Most people picture skyscrapers, sun loungers and a pint by the pool. Few expect a whitewashed fishing village, a Roman fort and cliff-top hiking trails just behind the beach.
Benidorm is the Costa Blanca‘s big, bold holiday town, and it wears its reputation with pride. Yes, there are high-rise hotels, busy bars and two beaches packed with sun loungers. But there is much more to do here than lie on the beach. A short walk from the promenade, the old town still feels like a small village. Behind the skyline, the mountains hide waterfalls, castles and wine country. In this article you’ll find the best things to do in Benidorm, from free lookout points and quiet coves to theme parks, boat trips and easy day trips.
💰 Hotel Castillo Benidorm - A friendly, good-value hotel a 4-minute walk from Poniente Beach.
🏨 H10 Porto Poniente 4* Sup - A stylish seafront hotel on the Poniente promenade with sea-view plunge pools.
💎 Hotel Boutique Villa Venecia - A cliff-top boutique hotel in the old town with panoramic sea views.
What is Benidorm famous for?
Benidorm is famous for its skyline. It has one of the highest concentrations of skyscrapers per capita in the world, and the towers line a wide bay with Benidorm Island floating in the middle. The town grew from a fishing village into a resort in the 1950s and 1960s, when the first package holidays arrived. Today it welcomes visitors all year round, thanks to some 300 days of sunshine and mild winters.
It is also famous for its links with the UK. Direct flights from Manchester, London, Glasgow and many other British airports land at Alicante airport, about an hour away. Full English breakfasts, karaoke bars and drag shows are part of the deal. Yet Spanish families make up a large share of visitors too, especially along Poniente Beach. That mix is what makes a holiday here so easy and so much fun.
Explore Benidorm old town
Benidorm old town sits on the rocky Canfali headland between the two main beaches. This is where the town began, and it still has cobbled streets, whitewashed buildings and blue-tiled domes. You can walk here from either beach in 10-15 minutes, so the old town works well as a first stop on any trip. Go in the late afternoon, when the light turns golden and the bars start to fill up.
Balcón del Mediterráneo
The Balcón del Mediterráneo is the most photographed spot in town. This white-and-blue lookout stands on the site of an old fortress built to guard against pirates. British and Spanish troops blew up the castle in 1812, during the Peninsular War, and the headland later became a viewing terrace. A few old cannons still point out to sea. From the railings you get panoramic views of Levante Beach on one side, Poniente Beach on the other and Benidorm Island straight ahead. It’s free, it’s open all day, and it’s one of the best places in Benidorm to watch the sunset.
Church of San Jaime y Santa Ana
Right next to the lookout, the Church of San Jaime y Santa Ana crowns the hill. It was built between 1740 and 1780, and its whitewashed facade and cobalt-blue dome are visible from much of the bay. Inside you’ll find a wooden statue of the Virgen del Sufragio, Benidorm’s patron saint. Legend says it was found on a burnt-out ship drifting near the coast. Every November the town re-enacts the discovery at Mal Pas cove during its biggest fiesta.
Tapas Alley
Calle Santo Domingo, better known as Tapas Alley, is the old town’s most famous street. It is lined with small bars serving pinchos, croquetas, grilled prawns and local wine. The best approach is to wander from one bar to the next, ordering a drink and a couple of plates at each stop. If you want something more traditional for dinner, look for arroz a banda or a seafood paella in the side streets near Plaza de la Señoría.
Benidorm beaches: which one is best?
Benidorm has two long urban beaches and several smaller coves. The main beaches have held the Blue Flag since 1987, and both main beaches are cleaned every day. The sea is calm for most of the year, so swimming is easy even for children. Which beach is best depends on what you want from your holiday.
Levante Beach
Levante Beach is about 2 km of golden sand east of the old town. This is the liveliest Benidorm beach, backed by a palm-lined promenade, high-rise hotels and busy bars. It’s the place for people-watching, pedalos and beach volleyball. Behind it lie the Rincón de Loix area and the famous “Strip” of British pubs and clubs. If you like a buzz, base yourself here.
Poniente Beach
Poniente Beach stretches for more than 3 km to the west. It is wider, calmer and more popular with Spanish families. The colourful wavy promenade is a great place for an evening walk, and the sunsets here are spectacular. At the far end, the rocky headland of Tossal de la Cala closes the bay. If you’re travelling with children, Poniente is the better beach for a relaxed day.
Mal Pas and the quieter coves
Mal Pas is a small, sheltered cove tucked between the marina and the old town. You can reach it via steps from the Balcón del Mediterráneo, which makes it perfect for a quick swim between sightseeing stops. For something wilder, head to Cala Tío Ximo or Cala Almadrava at the foot of the Sierra Helada cliffs. On the other side of town, Cala de Finestrat is a pretty 300-metre beach about 3 km from the centre. Pack a swimming costume and water shoes, as the smaller coves have pebbles and rocks.
Take a boat trip to Benidorm Island
Benidorm Island is the rocky triangle you see from every beach in town. Locals also call it Peacock Island. It lies about 3.5 km offshore and is a protected nature reserve, home to nesting seabirds. Boats leave from the harbour by the old town, and the crossing takes around 15-20 minutes. Some boats have an underwater viewing deck, so you can see fish before you even get wet.
Once on the island, there is a small beach, a café and a path up to the top for great sea views. The turquoise sea around the rocks is excellent for snorkelling, so bring a mask. Plan to spend at least two hours there. Remember that the paths are unpaved and uneven, and the boats don’t sail when the sea is rough.
Hike the Sierra Helada Natural Park
The Sierra Helada Natural Park (Serra Gelada in Valencian) rises right behind Levante Beach. It protects both the mountains and the sea around them, including Benidorm Island. Its cliffs drop straight into the Mediterranean and are among the highest on this stretch of coastline. Several signposted hiking trails cross the park, and you don’t need any special equipment for the easier ones. Go early in the morning, as there is little shade.
The classic short walk climbs to the Benidorm Cross, a large white cross that has stood around 200 metres above the sea since 1962. The views over the bay, the old town and the skyline are superb. Fitter walkers can follow the yellow route along the ridge to the Albir lighthouse. This linear trail is about 8.5 km long and takes 4-5 hours. A bus brings you back to Benidorm. The red route from Albir to the lighthouse is a much easier 2.5 km walk.
The natural beauty of the park is just as impressive from the water. Kayak tours paddle along the cliffs to hidden caves and quiet coves, and some stop for snorkelling. E-bike tours are another fun way to explore the ridge and reach Altea without too much effort.
Climb Tossal de la Cala
Tossal de la Cala is a small hill at the western end of Poniente Beach. On its summit are the remains of an Iberian settlement and a Roman fort from the Sertorian War, around 80-75 BC. The site has been carefully restored, with information panels along the paths. It’s one of the least crowded lookout points in Benidorm, with sweeping views of Poniente Beach and the skyline. Come in the evening, when the towers glow orange.
Theme parks and water parks in Benidorm
Benidorm has more theme parks than many big cities. They are a great reason to visit with children, and they also offer a break from the beach. Most of them open seasonally, roughly from spring to autumn, so check opening days before you plan your trip.
Terra Mítica
Terra Mítica is Benidorm’s biggest theme park, built around a lagoon. Its areas are themed on ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, Iberia and the Mediterranean islands. Thrill-seekers can ride roller coasters such as Titánide and Inferno, while younger kids have gentler rides and shows. The season usually runs from May to the end of October, with fewer areas open outside July and August.
Aqualandia and Mundomar
Aqualandia is one of the largest water parks in Europe, set on the slopes of the Sierra Helada above Levante Beach. Its slides range from gentle family rides to Verti-Go, among the tallest capsule slides on the continent. It is usually open from June to September. Right next door, Mundomar is a marine and exotic animal park with sea lions, penguins, parrots and tropical birds. Mundomar keeps a longer season, so it’s a good choice in spring and autumn too.
Terra Natura and Aqua Natura
Terra Natura is a zoo-style park with more than 1,500 animals, from tigers and elephants to hippos. It focuses on conservation, and its habitats are designed to feel like the animals’ natural landscapes. Aqua Natura, its water park, is next door, and you can buy a combined ticket for both. If you have younger children, you’ll find it calmer than the larger parks.
Jet skiing, parasailing and other water sports
With calm water and sunshine almost all year round, Benidorm is a great place to try water sports. Jet-ski tours run from the beaches and the marina, often with a stop near Benidorm Island. Parasailing boats take off from Levante Beach and lift you high above the bay for great photos. You can also try paddleboarding, banana boats, flyboarding and scuba diving. Most operators provide all the equipment and a short safety briefing, so you don’t need any experience.
Benidorm after dark: shows and nightlife
Nightlife is a big part of Benidorm’s appeal. The area around Calle Gerona and the British Square is packed with pubs, karaoke bars and tribute acts. In the old town, the mood is more Spanish, with late tapas and cocktails on rooftop terraces. Locals eat dinner late, often after 9pm, so the streets stay busy well past midnight.
For a big night out without the bar crawl, book a show at Benidorm Palace. This large cabaret venue puts on a glitzy variety show with dancers, acrobats and flamenco, and you can add dinner to your ticket. It’s one of the best activities for couples, groups and anyone wondering what to do in Benidorm without a drink in hand. Other good options are sunset boat cruises, evening walks along the promenades and night-time jeep safaris with a traditional dinner in the mountains.
Day trips from Benidorm
Benidorm makes an excellent base for exploring the Costa Blanca. The mountains and villages inland feel a world away from the beach, yet they are less than an hour’s drive from the coast. If you’d rather not drive, organised day trips from Benidorm pick up from the main hotels.
Guadalest and the Algar waterfalls
Guadalest is the most popular day trip from Benidorm, about 25 km inland. This small village sits on a rocky crag, and you enter the old part through a tunnel cut into the rock. Climb up to the castle ruins and the white bell tower for views over a turquoise reservoir and the surrounding mountains. The village also has a surprising number of quirky museums, from micro-miniatures to historic vehicles.
Most tours combine Guadalest with the Algar waterfalls near Callosa d’en Sarrià. Here, a series of cascades and natural pools runs along a shady river valley, with paths and steps beside the water. The pools are cold, even in August, which makes them perfect on a hot day. Bring a towel and water shoes. Jeep safari tours also follow mountain tracks to these sights and often stop for wine tasting at a local bodega. Closer to town, Bodegas Enrique Mendoza in l’Alfàs del Pi, about 15 minutes away, is one of the best-known wineries on the Costa Blanca.
Altea and Calpe
Altea is the prettiest town near Benidorm. Its old quarter climbs a hill to a church with a blue-and-white tiled dome, and the cobbled streets are full of art galleries and small restaurants. It’s only 15 minutes away by car or by tram, so it’s an easy half-day trip.
A little further north, Calpe is home to the Peñón de Ifach, a huge limestone rock rising 332 metres from the sea. You can hike part of the way up, watch flamingos in the salt flats or relax on the beaches either side of the rock. Line 9 of the TRAM d’Alacant runs from Benidorm through Altea to Calpe and on to Dénia, so you can visit both towns without a car. There is also a seasonal boat between Benidorm and Calpe, which is a lovely way to see the coast.
Villajoyosa, Alicante and Valencia
To the south, Villajoyosa is famous for its rainbow-coloured houses on the seafront and its chocolate factories. Further on, Alicante offers the hilltop Santa Bárbara Castle, a lively old town and a long palm-lined promenade. Line 1 of the TRAM connects Benidorm with Alicante in about 70 minutes.
If you have more time, take a full-day trip to Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city, for the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences and the original paella. Coaches and trains connect the two cities, and you can compare times and book train and bus tickets online. For more ideas in the region, see our article on the best places to visit on the Costa Blanca.
How many days do you need in Benidorm?
Most people visit Benidorm on a one- or two-week package holiday, and there is easily enough to fill that time. If you are short on days, plan at least three. Spend the first on the old town, the Balcón del Mediterráneo and an evening on Tapas Alley. Use the second for the beaches, a boat to Benidorm Island and a sunset at Tossal de la Cala. On the third, take a day trip to Guadalest and the Algar waterfalls or spend the day at a theme park. With a week, add a hike in the Sierra Helada, a visit to Altea and Calpe, and a show at night.
When is the best time to visit Benidorm?
The best months to visit Benidorm are May, June, September and October. The sea is warm, the sunshine is reliable and temperatures sit around 24-28°C, without the peak crowds. July and August are hot, often above 30°C, and the beaches and theme parks are at their busiest. Winters are mild, with daytime temperatures around 16-18°C, which makes Benidorm a popular winter sun destination for retirees from the UK and northern Europe. In November, the town celebrates its patron saints with five days of processions, fireworks and the colourful humour parade.
How do you get to Benidorm and get around?
Benidorm is about 60 km (37 miles) from Alicante airport, which has frequent flights from across the UK and Ireland. Direct buses run from the airport to Benidorm bus station, and the journey takes roughly an hour. Taxis and private transfers are faster but cost more. If you want to explore the mountains and villages at your own pace, hiring a car at Alicante airport is the easiest option.
In town, you won’t need a car. You can walk between the old town and both beaches, and local buses cover the rest. The TRAM d’Alacant links Benidorm with Alicante, Altea, Calpe and Dénia. Parking near the beaches is hard to find in summer, so leave the car at the hotel when you can.
Benidorm has hotels for every budget, but the best rooms with sea views sell out early in summer and during school holidays. Book your accommodation well in advance, especially if you want to stay near the old town.
See available accommodation in Benidorm
Is Benidorm worth visiting?
Benidorm is worth visiting if you want an easy, sunny holiday with plenty of variety. You can spend the morning on golden sand, the afternoon on a boat or a mountain trail, and the evening in a tapas bar or at a show. It’s lively, affordable and very well connected to the UK. Look beyond the skyline and you’ll find history, natural beauty and some of the prettiest villages in Spain. These things to do in Benidorm will help you plan your next trip, from a week of beach time to a short break.
Hotels in Benidorm
The best area to stay in Benidorm depends on your style. Levante suits you if you want to be close to the nightlife, Poniente is calmer and good for families, and the old town puts you within walking distance of both beaches. Here are three hotels for different budgets, all close to the old town.
💰 Hotel Castillo Benidorm
This friendly hotel sits in the town centre, a 4-minute walk from Poniente Beach and about 500 metres from the Church of San Jaime y Santa Ana. Its air-conditioned rooms have balconies, soundproofing and a TV, and guests rate the buffet breakfast highly. The Tapas Alley bars are only a few minutes’ walk away. It’s a great choice if you want a clean, good-value base for exploring the town on a budget.
🏨 H10 Porto Poniente 4* Sup
This stylish hotel sits on the seafront promenade of Poniente Beach, a short walk from the marina and the old town. It has two plunge pools with sea views, the adults-only Despacio spa with a heated pool and the Marea Alta rooftop bar overlooking the bay. It’s ideal for couples who want a beachfront stay with a touch of luxury and easy access to both sides of town.
💎 Hotel Boutique Villa Venecia
This boutique hotel stands on the cliff in the heart of the old town, next to the Church of San Jaime y Santa Ana. Every elegant room has panoramic views of the sea and the town, plus a hydromassage bath and a Nespresso machine. You can relax in the small spa with a sauna and hammam, soak in the terrace hot tub and enjoy creative Mediterranean cuisine at the Llum del Mar restaurant. It’s perfect for a romantic break or a special occasion, with the Balcón del Mediterráneo on your doorstep.
