Balcón del Mediterráneo: Benidorm's famous viewpoint

The balcony sits on the Canfali headland at the southern tip of the Old Town, the rocky point that separates Levante beach from Poniente beach. Walk through the Old Town to the end of Plaza de Castelar and you reach it, right in front of the church of Sant Jaume i Santa Anna, with its blue-tiled dome.

From the Rincón de Loix it is a flat walk of around 30 minutes along the Levante promenade, then up the short slope into the Old Town. From Poniente, follow the promenade east past the port and climb the steps by Mal Pas cove.

This is the classic postcard view of Benidorm. To the east is the long curve of Levante beach, the skyscrapers of the Rincón de Loix and the Serra Gelada cliffs. To the west is Poniente beach, the marina and, inland, the Sierra Cortina and the jagged peak of Puig Campana.

Straight out to sea is Benidorm Island, the triangular rock you can visit by boat from the port. Directly below the railings is the small, clear-water Mal Pas cove.

A fortress was built on this rock to defend the fishing village of Benidorm, founded in 1325. It was badly damaged in a pirate attack in 1388 and, from the 14th to the 17th century, served as a stronghold against Berber raids.

In 1812, during the Peninsular War, French troops used the castle to watch shipping along the coast, and the British fleet destroyed most of it with cannon fire. It was never rebuilt. Today only a few wall traces remain on the rocks, some excavated remains can be seen under glass in the Plaça del Castell, and a small monument with four cannons recalls the site's military past. Our history of Benidorm guide tells the full story.

The balcony is busiest from late morning to early evening and at sunset, when crowds gather for photos. For a quieter visit go early in the morning, or after dark, when the skyline is lit up and the view is just as striking.

There are two levels: an upper terrace with benches next to the church and a lower platform closer to the water, linked by steps with white handrails. The upper level is the most accessible; see our accessible Benidorm guide for step-free routes through the Old Town.

Combine it with a wander through the Old Town's lanes, including the colourful Calle de los Gatos, then tapas in the streets behind the church. Our Tapas Alley and Old Town nightlife pages pick up from there.

For a higher, wider view, walk up to the Benidorm Cross on Serra Gelada. Our Benidorm viewpoints guide compares all the main lookouts, and the Serra Gelada walks guide has the full Cross route.