Benidorm is adapting to technology and moving with the times by implementing QR Codes around the resort.

What are QR codes?

QR Code at the Mirador

QR codes - abbreviated from Quick Response Code are a series of black squares arranged in a grid and was invented in 1994 for the car industry, to track vehicles during manufacturing. However, since then virtually everyone is using them with the popularity of smartphones and they are generally used as an advertising and marketing tool. Flick through a glossy a magazine and you will notice the black and white box on most of the adverts.

DIY Tourist Guide

La Palmera in the Old Town

The Tourism Department have installed a total of 21 codes around the resort at the most popular tourist and cultural attractions including the Mirador, San Jaime church, the Cross, Park Aiguera, Mal Pas, Plaza de la Cruz - the palm tree at the beginning of the walking street in the Old Town almost opposite Ale Hop.

Those that have smartphones or tablets need to have downloaded a QR reader - there are many free apps available, in order to be able to benefit from this service.

Capture Benidorm

At the bottom of the stairs at Mal Pas

When you scan the code click on "go to url" and it will take you into a tool called "Capture Benidorm".

This shows you old photographs of the area - scroll down to the bottom of the pictures and there you will find the option to change the language into English. This will then give you a brief history of the vicinity, the location and a map.

As most holiday makers now travel with their smartphones or iPads they will be able to benefit from this free service and not have to trek to the tourist information centre to ask what a particular site or attraction is. The Tourist Information centre will soon have a plan of where all the QR codes are located - so your holiday can become an educational trip too.

I am surprised that the service is not available in Russian yet - but that is probably in the pipeline already!