Benidorm Travel Guide: Beaches, Stays and Day Trips

Benidorm is worth visiting for one simple reason: it packs a lot of holiday into a small, walkable space. For most travellers, Benidorm suits a short, easy break: two long sandy beaches, a pretty Old Town on the headland between them, and a cheap tram up the coast to quieter towns such as Altea and Calpe.

The skyline is the first thing you notice. Tower blocks line the bay, which surprises people who expect a low-rise Spanish village. Then you climb to the white balustrade at the Balcón del Mediterráneo, look out over both bays and Benidorm Island, and the place makes more sense.

Benidorm sits on the Costa Blanca in the province of Alicante, about 60 km from the airport. Flights from most UK airports take around two hours to two and a quarter, so a long weekend is realistic. Once you know which bay, which bar street and which day trip suit you, you can plan a trip that fits your group, whether that means families, couples or friends out for a big night.

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What Are the Best Things to Do in Benidorm?

The best things to do in Benidorm mix beach time with a few high points, both literal and figurative. You can spend mornings on Levante or Poniente, then walk up to the castle viewpoint, climb to the Cross in Sierra Helada Natural Park, or give a whole day to one of the big parks on the edge of town.

Levante Beach vs. Poniente Beach: Which Should You Choose?

Choose Levante Beach (Playa de Levante) if you want buzz. It sits east of the Old Town, close to the bars of Rincón de Loix, and the promenade stays busy well into the night.

Choose Poniente Beach (Playa de Poniente) if you want more space and a slower pace. It runs west of the headland, feels more residential and suits families and long walks along the curved promenade.

Both beaches are well set up for visitors with reduced mobility. Benidorm has three accessible beach points:

• Levante, at Calle Murcia
• Poniente, at Avenida Mont Benidorm
• Poniente, at Parque de Elche

From 1 June to 30 September they open 09:30 to 18:30, with trained staff and amphibious chairs. Outside summer, the hours are 10:30 to 14:30.

Explore Benidorm Old Town and El Castell

The Old Town is where Benidorm began, and I always start a first visit here. The town charter dates from 1325, and the castle (El Castell) stood on Punta del Canfali, the rocky point that splits the two beaches.

Little of the fortress survives. It was destroyed during the Peninsular War, and in 1928 the site became the square and white-railed viewpoint you see today. A 2019 dig uncovered parts of the medieval wall and a tower, and you can see some of it with information panels on site.

Come at sunset. The light turns the cliffs of Serra Gelada gold, and the cobbled lanes behind you fill up with people heading for tapas.

Walk to the Cross of Benidorm or Hike Sierra Helada

The walk to the Cross of Benidorm (La Cruz) is my favourite free outing in town. The official route starts at the tourist information point in Rincón de Loix, where Carrer Gerona meets Avenida Derramador, and follows white and yellow markers.

• Distance: 5 km round trip
• Climb: up to 237 m
• Time: about 3 hours
• Difficulty: moderate

The road is steep in places, so take water and go early in summer. At the top you get one of the best views over the whole bay, with the coves of Sierra Helada Natural Park dropping to the sea beside you.

Choose Between Aqualandia, Mundomar and Terra Mítica

Pick one park per trip unless you have a week or more, as each takes most of a day.

• Aqualandia is the water park, with slides, a wave pool and areas for small children. Its 2026 season ended on 27 September, so plan it for a summer visit.
• Mundomar sits next door and focuses on marine animals and bird life. It suits younger children and a gentler day, and it opens from 10:00 to 18:00 with afternoon entry from 14:00.
• Terra Mítica is the theme park, built around ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome and Iberia, with roller coasters like Titánide. It opens from mid-May to early November, and 2026 adult tickets started from €41.

If you are in town this month, Terra Mítica runs a Halloween season from 3 October, with Horror Nights on Saturday 10, 17 and 24 October.

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Where Should You Stay, Eat and Go Out?

Your base shapes the whole holiday in Benidorm, because each area has its own pace after dark. The Old Town is the best spot for tapas, Levante is the liveliest for nights out, and Poniente is the calmer side for families and early nights.

Levante, Poniente or the Old Town: Finding the Right Base

Here is how I would split it:

• Levante: best for first-timers who want the beach, bars and shows on the doorstep. Rincón de Loix, at the far end, is the heart of British-style pubs and entertainment.
• Poniente: best for families and couples who want quieter evenings and a long seafront for walking.
• Old Town: best for walkers who want to step out of the door into lanes, tapas bars and the castle viewpoint, with both beaches a short stroll away.

If you are on a balcony room, follow the hotel’s safety advice. The UK government warns about serious falls from balconies, and some travel insurance will not cover incidents linked to drink.

Tapas and Local Food Around Calle Santo Domingo

The best tapas area sits between Plaza de la Constitución and Calle Santo Domingo. The local tourist board also points to nearby Calle del Rosario, Calle San Miguel and Calle José Martínez Oriola.

The bars are packed close together, so the easiest approach is to move from one to the next. Order one or two small plates with a small beer or glass of wine, then move on. This area is busiest in the evening, and that is when it is most fun.

Benidorm Nightlife, Live Shows and Quieter Evenings

Benidorm nightlife splits neatly by area:

• Old Town and the Alameda: local bars, a friendly crowd, and the LGBTQ+ quarter around Calle Santa Faz and Calle San Vicente.
• Levante seafront: beach bars and clubs along Avenida de Alcoy, most with free entry.
• Rincón de Loix: karaoke, quiz nights and tribute acts in British-style pubs.
• “La Carretera”: the superclubs on the edge of town, open until sunrise.

For a seated night out, Benidorm Palace runs a dinner-and-show evening. Its current production is Trivium, with show-only tickets from €40 and dinner packages from €60. It also hosts tribute concerts and festive galas through the winter.

Quieter evenings are easy too. A sunset walk on the Poniente promenade, followed by an ice cream, is one of my favourite low-key nights in town.

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When Should You Visit and How Do You Get Around?

Spring and early autumn give the best balance of warm weather and space, and getting around is easy without a car. Most visitors arrive through Alicante Airport, take a direct bus or taxi up the coast, then walk, tram or bus once they are in town.

The Best Time to Visit Benidorm for Beaches or Sightseeing

For beach holidays, I like June and September. The sea is warm, the days are long and the big parks are open, but the crowds are thinner than in July and August.

For sightseeing and hiking, aim for April, May or October. The walk to the Cross is far more pleasant without midsummer heat, and Terra Mítica stays open into early November. Benidorm also stays busy through winter, with shows and galas at Benidorm Palace.

Getting to Benidorm from Alicante Airport

The direct bus is the simplest choice for most people. Alsa runs more than 32 daily services between Alicante International Airport and Benidorm, leaving from the second floor (departures).

• The first bus leaves at 07:00 and reaches Benidorm Bus Station around 07:45.
• The last leaves at 23:00.
• One suitcase up to 20 kg goes free.
• Wheelchair seats must be booked at least 36 hours ahead.

Taxis from the official rank add a €4.25 airport supplement to the fare. Tour operator coaches drop at several hotels, so your journey can stretch to around an hour and a half.

Getting Around on Foot and by Local Transport

Benidorm is compact and flat along the front, so you will walk most places. City-centre pavements are lowered and adapted, which helps with buggies and wheelchairs.

For longer hops, local buses are run by Llorente Bus, and the main bus station sits at Paseo Els Tolls. The TRAM d’Alacant is the other key link. Line 1 runs south to Alicante via Villajoyosa and the Terra Mítica stop, while Line 9 heads north to Dénia via Albir, Altea and Calpe.

Planning a Short Stay: Practical Tips for Families, Couples and Adults

• Families: stay near Poniente, book one park day, and use the accessible beach points if you need help getting into the sea.
• Couples: split your time between Old Town tapas, the sunset viewpoint and a tram trip to Altea.
• Adult groups: base yourselves near Levante or Rincón de Loix, and save the superclubs for your last night.

Pack a cover-up. Some Spanish towns fine people for wearing only swimwear on the promenade or nearby streets.

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Which Day Trips Are Worth Taking from Benidorm?

The best day trips from Benidorm are the coastal towns on the tram line and the hilltop village of Guadalest inland. If you are building a wider trip, my guide to the Northern Costa Blanca’s towns, beaches and hidden gems shows how these places fit together.

Coastal Towns: Villajoyosa, Albir, Altea and Calpe

• Villajoyosa: south on Line 1, known for its brightly painted houses facing the sea. It makes an easy half day.
• Albir: a short hop north on Line 9, with a pebble beach and a calm promenade.
• Altea: further north on Line 9, with a whitewashed old quarter climbing to a blue-domed church. It is my top pick for couples.
• Calpe: also on Line 9, with the huge rock of the Peñón de Ifach rising from the beach.

Albir and Altea pair well in one day. Calpe deserves its own.

Guadalest and a Wider Costa Blanca Itinerary

Guadalest is a small village perched on a rock in the hills behind Benidorm, with sweeping views over the valley and its reservoir. It is a good change from the beach, and most visitors go by car or organised coach trip.

For a longer Costa Blanca trip, I would spend a few nights in Benidorm, then move north towards Altea or Calpe for a slower second base.

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Fitting Benidorm into Your Costa Blanca Trip

Benidorm works best as an easy, well-connected base for the first part of a Costa Blanca trip. Three or four nights covers the beaches, the Old Town, one park and a walk up to the Cross.

From there, the tram makes it simple to add Altea, Albir or Calpe as day trips or a second stay. If you want lively nights, stay near Levante. If you want calm, choose Poniente, then book your airport bus once your flight times are set.

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Frequently Asked Questions