A British YouTuber has vowed never to return to Benidorm after spending a week in the Spanish seaside resort and he claimed it was not suitable for lone travellers
A well-known British YouTuber has declared he’ll never return to Benidorm with his camera after branding the resort too dangerous to film in.
The content creator, who goes by Just Deano, endured what he described as a truly awful week in the Spanish holiday destination and says he won’t be going back because of the crime levels. During his stay, he suffered an unprovoked attack and was repeatedly approached by drug dealers.
He’s now shared a video detailing his ordeal, titled: “CRIME RIDDEN HELL HOLE – Scams, Drugs, Fights, Pickpockets & more – I WILL NEVER GO BACK TO BENIDORM.”
Speaking to his 35,300 followers, he explained: “Now, before I get into this video, I do want to clarify, there’s a lot of people that like Benidorm, there’s a lot of people that enjoy Benidorm and come here for the right reasons.
“However, there is a lot of people that come here for the wrong reasons. I have seen fights, I have been asked if I wanted drugs hundreds of times this week, hundreds of times. I have seen pickpockets, I have seen scammers, it is just an absolutely awful place to come in my opinion and I for one won’t be back with the camera.”
Deano spent a week at Hotel Magic Villa Benidorm, paying £579 which included breakfast that he praised. But venturing out from his accommodation to find food on multiple occasions, Deano says he witnessed as many as three street brawls.
He also warned British holidaymakers against travelling to the Spanish coastal town alone after it earned a reputation as the “Narcos capital of the Costa Blanca”.
Deano added: “I am on my own, I would never ever recommend anyone to come to Benidorm on their own. You’re too vulnerable. I am a 6ft, 18 stone bald man, and there’s still people…”
Recounting what happened to him on a previous evening, he said: “I got whacked on the back of the head, I don’t know if it was a punch, bottle, a bat, a stick, I don’t know what it was, as soon as I turned around there was just a group of lads laughing.”
Deano concluded that Benidorm simply wasn’t for him, after witnessing pickpocketing incidents on a street dubbed ‘Muggers alley’.
Earlier this year, a British resident told The Spanish Eye: “This has been going on for a long time, it’s outside the Magic Villa de Benidorm and right next to the local tourist police station, which is closed in the evening.”
One clip circulating online captured a woman blocking a man’s path while other women descended on him to steal his belongings.
Deano revealed he witnessed such incidents directly from his hotel window, describing it as “absolutely disgusting” to see it happening in real life.
Earlier this year, the Policia Nacional confirmed perpetrators had been arrested “several times” and stated: “As a preventative measure, continuous patrols are carried out in this area, as well as throughout the rest of the town, to prevent the commission of this crime.”
Offering guidance to tourists, it added: “Always keep an eye on your personal belongings, especially in crowded areas. Do NOT keep cell phones or wallets in back pockets or easily accessible areas. Be wary of strangers who approach you with vague excuses or exaggerated gestures.
“In the event of a robbery, do not confront the offender directly and notify the police immediately. Write down the IMEI (serial) number of your device to facilitate its recovery in case of theft.”
Meanwhile, Frank the Stagman, the well-known British proprietor of Millers Beach Bar, recently highlighted a “massive increase in crime” in Benidorm.
However, after sharing an audio recording of Frank’s views, Deano urged his followers to form their own judgements about Benidorm based on their personal visits.
Yet beyond the criminal activity he observed, Deano suggested the budget attractions Benidorm provided weren’t worth his while.
He said: “Cheap beer, €1 pints, €2 pints, €1.50 pints, happy hour in every pub. Is it all that great? No. The answer is no.
“I haven’t had a decent pint anywhere I’ve been. Anywhere I’ve been. Yes, they are cheap, but I’ve ended up drinking like cider and Kopparberg (generally more expensive).”
Following his video post, which you can view in full here, one viewer responded: “That headline could fit any city in the UK over the last 5 years without the sun.”
Another commented: “It’s a shame you have had such bad experiences there. I went in February with my two year old and it was lovely, very clean and family friendly and nice beaches. I think it’s if you are about town late at night or drunk where you would get targeted as we were never out late. I never felt unsafe when I was there I think you have had bad luck. Benidorm gets bad crack when it’s actually pretty nice.”
A third chipped in: “We’re in Benidorm now. He’s going to the wrong places if he’s finding trouble. Love Benidorm. Been loads of times.”
Deano subsequently shared another clip claiming he’d been subjected to abuse over his views on Benidorm.