Benidorm is Spain’s most famous holiday town and, love it or not, it does sun and sea better than almost anywhere. Two long, sandy, beautifully kept beaches curve either side of a rocky headland crowned by the old town and the Balcón del Mediterráneo viewpoint, backed by more high-rise towers for its size than almost anywhere on earth. Behind the high-rises are the mountains of the Costa Blanca, the cliffs of the Serra Gelada natural park and some of the prettiest villages in Spain, from Altea to Guadalest. It is easy, warm and sunny all year, with theme parks for families, lively nights, quiet winter months popular with older travellers, and a tram and direct coaches to Alicante and its airport. Come for the beaches, but take a day or two to look beyond them.
Right now in Benidorm
- Wed 20–27°C 69–80°F 5 mm Showers
- Thu 18–27°C 64–80°F Mostly clear
- Fri 18–24°C 64–75°F Mostly clear
- Mon 12 Oct National Day of Spain (Fiesta Nacional de España)
Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Sea temperature: NOAA CoastWatch · Rates: ECB · Holidays: Nager.Date
Top tours in Benidorm
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Benidorm at a glance
- Best for: long sandy beaches, family holidays and theme parks, nightlife, winter sun, and day trips to Altea, Guadalest and the Serra Gelada.
- How long: a long weekend for the beaches and the old town; a week to add the theme parks, a boat to Benidorm Island and the villages.
- Best time: May–June and September–October for warm sea and fewer crowds; July and August are hot and packed; winter is mild and quiet.
- Getting there: Alicante-Elche airport is about 45 minutes away by direct Alsa coach; the TRAM d’Alacant runs from Alicante city.
- Getting around: on foot along the seafront, by local bus and taxi; the tram for the coast; a car or tour for the mountains.
- Before you go: entry rules, money, trains and general safety are on our Spain travel guide.
Benidorm’s areas and who each one suits
Benidorm is a compact town strung along two bays, with the old town on the headland between them. Each part has its own crowd.
Levante
East of the old town, the Levante beach is the busiest and liveliest side, with a promenade of cafés, bars and shows. Its northern end, around the Rincón de Loix, is the heart of the British nightlife scene, with pubs, karaoke and tribute acts; the end nearest the old town is calmer. It suits groups, couples who like to go out, and anyone wanting everything on the doorstep.
The old town
The Casco Antiguo, on the headland, has narrow streets of tapas bars, the blue-domed church of San Jaime and Santa Ana, and the Balcón del Mediterráneo at its tip. Calle Santo Domingo and the surrounding lanes are known for pintxo and tapas crawls. It is central for both beaches and full of character, though lively at night.
Poniente and La Cala
West of the old town, the Poniente beach is longer, wider and more relaxed, with a curving modernist promenade, many Spanish families and the Intempo tower at the far end. Beyond it, La Cala de Finestrat is a small, quieter resort with its own beach. Poniente is the choice for families and anyone seeking a calmer stay.
Top things to see in Benidorm
Prices and hours below were checked on the official sites in October 2026, unless we say otherwise; check again before you go. Most of Benidorm’s highlights, its beaches, viewpoints and walks, are free.
Levante and Poniente beaches
Benidorm’s two main beaches are the reason it exists: about 2 km of golden sand at Levante and about 3 km at Poniente, gently shelving into calm, clear water, raked and cleaned every night. Both have renewed their Blue Flag, according to the town’s tourist board. There are lifeguards, showers, sunbed and parasol hire, accessible bathing points and long promenades for walking and cycling. Between them, the little Mal Pas cove sits below the old town by the harbour. The town council’s beach bylaw, published in the official provincial gazette, bans glass, alcohol, fires, cooking and washing with soap on the beaches, and ball games that bother others; fines run from up to €750 for minor offences to €3,000 for the most serious. The beaches are open all year. See our beaches guide.
The Balcón del Mediterráneo and the old town
At the tip of the headland, on the site of the old castle, a white balustraded terrace known as the Balcón del Mediterráneo, or Mirador del Castillo, looks out over both bays, the skyline and Benidorm Island. It is the town’s classic photo spot, best at sunset. Behind it, the church of San Jaime and Santa Ana, with its blue-tiled dome, holds the image of the Virgen del Sufragio, the town’s patron, said to have been found washed up on the beach in a boat in 1740.
Serra Gelada Natural Park
North-east of Levante, the Serra Gelada ridge rises straight from the sea in cliffs over 400 m high, protected with its waters as a natural park. Walking trails start from the Rincón de Loix: climb the steps to the big cross on the hill for views over the town, or follow the ridge path towards the Albir lighthouse on the far side of the headland, with sweeping views of the coast. The paths are steep and rocky, with no shade. See our hiking guide.
Benidorm Island
The triangular islet off the bay is part of the Serra Gelada marine park. Boats from the harbour cross several times a day in about 15–20 minutes, some with glass bottoms for looking at the seabed; there is a small bar on the island, a viewpoint at the top and clear water for snorkeling and diving. Services run by private operators; check fares and the last boat back at the harbour kiosks. See our boat trips guide.
The theme parks
Benidorm has five big parks on the edge of town, listed by the town’s tourist board: Terra Mítica, a theme park of rides and shows based on the ancient Mediterranean; Aqualandia, one of Europe’s oldest water parks, with record-breaking slides; Mundomar, with sea lions, dolphins and exotic animals in tropical gardens; Terra Natura, a wildlife park with more than 1,500 animals; and its water park, Aqua Natura. Most open seasonally and on varying days outside summer, and buying online in advance is usually cheaper. In October 2026 Terra Mítica is running its Halloween season from 3 October, with Horror Nights on the Saturdays of 3, 10, 17 and 24 October; check each park’s calendar before you go.
More to see
- Parque de l’Aigüera: a long modern park with an amphitheatre in the middle of town, where concerts are held in summer.
- The skyline: best seen from the Balcón, the cross on the Serra Gelada or the end of Poniente, with towers such as the Gran Hotel Bali and the Intempo.
- Sierra Helada cross viewpoint: the Cruz de Benidorm, a 20–30-minute climb from Rincón de Loix, is spectacular at sunset.
- The harbour: fishing boats, the island ferries and seafood restaurants under the old town.
Other things to do in Benidorm
Water sports, walking and cycling
The calm bays are good for paddleboarding, kayaking, jet-skis and parasailing, all available on the beaches in season. The seafront promenades and the cycle lanes towards L’Alfàs del Pi are flat and easy, while the mountain roads inland draw serious road cyclists in winter. See our cycling guide.
Nightlife and shows
Benidorm stays up late. Rincón de Loix has British-style bars and cabaret, the old town has Spanish tapas bars and clubs, and the big dinner-show venues put on cabaret evenings. In Levante, many bars have live music from early evening.
Food
Beyond the full English breakfasts, look for rice dishes such as arroz a banda and arroz negro, grilled fish at the harbour and tapas in the old town. In Calle Santo Domingo, bars line up pintxos on the counter, priced by the stick.
Day trips and onward travel
Altea
Just north, Altea is a whitewashed hill town with a blue-and-white-domed church, cobbled lanes of craft shops and a pebbly seafront. Line 9 of the TRAM d’Alacant runs from Benidorm to Altea in about 15 minutes and continues along the coast to Calp, below the Peñón de Ifach rock, and Dénia. Go in the late afternoon and stay for dinner.
Guadalest and the Algar waterfalls
Inland, the castle village of Guadalest sits on a crag above a turquoise reservoir, about 40 minutes by car, with small museums and views over the valley. Combine it with the Fonts de l’Algar, a series of waterfalls and pools near Callosa d’en Sarrià where you can swim in summer. Both are popular with coach tours if you have no car.
Alicante and Valencia
The city of Alicante, with its castle, old town and archaeology museum, is just over an hour away by TRAM line 1 or less by coach. For a longer trip, coaches and trains reach Valencia, which has its own page.
Nearby destinations
- Alicante37 km
- Valencia106 km
- Formentera139 km
- Ibiza144 km
- Peñíscola208 km
- Cabo de Gata247 km
- Costa Daurada290 km
- Mallorca295 km
Getting there and getting around
From Alicante airport
Alicante-Elche airport (ALC) is about 60 km away. Alsa runs direct coaches from the terminal to Benidorm with no stops; according to the town’s official tourist board, they leave about hourly from 8:00 to midnight, take about 45 minutes and cost €11–12. Taxis take 40–45 minutes and the tourist board quotes about €75–85; pre-booked shared shuttles and private transfers are also available. Valencia airport is a longer alternative, about 1 hour 45 minutes away.
The TRAM and coaches
The TRAM d’Alacant, run by the Valencian railway company FGV, links Benidorm’s Intermodal station with Alicante’s Luceros station on line 1, along the coast via El Campello and Villajoyosa, in a little over an hour. Line 9 runs north from Benidorm to Altea, Calp and Dénia; it reopened fully modernised in January 2025. Benidorm’s bus station has coaches to Alicante, Valencia and Madrid.
In town, and driving
Town buses run along both seafronts and up to the theme parks, and taxis are plentiful. You will not need a car to stay, but one is useful for the mountains. If you do drive, note that Benidorm has a low-emission zone covering the old town and centre, the Levante and Poniente seafronts and parts of Avenida del Mediterráneo, with access controlled by cameras; visitors whose cars do not qualify can apply for a permit on the town’s ZBE website. Ask your hotel how to reach it by car, and use the car parks on the edge of the centre.
When to go and how long to stay
Benidorm is sheltered by mountains to the north and is famous for its mild winters and long, dry summers. The table uses the 1991–2020 climate normals of the AEMET station in Alicante city, about 40 km down the coast, as published by the WMO: average daily highs and lows, and days with at least 1 mm of rain. Benidorm’s weather is very similar.
| Season | Average high / low | Rainy days per month | What it’s like | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | 17–18 °C / 7–8 °C | 3–4 | Mild and sunny with cool nights; quiet and good value | Long stays, walking, cycling, promenade strolls |
| Spring (Mar–May) | 20–25 °C / 9–15 °C | 3–4 | Warm and bright; the sea still cool | Hiking the Serra Gelada, day trips, theme parks |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 28–31 °C / 19–22 °C | 0–1 | Hot and humid, beaches packed, nights warm | Beaches, water parks, nightlife |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | 29 °C falling to 21 °C / 19 °C falling to 11 °C | 3–4 | Warm sea, fewer crowds, occasional heavy storms | Swimming, boat trips, festivals |
The sea is warmest in August and September. The short, heavy autumn storms known locally as gota fría can bring a year’s worth of rain in a few hours.
Events worth planning around
- January–February: Benidorm Fest, the televised song contest that chooses Spain’s Eurovision entry.
- Early October: the Moros y Cristianos festival, with parades and mock battles between Moors and Christians.
- November: the Fiestas Mayores Patronales in honour of the Virgen del Sufragio and Saint James, around the second week of the month, with parades, music and fireworks.
How long to stay: 3, 5 and 7 days
3 days: day one, the Levante beach, the old town and sunset at the Balcón del Mediterráneo; day two, the walk to the cross on the Serra Gelada in the morning and an afternoon on Poniente; day three, a boat to Benidorm Island and an evening tram to Altea.
5 days: add a theme park day and a trip to Guadalest and the Algar waterfalls. 7 days: add a day in Alicante, a paddleboard or kayak morning, and plenty of slow time on the sand.
Where to stay in Benidorm and the tourist tax
- Levante: lively, close to bars and shows; choose the southern end for a little more calm.
- Old town: central, characterful and between both beaches; can be noisy at night.
- Poniente: wide beach, calmer promenade and family hotels and apartments.
- La Cala de Finestrat: small and quiet, a short bus ride from the centre.
- Altea: for a quieter, prettier base, with the tram to Benidorm.
There is no tourist tax in Benidorm: as of October 2026 there is none anywhere in the Valencian Community, after the regional tax passed in 2022 was repealed in November 2023, before it took effect. Many hotels sell all-inclusive packages; compare them with room-only rates, as eating out is good value.
Practical tips for Benidorm
- Follow the beach rules: no glass or alcohol on the sand, and leave the beach clear at night when the cleaning crews come through.
- Beat the heat: in summer, do walks and the Serra Gelada early in the morning and carry water.
- Watch your valuables: pickpockets work the promenades and busy bars.
- Book parks online: theme park tickets are usually cheaper in advance, and opening days vary out of season.
- Emergencies: call 112.
What to pack for Benidorm
Pack a swimsuit or two, a beach towel, flip-flops and water shoes for the rocky coves. Sun protection is a must: a sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen, as there is little shade on the sand. Bring trainers or walking shoes with grip for the Serra Gelada trails and the old town’s steps, a small daypack and a refillable bottle. From November to March, evenings are cool, so add a light jacket or jumper. For the theme parks, a waterproof phone pouch and a change of clothes are handy.
Benidorm travel FAQ
How do I get from Alicante airport to Benidorm?
By direct Alsa coach, which runs about hourly from 8:00 to midnight, takes about 45 minutes and costs €11–12, according to the town’s tourist board in October 2026. Taxis take 40–45 minutes and cost about €75–85.
Which is better, Levante or Poniente?
Levante is livelier, with bars and shows along the promenade; Poniente is longer, wider and calmer, and better for families. The old town sits between the two.
Can you drink alcohol on Benidorm’s beaches?
No. The town’s beach bylaw bans the sale and consumption of alcohol on the beaches and coves, as well as glass containers, fires and cooking. Fines can be several hundred euros or more.
Does Benidorm have a low-emission zone?
Yes. It covers the old town, the centre and the seafronts, with camera-controlled access. If your car does not qualify, apply for a permit on the town’s ZBE website or park outside the zone.
Is there a tourist tax in Benidorm?
No. As of October 2026 there is no tourist tax in Benidorm or anywhere in the Valencian Community.
Are Benidorm’s theme parks open all year?
Not every day. The water parks are mainly open in the warm months, and Terra Mítica and the animal parks have seasonal calendars, with special events such as Halloween in October. Check each park’s calendar before you go.
Is Benidorm good in winter?
Yes, for sunshine and walking: days average around 17–18 °C, many hotels stay open and prices fall. The sea is too cool for most swimmers.
How do I get to Benidorm Island?
Boats leave from the harbour below the old town several times a day, taking about 15–20 minutes. Check the fare and the time of the last boat back at the harbour kiosks.
How do I get from Benidorm to Altea?
Take TRAM line 9 from Benidorm, about 15 minutes, or a local bus or taxi. It is an easy half-day or evening out.
Sources and last review
Researched and last reviewed on 4 October 2026. Airport coaches, the low-emission zone, Blue Flags and the theme park list: Visit Benidorm, the town’s official tourist board; airport routes: Aena; beach rules and fines: the Ayuntamiento de Benidorm’s beach bylaw as published in the Alicante provincial gazette; Terra Mítica’s October events: the park’s own site; TRAM lines: FGV and the Generalitat’s press office; the tourist-tax position: the Generalitat Valenciana’s Decree-Law 12/2023; climate: AEMET 1991–2020 normals for the Alicante city station, about 40 km away, as published by the WMO. Boat services to Benidorm Island, the tram and taxi journey times and the festival dates are from secondary or general sources and are flagged for checking. Prices, timetables and rules change, so check the official links before you go. For entry rules, money and general safety, see our Spain travel guide.
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