Benidorm

Benidorm is a beach resort city on Spain's Costa Blanca, in the Alicante province of the Valencian Community. What was a small fishing village a century ago is now one of Europe's most recognizable skylines, packed with high-rise hotels and apartment towers along two long, gently curving beaches. It has the third-highest density of skyscrapers of any city in Europe, a reputation that earns it nicknames like "Beni" and the "Manhattan of the Mediterranean."

Despite the height of its buildings, Benidorm is built for walking, with wide pedestrian promenades, underground parking, and a compact center that keeps traffic largely out of sight. Behind the modern towers, a small old town survives on the headland between the two beaches, and the city's real draw for most visitors is the sheer range of things packed into a small area: reliably sunny weather, family theme parks, a famously energetic nightlife scene, and quick access to the mountains and villages of inland Alicante.

Summer (June to September)

Hot, dry, and sunny, with daytime temperatures typically in the high 20s to low 30s Celsius. This is peak season, when the beaches, promenades, and nightlife areas are at their busiest.

Spring and Autumn (April to May, October)

Mild, sunny, and less crowded, with sea temperatures still comfortable for swimming into October, making these popular months for a quieter beach holiday.

Winter (November to March)

Benidorm's microclimate, sheltered by the Sierra Helada mountains, keeps winters notably mild for mainland Spain, with plenty of sunshine and daytime highs often in the high teens Celsius, which is why the city attracts a large community of long-stay winter visitors.

By Air

Alicante-Elche Airport is the main gateway, located about 60 kilometers south and served by frequent flights from across Europe, particularly the UK and Ireland.

By Train (TRAM)

The TRAM d'Alacant light rail line connects Alicante city and Benidorm directly, with the route continuing north to Altea and Dénia, making it a practical car-free option for reaching the city and several nearby towns.

By Bus

Direct bus services run from Alicante Airport to Benidorm, along with longer-distance coaches from Madrid, Valencia, and other Spanish cities.

By Car

Benidorm sits just off the AP-7 motorway, making it an easy drive from Alicante or Valencia, though a car is optional for the city itself given its compact layout and good public transport.

Benidorm's center is designed around pedestrians, with wide promenades and most attractions within walking distance of the beachfront.

• On foot: The two main beaches, the old town, and most hotels sit within a walkable stretch of the city, connected by promenades and pedestrianized streets.
• Local buses: An urban bus network covers the full city, including the uphill route to the Rincón de Loix area near Aqualandia and Mundomar, and connects to the theme parks further out via routes 1 and 042.
• TRAM: Useful for reaching Altea, Alicante, or other coastal towns along the same line, with some seasonal ticket promotions bundling transport with theme park entry.
• Taxis and rideshare: Widely available, especially useful for reaching the theme parks directly or for late-night returns from nightlife areas.

Benidorm's two main beaches, separated by the rocky headland of the old town, are its central attraction and both hold Blue Flag status.

• Playa de Levante: A nearly two-kilometer stretch of fine sand backed by the city's most iconic high-rise skyline, the liveliest of the two beaches and the center of much of Benidorm's entertainment scene.
• Playa de Poniente: A slightly longer, generally quieter beach with a more contemporary promenade, palm trees, and views back toward the marina and old town.
• Cala de Mal Pas and Cala de Tió Ximo: Smaller, more sheltered coves tucked beside the old town headland, offering a lower-key alternative to the two main beaches.

Both main beaches offer sunbed and umbrella rental, showers, and a full range of water sports including jet-skiing, parasailing, and banana boat rides in season.

Beyond the beaches, Benidorm's sights cluster around the old town headland and the viewpoints overlooking its skyline.

• Balcón del Mediterráneo: A white stone viewpoint on the Canfali headland separating the two main beaches, offering the classic panorama of Benidorm's skyline, sea, and Benidorm Island, especially striking at sunset.
• Old Town (Casco Antiguo): The original fishing village core between Levante and Poniente beaches, with whitewashed streets, small plazas, and the Church of San Jaime and Santa Ana with its blue-tiled dome.
• Gran Hotel Bali viewing deck: One of the tallest buildings on Europe's Mediterranean coast, with a public viewing deck near the top offering sweeping views over the whole city.
• Benidorm Marina and Poniente promenade: A quieter working harbor area with restaurants and boat trips, including excursions out to Benidorm Island.
• Isla de Benidorm (Benidorm Island): A small rocky islet just offshore, popular for boat trips, snorkeling, and diving, and a defining feature of the city's skyline views.
• Serra Gelada Natural Park: Dramatic coastal cliffs just east of the city, with hiking trails and a lighthouse walk offering views back toward Benidorm's skyline.

Benidorm is home to several of Spain's best-known theme parks, making it one of the country's top destinations for family holidays.

Terra Mítica

Benidorm's largest theme park, themed around the ancient Mediterranean civilizations of Egypt, Greece, Rome, and Iberia, with roller coasters, live shows, and rides for a range of ages.

Aqualandia

A large water park with slides and attractions for all ages, from gentle pools for toddlers to high-speed thrill slides, located in the Rincón de Loix area.

Mundomar

A marine and exotic animal park next to Aqualandia, with dolphin and sea lion shows alongside exhibits of lemurs, flamingos, and other wildlife.

Terra Natura and Aqua Natura

A combined wildlife and water park experience, blending zoo-style animal exhibits with amusement rides and pools.

The parks are linked by local bus routes, and combined tickets covering two or three parks are widely available and generally better value than single-park entry.

Benidorm's dining reflects both its Valencian roots and its decades as an international resort, with everything from traditional rice dishes to a huge range of international restaurants catering to its visitors.

Local and Regional Specialties

• Arroz a banda: A Valencian rice dish cooked in fish stock and traditionally served separately from the fish it's cooked with, a coastal Alicante classic.
• Caldero: A hearty fisherman's rice and fish stew, particularly associated with the wider Alicante coast.
• Fideuà: A noodle-based relative of paella, cooked with seafood and typically finished with a garlicky alioli on the side.
• Fresh seafood: Grilled or fried Mediterranean fish and shellfish feature heavily on menus in both the old town and along the marina.

Where to Eat

The old town's Calle Santo Domingo, nicknamed Tapas Alley, is the best area for hopping between traditional tapas bars, including Basque-style pinchos alongside local Valencian dishes. The Rincón de Loix district, known informally as the "English area," offers a heavy concentration of British-style pubs and international restaurants, while the marina and Poniente promenade lean toward seafood with sea views.

Benidorm has one of Spain's most concentrated nightlife scenes, with an estimated 160 or more bars, pubs, and clubs across a few key areas.

• Paseo de Levante: The beachfront strip behind Levante beach, dense with bars, clubs, and late-night entertainment venues.
• Old Town: A mix of traditional bars and lively nightlife spots around the historic squares, popular earlier in the evening.
• Calle Esperanto: Another concentrated strip of bars and clubs, drawing a mixed crowd of visitors and locals.
• Rincón de Loix: The "English area," with pubs, karaoke bars, and cabaret-style venues geared toward British visitors.

Benidorm Palace, a long-running cabaret and variety show venue, is also a popular alternative for visitors looking for entertainment beyond the bar scene.

Old Town (Casco Antiguo)

The original village core on the headland between the two beaches, with whitewashed streets, the Balcón del Mediterráneo viewpoint, and the concentration of traditional tapas bars along Calle Santo Domingo.

Levante

The area behind Levante beach, home to Benidorm's most iconic skyscrapers, its liveliest nightlife strip, and much of its beachfront entertainment.

Poniente

A somewhat calmer, more contemporary district behind Poniente beach, with newer developments, green spaces, and a more relaxed pace than Levante.

Rincón de Loix

An uphill district behind Levante beach known informally as the "English area," with a concentration of British-style pubs, and the departure point for buses to Aqualandia and Mundomar.

Guadalest

A dramatic clifftop village around 25 kilometers inland, built on a rocky outcrop and topped by a ruined castle, often listed among Spain's most beautiful villages, with several small museums and sweeping views over the Guadalest reservoir.

Altea

A whitewashed coastal town just north of Benidorm, known for its blue-domed church, cobbled old town streets, and a noticeably quieter, more artistic atmosphere than Benidorm itself.

Fuentes del Algar (Algar Waterfalls)

A protected natural area of cascading pools and waterfalls near Callosa d'en Sarrià, popular for a scenic walk and a swim in its clear, cold pools, often combined with a Guadalest visit.

Alicante City

The provincial capital, around 45 kilometers south and reachable by TRAM, with its own old town, Santa Bárbara Castle, and a livelier year-round dining and nightlife scene.

Finestrat and Puig Campana

A small hillside village close to Benidorm with colorful streets and views of Puig Campana, one of the province's most distinctive mountains, popular with hikers.

Benidorm is generally one of the more affordable beach resort destinations in Spain, with an unusually wide range of accommodation and dining options for its size.

• Budget travelers: Free beach access, inexpensive menu-of-the-day lunches, and budget apartment-hotels keep daily costs low, especially outside peak summer weeks.
• Mid-range travelers: A comfortable beachfront hotel, theme park visits, and evening meals in the old town or marina fit a moderate daily budget.
• Where the splurges are: Multi-park theme park tickets, guided day trips to Guadalest or Altea, and higher-end seafood restaurants are the main added costs.
• Where the savings are: The beaches themselves are free, local buses are inexpensive, and combined theme park tickets offer better value than single entries.

1 Day in Benidorm

Spend the morning on Levante or Poniente beach, then walk up to the Balcón del Mediterráneo and explore the old town's streets and Tapas Alley for lunch. In the evening, take in the skyline lighting up from the marina or a rooftop bar before an evening out in the old town or Paseo de Levante.

2-3 Days in Benidorm

Add a full day at Terra Mítica, Aqualandia, or Mundomar, and use another day for an excursion to Guadalest, Altea, and the Algar Waterfalls. A longer stay can also include a half-day trip into Alicante city by TRAM.