BENIDORM CHURCH OF SAN JAIME

St James is the parish church of Benidorm, beautifully sited on the old town's promontory overlooking the sea. Building started in 1740, the same year as the discovery of the statue of Our Lady of the Sorrows, the town's patron saint. At this date Benidorm was expanding considerably on tuna fishing profits, which helped fund the church's construction. With its blue tiled domes and white walls, it is typical of all traditional churches along the coast, and for local people is still very much the heart of the town.

A mere 2ominute boat trip across the bay, Benidorm Island makes a good destination for a picnic and swim. Rising at one end to sheer cliffs, it's clear deep waters are ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving. The island is uninhabited except for gulls and other seabirds, and is a designated sanctuary. You can get there in an 'aquascope' boat, whose transparent hull lets you see underwater.