Latest news with #HarryPoulton
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
British man living in Benidorm lists parts of life he 'massively hates'
A Brit who has lived in Benidorm has shared the things he hates about the popular holiday destination - and tourists will benefit from knowing about them too Last year, Benidorm saw a whopping 600,000 Brits descend on its white isles – and it's not hard to see why. Reliably good weather, a short flight and vibrant nightlife is such a strong draw that recent figures show that close to a third of visitors to Benidorm are from the United Kingdom. Benidorm is so dominated by Brits, in fact, that it's now packed with home comforts, from British pubs to full English breakfasts and broadcasting of British sports on outdoor screens. Yet, one British expat has highlighted some significant drawbacks to life in the sunny Spanish resort, sharing his gripes in a recent video. Harry Poulton, who offers travel insights and advice to his 40,000 TikTok followers under the handle @harrytokky, didn't hold back in expressing his frustrations. In his latest post, he vents about the aspects of Benidorm that he can't stand - and all of them are handy for tourists to be aware of. The influencer kicks off his rant with: "The fake alcohol drinks on Benidorm beach. Massive hate. You're going to get these people come up to you and try to sell you dodgy alcoholic drinks, and you have no idea where they're being made." He warns: "You don't even know what they're actually putting in these supposed alcoholic cocktails. Absolutely avoid them." Poulton then moves on to take down the infamous "pea-men's scam games" found along the beaches. Explaining the con, he remarks: "These [people] do dodgy games on Benidorm beach, trying to scam you out of your own hard-earned money. Horrible." He also cautions that these scammers often work with pickpockets who take advantage of distracted tourists to steal their belongings. Lastly, he touches on the notorious 'Muggers Alley', particularly criticising the women who are said to linger there hoping to rob tourists. Harry launched into a scathing rant, saying: "They are absolutely dreadful. They are ladies of the night, thieves, and are just crooks. They're going to try and rob you, take your phone. You name it, they're going to steal it." His comments sparked a wave of agreement, with one person sharing a similar experience, saying: "I was in Benidorm last week and they started following me and my family, so we stopped at a shop and they passed." Another claimed to have seen the cocktail vendors "stir them with their fingers" before hiding the "bottle in the bushes". One critic questioned: "Unbelievable! Why do people keep going?". However, the allure of Benidorm remains strong, with pints available for under £1, affordable food, and a party lifestyle - it's little wonder that revellers continue to flock to this Spanish hotspot.
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Wales Online
Brit who lives in Benidorm warns tourists to avoid three popular spots
Brit who lives in Benidorm warns tourists to avoid three popular spots A British man who has lived in Benidorm for over five years has revealed which dangerous places he would avoid while holidaying in the Spanish resort after seeing some 'crazy' things happen Harry Poulton moved to Benidorm at the age of 18 after falling in love with the place after a lads' holiday (Image: Jam Press/@harrytokky ) A British expat living in Benidorm has issued a warning to tourists about certain risky spots to sidestep during their summer holidays. The Spanish resort town draws in an impressive five million visitors annually and is a hot favourite among Spaniards and Brits alike. Harry Poulton, who relocated to Benidorm after a holiday with mates at 18, now, aged 24, describes moving there as the finest decision he's ever made. Committed to guiding tourists, he shares insider knowledge before they head off to his adopted city. Poulton takes to TikTok to offer travel insights and safety advice to his hefty following of 40,000 on the platform. A recent video of his flagged up the three no-go zones in the bustling tourist hub, garnering 29,000 views and widespread engagement. Topping his advisory list is the 'Yellow Brick Road', which, despite being a lively strip brimming with bars, eateries, and amusements, harbours a downside. This neon-lit quarter encompasses streets like Leanto Street, Ibiza Street, and Leerida Street. Harry shared: "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." Harry loves how much there is to do in Benidorm, but he warns there are some dangerous areas (Image: Jam Press/@harrytokky ) Article continues below Pueblo Alley, situated behind the Hotel Pueblo near Levante Beach, has been ranked second on a list of places to be cautious of. The Brighton-based content creator advised: "This is one I definitely recommend avoiding, especially late at night, as you do get the pickpockets hanging around this area." Harry elaborated: "You also get the odd lady of the night. There are plenty of other ways around." Taking the top spot as the area to steer clear of is 'Mugger's Alley', as per Harry's warning. He remarked: "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." He further commented on the emerging issue: "They're even doing these new taxi scams. It's crazy. Save yourself the hassle and cross the road." An additional caution came from a post on the public Facebook page Benidorm Forever, where someone alerted others about the dangers of the area, stating: "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 whilst swiping your valuables), prostitutes and robbers." Content cannot be displayed without consent Article continues below They further advised: "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 sight 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." Despite highlighting the risky areas, Harry can't sing enough praises about the holiday spot. He firmly believes that many Brits have a completely skewed perception - and insists that the rumours about scams and overpriced pubs couldn't be more inaccurate. Moreover, since trading Brighton for Benidorm, Harry reports a significant decrease in his monthly expenses - now ranging between £500 and £1,000, inclusive of bills. Harry stated: "If you live here, you get it. Benidorm is paradise - and anyone who says otherwise is lying."
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Record
'I'm a Brit living in Spain and anyone visiting should avoid three locations'
Harry Poulton, 24, visited Spain on a lads' holiday when he was 18 and has been living there ever since. He has spoken out about the best and worst locations in the holiday hotspot Attracting approximately five million visitors annually, Benidorm ranks among Spain's top holiday hotspots. And Harry Poulton grew fond of the location after a holiday with mates at 18. Now, aged 24, he sees his move as the best life choice. However, it's not all sunshine, sand and fun. The British expat is eager to offer guidance to holidaymakers considering a stay in the popular coastal city. Issuing advice to his audience of 40,000 on TikTok, Harry listed the three spots he deems most hazardous in the nightlife capital, suggesting tourists avoid them altogether. Topping his list is the so-called 'Yellow Brick Road,' bustling with a slew of pubs and eateries, constituting a focal point of local entertainment, with thoroughfares like Leanto Street, Ibiza Street, and Leerida Street falling within its precincts. Harry advised: "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." Pueblo Alley by the Hotel Pueblo, close to Levante Beach, comes in at number two. The Brighton-based content creator cautioned: "This is one I definitely recommend avoiding, especially late at night, as you do get the pickpockets hanging around this area." Harry went on to say: "You also get the odd lady of the night. There are plenty of other ways around." Topping the list as the prime spot to steer clear of is 'Mugger's Alley', in Harry's view. He asserts: "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." Another caution came through a public Facebook page entitled Benidorm Forever, where someone posted: "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 whilst swiping your valuables), prostitutes and robbers." They warned: "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." Despite highlighting the riskier spots, Harry is full of praise for this sunny holiday hotspot. He argues that many Brits have a completely skewed view of the place, dismissing common beliefs about tricky scams and exorbitant bar prices as mere myths. Additionally, since moving from Brighton to Benidorm, Harry has found his cost of living dramatically lower, with monthly expenses ranging from £500 to £1,000, bills included. Harry declared: "If you live here, you get it. Benidorm is paradise - and anyone who says otherwise is lying."
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
'I'm a Brit living in Benidorm and tourists should avoid these three areas'
A British man living in Benidorm has shared a viral TikTok video, explaining the three areas of the Spanish resort that tourists should avoid at all costs this summer A British expat living in Benidorm has issued a warning to holidaymakers, urging them to steer clear of three specific areas when visiting the sun-soaked Spanish resort this summer. Harry Poulton, who regularly offers travel advice and insights about the popular destination to his 40,000 TikTok followers, recently shared a video that has racked up 29,000 views and hundreds of likes. In it, he reveals the top three most perilous spots in the party city, cautioning tourists to give them a wide berth. The 24-year-old begins by warning against what he calls the 'Yellow Brick Road' – a little public pathway that leads all the way up to the Rio Park. "Now, it has been known for a few things, mainly small thefts like pickpocketing," Harry warns. While he assures viewers that it's generally safe during daylight hours, he advises against traversing it after dark. Are you a Benidorm expert? We'd love to hear from you. Drop us a line at webtravel@ "I have stayed at the Rio Park several times in the past. I would NOT recommend walking up the Yellow Brick Road late at night. Get a taxi. It's not that expensive. Better to be safe than sorry," a visitor to the area wrote on Tripadvisor. Next on his list is Pueblo Alley, located behind the Hotel Pueblo. The Brighton-born content creator strongly advises against venturing into this area, especially late at night, due to the presence of pickpockets and occasional sex workers. He suggests finding alternative routes instead. Topping Harry's list of places to avoid is the infamously named Mugger's Alley. He warns: "It is the most notorious – it's the one we all know. It's crazy. Save yourself the hassle and cross the road." Known for its high incidence of pickpocketing and sex work, Harry strongly advises visitors to avoid this area altogether. The alley is 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'll invade your space pretending to know you whilst swiping your valuables), prostitutes and robbers," writes Michelle Baker, who runs the Benidorm Forever Facebook page. "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 sight 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." Often groups of women will approach men walking by themselves before attempting to give them a hug. A Brit who has lived in Benidorm for decades 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."
