Benidorm is a bustling resort city located along the Costa Blanca, Alicante Province in Spain.
Arriving by plane, you can look down on the grandeur of the skyscrapers of Benidorm which in many ways can be compared to Monte Carlo.
The picturesque view of the sea, the church, the beauty of the promenade area with a vast balcony
(Balcon del Mediterraneo); everything about Benidorm is amazing.
In the evening the city is in full swing and the streets are lively.
You can listen to live music, sit in a cafe, visit the coastal beaches, or simply enjoy shopping.
Boulevard Levante is one of the finest avenues in Benidorm because there is no traffic.
From there, you walk along a wide boulevard leading to the restaurants to the city center with narrow streets.
From the center, the main road leads to the Poniente Beach.
There are plenty of terraces to take pleasure in the view of the “rock” that runs into the sea and also very affordable.
It is a must for those who want to visit Benidorm, the tourist haven of the Costa Blanca.
Best time to Visit Benidorm?
Benidorm is an all year round destination.
However, the best time to enjoy its natural attractions and cool beaches of this seaside town is the winter season (December – January).
During these cold months, there are no storms and bush fire incidences, which occurs from the months of May until September.
The Mediterranean climate also guarantees a hot summer season (May – October), but the warm weather is tolerable enough to visit and go around the city.
The coldest months or the spring season (January to February) of the year are also an ideal time to visit Benidorm.
The charming springtime weather is blessed with lots of sunshine, cool atmosphere, and no downpour.
Rainfall occurs during the autumn season and for a very brief period (November).
However, it is chilly towards the evening as the cold breeze and winds from the sea can be strongly felt around the coastal sites and promenade areas.
Benidorm always has good weather, because the city is surrounded on all sides by mountains.
Best things to do in benidorm
These are my favorite attractions and Things to do in Benidorm, hope you will also get the time to do a few of them.
Iglesia de San Jaime y Santa Ana
The Iglesia de San Jaime y Santa Ana was built in the mid-second half of the 18th century in the neoclassical style and located in the hill along the Old Town of Benidorm.
It is a typical Spanish church where communions and weddings take place.
It is nice to experience the Eucharist every Sunday at 10 AM inside this blue domed church.
The priest offers mass in different languages.
There are several pieces of sacred art and the church remains in perfect condition despite its antiquity.
Outside the sun can be scorching, but within the church, the environment is wonderfully refreshing.
This beautiful church divides the east side to the west; dominates the two beaches and the enchanting view of the famous rock n Benidorm.
What else to do in Benidorm?
La Cruz de Benidorm
It is an enormous cross situated on top of a hill and silhouetted against the sky.
The scenery is beautiful, both in the way down and at the top.
It stands on a hill that is overlooking the view of Benidorm with its many skyscrapers that gather thousands of people.
The panoramic view is amazing and there is lighting all the way to the top making it easy to reach the top even at night.
It is quite far and challenging to climb.
It takes a long time walking on foot and has nothing but pure wilderness in it.
If so, take water and something to eat, because upstairs there are not even any food shops or stalls that offer refreshment.
Some of the visitors bring wreaths of flowers.
It is one of the most beautiful religious processions observed by the Spanish Catholics of Benidorm every Easter.
Amazing things to see in Benidorm
Benidorm Old Town
The Benidorm Old Town is a great place to stroll in the evening with very nice views.
But it is very crowded.
On the promenade there are lots of stalls with some souvenirs, street musicians, jugglers, and artists who draw cartoons.
You can shop all you want because there are narrow streets and there are plenty of shops of different price categories, which are open until midnight.
It is interesting to wander through the streets of the old town; you can feel the spirit of the city with its history and not just a resort destination that is full of hotels.
T
he nicest part of Benidorm is beautiful day and night.
A good part of the Benidorm Old Town is highly pedestrianized, the streets are narrow and typical, and dotted with places to eat and drink.
This part of the center is divided into international “zones”: the British, the Spanish, and the Dutch.
The English part is animated by dozens of bars for drinks, but most of these bars are typically owned by the British or Dutch.
A good portion of these bars opens in the evening.
Anyone can have access to it, the ambiance is always lively and cheerful, and they party until dawn.
It is safe to say that the crowd is “mixed”, in which everyone is welcome regardless of nationality, gender and preference.
The Spanish side is perhaps the best because you can find an offer of drinks with wide selections.
It is essential that you visit one or more local tapas restaurant.
These are typical snacks that Spaniards use to consume when they drink a beer or a glass of wine.
They have very good tapas: large, tasty, and typically Spanish.
In these numerous options you might find something that you like, but keep this in mind: trust most of the bars that are full packed because they are usually the best.
But if you want to sit at the table and simply indulge on a good meal; you have a couple of streets full of restaurants mostly with British cuisine.
You can also find a good French restaurant, a couple of real Italian restaurants with Italian people that not only manages them, but prepares what you eat with excellence, and of course do not miss the fine dining restaurants run by the Spaniards here in Benidorm.
Here are a few more
Top Benidorm tourist attractions
Balcon del Mediterraneo (The Balcony of the Mediterranean)
You can enjoy panoramic views of Benidorm from the east and the west in the charming balconies of the Balcon del Mediterraneo (The Balcony of the Mediterranean) , which is also overlooking the sea.
It is a great place for an evening stroll or romantic dates for couples.
The balcony is quite pleasant and the kind of places in Benidorm where you can admire the sea and the surrounding area.
You can make beautiful pictures, watch the stingray from the shore, and observe the gulls and pigeons that stay around the rocks.
It is actually an observation deck with a long white staircase facing the ocean.
The day offers spectacular views and at night there is live music and lots of cafes filled with a heavy mix of locals and tourists.
A lovely place such as the Balcon del Mediterraneo is where you can enjoy the beauty of nature and the sound of the sea.
The famous observation deck is overlooking the sea – from one side, there is the Levante Beach and the Poniente Beach on the other.
To get to this balcony, you must access the top of the Old Town (which was once a fortress), climb a beautiful white staircase and wander across the veranda with extraordinary view.
The breeze is very nice in the upper part and there are cafes where you can sit, drink a glass of sangria, and relax.
At the top, you will meet a lot of artists and sellers of all kinds of handicrafts and souvenirs.
Here you can admire the town, make beautiful photos, create happy moments, and leave with good memories about the city of Benidorm.
My favorite stuff to do in Benidorm
Placa del Castell
It is located in between the two famous beaches in Benidorm; Levante and Poniente.
It is a pleasant and specific place where you can admire the sea and the surrounding area of the city.
Sometimes it gets too crowded, making it difficult to find a place where you can take pictures without people.
It’s like part of the sea that came down to the shore and has incorporated all the brilliant colors of aqua and blue.
The Placa is the most suitable place to start the day.
Come here early before the sun is not so hot, drink a cup of cappuccino or cafe solo, then visit all the corners of this wonderful area and explore the entire panorama of the city.
If you’re lucky, you can listen to the Spanish street musicians who choose this area for their performances and which will help you to lose a few calories while in Benidorm, raise your spirits, sway your hips, and dance the Salsa.
Be sure to go down the stairs all the way to the bottom part where you can get close to the sea and enjoy the sea breeze!
My vacation adventures in Benidorm
Levante Beach
It is a large sandy beach, which stretches along the entire town of Benidorm.
It is well equipped and has the entire necessary beach infrastructure that is designed for tourism.
The sea near the shore is shallow and well suited for children.
Most of the time, the people are few, but the beach is very spacious.
The beach is super clean, well maintained, and the sand is so fine it seems they passed through a sieve.
There are white and blue flags and sun loungers.
If swimming is not allowed because of the strong current, people prefer to walk or jog along the water’s edge.
The bottom part of the sea is not sandy and completely covered with some prickly stones of varying heights.
It is advisable to wear only rubber footwear soles for the feet, because if you fall, you can get scratched and cut.
Through the clean and clear water you can see different fish and the seabed.
If you are not much troubled by the nudist’s area, it is possible to go on the wild beach side.
There’s a lot less people and you can jump on the rocks.
Levante Beach is mostly ideal for sunbathing and for people watching.
Fun things to do in Benidorm
Poniente Beach
The Poniente Beach is a good sandy beach for lovers of sun loungers and for those who want to save money.
The three kilometer beach is well maintained and at night, it is cleaned of debris and algae.
Compared to most of the other beaches in Benidorm, the entrance to Poniente Beach is free.
Along the beach of Poniente runs a promenade with lots of cafes where you can take refuge from the heat.
You can rent an umbrella and sun bed for €9 (as of September 2015), or you can also bring your own equipment.
There is a place for washing the sand off your feet.
Poniente Beach is on the other side of the promontory which divides the city into 2 parts of Benidorm.
There’s a dock for boats, a huge sandy beach for swimming, and a variety of cafes and restaurants along the coastline.
This is the modern part of Benidorm.
It is always crowded, but there are enough spaces.
Although it is always compared to the neighboring beach of Levante, which is located along the mass of hotels (and where the young crowds are), this part of the beach in Benidorm is quiet and well organized.
It is a huge sandy beach with a gentle entry into the sea – perfect for families with small children and the elderly.
Mesmerising places to visit near Benidorm
Mundomar
It is a good interactive zoo filled with wonderful animal shows.
It’s nice that you can take a picture with lemurs and other small animals right in their cage.
Even if you will not take a photo, you can still get near the furry animals.
It is possible to buy fish and feed the marine animals and birds, lions, and penguins.
There is a beautiful dolphin and bird show and for an extra fee, you and your child can swim with the dolphins.
The show of sea lions is also equally entertaining.
The ideal time to visit is from 16:00 to 20:00 PM.
In the evening, the ticket is cheaper.
For those who walk slowly and gets tired easily, they have wheelchairs or electric cars to make the tour convenient.
Children will definitely be delighted because of its good presentation and decent organization.
The most interesting part of the tour is to become a service keeper for a day – along with visiting the accompanying enclosures, it gives the child a chance to see all the animals, receive a keepsake of needle porcupine toy and feed the monkeys.
For a child who loves animals, this is the perfect adventure.
Things to do in Benidorm for couples
Benidorm Island
A tour of the Benidorm Island is not impossible because every hour there is a scheduled boat that brings passengers and tourists across the ocean.
The ticket price includes a walk along the coast, landing on the island (you can go back to any boat once the tour is done), and a 10 minute tour on a glass bottom boat, where you can see a huge number of fish.
An unforgettable sight!
The island is populated only by numerous seagulls sitting on the cactus, and are not afraid of tourists.
From the top of the island, if you come in good weather, the rocky trail offers breathtaking views of Benidorm and the sea.
At the foot of the island, it is pleasant to swim and then sit in a cafe in the shade.
Things to do in Benidorm with Kids
Terra Mitica
There is entertainment for all ages at the amusement park called Terra Mitica.
The park conveys positive impressions about Benidorm making use of its proximity to the sea and the agreeable weather.
There are lots of water slides and a variety of rides to choose from and you can plan a whole day of adventure with your kids.
Buy tickets on the Internet regarding the entrance to the three parks to avoid waiting in line at the entrance booth.
The park is beautiful and divided into five areas representing ancient culture.
Be sure to visit when in Benidorm.
Benidorm is an old city, but do not expect to find the historical center with a typical ancient village.
There are a few old houses in this city now and most of the space is occupied by business establishments, resorts, and elegant hotels.
To digest everything easily, it is highly suggested to take a walk up to the Castle Square, which is located on top of a small promontory overlooking the sea: you see the staircase leading to the lookout and enjoy the views of the beaches from the east to west at this coastal site of Costa Blanca.
Walk along the main road that cuts through the center and you will pass by the crowded streets that are full of shops, restaurants, and bars of every kind.
Do not miss the opportunity to take a look at the surroundings of the small harbor: there is a park of palm trees where a large population of white doves lives.
Benidorm is an ideal holiday location; the prices are moderate and the food served are sumptuous and of good quality.
It’s a travel destination that is really suitable for families.
