whether that is a taxi from the avenue, the bus, or a walk if you are staying close. Public transport in many towns thins out late at night, so a taxi is the safe plan.

Read next: Benidorm after dark: before the show

A simple plan for the evening

Decide how you arrive and how you leave before anything else. Then work backwards from the start time on your confirmation: subtract the length of the trip, add the 10 to 15 minutes the venue suggests for check-in, and keep a margin for a first visit. If you have not booked a dinner package, eat before you go, because the venue's restaurant and bar are add-ons and guests mention waiting for them. Charge your phone, save your ticket, and arrange your ride home, so the end of the night is as easy as the start.

• Fix how you arrive and how you leave
• Work back from the start time on your confirmation
• Eat first unless you booked dinner
• Charge your phone and save the ticket

Who this isn't for

If you plan to reach the show by public transport alone and to return after dark without a taxi, this evening needs more planning than a daytime visit. It is also a poor match if you are travelling with a pet, because pets are not allowed in the building. Guests who need a particular table or help with access should contact the venue before the date. And if you hope to fly into Alicante and be back there the same night, a hotel in Benidorm is the better base.