01-07-2025
Man who left UK to live in Benidorm warns tourists to avoid three 'no go' areas
Benidorm, a top Spanish holiday destination, welcomes around five million visitors each year.
Harry Poulton, 24, developed a fondness for the location after a trip with friends at 18 and now considers his decision to move there the best choice he's made.
However, Harry wants to share his knowledge with tourists planning to visit the coastal city. Using his TikTok platform, where he has 40,000 followers, he identified three areas in the nightlife capital that he believes are best avoided due to safety concerns.
First on his list is the 'Yellow Brick Road', a hub of pubs and restaurants that forms the heart of local entertainment, encompassing streets like Leanto, Ibiza, and Leerida.
Harry cautioned: "The Yellow Brick Road – this little public pathway [...] leads all the way up to the Rio Park. Now, it has been known for a few things, mainly small thefts like pickpocketing. Generally, during the day, it's absolutely fine. I'd recommend avoiding it at night."
The second area Harry advises against visiting is Pueblo Alley, located near the Hotel Pueblo and Levante Beach. He warned: "This is one I definitely recommend avoiding, especially late at night, as you do get the pickpockets hanging around this area."
He continued: "You also get the odd lady of the night. There are plenty of other ways around".
At the top of the list for areas to avoid is 'Mugger's Alley', in Harry's opinion. He warned: "It is the most notorious – it's the one we all know. Known for pickpocketing, ladies of the night, it's just an area I would avoid.
"They're even doing these new taxi scams. It's crazy. Save yourself the hassle and cross the road."
A further warning was shared on a public Facebook page named Benidorm Forever, with a post cautioning: "It's located at the start of the strip opposite the Hotel Flash and runs behind the white 'SATE' building, near Morgan Tavern. It's safe enough in the day but late at night you'll likely get approached by 'hugger muggers' (individuals who will invade your space pretending to know you while swiping your valuables), prostitutes and robbers."
The post continued: "Men on their own are the main target so stay together and walk in front of the sate building, not behind it. Remember most crimes in Benidorm are non violent, it's your phone and cash they're after, so keep both out of site and if you do get robbed you need to visit the SATE office (opposite the hotel Flash) in office hours to make a police report."
While acknowledging the potential dangers, Harry remains an ardent fan of this beloved holiday destination. He contends that many British tourists harbour misconceptions about Benidorm, dismissing fears over sly scams and inflated prices as simply not true.
Furthermore, since making the switch from Brighton to Benidorm, Harry's seen his living costs take a significant plunge, with monthly outlays now ranging from £500 to £1,000, inclusive of bills.
Harry proclaimed: "If you live here, you get it. Benidorm is paradise - and anyone who says otherwise is lying."
