Benidorm in 7 days

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.

Day 1, Land & wander

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

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.

Eat: Arroz a banda and Alicante-style rice dishes

Day 2, Iconic sights

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

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.

Eat: Coca de mollitas and local flatbreads

Day 3, Food & markets

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

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.

Eat: Fresh grilled sardines at beachfront chiringuitos

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Rincón de Loix, The far end of Levante, cheaper hotels and the heart of the entertainment scene.

Morning: Els Poblets and the Elche Park viewpoints for sunset above Poniente.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Rincón de Loix, The far end of Levante, cheaper hotels and the heart of the entertainment scene.

Evening: Altea's old town, a short bus ride away for whitewashed lanes and art galleries.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Horchata, Alicante wines and Fondillón dessert wine

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Sierra Helada & Albir, Cliffside trails and a quieter neighbouring resort a short bus ride north.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Sierra Helada & Albir, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Sierra Helada & Albir, Cliffside trails and a quieter neighbouring resort a short bus ride north.

Evening: Dinner at Arroz a banda and Alicante-style rice dishes, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Sierra Helada & Albir.

Eat: Arroz a banda and Alicante-style rice dishes

Day 6, Hidden gems

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

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Levante Beach, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

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

Evening: Dinner at Coca de mollitas and local flatbreads, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Levante Beach.

Eat: Coca de mollitas and local flatbreads

Day 7, Slow finish

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

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Poniente Beach, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

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

Evening: Dinner at Fresh grilled sardines at beachfront chiringuitos, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Poniente Beach.

Eat: Fresh grilled sardines at beachfront chiringuitos

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.

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.

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