Benidorm.co.uk

Two Golden Beaches Under a Famous Skyline

Benidorm is a resort city on Spain's Costa Blanca, in the province of Alicante, known for its two broad beaches, its dramatic high-rise skyline and a strong reputation as one of Europe's most popular year-round sun destinations. Levante Beach, to the east, is a long, lively stretch of golden sand with a promenade, while Poniente Beach to the west is quieter and backed by the sweeping curve of the bay. Between them, the old town sits on a rocky headland, ending in the Balcón del Mediterráneo, a viewpoint over the sea.

The skyline is part of the character. Compact, vertical planning has left more open space for beaches, gardens and promenades, and the result is a resort where almost everything lies within walking distance. Old-town lanes around the Plaza del Castell, with its blue-domed church, give a traditional Spanish contrast to the resort strip. Offshore, the small island of Benidorm sits in the bay, and boat trips run out to it and along the coast, giving the resort a seafaring side that many visitors never expect.

Theme Parks, Hills and Evening Energy

Benidorm is known for variety. Terra Mítica, Terra Natura and Aqualandia anchor a strong family offer, while Mundomar adds a marine-themed day out. For something calmer, the Sierra Helada natural park rises behind the town with coastal walking paths and cliff-top views, and the Serra Gelada trails are a popular morning outing. Evenings bring live music, cabaret and a lively dining scene, and each year the Benidorm Fest, a national music contest, adds an extra spotlight on the resort.

The coast around it is rich in day trips. Guadalest, a mountain village with a castle and a turquoise reservoir, is a short drive inland, and the old towns of Altea and Villajoyosa, with its colourful seafront houses, offer a gentler pace. Alicante, with its castle and promenade, is an easy city day out. For a hotel group, Benidorm's broad range of stays and its busy winter calendar make it one of the Mediterranean's most reliable markets.

A Resort That Works in Every Season

Benidorm's mild climate is one of its great strengths, with a long beach season and winter days bright enough for sea walks and outdoor lunches. This makes it a favourite for winter sun, as well as the classic summer family holiday. Alicante-Elche airport is the usual gateway, with direct flights from the UK taking a little over two hours, and the resort is around an hour away by road. Coach links, trams and taxis make it easy to travel along the coast.

Visitors often compare Benidorm with other sun destinations, such as Mallorca in the Balearic Islands or Costa Adeje in the Canary Islands, and the Costa Blanca stands out for its easy access and busy resort life. A name like Benidorm.co.uk gives airlines and hotels a clear, shared home for the resort story, and the wider Spain guide shows how a Benidorm stay can be extended into a longer journey.

Levante, Poniente and the Old Town Compared

Benidorm's districts make choosing a stay simple. Levante, the larger beach, has high-rise seafront hotels with pools, spas and entertainment, a natural fit for families, groups and first-time guests who want everything on the doorstep. Poniente, to the west, is a quieter bay with apartment-style hotels and walking promenades, and suits couples and guests who prefer a gentler pace. The old town, or Casco Antiguo, sits between the beaches, with small hotels beside the blue-domed church, narrow lanes and tapas bars, giving a traditional Spanish flavour within a short walk of the sand.

Rincón de Loix, at the north end of Levante, is a favourite with families thanks to its calmer beachfront and quieter streets, while La Cala, nearer Villajoyosa, offers a small-resort feel. Adults-only and wellness hotels are well established, with thermal circuits and rooftop pools, and golfers choose resorts in the hills at Villaitana and Altea, where fairways look over the bay. Apartment stays suit longer winter visits, and the large hotel sector means choice at every level. A booking platform can offer each district clearly, and guests find the main beach within walking distance almost everywhere.

Tapas Lanes, Paella and a Festive Calendar

Food in Benidorm is sociable and varied. The old-town streets around Calle Santo Domingo and the Plaza de la Constitución fill with tapas bars serving prawns, croquettes, patatas bravas and Valencian rice dishes, and paella, arroz a banda and fresh grilled fish are served on beachfront terraces. Nearby Villajoyosa is famed for its chocolate, with long-established factories open for visits, while Callosa d'en Sarrià grows loquats and oranges that appear in the markets. Coffee with a pastry on the promenade starts the day, and ice cream parlours stay busy on summer evenings.

The calendar is lively. Carnival and the Benidorm Fest in late winter, Holy Week in spring and Midsummer bonfires on the beach in late June set the pace, while the Fiestas Patronales in November celebrate the town's patron saints with parades and fireworks. The nearby Moors and Christians festival at Villajoyosa in July is one of the region's most spectacular, with a mock landing on the beach. Cabaret, tribute shows and music venues give evenings a theatrical spark all year, and autumn and winter bring concerts, dance competitions and sports weeks that fill the resort with energy.

Serra Gelada Trails and Coastal Day Trips

Benidorm is also an outdoor base. The Serra Gelada natural park rises above the town with trails to the lighthouse at Albir and views over the bay, and the Bernia ridge offers more demanding walking. Boat trips run to the Isla de Benidorm and along the coast, and diving centres use the clear water around the rocky islets. Cyclists train on the quiet coastal and mountain roads, especially in winter and spring. At the Fonts de l'Algar near Callosa d'en Sarrià, natural pools and waterfalls make a cool half-day, while the water parks and theme parks keep families busy.

Day trips are rewarding. Guadalest's castle village, the whitewashed streets of Altea and Calpe's Peñón de Ifach are within half an hour's drive, and Alicante is easy by tram or road. Boats cross to Tabarca in summer, and from nearby Dénia ferries link with the Balearics, including Ibiza. For winter-sun visitors who like a lively resort, the Canary Islands and Marbella are the main alternatives, and the wider Spain and Balearic Islands guides help guests to extend their stay.

Planning your stay

Benidorm has two main beaches, Levante and Poniente, separated by a small headland and the old town, with a promenade running along each. The resort is built upwards, with hotel and apartment towers close to the sand, which makes it easy to stay near the beach without a car. The old town has narrow streets, a viewpoint and a church above the sea.

There are theme parks and water parks nearby for families, and the hills behind the town offer walking. Benidorm is served by the airport at Alicante, and the wider coast and city are covered in that guide. For the national picture, read our Spain guide.

When to go

Benidorm is known for warm winters and is popular with long-stay visitors, so it is busy outside the main summer season. Spring and autumn are comfortable and cheaper, while July and August are hot and crowded, with the highest prices. If you want quiet beaches, choose June or September.

Balconies and falls from height

In a high-rise resort this matters.

Entry rules and the border

Benidorm follows Spanish Schengen rules, and you will clear the border at Alicante-Elche. A passport under 10 years old on the day you arrive and valid for three months after you plan to leave allows a stay of up to 90 days in any 180.

At the airport the Entry/Exit System may take fingerprints and a photo on your first visit, at no cost, and can add time in the queue. British Airways lists London to Alicante at 2 hours 30 minutes, so allow time for the road transfer as well.

Before you travel

Entry requirements and official travel guidance are updated regularly, so check the latest position with your government before booking. The sources we used are listed at the foot of this page.

Why Benidorm matters to the industry

Benidorm is one of the most recognisable resort names for UK holidaymakers, with a very high volume of repeat guests, and clear information builds trust. Benidorm.co.uk lets a hotel group, tourist board or airline publish accurate answers on seasons, logistics and transfers, and our AI platform carries them to searchers.

Compare it with the islands in our Balearic Islands guide or browse the destination guides.

A practical point for planners: Benidorm guests often return year after year, and many are couples, families and groups booking several rooms. They ask about balcony rules, pool and beach timings, transfers from the airport and the best months for quiet beaches, and a clear page that answers those questions reduces repeat calls to reservations teams.

Questions travellers ask about Benidorm