It’s all about beaches in Benidorm, whether you’re looking to escape from the hustle and bustle or embrace the heart of the action. Here are a few of our fave Benidorm beaches:
Playa de Levante – the most popular beach in Benidorm, stretching for over 2km and offering warm, shallow waters and an action-packed promenade.
Playa de Poniente – the longest beach in the resort (over 3km), ideal for beachfront strolls, crowd-pleasing activities and watersports.
Cala de Mal Pas – a small, Blue Flag-awarded beach located at the cliff’s edge with calm waters – perfect for keeping an eye on the little ones.
Cala Tio Ximo – a secluded, rocky cove with great views in Sierra Helada National Park – it’s a snorkeller’s paradise, ideal for those quieter beach days.
What are the top hotels in Benidorm?
Whether you’re escaping for some summer romance or you’re off on your annual family holiday, this Spanish resort has a hotel to suit everyone. Here are some of (what we think are) the best hotels in Benidorm:
Sol Pelicanos Ocas - one of Benidorm’s most popular beachfront hotels - you might recognise it from the well-known ITV series.
Hotel Cuco - sweet and simple, this hotel offers a rooftop pool and is situated just a short walk from Benidorm’s iconic beachfront.
Melia Benidorm - perfect for a family break, the kids club will keep the little ones occupied while you lounge by one of the lagoon-style pools.
Benidorm offers hot summers with warm seas and temperatures peaking at about 30°C in August, coupled with mild, bright winters with temperatures of around 10°C in January. Boasting 325 sunny days per year, this coastal town is a popular choice for holidays all year around – be sure to pack the sun cream.
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Reviews
At On the Beach, we’ve sent many satisfied customers on Benidorm Holidays for a bit of sunshine. But don't just take our word for it, read some of their 5-star reviews below.
By Anthony TetleyVerified
Always use On the Beach for holidays...
Always use On the Beach for holidays abroad. Just an easy and simple way to book a holiday, and always had a great time.
By Tony FletcherVerified
Excellent
Always use on the beach and always have a fantastic pain free holiday, easy to use service and friendly helpful staff when needed, 😀
By Nigel HancockVerified
Absolutely brilliant service
Absolutely brilliant service and excellent customer support 👏
FAQs
How long does it take to fly to Benidorm?
The flight is just a short 2.5 hours from the UK.
What’s the time difference between the UK and Benidorm?
Benidorm is one hour ahead of the UK.
What currency do they use in Benidorm?
Benidorm is located in Spain so the local currency is the Euro.
What language do they speak in Benidorm?
The official language spoken in Benidorm is Spanish.
Aqualandia Waterpark
Race on the rapids, laze in the lagoon-style pool or face your fears on the 33-metre high Vertigo - at Spain’s biggest waterpark, you can do it all.
Tapas Alley
It’s not a Spanish holiday without tapas, is it? Luckily, you’ll find the best of the best contained in this easy-to-find walkway in the Old Town.
La Cruz de Benidorm
This cross-shaped clifftop is the best spot to soak up some panoramic views of the town and coastline. Make a hike of it or hop in a taxi and take a picnic - whatever your preference, X definitely marks the spot with this one.
Benidorm Island
Also known as Benidorm Rock, this nature reserve is just 3.5km from the mainland. Take a boat out to this striking formation and you might even meet some of the wild peacocks that call it home.
Things to do in Benidorm for families
When on a beach holiday, it would be rude not to hit the beach, especially when Benidorm has some seriously brilliant examples of everything a beach should be: sandy, spacious and family-centric. Think playgrounds, gently shelving sands and generally calm waters. Buckets and spades to the ready! A beach day at Playa de Levante or Playa de Poniente is the perfect way to get your kids to fall in love with the outdoors, and have a ton of fun, too.
Fancy a day full of thrills? Benidorm is chock full of kid-friendly attractions. Terra Mitica theme park is inspired by ancient civilizations and offers rollercoasters, rides and shows for all ages. There’s also the Aqualandia Waterpark, which offers an incredible array of slides and pools to discover together. Family time has never been so fun.
Things to do in Benidorm for couples
When it comes to couples holidays, we know that finding the perfect selfie spot is really important. Luckily, Benidorm is really photogenic so you can’t go wrong, but making your way to the Balcon del Mediterraneo is the way to get it very right. Located within the gardens of Place del Castell, this is a platform suspended in the beautiful blue water, and offers panoramic views that make a perfect backdrop for your holiday snaps.
Is your partner also your partner in crime? Benidorm’s pubs, bars and clubs are famous for their home-from-home atmosphere, and always offer a great night out. Whether you’re looking for a mad one on the tiles or a cooked breakfast to sort you out the next day, we recommend The Bodhran Irish Bar; you’ll find it just set back from the gorgeous, sandy Levante Beach. You never know, you might even start your own fairytale romance in Benidorm.
Things to do in Benidorm for stag and hen dos
Getting married? It might be controversial to say the most important part of planning a wedding is sorting the stag or hen dos…but we’re going there. All you need to do is grab your bride tribe or your best men. With short flights, hot summers and tons to keep you busy, you’ll be saying ‘I do’ to a group holiday to Benidorm in no time.
At the two main beaches – Levante and Poniente, beach bars, watersports and sun loungers await. Whatever your squad’s style, there’s something for everyone here. Love an adventure? Hop on a banana boat. Prefer to chill out? Sip a cocktail in the sunshine. In the evenings, head to the Strip or the Square. These nightlife hot-spots are perfect for partying until the Spanish sun comes up.
What events can I go to in Benidorm?
Benidorm really is an all-singing, all-dancing destination, so if you’re looking for some events to add to your calendar, you’ll be spoilt for choice. We’ve selected some of the best events in Benidorm that we think are well worth a visit:
Carnival (February) - a colourful parade that begins on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday and ends on Shrove Tuesday, where the streets come alive with dancing, music and vibrant costumes
St Patrick’s Day (March) - this might not be a traditional Spanish holiday, but the people of Benidorm fully embrace this celebration with street parties and club nights
Elvis Festival (April) - Calling all Elvis fans, this event features a series of themed shows, Elvis tribute acts and showbands
Corpus Christi (June) - a feast day that celebrates the region’s Christian heritage, with colourful parades, horses, fairgrounds and late-night celebrations
St Jaime Fiesta (July) - this festival celebrates the Patron Saint of Benidorm - St Jaime - with evening festivities and fireworks
Low Festival (July-August) - this three-day event is where music lovers unite to celebrate rock and indie beats with live stage performances
Benidorm Pride (September) - celebrate all things LGBTQ+ as the city comes to life with explosive colour, parades, singing and dancing
Fiesta Week (November) - this is where a week of Patron Saint festivities take place, with live music, dancing, sports, parades and a firework finale
Where is the best nightlife in Benidorm?
Karaoke bars, cabaret nights, cosy pubs and banging clubs - Benidorm nightlife has it all. So where will it be? Check out our top Benidorm nightlife spots below:
KM Disco & Dance Club, Avenida de la Comunidad Valenciana - this lively venue is the go-to place for drinking, dancing and clubbing all night long.
Penelope Disco Beach Club, Avenida de Alcoy - serving up live music, international DJs and a variety of acts, this beach club has it all.
Disco Bahamas, Avenida de Mallorca - home to an outdoor terrace, three bars and international DJs playing the best beats, from House and Hip-Hop to Dance and R&B.
Secret Fountain Roof Bar Garden, Avenida de Mallorca - a hidden gem offering tempting cocktails and live entertainment in a rooftop location.
Voices Benidorm, Levante - a professional karaoke bar serving up great cocktails and great fun.
What’s the food like in Benidorm?
From traditional tapas bars to cheerful cafés, Benidorm has plenty of options when it comes to dining. Whether you’re excited to dive into some Spanish flavours or you’re craving something a little closer to home, we’ve compiled some of the best Benidorm dishes that we think you’ll love:
Seafood (in all forms) - Benidorm is a coastal city, so it’s the perfect opportunity to sample a variety of fresh fish.
Coca Farcida - a savoury pie filled with tomatoes and tuna - perfect for an on-the-go snack.
Paella - you can’t go wrong with this Spanish rice dish, often topped with chicken, seafood or vegetables.
Sweet potato cakes - pastry stuffed with sweet potato, sugar and cinnamon.
San Blas bun - a sweet bun made with almonds and cinnamon.
Looking for places to eat in Benidorm? Check out these top dining spots:
La Cava Aragonesa, Old Town - a buzzing bar serving a variety of tasty tapas dishes.
Oliver’s Bar, Old Town - a traditional British pub with an outdoor terrace serving well-known British drinks on tap.
Tapas Alley, Old Town - if you can’t decide where to eat, this restaurant-lined street is a must-visit hotspot for traditional tapas.
Localolita Street Food, Playa de Poniente - an American street food restaurant close to the beach.
Key facts about Benidorm
Flight Time
2.5 hrs
Time difference
+1 hr
Currency
Euro
Language
Spanish
Will COVID-19 affect my holiday to Benidorm?
We are currently closely following the COVID-19 situation and how it affects travel. You can find out the most up to date information about travel to Spain on the FCDO website.
Do I need any vaccinations to visit Benidorm?
Please check with your healthcare provider for all up to date vaccination advice before booking your holiday.
Do I need a visa to travel to Benidorm?
British Passport holders don’t need a visa to visit Benidorm. Holders of other passports are advised to check with their national embassy for any visa requirements.
Do I need to pay tourist tax on my holiday to Benidorm?
You currently do not need to pay tourist tax on your holiday to Benidorm.
