Benidorm

Sun‑soaked beaches and vibrant nightlife

Benidorm stands on Spain’s Mediterranean coast as a city shaped by sun and sea. Its skyline rises with modern hotels alongside older buildings that show layers of history. The old town, called La Marina, keeps narrow streets where locals gather for tapas and conversation. Beaches stretch along the shore, drawing swimmers, windsurfers and families in summer. Markets sell fresh fruit and handmade crafts while restaurants serve seafood dishes with local flavors. The city balances busy tourist spots with quieter neighborhoods that feel like home to residents who have lived here for generations.

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City in Spain

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.7

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	8

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4/5

In Benidorm, most locals – especially those in hospitality and retail – speak conversational English. Tourists will find it easy to order food, ask for directions and enjoy services with minimal language barriers.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Benidorm Summary

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Famous for beaches and nightlife. Relax on long sandy shores, enjoy seaside entertainment, explore waterfront promenades and experience lively nightlife.

Place score

8.5

Best at:

Sea

Nightlife

Beaches

Guided tours

Music

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 9

Seniors

🛡️ 9

Travel Beginners

👩 8

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Spain – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payment is widely accepted in Spain, particularly in urban areas and tourist destinations. Credit and debit cards are commonly used, and mobile payment options are available in many establishments. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not mandatory in Spain but appreciated for good service. In restaurants, rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is customary. Taxi drivers and hotel staff may also be tipped, though it is less common.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is restricted in some regions, particularly in tourist-heavy cities. Local laws may vary.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned indoors in public places but allowed in designated outdoor areas.

La Tomatina (August)	A famous tomato-throwing festival, expect large crowds in Buñol.
Semana Santa (March/April)	Religious parades and events make this a busy time in major cities.
Christmas (December)	Markets and festive celebrations, with tourist areas becoming busier.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Cabify, Bolt, Uber
Other:	Spain is known for its diverse culture, stunning architecture, and vibrant festivals. Public transport is reliable and efficient, making it easy to explore.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Benidorm, Spain

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High season:	June - Sep.
Shoulder season:	Jan. - May, Oct. - Dec.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Winter is popular with northern European retirees, so the resort stays lively all year, unlike most Spanish beach towns

Autumn cold drops (gota fría), September to November: sudden heavy rain and flash floods possible

Fiestas Mayores Patronales, early November: five days of parades and fireworks, the town is busier

Don't miss

🌊 Explore Explanada de España promenade
🏔️ Climb Mount Calpe for sunset views
🕍 Discover Old Town's Gothic architecture
🏖️ Unwind on Playa de Levante beach
🍽️ Savor paella at beachfront restaurant
🎡 Ride cable car to Terra Mítica park

You've been here?

Why travel to Benidorm?

Benidorm offers a balanced mix of beach relaxation and cultural exploration that appeals to travelers seeking both leisure and authenticity. Located on the Costa Blanca, its coastline stretches over eight kilometers of sandy shores, providing ample space for sunbathing, swimming and water sports without the overcrowding found in some Mediterranean hotspots. The town’s promenade is lined with cafés, restaurants and boutique shops, allowing visitors to sample local cuisine – especially fresh seafood and traditional Spanish tapas – in a relaxed setting. Beyond the beach, Benidorm’s historic quarter retains narrow streets and whitewashed houses that reflect its Moorish past. A short walk leads to the Church of San Jaime, an example of 18th‑century architecture and nearby museums offer insights into regional history and art. For those interested in nature, the surrounding hills provide hiking trails with panoramic views of the Mediterranean. Benidorm’s infrastructure supports a comfortable stay: a range of accommodation options from budget hostels to mid‑range hotels and reliable public transport links to Alicante and Valencia. The city also hosts cultural events throughout the year, including music festivals and traditional celebrations that give visitors a taste of local life. Overall, Benidorm presents an accessible destination where travelers can enjoy sunny beaches, historical sites and regional culture without the intensity of larger tourist centers.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Parroquia de San Juan Bautista
2 Municipal Archaeological Museum Camilo Visedo Moltó
3 Ermita de Santa Cruz
4 El Postiguet Beach
5 Castillo de Santa Bárbara

🎡Places for activities

1 El Postiguet Beach
2 Campo de Golf y Escuela Las Rejas Benidorm Sol de Poniente
3 Sherwood Kids Adventure Park
4 Platja de Sant Joan
5 Aquarium II Apartments

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Platja de l'Arenal
2 Altea Beach
3 Carrer de la Serra Mariola

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Arrive early to avoid crowds at Playa de Levante.
Use the local bus network for affordable travel between Benidorm and Alicante, especially during peak season.
Reserve a table in advance at a beachfront restaurant; many popular spots fill up by noon on sunny days.
Explore the old town of Benidorm after sunset to experience its vibrant nightlife and historic architecture without tourist congestion.

How to travel to Benidorm

Benidorm, located on Spain’s Costa Blanca, is accessible via Alicante Airport (ALV), which serves as the primary gateway with regular international flights. The city also has a well-connected train station on the Madrid–Valencia line and frequent bus services from major Spanish cities like Barcelona and Valencia. For coastal access, highways such as AP-7 link Benidorm to other Costa Blanca towns. Local buses within Benidorm provide efficient transport between beaches, the historic old town (El Postiguet) and the modern urban area. Ferries occasionally operate from nearby ports for short trips along the Mediterranean coast. The city’s central location on Spain’s eastern seaboard ensures convenient connections by air, rail, road and sea.

Access summary

From Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC): Taxi or bus to Benidorm, 30–45 min.
From Valencia Airport (VLC): Bus to Benidorm, 90–110 min.
By train from Madrid Chamartín: 4.5–5 hours via Albacete.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Benidorm

Benidorm offers a wide spectrum of lodging, from budget-friendly hostels and self‑contained apartments to luxury beachfront resorts. The city’s central district is saturated with mid‑range hotels that combine modern amenities with easy access to the promenade and nightlife. Along the coast, many boutique hotels specialize in sea‑view rooms and private balconies, catering to families and couples seeking a relaxed atmosphere. For those preferring independence, numerous serviced apartments provide kitchenettes and laundry facilities, ideal for longer stays or group travel. The area is renowned for its “all‑in‑one” packages that include meals, beach equipment and entertainment, making it a popular choice for tourists looking for convenience and value.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Melia Benidorm

8.5

Four Points by Sheraton Costa Blanca Resort

8.9

La Estacion

8.0

Hotel Benidorm City Olympia

8.3

Sh Villa Gadea Hotel

9.1

Hotel Sun Palace Albir

8.1

Halley Hotel & Apartments Affiliated by Melia

8.8

Melia Villaitana

8.5

Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, a Royal Hideaway Hotel

8.8

INNSiDE by Meliá Costablanca – Adults recommended

8.9

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Benidorm

Benidorm, located on Spain’s Costa Blanca, offers efficient and varied transportation options for getting around. The city is best explored by car or motorbike, as these provide flexibility to reach beaches, shopping areas and nearby towns. Public buses operated by EMTV run regularly between the city center, beachfront and suburbs, offering an affordable way to travel short distances. Taxis are readily available but more expensive than buses. For shorter trips along the coast, walking or cycling is pleasant in central zones. The Benidorm tram connects key points like the bus station with the city center and the beach promenade. Renting a car allows easy access to scenic coastal roads and nearby attractions such as Altea or Elche.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-32 %

Daily expenses in Benidorm are around 32% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£50	£113	£293
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£23	£56	£135
🍝 Food per day	£21	£49	£135
🚕 Transportation per day	£6	£7	£23

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£20
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£11.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£7
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£7
☕ Cappuccino	£1.80
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£2.70

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.40
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£14
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.30

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£8
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£55
🤧 Cold medication	£6
💇 Basic haircut	£9

Safety information overview

General safety

Benidorm offers a generally safe environment for travelers, with low crime rates and well‑patrolled tourist areas. Standard precautions – keeping valuables secure, avoiding isolated spots after dark and staying aware of pickpockets in crowded beaches – ensure peace of mind during your stay.

Health & Medical

Benidorm offers reliable medical care with modern hospitals and private clinics, staffed by bilingual professionals. The Mediterranean climate supports respiratory health, though summer heat can strain the elderly. Air quality is generally good, yet coastal dust may affect allergies; travel insurance is advised.

Accessibility

Benidorm offers many accessible amenities: wide sidewalks, elevators in most hotels and wheelchair-friendly beaches with ramps. However, older streets can be uneven and some historic sites lack lifts. Plan ahead for transport options and check accessibility details before visiting.

Tap water

Benidorm’s tap water is safe, clean and well‑maintained, meeting EU standards. Numerous public fountains and refill stations are scattered throughout the city, making hydration convenient for tourists and locals alike. The mild climate encourages frequent water breaks during beach days.