Benidorm

Understand

Benidorm was built compact thanks to the foresight of the town's mayor, who in the 1960s had a vision of a resort which grew upwards. Now it is slowly spreading westwards. Today Benidorm is famous for tall hotels and holiday apartment blocks, some of which are over 25 floors high. Benidorm offers a range of quality of accommodation, and the city attracts package holiday visitors and tourists who demand 5-star hotel and spa complexes. Due to the July–August crowd of young people, many apartments will insist on a refundable deposit for certain times of the year. There are over 41,000 hotel beds and modern tourist apartments. The biggest assets are the 4 km of Blue Flag safe sandy beaches which draw people from all over Spain in the summer months and from all over Europe 365 days of the year. Benidorm is an ideal sun destination both in summer and winter due to the mild climate where day-time temperatures rarely fall below 18°C.

1 Tourist Info Benidorm Centro, Plaza Canalejas, 1 (Centro Municipal el Torrejó), ☏ +34 965 851 311, benidorm@touristinfo.net. M-F 09:00-21:00, Sa 10:00-17:00, Su 10:00-14:00. (updated Nov 2017) 2 Tourist Info Benidorm Europa, Av de Europa, s/n, ☏ +34 965 860 095. M-F 10:30-17:30, Sa 10:00-17:00, Su 10:00-14:00. (updated Nov 2017) Touristic guide service (Guides Costa Blanca), ☏ +34 610 42 6621, info@guidescostablanca.com. M-S 9:00-14:00 15:30-21:00. Offers book walking tours and other excursions in Benidorm and surroundings (Costa Blanca). (updated Mar 2021)

Watch

Benidorm. This UK television situation comedy provides an amusing depiction of British holidaymakers staying at an all-inclusive resort in Benidorm. Although the Solana Resort is fictional, the scenes were filmed at actual Benidorm properties. The ensemble cast includes Siobhan Finneran, Steve Pemberton, Sherrie Hewson, and Johnny Vegas. Benidorm was originally broadcast on ITV/STV/UTV for ten series from February 2007 to May 2018. The show won the Best Situation Comedy BAFTA in 2008, as well as numerous National Television Awards and TV Choice Awards over the years. Benidorm can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video (Aus, UK), Britbox (Can, UK, US), Netflix (Ire, UK), and 7plus (Aus). (updated Jan 2021)

Getting there

By plane

Alicante Airport (ALC IATA) is serviced daily by over 30 low-cost and scheduled airlines from most major European cities. The majority of incoming flights are from the UK which offer the best value seat prices due to high competition in this sector. There are a number of online shuttle services from the airport to Benidorm for €10 or less each way. Private transfers operate from the terminal building with a journey time of 30–45 minutes to Benidorm.

By rail

Tram Alicante (el Trenet) operates a light rail train connecting all major settlements along the coast between Dénia and Alicante, with the exception of Xàbia. L1 (line 1) connects Benidorm with Alicante (1 hr 9 min) and Villajoyosa, while the hourly L9 connects the city with Dénia and other points between. You will need your ticket's barcode to get out of the station. For travelers with smartphones, there is a helpful official app (iPhone and Android) with a route planner and timetables. Guide dogs and small pets in carriers are permitted.

1 Benidorm (main tram station), Carrer de L'Estació (2 km W of town centre), ☏ +34 900 720 472. Main tram station serving line 1 & 9. In Zone B. (updated Jun 2025) 2 Benidorm Intermodal (Intermodal tram statioin). Station serving lines 1 & 9 next to bus station. In Zone B (updated Jun 2025)

Getting around

By foot

Discovering central Benidorm is easy on foot as that area is very compact especially the Levante Playa area which is chosen by most visitors as the area to stay. It is easy to walk a few miles and still remain in town. Walking time from one end of the resort to the other is over an hour's walk. There are a few companies opposite the Wednesday/Sunday market which hire or sell motability scooters for the disabled and sometimes just plain lazy who want to get around town.

By bus

Llorente Bus is an excellent local bus service which runs until midnight, and also runs buses to the neighbouring towns of Altea, Finestrat, and Villajoyosa. Buses run between 06:00-24:00, and there are night buses between midnight and 06:00; schedules and route maps are available online. Individual fares are €1.50/€1.65 (day/night), payable directly to the bus driver. Visitors who plan to use the bus a lot may want to consider purchasing a Tourist Card, valid for 24 hours (€11), 3 days (€20), or 7 days (€38), and which cannot be topped up. For those staying for a longer period the Eco Card is valid for 30 days and can be topped up (€54, +€2 for the plastic card). Both card types are for individual use only and cannot be shared with others; they can be purchased directly on the bus.

See

As a purpose-built beach resort, everything is geared toward fun and enjoyment; there is therefore not much to see for those looking for culture. The surrounding towns and villages, which are less than 20 minutes drive by car or 30 minutes by bus are well worth exploring for anyone looking for 'real Spain'. In Benidorm the old town does still retain some of the quaint past, from when the town was a small village. Head for the old town church, where you will find the most interesting part of the town.

1 Punta Calfani (Balcón del Mediterráneo). The rocky outcrop separates the Benidorm coast into beaches, Platja de Peniente and Platja de Levante, each of them 2.5 km long. Once the site of a defensive structure against pirates, today it is a favourite scenic viewpoint. (updated Nov 2017) 2 Església de Sant Jaume i Santa Anna (Iglesia de San Jaime y Santa Ana / Church of St James and St Ana), Plaça de Sant Jaume, 1 (old town), ☏ +34 965 854 024. Built between 1740 and 1780, the church houses the effigy of Mare de Déu del Sofratge (Virgen del Sufragio – 'Virgin of the Suffrage'), the patron saint of Benidorm. (updated Nov 2017) 4 Parc de l'Aigüera (Parque de la Aigüera / Aigüera Park). This elongated park was established in 1990. The 3 Plaça de Bous (Plaza de Toros) is in the northern part. (updated Nov 2017) 5 Intempo. At 198 m, the tallest building in Benidorm, and the tallest in Spain outside of Madrid, was designed by the Alicante Pérez-Guerras architecture firm. Construction has been riddled with problems, and completed in 2021. (updated Nov 2017) Tossal de la Cala. Archaeological site and viewpoint. Free. (updated May 2022) 6 Museo del Motor (Motor Museum), Carrer Joan Fuster, 4 (by tram: Cala Finestrat line 1), ☏ +34 965143387. every day April- October 10:00-20:00 closes 18:00 in winter. Impressive motor museum on edge of town featuring cars, motorcycles & automotive history arranged mainly in chronological order. Includes several vehicles associated with films/movies. Small cafe. see website for prices. (updated Jun 2025)

Do

As a large resort, Benidorm offers a huge number of different activities for holidaymakers, in town and in the nearby area. Blanket trips are free tours to nearby resorts, towns and markets. Unlike timeshare sales, there is no hard sell and if you do not want to buy anything, that is fine. The downside is that by the time you have sat through two demos and had something to eat, you arrive at a place at 12:30 or later as the shops are shutting and leave two hours later as they are opening again, or you get there when a market is mostly over.

Beaches

There are 4 km of safe, sandy beaches in Benidorm, including two spectacular Blue Flag beaches.

1 Platja de Llevant (Playa de Levante / Levante Beach). A 2-km-long Blue Flag Beach. (updated Nov 2017) 2 Platja de Ponent (Playa de Poniente / Poniente Beach). A more sedate Blue Flag beach preferred by locals and families. In 2009 a €13 million promenade was opened, which included a boardwalk at beach level and easier access for wheelchair users. (updated Nov 2017) 3 Platja del Mal Pas (Playa de Mal Pas / Mal Pas Beach). (updated Nov 2017) 4 Cala de l'Almadrava (Cala La Almodrava). (updated Nov 2017) 5 Cala del Ti Ximo (Cala Tío Ximo). (updated Nov 2017) 6 Cala de Finestrat (Playa de Finestrat / Finestrat Beach). A Blue Flag beach in nearby Finestrat. (updated Nov 2017)

Shopping

An abundance of cheap leather and shoes are on offer all year. Also look out for artisan markets which take place throughout the year during fiesta times and in July and August. At these you can buy local cheeses and produce plus jewelry, pottery and paintings. Most visitors from outside of Spain also take advantage of the cheap alcohol and cigarettes. Tobacco prices are set by the government in Spain so buy at any of the tobacco shops – there's no need to shop around. There are a number of bazaars around which sell products from €1 and up, and have a wide selection of essentials, knickknacks, food and other things at that price.

1 Mercat Municipal (Mercado Municipal), Carrer del Mercat, 1, ☏ +34 965 855 500. M-Sa 09:00-20:00. The municipal market is a good place for local produce, fish, and meat. There is also a Mercadona supermarket in the building. (updated Nov 2017)

Street markets

2 Rastro El Cisne (Fleamarket), Ctra N332 (NW of town, take bus 10). Sa and Su. A large market for second-hand items and antiques. (updated Nov 2017) 3 Mercadillo Pueblo, Avda de l'Admirall Bernat de Sarrià. Su and W mornings. A semi-weekly street market for various goods, with a few vendors of local produce. Also has a few food and drink stands. Parking can be a problem so it's best to arrive early. (updated Nov 2017) 4 Mercadet de Foietes (Mercadillo de Foietes), Avda Ciudad Deportiva. W mornings. A weekly street market for all sorts of goods. Here too it's best to arrive before 10:00 if you want to find a space to park your car. (updated Nov 2017)

Eat

There are over a thousand places to eat. The best area for restaurants and tapas bars is in the old town, where you will find of course Spanish cuisine and also English, French, Algerian and Dutch food. It is best to search the old town if you want some real quality local food such as jamón and excellent local wines from the Jalón valley. In the Levante area the food is typical tourist fare with many English café-bars offering home-style food to English visitors. There are also many Chinese restaurants from a fairly large Chinese community who also have shops with items from China. Breakfast is a favourite of many with a large fried breakfast starting at €2.

Mid-range

1 Ristorante Topo Gigio, Av Mediterráneo, 9, ☏ +34 965 857 168. Daily 12:00-24:00. A popular Italian restaurant and pizzeria with a large outdoor terrace. (updated Nov 2017) 2 La Tapería, C/ Santo Domingo, 6 (old town), ☏ +34 618 131 873, reservas@grupoaurrera.com. Daily 12:00-24:00. Serves pinchos and raciones, meat, and fish. Set menu €16. (updated Nov 2017)

Splurge

3 Restaurante La Falua, C/ Santander, 22, ☏ +34 965 853 105, lafalua@lafalua.es. Daily 13:30-17:00 20:30-24:00. Mediterranean cuisine. Tasting menu €28-50. (updated Nov 2017)

Drink

There are 800 bars selling alcohol and as such the competition is huge, with happy hours, two-for-one, etc. – whatever your tipple you will find it in Benidorm. Many small bars offer bottled beer at €1 and themed bars are in abundance. You will find British pubs, Dutch bars and Irish bars plus the many Spanish cafetería-bars which offer local Spanish favourites. Football is shown on large TV screens at many of them. A number of bars have live acts and other entertainment including karaoke.

Sleep

Benidorm offers over 240 Hotels and holiday apartment complexes with 1- to 5-star ratings. Everyone will find a room to fit their budget. It should be remembered that hotels have daily maid service and apartments have a less frequent maid service (once or twice a week). Competition is massive therefore prices are some of the lowest in Spain especially out of season. Shop around for good deals. Be aware that you may have to pay a €50-100 deposit before check-in. The most popular places to stay are the lively Levante, which is ideal for families and groups. The old town is preferred by couples and more mature visitors offering a less frantic holiday. The Poniente is ideal for beach holidays and peace and quiet. Also La Cala Finestrat on the outskirts of Benidorm is preferred by those who want a relaxed holiday away from the late nights and discos.

Camping

1 Camping Arena Blanca, Av Dr Severo Ochoa, 44 (Benidorm), ☏ +34 965 861 889, info@campingarenablanca.com. Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 12:00. Has spaces for tents, campervans and caravans, and bungalows for rent. Has showers with hot water, laundry, outdoor pool (indoor and heated in winter), supermarket, bar with terrace and restaurant. (updated Oct 2018) 2 Camping Almafá, Partida Cabut, 25 (L'Alfàs del Pi), ☏ +34 965 889 075, info@campingalmafra.es. Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 12:00. Has spaces for campervans and caravans, and bungalows for rent. Has showers, laundry, indoor and outdoor pools, fitness centre, and restaurant. Pets accepted on request for extra charge. (updated Nov 2017) 3 Camping El Racó, Av Dr Severo Ochoa, 35, ☏ +34 965 868 552, info@campingraco.com. Can accommodate campervans and caravans, and also has bungalows available for rent. Facilities include showers, laundry facilities, indoor and outdoor pool, and supermarket and café. Free Wi-Fi and free parking. (updated Nov 2017) 4 Camping Villamar, Ctra del Albir, km .3, ☏ +34 966 811 255, fax: +34 966 813 540, camping@campingvillamar.com. Has spaces for tents, campervans, and caravans, and rents out large tents and cabins. Has showers, laundry, supermarket, cafeteria, and outdoor pool. (updated Nov 2017) 5 Camping Villasol, Av de l'Almirall Bernat de Sarria, 13, ☏ +34 965 850 422, info@camping-villasol.com. Can accommodate tents, campervans, and caravans, and has large tents, bungalows, and villas available for rent. Facilities include showers and laundry, indoor and outdoor pool, and restaurant. (updated Nov 2017) 6 Camping Armanello, Av Comunidad Valenciana S/N (Benidorm), ☏ +34 965 85 31 90, info@campingarmanello.com. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Has bungalows, glamping suites, plots for motorhomes and caravans and space for tents. Free wifi, supermarket, restaurant, laundry, kids playground and two swimming pools. (updated Jan 2019) 7 Camping Benisol (Camping Benisol), Avd. de la Comunidad Valenciana, S/N, ☏ +34 965851673, info@campingbenisol.com. A small family camping with two swimming pools, gym, and restaurant Chiringuito. Pet-friendly. (updated Jun 2020)

Budget

8 Hotel Montesol, Av de los Almendros, 19, ☏ +34 965 850 979, hotel@hotelmontesolbenidorm.com. Check-in: 15:00-23:30, check-out: 12:00. Has an onsite restaurant and free Wi-Fi. Doubles €51+, including breakfast. (updated Nov 2017)

Stay safe

One feature over the last few years on travel forums is pick-pocketing and even some cases of mugging in Benidorm. When someone asked about "Muggers Alley", two different locations were given. Be careful in crowds, notably the Sunday-Wednesday market which has general things which you can buy as cheap elsewhere and the Sunday boot sale market which has older things and collectibles. Valuables should not be left in (empty) cars or apartments. Lock all doors and windows when leaving your apartment. Most rooms will come with a safe. Despite these warnings visitors should remember that at peak times Benidorm hosts up to 200,000 people, therefore the true crime numbers are actually quite small. Sadly crimes are talked about around the many bars and tend to be exaggerated somewhat. In reality Benidorm is as safe as any other busy tourist resort where the majority of petty crime takes place late at night and usually involves alcohol fueled crimes. The police have a very visible presence, in cars.

Go next

If you hire a car you will be able to discover that the entire region is a hive of small villages and picturesque mountains. The following nearby towns are especially worth a visit:

Altea is a quiet up-market town with much more Spanish culture and a stunning well-preserved old town, as well as a weekly outdoor market. Guadalest is a village worth visiting, as many of the houses here are over 400 years old and there are spectacular mountain views. Wine lovers should head toward Calp (a 30-minute drive) and take the signs for Jalón, where you will find the wine-growing region and almond groves. A recommended driving route to see the 'real Spain' is to head toward Finestrat, just 9 km from Benidorm, and drive from there into the mountains where you will find a different world. The Algar waterfalls near Polop are a lovely place to escape the hustle and bustle of busy Benidorm. For a great day out, the city of Valencia is a must, which you can reach by express coach in 90 minutes from Benidorm.

More pictures of Benidorm

From this destination's category on Wikimedia Commons. Each photograph is credited to its own author under its own licence.