Benidorm
Discover Benidorm – the lively city on the Costa Blanca
Benidorm is the opposite of Moraira: high-rise towers, two long city beaches and a promenade that keeps going until late. From Moraira it is about a 35-minute drive (some 42 km). That contrast is exactly what makes a day trip to Benidorm worthwhile. Besides the beach and the theme parks, the town has a small old centre on a rock between the two bays, an island off the coast and a nature park with cliffs.
Levante, Poniente and the small bays
Benidorm has two main beaches, separated by the rock that carries the old centre:
| Beach | What it is like |
|---|---|
| Playa de Levante | Almost two kilometres long, on the lively side of town with plenty of bars and restaurants |
| Playa de Poniente | On the western side, with a long promenade and palm trees along the harbour |
| Mal Pas, Tío Ximo, Almadrava | Smaller bays, quieter than the big beaches |
Anyone who likes sand and space finds something here that the small bays around Moraira cannot offer. For the beaches closer to home, see beaches near Moraira.
The old centre and the Balcón del Mediterráneo
The old centre sits on the Canfali rock, right between Levante and Poniente. At the very tip is the Balcón del Mediterráneo, a viewpoint with a white stone balustrade where you see both beaches and the skyline at once. It is busiest towards sunset.
From the fourteenth to the seventeenth century a fort stood here against pirate raids. French troops took it in 1812; the English fleet then shot most of it to pieces. Four cannons on the Plaza del Castell recall that period. Right beside it stands the eighteenth-century church of San Jaime y Santa Ana, with blue domes facing the sea.
Balcón del Mediterráneo
Location: Plaza del Castell, old centre of Benidorm
From Moraira: ± 35 min by car
Google Maps
Isla de Benidorm and the Serra Gelada
The island you see from every beach is the Isla de Benidorm, about 3.5 kilometres offshore. It is a protected nature and marine reserve, popular with divers and snorkellers. Boats sail to the island from the harbour almost every day; departure times and prices differ from operator to operator.
North of Levante the Serra Gelada rises up, a nature park with steep cliffs above the sea. It is a good alternative if, after a morning in town, you would rather walk than lie on the beach.
Theme parks
Benidorm is also the city of the theme parks. Terra Mítica has a page of its own: Terra Mítica from Moraira. For an overview of theme parks and water parks in the region, see visiting a theme park.
Practicalities and combining
Without a car you can take TRAM line 9 from Teulada to Benidorm, a ride of about 55 minutes; the tram runs roughly once an hour. In Benidorm you change to line 1 towards Villajoyosa and Alicante. By car, a morning in Benidorm combines well with the coloured houses of Villajoyosa, a few kilometres further south.
Practical details in Benidorm
Tourist Info Benidorm Centro
Address Plaza de Canalejas 1, El Torrejó building, 03501 Benidorm
Phone +34 965 851 311
Email turinfo_centro@benidorm.org
Website visitbenidorm.es
1 March to 30 November Monday to Friday 9.00 to 21.00; weekends and public holidays 10.00 to 17.30
1 December to the end of February Monday to Friday 9.00 to 19.00; weekends and public holidays 10.00 to 17.30
Parking
Blue zone € 0.50 per hour, € 1.00 for two hours; maximum two hours for non-residents
When to pay Monday to Friday 9.00 to 14.00 and 16.00 to 20.00, in summer until 21.00; Saturday 9.00 to 14.00
Free on Sundays and public holidays
Free car park Recinto Ferial on the Avenida de Inglaterra, about 467 spaces, on the Levante and old-centre side
To the island of Benidorm
Excursiones Marítimas Benidorm
Departure from Benidorm harbour, on the Paseo de Colón; from May to October also from Rincón de Loix
Phone +34 965 850 052
Tickets tickets.emb2000.es
Sailing times daily from 10.00 until about 16.00, roughly every fifty minutes
Crossing about twenty minutes; you stay at least two hours and choose for yourself which boat to come back on
Price adults € 22, children € 14
Parc Natural de la Serra Gelada
What the first combined land and marine nature park in the region: 5,653 hectares, with cliffs rising to over 300 metres
Access free, open to all
Three routes the cliff path, the l’Albir lighthouse and the Punta del Cavall
Along the way the old watchtowers Seguró, La Bombarda, l’Aguilló and Xarco
Weekly markets
Mercadillo de Levante Wednesday and Sunday from 8.00 to 14.00, Avenida de l’Almirall Bernat de Sarrià, Rincón de Loix district — over 300 stalls
Rastro El Cisne Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 9.00 to 14.00, antiques and curiosities
Skyline and beaches at Benidorm
Benidorm is the opposite of quiet Moraira: high-rise towers, wide beaches and a lively nightlife. A good change of scene for a day before you head back to Calamora.
A maximum of 4 guests may stay here (infants not included).
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Frequently asked questions about Benidorm
What can you do in Benidorm?
Benidorm offers a skyline of high-rise towers, two wide beaches (Levante and Poniente) and theme parks such as Terra Mítica, Aqualandia and Mundomar within a stone’s throw of each other.
What is the difference between the beaches?
Playa de Levante is the busiest and liveliest beach, with a promenade full of bars and restaurants; Playa de Poniente is a little quieter and wider. Both are free and well equipped with showers and sunbeds.
How far is Benidorm from Moraira?
From Moraira it is about a 35-minute drive, some 42 kilometres. You can combine a day in Benidorm with Villajoyosa, ten minutes further along on the way back.