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Benidorm Installs Smart Buoys to Improve Coastal Water Quality Monitoring

The project is part of the "Benidorm, a smart and sustainable tourist destination" project, co-financed by the City Council and Red.es.
With this sensorisation, the City Council reinforces the control and analysis of the municipal laboratory, monitoring different parameters of seawater in real time.

Benidorm has taken another step towards becoming a smart and sustainable destination with the installation of two new smart buoys off Poniente and Levante beaches.

The devices, that have been fitted will allow real-time monitoring of seawater quality and provide valuable data to help protect the marine ecosystem. Councillor for Beaches and the Environment, Mónica

Gómez, explained:

“The indicators and information these buoys provide will complement and strengthen the regular testing already carried out by the Municipal Laboratory, helping us to detect and respond quickly to any anomalies in our bathing waters.”

The smart buoys will continuously track key parameters such as water temperature, salinity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, dissolved organic matter, and the possible presence of hydrocarbons.

This new system will enable the City Council to offer citizens and visitors up-to-date daily reports on bathing water quality via both a forthcoming mobile app and the municipal beach website. The data will also feed into Benidorm’s Tourism Intelligence platform, giving local departments access to detailed dashboards to support decision-making.

The placement of the buoys was agreed with the Institute of Coastal Ecology to ensure full environmental compatibility. Each buoy, weighing around 360 kg, uses a low-impact anchoring system designed to avoid harming seagrass meadows, with a stable vertical design to guarantee accurate measurement and visibility for vessels.

Gómez stressed:

“Our beaches are the city’s most important tourist and environmental asset. With this initiative, we are reinforcing sustainable management and ensuring that residents and visitors have the best possible information at their fingertips in real time.”

The project forms part of Benidorm, a Smart and Sustainable Tourist Destination, co-financed by ERDF funds through Red.es and awarded to Telefónica. Its aim is to drive Benidorm’s digital transformation through innovation and technology, ensuring sustainable tourism growth.

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

Overview

This week across Benidorm, Altea, Albir, Finestrat, and La Nucía is mainly:

Weekly markets and street trading

Live music in bars and small venues

Early spring coastal tourism activity (boat trips, promenades)

Small cultural events and exhibitions

Gradual build-up toward May festivals in Benidorm

BENIDORM – Events and Activity

Markets and street life

Wednesday and Sunday main street markets (large general markets for clothing, food, and goods)
Old Town craft stalls operating in the evenings
Night markets becoming more active as tourist season builds

Cultural activity

Early preparations and signage for the Medieval Market coming soon in central Benidorm
Small pop-up performances in Old Town squares (musicians, street entertainment)

Nightlife and entertainment

Live music every night across the main strips (cover bands, tribute acts, karaoke)
DJ sets and bar entertainment increasing toward peak season
Rooftop bars and terrace venues reopening more consistently

Overall feel

Benidorm is in an active pre-summer phase with strong nightlife and steady tourist flow.

ALTEA – Cultural and coastal atmosphere

Old Town and culture
Art galleries and artisan shops open daily
Small exhibitions and cultural displays in local venues

Live music

Acoustic and low-key live music in bars around Old Town and seafront areas
Occasional weekend performances in Irish and cocktail bars

Sea activities

Boat trips operating from Altea harbour including:
Coastal cruises
Sunset sailing trips
Swimming stops depending on weather conditions

Overall feel

Quiet, scenic, and cultural with a strong focus on relaxation rather than nightlife.

ALBIR / ALFÀS DEL PI – Mixed expat and local activity

Markets

Friday weekly street market with food, clothing, and household goods
Nearby Sunday markets in Altea also attract visitors from the area

Live music

Regular pub and bar entertainment, especially in Irish and rock-themed venues
Weekly live bands and acoustic performances across multiple venues

Cultural venues

Casa de Cultura hosting small theatre events, exhibitions, and community activities
Regular local group meetings and social clubs

Overall feel

Balanced area with both relaxed daytime atmosphere and active evenings.

LA NUCÍA – Local and sporting focus

Markets

Sunday rastro (large flea market with antiques, tools, clothes, and food stalls)
Entertainment
Occasional live music in local bars, mostly weekends

Sports activity

Large sports complex hosting training camps, tournaments, and weekend events

Overall feel

Quiet residential town with activity concentrated around weekends and sports events.

FINESTRAT – Beach and market lifestyle

Markets

Tuesday and Saturday markets in La Cala area with a mix of local produce and goods

Beachfront activity

Beach bars and restaurants increasingly open in the evenings
Sunset dining season beginning again

Entertainment

Low-key live music in beachfront bars rather than organised events

Overall feel

Relaxed coastal town focused on beach life and casual evenings.

OVERALL SUMMARY

Benidorm: busiest area with nightlife, markets, and entertainment

Altea: cultural, scenic, and relaxed

Albir / Alfàs del Pi: balanced mix of live music and expat social life

La Nucía: local, quiet, and sports-focused

Finestrat: beach-oriented and low-key

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Benidorm Installs Smart Buoys to Improve Coastal Water Quality Monitoring

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

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