Mal Pas Beach, Benidorm

Updated 12/10/2026 by the onbenidorm team · Beach services checked October 2026

Mal Pas is Benidorm's smallest town beach, about 120 m long and 20 m wide, tucked below the Canfali headland on the Old Town and facing Benidorm Island. It did not hold a Blue Flag in 2026, but it had two lifeguards in the high season and a sunbed area at about €6 a day. It is popular with scuba divers.

Size: About 120 m long and 20 m wide
Blue Flag 2026: No
Lifeguards: 2 in the 2026 high season
Sunbeds: One hire zone (sector 21), about €6 per day
Best for: A quick swim near the Old Town, diving
Nearest area: Old Town

Mal Pas Beach at a glance

Mal Pas is a small, sheltered beach on the Old Town stretch of coast, below the Cerro Canfali and looking straight out to Benidorm Island. It is the third town beach in our Benidorm beaches guide, after the much larger Levante and Poniente.

At about 120 m by 20 m, according to an unofficial council-based guide, it has a fraction of the space of its neighbours. That makes it more intimate, but also full quickly on summer afternoons.

Why Mal Pas has no Blue Flag

Mal Pas did not appear on the 2026 Blue Flag list, which named only Levante and Poniente in Benidorm. In 2025 the council explained that it had not applied for Mal Pas because work to move the beach's foot-showers was still pending.

Whether the council applied in 2026 was not confirmed. The lack of a flag is about that application, not a sign of poor water. In 2025 all three town beaches held Ecoplayas flags.

Services and facilities

Facilities are simple but cover the basics. In 2026 the council staffed Mal Pas with two lifeguards during the high season, 1 June to 30 September.

Mal Pas Beach services
Service	Details
Lifeguards	2 in high season; 10:00–19:00 in June, 09:00–20:00 July–September
Sunbeds and parasols	One hire zone (sector 21), about €6 each per day
Foot-showers	4, according to an unofficial council-based count
First aid	A post from Easter to October, according to the same count
Blue Flag 2026	No

Diving and snorkelling

Mal Pas is popular with scuba divers, and the La Llosa marine area nearby is used for diving, according to the unofficial guide. The beach faces Benidorm Island, which is part of the Serra Gelada Natural Park and known for snorkelling.

If you want to see the island up close, boats leave from Benidorm port on Paseo de Colón. The crossing takes about 20 minutes, and Visit Benidorm gives a price of about €15–€22 per person, with departures every 30–60 minutes in high season. Underwater viewing is offered on the Acuario II catamaran or by Aquascope at the island.

The Old Town on your doorstep

The big advantage of Mal Pas is location: you are a few steps from the Old Town. Above the beach, the Balcón del Mediterráneo viewpoint sits on the Canfali headland between Levante and Poniente, with four cannons and a balustrade dating from 1928. It is free and a favourite spot at sunset.

When you are done with the sand, the lanes behind are full of tapas bars and late-night spots. Our Old Town nightlife guide covers where to go, and our best restaurants guide has dining ideas.

Who Mal Pas suits

Mal Pas works best as a quick swim between sightseeing in the Old Town, or as a quieter alternative early in the day. It is less suited to a full family beach day, as there are no play areas or sports zones like those on Poniente.

Good for: couples, divers, Old Town visitors and a short swim before lunch.
Less good for: big groups, young children who need play space, or anyone wanting a long walk on the sand.
For quieter coves, try Cala Tío Ximo or L'Almadrava at the Rincón de Loix end of town, each with one lifeguard in summer 2026.

Beach rules and tips

The same 2009 beach ordinance applies here as on the bigger beaches, with minor offences fined up to €750.

No glass or alcohol on the sand; the Old Town bars are a minute away.
No dogs, except assistance and rescue dogs.
No soap or shampoo at the foot-showers.
Arrive early in July and August, as the beach is small and fills up fast.
Check conditions on our Benidorm live cam and the sea temperature in our weather guide; the sea is warmest from July to September, at about 25–26°C.

Old Town and beach guides

Name	Area	Known for
Old Town	Old Town	Right behind the beach
Old Town nightlife	Old Town	Tapas and late bars
Poniente beach	Poniente	Longest beach, sunsets
Levante beach	Levante	Livelier Blue Flag beach

Mal Pas Beach, Benidorm — FAQs

Where is Mal Pas Beach in Benidorm?

Below the Canfali headland on the Old Town, sheltered by the Cerro Canfali and facing Benidorm Island. It sits on the Old Town stretch between Benidorm's two main beaches, Levante and Poniente, a short walk from the Old Town's bars and the Balcón del Mediterráneo viewpoint.

Does Mal Pas Beach have a Blue Flag?

No. Only Levante and Poniente held Blue Flags in Benidorm in 2026. In 2025 the council did not apply for Mal Pas because work to move its foot-showers was pending, though all three town beaches held Ecoplayas flags that year.

How big is Mal Pas Beach?

About 120 m long and 20 m wide, according to an unofficial council-based guide. That makes it far smaller than Levante (about 2 km) or Poniente (about 3 km), so it fills up quickly on summer afternoons.

Are there lifeguards at Mal Pas?

Yes. In the 2026 high season, from 1 June to 30 September, Mal Pas had two lifeguards. They worked 10:00–19:00 in June and 09:00–20:00 from July to September.

Can you hire sunbeds at Mal Pas?

Yes, there is one hire zone, listed as sector 21 on the official concession list, at about €6 for a sunbed and €6 for a parasol. The list dates from 2022, so check the sign for this season's price.

Is Mal Pas good for snorkelling?

It is popular with scuba divers, and the La Llosa marine area nearby is used for diving. For clearer water and rocks, the coves of Tío Ximo and L'Almadrava are also good, and boats from the port run to Benidorm Island, known for snorkelling.

Related guides

Sources and how we checked

Last updated 12 October 2026 by the onbenidorm team.