The hidden Benidorm spots that inspired Sylvia Plath – and why tourists are following her footsteps

Benidorm has taken visitors back in time to explore the places that inspired one of the 20th century’s most celebrated writers, Sylvia Plath, during her honeymoon in the city.

The first themed walking tour took place on Saturday, October 3, marking 70 years since the American poet and writer arrived in Benidorm with her husband, fellow writer Ted Hughes.

The route proved hugely popular, with all available places filled, as participants discovered the Benidorm that Plath experienced during the summer of 1956.

Walking through Plath’s Benidorm

Organised by Benidorm Town Hall’s Department of Historical and Cultural Heritage, the tour was designed to show the city through Plath’s eyes.

The group began at Elche Park before making its way through several locations connected to the writer’s stay, including Carretera, Martínez Oriola, Torrejó Square, Levante Beach and Constitution Square.

The route also took in the old locations of the chalet belonging to the widow of Mangada, Tomás Ortuño’s chalet and the former Planèsia Hotel.

Other significant stops included Mal Pas Beach, the Castle, the pier, San Jaime Church and Poniente Beach, giving participants an insight into how dramatically Benidorm has changed since Plath first arrived.

The walk was led in Valencian by professor Pasqual Almiñana, author of Quan Sylvia Plath va vindre a Benidorm, who shared details about the writer’s time in the resort.

Historical photographs and extracts from Plath’s writings were also used to bring the story to life, including letters she sent to her mother describing her impressions of Benidorm.

A very different Benidorm

Plath and Hughes spent almost six weeks in Benidorm during their honeymoon, arriving in July 1956 and remaining in the city until the end of August.

At the time, Benidorm was still a very different place from the major tourist destination it would eventually become.

Yet the young writer was immediately struck by what she saw.

In a letter to her mother dated July 14, 1956, Plath described the couple’s excitement at arriving in Benidorm, writing that they had finally found their place and their home.

Her experience of the town, its beaches, landscape and growing tourism became part of the material preserved in her letters, diaries, poems, paintings and photographs.

That personal connection has now become a fascinating way for modern visitors to discover a different side of Benidorm, looking beyond its famous skyline and beaches to explore the places that captured the imagination of a literary icon.

More Sylvia Plath tours planned

The programme does not end with Saturday’s event.

Further walks are scheduled for October 17 in Spanish and October 24 in English, giving both local residents and international visitors the opportunity to follow Plath’s footsteps. Participation is free, although places are limited and advance registration is recommended.

The strong demand has already prompted the organisation of an additional Valencian-language tour for November 14, again led by Almiñana.

The walking tours form part of a wider programme of events celebrating the 70th anniversary of Plath’s stay.

Earlier this year, Benidorm also installed a mural dedicated to the writer on Levante Beach near the Torrejó, featuring her words alongside an image of Plath enjoying a day at the beach.

A dedicated section at Benidorm’s Central Library is also highlighting Plath and Hughes, giving visitors access to their work and related material.

For a city now synonymous with mass tourism, the anniversary offers a chance to rediscover Benidorm through a very different lens: that of a young writer who arrived in the town seven decades ago and found something that stayed with her long after she left.