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Benidorm is the Costa Blanca’s skyscraper city, in the Marina Baixa, about 45 km from Alicante. Among its seafront towers, there is a small old town perched on a headland and two fine-sand beaches that are popular year-round thanks to the mild winters.
When deciding where to stay in Benidorm, the stretch of coast matters more than the hotel itself. We explain how the city is laid out and suggest six places that we select individually.
How to choose an area
The old town sits in the middle of the bay, with a beach on either side. Almost everything is within walking distance: it comes down to the atmosphere you’re looking for.
- Levante: the best-known beach, with a promenade lined with terraces, shops and places open late. It has the largest choice of hotels and is home to almost all of our picks.
- Rincón de Loix: the northern end of Levante, at the foot of the Serra Gelada, with British-style pubs and shows. Not ideal if you’re looking for peace and quiet.
- Old town: narrow streets around the church of Sant Jaume i Santa Anna and Calle Santo Domingo, known for its tapas bars, next to Mal Pas Cove.
- Poniente: about three kilometres of sand with a promenade of contemporary design and a family-friendly atmosphere, quieter towards La Cala de Finestrat.
If you’re without a car and want to go out, choose Levante or the centre. With young children, Poniente offers more space on the sand and quieter evenings.
Where to stay in Benidorm: our picks
Four hotels in the Levante area and two smaller places to stay near the old town. None has free parking, which is common here. Find the rest of the options on our page of places to stay in Benidorm.
Hotel Nadal
The closest to the water of our picks: Levante Beach is about 50 m away. It has an outdoor pool and an indoor pool, as well as 30 m² triple rooms for families. The double and triple rooms have single beds, and there is no private parking.
Helios Benidorm
This four-star hotel about 450 m from Levante is also geared towards winter stays: the outdoor pool is heated during the colder months, and there is a spa with a sauna and Turkish bath, for adults only. Facilities are adapted for guests with reduced mobility. Free Wi-Fi is available in the common areas, but not in the rooms.
Hotel Gold Arcos 4 Sup - Modern Luxury Experience
32 m² rooms with a terrace, an outdoor pool and a hot tub for afternoons away from the beach; Levante is about 350 m away. It works well for families, with family rooms and a babysitting service. Parking is available for a fee, with limited spaces and no reservations.
Ambassador Playa II
250 m from Levante, with an outdoor pool, a spa with a sauna and massages, and a 24-hour reception. It is designed for longer stays—and requires them: the minimum stay is seven nights. The air conditioning is not available in autumn and winter.
LEVANTE SUITES
Self-catering accommodation with a terrace and sea views, 150 m from Levante and 300 m from Poniente and Mal Pas. The largest apartment is 80 m², with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a dishwasher, and sleeps up to six people. Check-in is from 16:00 to 20:00, and parties and stag or hen dos are not permitted.
La Terreta
A small bed and breakfast 300 m from Poniente, with a continental or à la carte breakfast and rooms with a balcony, terrace or patio. The 40 m² quadruple room is suited to families or groups of four. Two of the double rooms share a bathroom, and there is no parking.
What to see in Benidorm and the surrounding area
First, head up to the Balcón del Mediterráneo, the old town viewpoint where the castle once stood, with views of both beaches. Boats leave from the port for Benidorm Island, a protected islet with excellent seabeds for snorkelling.
To the north, the Serra Gelada Natural Park has trails along the cliffs; the most popular climbs from Rincón de Loix to the cross overlooking the bay. In the centre, Parque de l'Aigüera was designed by Ricardo Bofill.
With children, Terra Mítica, Aqualandia, Mundomar and Terra Natura can fill several days. By car, Altea is about fifteen minutes away, Guadalest and its castle on the rock half an hour, and Calpe, with the Peñón de Ifach, a little further.
When to visit Benidorm
Benidorm is open for business all year round: winters are mild and long stays are common; from June to September, families arrive and the beaches fill up early.
In early September, Benidorm Pride brings a week of events to the old town, ending with a parade along the Levante promenade. The Fiestas Mayores Patronales, dedicated to the Virgin of Suffrage and Sant Jaume, begin on the second weekend of November with a re-enactment of the Virgin’s discovery on Poniente Beach. They last five days, ending with a fireworks display.
The Benidorm Fest, RTVE’s song festival, takes place in the middle of winter: the 2027 edition is scheduled for 23 to 30 January. Book well in advance for these dates and for the November festivities.
Getting there and getting around
Alicante-Elche Airport is about 60 km away via the AP-7, with direct buses to Benidorm. The TRAM d'Alacant connects the city with Alicante on line 1 and with Altea, Calpe and Dénia on line 9, changing at Benidorm station. The double track on line 1 between Hospital de la Vila and Benidorm was completed at the end of 2025.
If you’re arriving by car, be aware of the low-emission zone: since July 2025, cameras have been installed at the entrances to the centre, Levante and Poniente, and entering without authorisation can result in a fine. If your hotel is inside the zone, ask them to register your number plate before you arrive.
Benidorm is one of the stops in our guide to where to stay in the Valencian Community. For a smaller town on the same coast, see where to stay in Altea or where to stay in Calpe; for a few nights in the city, where to stay in Alicante.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions that come up most often when planning a few days in Benidorm.
What is the best area to stay in Benidorm?
It depends on your trip. Levante is the most all-round option: an urban beach, a promenade lined with terraces and the largest choice of hotels, with the old town within walking distance. Poniente suits families looking for quiet evenings. The old town is ideal for going out for tapas, with both beaches nearby. Rincón de Loix is the centre of nightlife and the least suitable area if you’re looking for a good night’s sleep.
Is it better to stay in Levante or Poniente?
Levante has more atmosphere, more amenities and more hotels just metres from the sand, and you can walk from there to the old town. Poniente offers about three kilometres of beach with more space, a promenade of contemporary design and quieter evenings. If you’re travelling as a couple and want to go out, choose Levante; with young children or if you’re looking for peace and quiet, Poniente is usually more comfortable.
Can you visit Benidorm without a car?
Yes, and it’s the most convenient option. There are direct buses from Alicante-Elche Airport, and the TRAM d'Alacant connects Benidorm with Alicante on line 1 and with Altea, Calpe and Dénia on line 9. Once there, you can explore Levante, the old town and Poniente on foot along the promenades. A car is only worthwhile for trips to places such as Guadalest or inland Marina Baixa.
When is the best time to visit Benidorm?
For the beach, go from June to September. Spring and autumn are ideal for walking in the Serra Gelada without the heat, and winters are still mild. There are annual events: Benidorm Pride in early September, the Fiestas Mayores Patronales from the second weekend of November, and Benidorm Fest, scheduled for 23 to 30 January 2027.
Where can I park if I’m driving to Benidorm?
Parking is the city’s weak point: many hotels have no private parking or charge for it, and spaces cannot be reserved in advance. Also, since July 2025, the centre, Levante and Poniente have been part of a low-emission zone with cameras at the entrances. If you’re staying inside the zone, ask the hotel to register your number plate to avoid a fine, and leave your car in a public car park during your stay.
