A British man who now lives in Benidorm has issued important safety advice to anyone planning a holiday in Spain this year – as many tourists make two dangerous mistakes
The expat urged all Benidorm holidaymakers not to make two common mistakes (stock photo)(Image: RUBEN BONILLA GONZALO via Getty Images)
Making these two mistakes on your Benidorm holiday could land you in serious trouble. With summer on the horizon, many of us will be deciding where to jet off to once we get some time away from work or when the children break up from school.
For those keen to escape somewhere warm during the summer months, Spain consistently features among the top holiday destinations for the Irish, with one of the most sought-after spots being Benidorm. In fact, the resort town has such a devoted following among British and Irish holidaymakers that numerous people have relocated there permanently – and they’re now sharing their advice with visitors online.
One British expat now living in Benidorm, a man called Frank, recently posted a video on TikTok warning tourists to exercise caution during their stay in the resort, as he claims holidaymakers frequently make two mistakes that could prove hazardous.
Frank, who goes by the name Frank the Stag Man online, explained that British tourists often overlook the fact that certain rules and laws differ in Benidorm compared to back home in the UK, and when it comes to using Spain’s roads, this assumption that everything works the same way can be risky.
In the clip, which was recently reshared but originally posted in 2024, Frank recounted witnessing a woman being struck by a car while attempting to cross a busy road – all because she failed to follow two rules that differ from those in the UK.
1. Don’t assume cars will stop at zebra crossings
Benidorm, and Spain more broadly, has plenty of pedestrian crossings on its roads, much like we have back in the UK, marked out by white stripes painted across the road. The uncontrolled variety featuring flashing yellow beacons is commonly referred to as a zebra crossing, and in Ireland, motorists are required to give way if a pedestrian is waiting to cross.
This rule applies equally in Spain, where drivers are legally obliged to stop at zebra crossings if a pedestrian is already crossing or is clearly preparing to do so. However, Frank pointed out that some drivers will not stop if there is no traffic light system in operation, so you should wait to be certain that traffic is coming to a halt before stepping out into the road.
He said: “The cars don’t always stop on these zebra crossings. They’re not like the zebra crossings back in the UK and Ireland. Sometimes the cars don’t stop.”
2. Remember to check for traffic in the right direction
One of the biggest pitfalls for tourists visiting Benidorm is getting confused about which direction traffic travels in. Back home in Ireland, we drive on the left-hand side of the road, whereas in Spain, motorists drive on the right. This means that when crossing the road, you need to look the opposite way to ensure nothing is approaching.
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Frank said: “A lot of you will end up looking in the wrong direction as you cross the road, because that’s the direction the traffic comes from back where you are. So be very, very careful on the roads.”
The expat stressed that being struck by a vehicle could not only land you in hospital, but also leave you facing a substantial financial bill. He claimed that should it be ruled that a collision was your fault as a pedestrian – for instance, if you were found to have looked the wrong way when crossing the road – you could be held liable for any damage caused to the vehicle that hit you.
He added: “When it comes to Benidorm, be very careful on the roads. Don’t assume that cars will stop, because it just doesn’t work that way. And always look the right way as well when you’re crossing the road.
“Hopefully, that’s going to help you and keep you having a better time in Benidorm – and hopefully keep you alive.”
