Visit Benidorm

Long caricatured, Benidorm owns it: a wall of high-rises, two fine-sand beaches several kilometres long, a small hilltop casco antiguo and a hinterland of villages and waterfalls. Two days for the resort, four to explore the Costa Blanca around it.

Why visit Benidorm?

Benidorm is Spain's most densely built beach resort, designed for year-round holidays: two large south-facing beaches, a very mild climate even in winter, a huge and affordable hotel supply, theme parks and a bus and tram network serving the whole Costa Blanca.

Benidorm's must-sees

Beaches, viewpoints and hinterland sights, reachable on foot, by tram or by bus.

Playa de Levante

Three kilometres of south-facing sand, the liveliest beach, backed by a promenade of bars and palm trees.

Balcon del Mediterraneo

A white panoramic terrace on the old castle site, between the two beaches, at the end of the old village.

Sierra Helada

A nature park of cliffs dropping into the sea, a lighthouse trail from the end of Levante beach, about two hours.

Guadalest

A fortified hinterland village, a castle atop a crag and a lone bell tower on a rock, above a turquoise reservoir.

Benidorm Island

A rocky islet facing the resort, a marine reserve reached by shuttle from Levante, popular for snorkelling and diving.

What to see in Benidorm and on the Costa Blanca?

The beaches and the Balcon del Mediterraneo

Benidorm lives around two beaches split by a rocky headland. Playa de Levante, to the east, is the liveliest, lined with bars and restaurants. Playa de Poniente, to the west and more family-oriented, ends in a colourful wave-shaped promenade by Calatrava. Between the two, the Balcon del Mediterraneo, a white terrace on the old castle site, has the best view and is reached through the old village's lanes.

The casco antiguo and the Sierra Helada

Old Benidorm, hemmed in by the towers, keeps narrow streets, the blue-domed Sant Jaume church and tapas bars more affordable than on the seafront. To the east, the Sierra Helada nature park starts at the end of Levante beach: a trail follows the cliffs to the lighthouse, about two hours round trip, with no shade. The boat shuttle from Levante reaches Benidorm Island for snorkelling.

Theme parks and nightlife

Benidorm concentrates several parks: Terra Mitica for the roller coasters, Aqualandia and Mundomar for families, Terra Natura for animals, all linked by shuttle from the centre. In the evening, the resort splits between the British zone on Calle Gerona, with its cabarets and tribute shows, and the Spanish side around the Plaza Triangular, which starts later. The mid-November Fiesta Mayor fills the town for three days.

Around Benidorm: Guadalest, Altea and Calpe

The hinterland is easy to visit. The hilltop village of Guadalest, its castle and its lone bell tower on a rock, with swimming at the Fuentes del Algar, fits in a day by bus. Along the coast, tram line 1 links Altea and its blue-domed church, Calpe and the Penon de Ifach rock, Villajoyosa and its painted houses down to Alicante, 45 minutes south by bus. It all sits on the Mediterranean coast of Spain.

Benidorm in pictures

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Frequently asked questions about Benidorm

Is Benidorm worth visiting outside the beach season?
Yes, the winter is mild, with 17 to 18 °C in the afternoon, a resort that stays lively thanks to its British and Nordic visitors, and much lower prices. Swimming is chilly, but the Sierra Helada hikes and the hinterland day trips are more pleasant than in summer.
Which beach should you choose in Benidorm, Levante or Poniente?
Levante, to the east, is the liveliest, with bars, restaurants and nightlife right behind. Poniente, to the west, is wider, quieter and more family-friendly, with the colourful Calatrava promenade. Both run several kilometres and are linked by the old village.
How do you get from Alicante airport to Benidorm?
The ALSA bus links the airport directly to the Benidorm coach station in about an hour, with several departures a day. A taxi costs €70 to €90. The tram goes via central Alicante and takes considerably longer.
Can you visit Guadalest from Benidorm without a car?
Yes, a bus links Benidorm to Guadalest in around fifty minutes, usually with a morning departure and an afternoon return. Many combine it with the Fuentes del Algar on the same line. Off season, frequencies drop, so check the timetable.
Is Benidorm good for families?
Yes, with its gently shelving beaches, the Aqualandia, Mundomar and Terra Natura parks, and a large all-inclusive hotel supply. Playa de Poniente and the Spanish side are quieter in the evening than the Calle Gerona zone.
What is there to do in Benidorm when it rains?
Rainy days are rare, mostly in October. The fallback is the shopping centres, the Boca del Calvari museum on the town's history, an evening tribute show, or an indoor trip to the Villajoyosa chocolate museum.

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