Benidorm, Alicante — the complete guide
Benidorm is the jewel of the Costa Blanca, a sun-drenched resort city in the province of Alicante, on Spain's eastern Mediterranean coast. Framed by the Sierra Helada mountains, guarded by its famous offshore rock — Isla de Benidorm — and lined by two enormous Blue Flag beaches, it packs Manhattan-style skyline, 300 days of sunshine and non-stop entertainment into one unforgettable stretch of coastline.
Costa Blanca, Alicante, Spain · ~300 days of sun a year · 3 Blue Flag beaches · Sierra Helada & Puig Campana
Where is Benidorm?
Benidorm sits on the eastern Mediterranean coast of Spain, in the north of the province of Alicante (Valencian Community). It lies about 45 km north-east of Alicante city and roughly 60 km / 45 minutes by road from Alicante–Elche Airport (ALC), the gateway used by most UK, Irish and European visitors.
The town is built around a wide, south-facing bay split in two by a small rocky headland — Punta Canfali — topped by the Old Town and the famous Balcón del Mediterráneo viewpoint. The Sierra Helada shelters the resort from the north, giving Benidorm its unique warm microclimate.
A short history of Benidorm
Benidorm's story runs from Iberian and Roman fishing settlements, through a Moorish castle-village conquered in 1245 by King Jaime I of Aragón, to a small tuna-fishing port that gave the town its coat of arms. Its modern reinvention began in 1956, when 34-year-old mayor Pedro Zaragoza pushed through the visionary "Plan General de Ordenación" — the urban plan that traded low sprawl for tall towers surrounded by light, air and open space.
Zaragoza famously rode his Vespa to Madrid to convince General Franco to legalise the bikini on Benidorm's beaches — the moment often credited with launching Spain's package-holiday boom. Cheap flights, sunshine and an English-speaking scene did the rest, turning a fishing village of 2,700 people into Europe's most concentrated resort skyline, with more high-rise buildings per capita than anywhere else on Earth outside New York.
The rock in the sea — Isla de Benidorm
The pyramid-shaped island 2 km offshore is Isla de Benidorm, also known as Peacock Island (Isla de los Pavos Reales) after the birds that once lived there. Local legend says the paladin Roland struck the Sierra Helada with his sword and hurled the piece into the sea, creating both the island and the huge notch in the mountain ridge visible from Levante Beach.
Today it's a protected marine reserve, one of the best snorkelling and diving spots on the Costa Blanca, with a small restaurant, a lighthouse and a walking trail. Ferries run daily from the harbour at the foot of the Old Town and take about 20 minutes.
The mountains around Benidorm
Sierra Helada
A protected coastal natural park of dramatic 300 m sea cliffs stretching north-east from Rincón de Loix to Albir. Great walking trails, the Albir lighthouse and the highest sea cliffs in the Valencian Community.
Puig Campana (1,410 m)
The twin-peaked giant that looms behind Benidorm to the north-west, the second highest mountain in Alicante province. The famous notch in its summit is said to have been carved by Roland's sword.
Sierra Cortina
The low green ridge west of Benidorm, home to Terra Mítica theme park and Terra Natura zoo, with easy walking routes and viewpoints over the bay.
Sierra de Bernia
Further north, this jagged limestone ridge offers the Costa Blanca's most famous day hike — the Fort de Bernia loop with its tunnel through the rock.
The beaches of Benidorm
Playa de Levante (2 km)
The buzzing main beach — soft golden sand, calm swimming, water sports, the palm-lined Paseo Marítimo, cafés, bars and the full Benidorm holiday scene. Watch it live on the Benidorm live cam.
Playa de Poniente (3 km)
Longer, wider and more relaxed than Levante, with a stunning wave-shaped promenade designed by architect Carlos Ferrater. Popular with families and Spanish residents.
Cala de Mal Pas
A small, sheltered cove tucked under the Old Town between Levante and Poniente — great for a quick swim with a view up to the Balcón del Mediterráneo.
Hidden coves
Cala Almadrava, Cala Tio Ximo and the wild Racó de l'Oix sit under the Sierra Helada cliffs — pebbly, quiet, crystal-clear water and perfect for snorkelling.
Weather & climate
Sheltered by the Sierra Helada, Benidorm enjoys one of the healthiest microclimates in Europe — the World Health Organization has repeatedly rated it among the best. Expect around 300 days of sunshine per year, mild winters and dry, breezy summers cooled by the sea. See a live forecast on the Benidorm weather page.
| Season | Average high | Average low | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | 16–18 °C | 7–9 °C | 14–15 °C |
| Spring (Mar–May) | 18–24 °C | 9–14 °C | 15–18 °C |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 28–31 °C | 19–22 °C | 23–27 °C |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | 21–28 °C | 12–19 °C | 19–24 °C |
Things to do in Benidorm
- Ride the ferry to Isla de Benidorm and snorkel around the rock
- Walk the Old Town lanes up to the Balcón del Mediterráneo viewpoint
- Explore Aqualandia, Europe's original waterpark, and its sister Mundomar marine park
- Ride the roller-coasters at Terra Mítica theme park
- Meet the animals at Terra Natura zoo and its shared water zone
- Hike the Sierra Helada to the Albir lighthouse or up to Puig Campana
- Take the Benidorm open-top bus tour for the best skyline photos
- Ride the TRAM up the Costa Blanca to Altea, Calpe and Denia
- Eat tapas along Tapas Alley (Calle Santo Domingo)
- Catch a show at the legendary Benidorm Palace
Entertainment & nightlife
Benidorm is Europe's live-entertainment capital. Hundreds of bars, cabaret rooms and clubs run tribute acts, comedy, drag and cabaret every night of the year — most of it free entry. The action is concentrated along the British Strip in Rincón de Loix, the Spanish-favourite bars around the Old Town and Plaza del Torrejó, and the late-night clubs on Avenida Mediterráneo.
See what's on tonight in Benidorm, browse Benidorm tribute acts, or plan a big night with our guide to the best night out in Benidorm.
Where to stay in Benidorm
Benidorm has more than 140 hotels and thousands of apartments, broadly split between three areas:
Levante & Rincón de Loix
The lively British side — closest to the Strip, tribute bars and Levante Beach.
Old Town
Whitewashed lanes, tapas bars, Cala de Mal Pas and the Balcón del Mediterráneo.
Poniente
Quieter, family-friendly and Spanish-favoured, along the wave-shaped promenade.
Browse our full guide to hotels in Benidorm.
Getting to Benidorm from Alicante
- Airport bus: Direct Alsa coach from Alicante–Elche Airport (ALC) to Benidorm bus station — see the timetable.
- Taxi / transfer: Around 45 minutes and €90–€110 by taxi; pre-booked transfers from ~€60. See Benidorm taxis.
- TRAM: The scenic TRAM Metropolitano runs from Luceros in Alicante city along the coast to Benidorm (about 1h 15m).
- Hire car: 45 minutes up the AP-7 motorway (tolls now free).
Fiestas & local culture
Benidorm's biggest annual fiesta honours its patron saints, the Virgen del Sufragio and San Jaime, in mid-November — nine days of processions, fireworks, offerings of flowers and a giant paella cook-off. Other highlights include the Fallas in March, San Juan bonfires on the beach on 23 June, the Moors & Christians in October and the huge New Year's Eve street party in Plaza SSMM Reyes de España.