Benidorm is long-established as the Costa Blanca's brashest beach town, renowned for its unpretentious nightlife, sizeable expat population and ever-bustling stretches of soft golden sand. The dining scene caters to a diverse international crowd, with everything from English-style cafes serving hangover-busting breakfasts to authentic Chinese restaurants.
State-of-the-art family attractions like the Terra Mitica theme park offer adrenaline-pumping fun for kids and kids-at-heart alike. After dark, Benidorm continues to heat up, with an array of tempting tapas bars, raucous pubs, warmly welcoming LGBT bars and pulsing nightclubs to check out.
What to see & do in Benidorm
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10 Best Things to Do in Benidorm
The best things to do in Benidorm take full advantage of everything this bustling beach town in Spain’s seaside haven of Costa Blanca has to offer. The Mediterranean beach resort is popular for its long stretches of wide, golden beaches....
Benidorm is a great family holiday destination in Costa Brava, thanks to its pristine beaches and calm waves, as well as kid-friendly activities and excellent restaurants along the coastline.
However, that's not all – the seaside town offers numerous leisure options...
There are many ways to save money while enjoying your stay in Benidorm. In fact, this seaside town is famous for its numerous beaches and surrounding countryside, none of which will cost you anything. Part of Costa Blanca on Spain's...
The best beaches in Benidorm are impressively varied, but all of them add to up create one of Spain’s finest beach resorts. From long golden stretches of sand with beach games and lifeguard patrols, to small, hidden coves where it...
These great restaurants in Benidorm show that this place is famous for much more than its lively beaches and family-friendly attractions. The resort town offers delicious and authentic cuisine with the finest flavours from land and sea. Must-tries include arroz caldoso...
The best local restaurants in Benidorm serve a medley of flavourful Spanish dishes for a reasonable price. A tiny fishing village until the ‘60s, Benidorm has evolved into one of the most sought-after seaside resorts in the Costa del Sol....
Check out the best places to go shopping in Benidorm and pick up great gifts or souvenirs. From traditional outdoor markets to shopping streets and districts to malls and department stores, Benidorm boasts a variety of shopping experiences.
Shops in Benidorm open from Monday to Saturday, with most closing on Sundays. Opening hours usually run from the morning to midday, when...
Visitors searching for things to do after dinner in Benidorm certainly won’t find themselves short of options. The vibrant coastal town has long been a favourite among European sunseekers, and its distinct forms of entertainment are known to burst into...
Benidorm is a fun city on the Costa Blanca of Spain where travellers can enjoy golden-sand beaches and more beach bars and clubs than you can imagine. Whether you're looking for traditional high-energy fun or you want something more laid-back,...
Our Benidorm Travel Essentials lays out the essential information you need to help planning your trip to one of the most popular destinations in Spain. No matter how frequently you travel, some questions will always need answers: What’s the weather like? How can I get from the airport to my hotel? What currency and type of plug do I need?...
A 1956 shift in urban planning turned the once-tranquil fishing town of Benidorm into the vertical beach resort it is today. With its iconic skyline overlooking the Mediterranean and privileged climate, this Costa Blanca tourist hub attracts hordes of package vacationers every summer. Yet, those willing to scratch beneath the surface will soon discover that Benidorm offers much more than golden beaches and a vibrant nightlife.
Beaches and coves
Most of the city's resorts stand tall on Benidorm's 2 main beaches; the bustling Playa de Levante with its seaside boardwalk, and Playa de Poniente, just south of the marina. Between these 2 stretches of sand lies a hidden treasure, the small cove of Cala de Mal Pas, under the Mediterranean lookout Balcón al Mar, and just steps from Benidorm's Old Town. For crystal-clear waters and relaxed snorkelling expeditions, head northeast to smaller Cala La Almadrava and Cala del Tío Ximo, hidden coves of fine sand and rocks at the foot of the Serra Gelada mountains.
Sports and recreation
Benidorm's climate and topography make for a true haven for sports lovers. From golfing on picture-perfect courses overlooking the Mediterranean, to scuba diving in the clear waters enclosing the Benidorm Island, there are sports options for everyone. The mountains surrounding the city offer travellers hiking and cycling routes far from the buzzing crowds. However, the region's crown jewel is the turquoise water that laps its coastline: sailing, snorkelling and scuba diving are but a few of the countless water sports that tourists can enjoy in and around the city.
City of lights
Benidorm's impressive skyline awakens at night when the city's renowned club scene welcomes travellers in search of all-night partying. From English pubs to techno dance clubs, a lot of Benidorm's nightlife happens along the main beach of Playa de Levante. Those in search of dinner and entertainment will also find they have a wide range of options, from a medieval feast complete with live jests to variety entertainment with a set menu at the Benidorm Palace.
Fun for the family
The area surrounding Benidorm is well known for its great array of theme parks. The popular Terra Mítica features shows and rides inspired by 3 of the greatest civilizations ever to rise around the Mediterranean: Rome, Greece, and Egypt. Nature lovers can come face to face with a wide range of species from across the globe in Terra Natura; a sprawling park that recreates animals’ natural habitats. For travellers looking to splash the day away, there are countless water parks with slides and rides for the whole family.
Exploring the Marina Baixa
Benidorm lies in the heart of the Marina Baixa region in southern Alicante, a perfect location for discovering colourful seaside towns such as La Vila Joiosa (or, “the joyous village”) and mountaintop medieval enclaves like Castell de Guadalest, situated 24km west of Benidorm and home to an 11th-century Moorish fortification. At just over an hour’s drive from Benidorm, visitors travelling during the last weeks of April should not miss Alcoi, a town known for its Moros y Cristianos (literally, “Moors and Christians”) festivities commemorating the battles that took place throughout the region between the 8th and 15th centuries.
10 Best Things to Do in Benidorm
11 Best Things to Do with Kids in Benidorm
10 Ways to Save Money in Benidorm
5 Best Beaches in Benidorm
10 Great Restaurants in Benidorm
10 Best Local Restaurants in Benidorm
10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Benidorm
10 Best Beach Bars and Clubs in Benidorm
