Benidorm 18–30s: Lads' and Girls' Holidays

Most 18–30s groups stay near the Strip (Calle Gerona) in the New Town or in the Rincón de Loix, both within walking distance of the bars and the clubs on the Square. Apartments are the cheapest option for groups; check the accommodation accepts young groups before you book.

Start on the Strip, where show bars such as Morgan Tavern, Western Saloon and The Red Lion are free entry, then move on to the clubs on the Square after 2am. Our bar crawl guide has a self-guided route down Calle Gerona, and our nightclubs guide covers the late clubs, entry and dress codes.

For something different, Benidorm's adult shows are famous — over-18s only, with ID checked at the door — and the Old Town has drag cabaret every night.

Beach parties and boat parties are the big daytime events, alongside Aqualandia water park, quad bikes in the hills and lazy afternoons on Levante. Organised packages such as the FK IT beach party include a free bar for a set time.

Lads' groups will find the stag guide useful for bars, sport and activities; girls' groups will get the most from the hen guide, with drag shows, tribute acts and beach clubs. Both work for mixed groups too.

Most bars are free entry, so the main costs are flights, accommodation, drinks and any packages. Stick together, watch your drinks, use licensed taxis and drink water in the heat. Glass on the beach and drinking in the street can be fined.

Benidorm is good value compared with many party resorts. Most show bars are free entry, drinks deals are everywhere on the Strip and food is cheap if you avoid the seafront. Set aside money for a few bigger days out — a boat party, a beach party package or Aqualandia — and for taxis late at night. Sharing an apartment is the cheapest way for a group to stay close to the action.

The main 18–30s season runs from May to October, with the biggest crowds in July and August. June and September offer warm weather, slightly lower prices and plenty going on. Winter is quieter and cheaper, with the show bars still running nightly but fewer beach parties and some bars closed for the season.

Fly to Alicante, which has direct flights from most UK airports; Benidorm is about 25 minutes away by transfer, taxi or bus. Spain is one hour ahead of the UK, and every time on OnBenidorm is shown in Spanish time.

Lie-in, late breakfast and a few hours on Levante beach or by the pool. Afternoon beach party, boat party or Aqualandia. Shower, dinner around 21:00, then the Strip for the show bars and a crawl down Calle Gerona. Clubs on the Square after 2am, and back to bed as the sun comes up.

Pace yourself — it is a marathon, not a sprint — and build in a quieter day or two if you are staying for a week.

Glass is not allowed on the beach, and drinking in the street outside licensed terraces can be fined. Do not walk around town without a shirt away from the beach. Respect your accommodation's rules on noise and guests, and use licensed taxis rather than unmarked cars.

Before you go, read our stag do guide for bars, sport and activities, our hen do guide for drag, tribute acts and beach clubs, our nightclubs guide for the late scene, and our bar crawl guide for a self-guided route down the Strip with tonight's acts.

Our what's on tonight page lists every show in Benidorm today, and the tonight block at the top of this page shows who is on at the busiest Strip bars right now.