Free Things to Do in Benidorm
Updated 12/10/2026 by the onbenidorm team · Opening times checked October 2026
The best free things to do in Benidorm are the Balcón del Mediterráneo viewpoint, the Serra Gelada trails (La Cruz is 5 km return, about 3 hours), the Museu Boca del Calvari (free, daily 12:00–20:00, until 22:00 in summer), the Parque de l'Aigüera, the beaches and floating platforms, the street markets and the nightly shows in free-entry cabaret bars.
- Free museum
- Museu Boca del Calvari, daily 12:00–20:00 (22:00 in summer)
- Free viewpoint
- Balcón del Mediterráneo, Old Town
- Free walks
- La Cruz, Torre de les Caletes, Tossal de la Cala
- Free shows
- Cabaret and tribute bars, most nights
- Beach extras
- Floating platforms 15 June – 1 September
Free things to do: the short list
You can fill a week in Benidorm without paying an entry fee: viewpoints, natural-park trails, a museum, parks, beaches and evening shows are all free. For paid attractions, see the main things to do in Benidorm guide.
- Sunset at the Balcón del Mediterráneo in the Old Town.
- A morning hike to La Cruz or the Torre de les Caletes in Serra Gelada.
- Three floors of exhibitions at the Museu Boca del Calvari.
- Concert venues and playgrounds in the Parque de l'Aigüera.
- The weekly outdoor markets.
- Cabaret, tribute and drag shows in free-entry bars (see free entertainment tonight).
Free viewpoints
Benidorm's three best viewpoints are all free and open at any time: the castle balcony, the Tossal de la Cala and La Cruz.
Balcón del Mediterráneo
The viewpoint at Plaza del Castell sits on the Canfali headland between Levante and Poniente, on the site of the fortress built after Benidorm's town charter of 1325. Today you get the 1928 balustrade, four cannons and views along both beaches. Go at sunset.
Tossal de la Cala
This hill at the Poniente end of town has Bronze Age and Iberian remains plus a Roman castellum from around 77 BC. Walk about 2.5 km return from the start of Paseo de Poniente, roughly an hour.
La Cruz
The cross above the Rincón de Loix was installed in 1961, rebuilt from railway sleepers after a storm in 1975 and is lit at night. On a clear day you can see from Serra Gelada to the Puig Campana mountain.
Serra Gelada walks
Serra Gelada, declared in 2005, was the first land-and-sea natural park in the Valencian Community, with cliffs over 300 m high, and its trails start from the edge of town.
There are no water fountains on the Caletes route, and in July and August average highs reach 30–31°C, so set off early and carry water.
| Route | Distance and time | Difficulty | Start |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Cruz | 5 km return, about 3 hours, 237 m climb | Moderate, waymarked white and yellow | Rincón de Loix tourist point, Calle Gerona at Avenida Derramador |
| Torre de les Caletes | About 4 km return, about 1.5 hours | Easy to moderate; pushchairs to the tower | End of Calle Sierra Dorada, Rincón de Loix |
| Accessible and inclusive route | About 7 km, 3–4 hours | Low; benches and audio guide | Plaza del Castell, via Levante to Punta del Cavall |
| Full Serra Gelada crossing | 8 km, about 4 hours | Longer day walk | See Visit Benidorm route maps |
Free museum and parks
Benidorm's one major free museum and its biggest parks are all within walking distance of the Old Town.
Museu Boca del Calvari
On Calle Tomás Ortuño, the museum is free and open daily 12:00–20:00, staying open until 22:00 in summer. Its three floors host temporary exhibitions, including photography by Martin Parr and Cristina de Middel and the history of the Benidorm Song Festival. The Lluís Duart archaeological room holds more than 500 pieces, including a 350 kg Roman lead anchor stock. Free guided visits are offered.
Parque de l'Aigüera
Designed by Ricardo Bofill in the late 1980s, this 400 m park runs from the Old Town to the bullring and fairground. It has two playgrounds and two open-air amphitheatres: the Auditorio Julio Iglesias, which holds up to 4,000 people for big summer concerts, and the 500-seat Auditorio Óscar Esplá. Check the city agenda for events, as not every concert is free.
Free beaches and coves
All of Benidorm's beaches are free; you only pay for a sunbed or parasol, about €6 each per day on the official concession list.
The floating platforms off Levante and Poniente are free from 15 June to 1 September, 11:00–19:00. The Tío Ximo and Almadrava coves are quieter and good for snorkelling. See our Benidorm beaches guide.
Street markets
The markets are free to browse, but the two main listings disagree on days and hours, so both versions are shown below; check our outdoor markets guide or ask your hotel before you go.
On wet days the indoor market is the alternative. The Rincón de Loix market sits beside Hotel Servigroup Pueblo.
| Market | mercadillos.org | Visit Benidorm |
|---|---|---|
| Foietes | Wednesday 08:00–14:00, almost 200 stalls; moves to the fairground in July | Wednesday 08:00–13:30, by the Foietes sports centre |
| Rincón de Loix (Levante / Pueblo) | Wednesday and Sunday 08:00–14:00, 200+ stalls | Wednesday and Sunday 08:00–13:30, Avenida Almirall Bernat de Sarrià |
| El Cisne | Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 09:00–14:00 | Saturday and Sunday 08:00–13:30, N-332 km 124, live jazz |
| Night craft market | Daily 1 July – 30 September, 19:30–01:00, Plaza Castelar and Plaza Senyoria | Not listed |
Free shows and nightlife
Most of Benidorm's cabaret bars charge nothing to get in; you simply buy a drink and watch the show.
The busiest areas are Calle Gerona, the Rincón de Loix and the Old Town. Our cabaret bars guide lists the main show bars, and tonight's line-up is on free entertainment in Benidorm tonight. For drinks, see the cheapest pint in Benidorm.
Cheap days out nearby
In Alicante, a TRAM ride away, Santa Bárbara Castle and its MUSA museum are free; the lift costs €2.70. See Alicante from Benidorm, plus our rainy day guide and Benidorm with kids.
Free things to do: where to find them
| Name | Area | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Old Town | Old Town | Viewpoint, museum, night market |
| Outdoor markets | Various | Weekly street markets |
| Free entertainment tonight | Citywide | No-ticket shows |
| Benidorm beaches | Levante, Poniente, Mal Pas | Blue Flag beaches and coves |
Free Things to Do in Benidorm — FAQs
Is the Museu Boca del Calvari free?
Yes. Entry to the Museu Boca del Calvari on Calle Tomás Ortuño is free, and it is open daily 12:00–20:00, until 22:00 in summer, according to Visit Benidorm. Free guided visits are also offered. Exhibitions change, but the Lluís Duart archaeological room and the Benidorm Song Festival history are permanent draws.
How long is the walk to the Benidorm cross?
The La Cruz route is 5 km return and takes about 3 hours with 237 m of climbing. It is rated moderate and waymarked in white and yellow, starting at the Rincón de Loix tourist point on Calle Gerona at Avenida Derramador. There is little shade, so go early in summer and take water.
Which days are the markets in Benidorm?
Sources disagree. Mercadillos.org lists Foietes on Wednesdays, the Rincón de Loix market on Wednesdays and Sundays, and El Cisne on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Visit Benidorm lists Foietes on Wednesdays, the Pueblo market on Wednesdays and Sundays, and El Cisne at weekends only. Check locally before you go.
Are the shows in Benidorm bars free?
In most cabaret and tribute bars there is no entry fee, and you simply buy drinks while you watch. A few venues charge for special events, and Benidorm Palace is a ticketed dinner-and-show venue. Arrive early for a table on busy nights, especially at weekends in summer.
Where is the best free viewpoint in Benidorm?
The Balcón del Mediterráneo at Plaza del Castell, reached through the Old Town, looks along both Levante and Poniente and is best at sunset. For a higher view, walk to La Cruz above the Rincón de Loix, or to the Tossal de la Cala at the Poniente end of town.
When is the night market in Benidorm?
Mercadillos.org lists a night craft market daily from 1 July to 30 September, 19:30–01:00, in Plaza Castelar and Plaza Senyoria in the Old Town. Visit Benidorm's shopping page does not mention it, so treat the dates as a guide and check locally.
Related guides
Sources and how we checked
- Visit Benidorm – Castillo de Benidorm
- Visit Benidorm – Ruta La Cruz, Sierra Helada
- Visit Benidorm – Parque Natural Serra Gelada
- Visit Benidorm – Museo Boca del Calvari
- Visit Benidorm – Parque de l'Aigüera
- Mercadillos.org – Mercadillos en Benidorm
- Visit Benidorm – De compras en Benidorm
- Ayuntamiento de Alicante – Castell de Santa Bàrbara
Last updated 12 October 2026 by the onbenidorm team.