Water park
Aqualandia
Europe's first water park, record-breaking slides.
The Costa Blanca, vertical edition.
Benidorm,
the skyline overlooking the Mediterranean
Five beaches and coves, five theme parks, and a seafront where the skyscrapers open straight onto the sand. Here's what you need to know before booking your stay.
5 beaches
AND COVES
5 parks
THEME PARKS
5 days
LENGTH OF STAY
Zones and beaches
5 beaches, 5 vibes
Benidorm is chosen by beach as much as by neighbourhood. Here's what each one is about, to help you decide where to unpack your bags.
Lively centre
Playa de Levante
Seafront with full services, a lively atmosphere all year round.
Light & relaxation
Playa de Poniente
Rivals Levante for beauty and services, with a prime orientation that gives it longer hours of sunshine.
Historic
Casco Antiguo / Playa Mal Pas
A small beach sheltered by the Cerro Canfali hill, facing the Isla de Benidorm. The historic heart of the town, founded on 8 May 1325.
Tourist district
Rincón de Loix
An accommodation zone with its own tourist information office.
Nature & diving
Cala del Tío Ximo & Cala Almadrava
Small sand-and-rock coves to the north, ideal for diving or a quiet, solitary swim.
| Zone | Price / night | Median length of stay | Best season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Playa de Levante | £106 (avg) | 4 nights | June |
| Playa de Poniente | £103 (avg) | 5 nights | June |
| Casco Antiguo / Mal Pas | £80 (avg) | 3 nights | June |
| Rincón de Loix | £116 (avg) | 5 nights | June |
| Cala del Tío Ximo & Almadrava | £138 (avg) | 7 nights | June |
Source: Internal Stayforlong data. Analysis based on aggregated bookings over the trailing 12 months. Provided for informational purposes. GBP prices are converted from EUR at an approximate rate (27 Aug 2026) — to be reconfirmed before publication.
Average price per night in Playa de Levante
£-- / night on average
Choose a zone
Source: Internal Stayforlong data. Analysis based on aggregated bookings over the trailing 12 months. Provided for informational purposes. GBP prices are converted from EUR at an approximate rate (27 Aug 2026) — to be reconfirmed before publication.
Must-sees
5 theme parks, 1 old town
Benidorm is home to some of Spain's biggest theme parks, all within 20 minutes of the seafront, plus a Casco Antiguo that has kept its 14th-century scale.
Water park
Aqua Natura
Slides, wave pools, sea lion encounters.
Animal park
Mundomar
Dolphin shows, tropical gardens.
Theme park
Terra Mítica
Rides inspired by ancient civilisations.
Animal park
Terra Natura
More than 1,500 animals in open habitats.
Museum
Museo Boca del Calvari
Contemporary art, local history and archaeology — a free, accessible museum.
Viewpoint
Ruta de Miradores
A trail of viewpoints offering the best views over the town.
Things to do
What to do in Benidorm beyond the beach
Between coves, parks and nightlife, Benidorm is about far more than the beach — but the beach is still where everything else starts.
Sierra Helada hike
Immediate contact with nature, right on the edge of town.
Diving at the northern coves
Cala del Tío Ximo and Cala Almadrava, calm waters.
Adventure sports
A category listed by the tourist office.
Nightlife
Category listed, detailed content not reviewed.
Ruta de Miradores
A trail of viewpoints over the town and the bay.
Benidorm Fest / SkyFest
Two events identified, dates to be confirmed.
Food & drink
What people actually eat in Benidorm
A Mediterranean cuisine shaped by centuries of tuna fishing and by the town's cultural mix.
Arroz caldoso de salmonetes y calabaza
Brothy rice with red mullet and pumpkin.
Signature dishCazuela de pescado al estilo pobre
Fish stew ‘the poor way’ — a dish rooted in fishing tradition.
Traditional cuisineArroz de boquerones con espinacas
Rice with anchovies and spinach.
RicePebrot
A dish built on peppers and fish.
Traditional dishCoca rellena
A traditional filled pastry.
PastryBollo de San Blas
Traditional Epiphany bread.
Festive treatThe local cuisine is presented by the source as a reflection of the town's history and multiculturalism, shaped by Arabic influences and merchant-sailor traditions.
Itineraries
Three suggested itineraries
Three ways to explore Benidorm depending on the length of your stay — suggested routes, not tested on the ground.
3 days
Essentials & islandThe essentials of Benidorm & an iconic island
1
Casco Antiguo. Playa Mal Pas and Ruta de Miradores, the historic heart and a viewpoint over the Isla de Benidorm.
2
Beaches. Playa de Levante in the morning, Playa de Poniente in the afternoon, evening in Rincón de Loix.
3
Isla de Benidorm & Villajoyosa. Boat crossing to the rocky island and a glass-bottom boat ride in the morning; a trip to Villajoyosa, with its colourful fishermen's houses and chocolate shops, in the afternoon.
4 days
RecommendedHeritage, theme park & the hinterland
1
Casco Antiguo. Playa Mal Pas, Ruta de Miradores.
2
Theme park. A full day at one of the 5 parks.
3
Beaches and tapas. Playa de Levante and Poniente, a tapas food tour.
4
Algar Waterfalls & Guadalest. A swim in the natural pools of the Fuentes del Algar in the morning; a visit to the fortified village of Castell de Guadalest and its turquoise lake in the afternoon.
5 days
Nature and relaxationNature, relaxation & the art of living
1
Casco Antiguo. Playa Mal Pas, Ruta de Miradores.
2
Theme park of your choice.
3
Hike. Parque Natural Sierra Helada.
4
Free beach day. Northern coves for diving or a calm swim.
5
Trip to Altea. Cobbled lanes, white houses and a blue-domed church in the morning; a relaxed break on a seafront terrace in the afternoon.
Practical tips
Planning your trip, no surprises
Transport, budget, safety: the practical information for arriving and getting around without any nasty surprises.
Getting to Benidorm
Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC), 58 km away. ALSA bus £9-10, 45 min. Taxi £64-73.
Local transport
Llorente Bus: 18 lines, 214 stops, 6am-10.30pm in winter.
Tourist office
Centro: Plaza de Canalejas 1. Rincón de Loix: Calle Gerona.
Daily budget
Approx. £47-69 backpacker, £94-154 mid-range, £240+ comfort, per day per person.
Where to stay
Levante and Poniente for centrality, Casco Antiguo for peace and quiet, Rincón de Loix for an established area.
Good to know
220-240V/50Hz. GMT+1. Castilian and Valencian. Banks 8.30am-2pm.
Safety
Emergencies: 112. Tourist assistance: 965 85 13 11.
Low-emission zone
A low-emission zone (ZBE) exists in Benidorm — detailed content not reviewed.
Nightlife, family beach or peace and quiet: your Benidorm zone.
Stay next level, Stayforlong.
Three questions to find the Benidorm zone that suits you, with the reasoning behind it.
Zone quiz
Which zone matches you?
When are you travelling?
How long are you staying?
What are you most in the mood for?
Frequently asked questions
We answer before you even ask.
How many days do you need to visit Benidorm?
2 to 3 days are enough for the essentials (main beaches, Casco Antiguo, one theme park). According to our booking data, the median length of stay in Benidorm is 4 days (median stay at Playa de Levante, the most booked zone).
Which is the best beach for families?
Playa de Levante and Playa de Poniente offer full services and easy access. According to our data, Playa de Poniente is the most booked by families, at a median of £103/night.
How do you get to Benidorm from the airport?
The nearest airport is Alicante-Elche (ALC), 58 km away. The ALSA bus connects the two in around 45 minutes, from £9.
How many theme parks are there in Benidorm?
Five theme parks are listed: Aqualandia, Aqua Natura, Mundomar, Terra Mítica and Terra Natura.
What daily budget should you plan for in Benidorm?
Approx. £47-69 backpacker, £94-154 mid-range, £240+ comfort, per day per person. Meals, local transport and one activity are included in these ranges.
How do you get around Benidorm without a car?
The Llorente Bus network serves the town with 18 lines and 214 stops, including the theme parks and the coast.
About the author
Nadia Elgabu
Brand Content Manager
Travel has always been my passion. After living in Japan — an experience that changed how I see the world — I've kept a strong bond with Spain, my home country. The queen of insider tips, I share my perspective and advice on my favourite regions, with the honesty of someone who really knows the country. My goal: to give you authentic advice, straight up.
Full transparency: I used AI as an assistant to translate this page and save time. Don't worry though — the content has been reviewed and verified.
