Benidorm, Spain travel guide

High-rise Costa Blanca: two big beaches, year-round sun and unapologetic nightlife.

Best time to visit: May-June and September-October
Average daily budget: $90 to $170 USD
Ideal trip length: 4 to 7 days

Benidorm is Europe's most concentrated beach resort: a skyline of towers behind two long sandy bays, with a small whitewashed old town wedged between them. It is loud, cheap and efficient at what it does, and the mild Costa Blanca microclimate keeps it usable all year. Behind the strip sit the Sierra Helada cliffs, Guadalest's mountain village and Altea's quieter old streets.

Benidorm itinerary

Day 1, Get oriented

Morning: Tapas crawl in the old town. Eat where locals do, away from the full English breakfasts on the strip.

Afternoon: Explore Levante Beach, The long east bay behind the nightlife strip, bars and British and Dutch venues.

Evening: Balcón del Mediterráneo. Stand on the old town's white balustrade viewpoint between both bays.

Day 2, Go deeper

Morning: Sierra Helada cliff walk. Hike to the lighthouse for the best views back over the skyline.

Afternoon: Explore Poniente Beach, The wider, calmer west bay with a modern promenade and family apartments.

Evening: Guadalest day trip. Visit the castle village above a turquoise reservoir inland.

Day 3, Hidden side

Morning: Cala del Tio Ximo, a small rocky cove north of Levante with clear snorkelling water.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Old Town (Casco Antiguo), Whitewashed lanes, tapas bars and the blue-domed church between the two beaches.

Evening: Isla de Benidorm boat trip, a 20-minute ride to the island offshore.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Best neighbourhoods

Levante Beach: The long east bay behind the nightlife strip, bars and British and Dutch venues.
Poniente Beach: The wider, calmer west bay with a modern promenade and family apartments.
Old Town (Casco Antiguo): Whitewashed lanes, tapas bars and the blue-domed church between the two beaches.
Rincón de Loix: The far end of Levante, cheaper hotels and the heart of the entertainment scene.
Sierra Helada & Albir: Cliffside trails and a quieter neighbouring resort a short bus ride north.

Must-do experiences

Balcón del Mediterráneo: Stand on the old town's white balustrade viewpoint between both bays.
Sierra Helada cliff walk: Hike to the lighthouse for the best views back over the skyline.
Guadalest day trip: Visit the castle village above a turquoise reservoir inland.
Tapas crawl in the old town: Eat where locals do, away from the full English breakfasts on the strip.

Hidden gems

Cala del Tio Ximo, a small rocky cove north of Levante with clear snorkelling water.
Isla de Benidorm boat trip, a 20-minute ride to the island offshore.
Els Poblets and the Elche Park viewpoints for sunset above Poniente.
Altea's old town, a short bus ride away for whitewashed lanes and art galleries.

Daily budget

$90 to $170 USD per day.

What to eat

Arroz a banda and Alicante-style rice dishes
Coca de mollitas and local flatbreads
Fresh grilled sardines at beachfront chiringuitos
Horchata, Alicante wines and Fondillón dessert wine

Getting around

Alicante airport is 45 minutes away by bus, shuttle or taxi, and the scenic TRAM line links Benidorm to Alicante and up the coast to Altea, Calpe and Dénia. In town everything runs along the two beach promenades, which are flat and walkable end to end in about an hour, with cheap local buses and taxis filling the gaps. Guadalest and inland villages need a bus tour or car.

Safety

Benidorm is safe but busy: pickpocketing and bag theft on Levante beach and in nightlife areas is the main risk, along with alcohol-related incidents late at night on the strip. Watch balcony safety in apartment blocks, respect beach flags as currents pick up in wind, and expect strong sun with little shade. Petty scams target intoxicated visitors after 2am.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Benidorm?

Four to five days suits a beach break: two for Levante and Poniente, one for the old town, Balcón del Mediterráneo and tapas, and one or two for Guadalest, Altea or Sierra Helada. A full week works if you want pool days, theme parks and boat trips too.

Is Benidorm worth visiting?

If you want reliable sun, cheap food and drink, two excellent city beaches and lively nightlife, yes. It is unashamedly a resort, not a heritage city, but the old town, cliff hikes and inland villages give it more range than its reputation suggests. Skip it if you want quiet or authenticity above all.

Which is better, Levante or Poniente beach?

Levante is livelier: bars, restaurants and nightlife right behind the sand, best for groups and younger travellers. Poniente is wider, calmer and has a modern promenade with more apartments and local families, better for sleep and for kids. The old town sits between the two, a good compromise.

When is the best time to visit Benidorm?

May, June, September and October give warm sea, hot days and fewer crowds. July and August are peak Spanish and international holidays with the highest prices. Winter is mild at around 17 to 20C and popular with long-stay visitors, though sea swimming gets cold and some venues run reduced hours.

Is Benidorm expensive?

It is one of Spain's better-value coastal resorts. Budget around $90 to $170 a day. Menu del día lunches are cheap, supermarket and self-catering options are everywhere, buses cost a couple of euros and half-board hotel deals are common. Costs jump mainly in August and around New Year.

How do you get from Alicante airport to Benidorm?

Direct buses take about 45 to 60 minutes and are the cheapest option, running frequently through the day. Taxis and pre-booked transfers take around 40 to 50 minutes. There is no direct train, but you can reach Alicante city and connect to the coastal TRAM line, which is scenic but slower.

Is Benidorm good for families or just nightlife?

Both, if you choose your base. Poniente and the mid-Levante area are family-friendly with calm water, playgrounds and easy promenades, plus Terra Mítica, Aqualandia and Mundomar nearby. The Rincón de Loix end of Levante is where the late-night entertainment scene concentrates, so families usually avoid staying there.

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