Quick Answer
Benidorm offers far more than its nightlife reputation suggests, with two long sandy beaches, major theme parks including Terra Mítica and Aqualandia, a genuinely charming Old Town, and easy day trips to nearby villages like Guadalest and Villajoyosa. Plan for a mix of beach time, one theme park day, and at least one quieter excursion outside the main strip.
Rethinking Benidorm
Benidorm has a reputation in the UK built almost entirely around its nightlife and package holiday image, but that’s only one part of the city. Away from the main strip, Benidorm has a proper Old Town, strong beaches, and some of Spain’s biggest theme parks within a short drive, making it a genuinely varied destination rather than a one-note party town.
The Beaches: Levante and Poniente
Benidorm’s two main beaches sit on either side of the Old Town headland and offer noticeably different atmospheres. Levante Beach, to the east, is the livelier of the two, lined with bars, restaurants and the busiest stretch of the promenade. It suits travellers who want beach time close to the action.
Poniente Beach, to the west, is quieter and considerably longer, with a more relaxed atmosphere and better sunset views over the water. Families and anyone looking for a calmer beach day generally prefer Poniente over Levante.
Theme Parks and Water Parks
Terra Mítica is one of Spain’s largest theme parks, split into themed zones covering Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, Iberia and the Mediterranean Islands, with rides suited to a range of ages. It makes a solid full-day trip, particularly for families with older children who want a proper rollercoaster fix.
Aqualandia is one of Europe’s biggest water parks and includes some of the tallest waterslides on the continent, making it a popular choice for a hot afternoon. Mundomar, a smaller animal park focused on marine life and birds, suits families with younger children who want something less intense than a full theme park day.
Trying to combine more than one of these parks in a single day is rarely worth it. Each one genuinely fills a full day, so it’s better to pick one per visit and plan a second trip for another if you’re staying long enough.
The Old Town: Benidorm’s Quieter Side
Benidorm’s Old Town sits on the headland between the two beaches and offers a completely different pace to the main strip, with narrow streets, tapas bars, and views out over the water for the Balcón del Mediterráneo, a well-known viewpoint at the edge of the old quarter. Evenings here are noticeably calmer than on Levante Beach, making it a good choice for a relaxed dinner away from the busiest part of town.
Day Trips Worth Taking
Guadalest, a small mountain village around fifteen kilometres inland, is one of the most popular day trips from Benidorm, known for its dramatic setting above a turquoise reservoir and a medieval castle with sweeping views. It gets busy with coach tours, so an early start makes for a noticeably better visit.
Villajoyosa, a small coastal town roughly fourteen kilometres away, offers a completely different pace, with brightly painted houses along its seafront and a more traditional, low-key Spanish town feel. It works well as a half-day trip, combined with lunch by the water.
Planning Your Time
For a typical week in Benidorm, a reasonable split looks something like two or three beach days, one theme park day, one day exploring the Old Town and nearby coast, and one day trip inland to Guadalest or a similar village. This gives a genuine mix rather than spending the whole trip on one strip of beach.
Peak summer brings the largest crowds and highest prices, particularly in July and August. Late spring and early autumn offer noticeably quieter beaches and theme parks while keeping warm, reliable weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Benidorm only good for nightlife?
No. While Benidorm is known for its nightlife, it also has strong beaches, major theme parks, a charming Old Town, and easy access to day trips like Guadalest and Villajoyosa.
Which beach is better in Benidorm, Levante or Poniente?
Levante is livelier and closer to bars and restaurants, while Poniente is longer, quieter, and better suited to a relaxed beach day or families.
How many days do I need in Benidorm?
A week gives a good balance of beach time, one theme park visit, and at least one day trip. A shorter three or four day trip works well if you focus on just the beaches and Old Town.
What’s the best time of year to visit Benidorm?
Late spring and early autumn offer warm, reliable weather with smaller crowds than the peak summer months of July and August.
Planning a longer Spanish trip around Benidorm? Our guide to southern Spain villas covers other parts of the coast, and see our comparison of travel agent vs booking online if you’d rather have an expert put the trip together.
Is Benidorm good for families?
Yes, and for a wider range of ages than its nightlife image suggests. Families get two long, well-serviced beaches, with Poniente generally calmer for younger children, plus major attractions such as Terra Mitica, Aqualandia and Mundomar that can each fill a full day. There is a large choice of family hotels and self-catering apartments, eating out is straightforward with children, and transfers from Alicante airport are relatively short. The liveliest strip is easy to avoid if you base yourselves nearer Poniente or the Old Town.
Is Benidorm expensive compared with other Spanish resorts?
Generally, no. Benidorm is usually cheaper than the Balearic resorts such as those on Ibiza and Mallorca, and it offers a wide range of prices, from simple self-catering apartments and set-menu lunches to smarter hotels and seafood restaurants in the Old Town. Costs rise in peak summer and fall outside it, and where you stay and eat matters as much as when you go, so most budgets can find a version of Benidorm that works.
Day Trips From Benidorm: Altea, Guadalest and Villajoyosa
Altea, a short journey north along the coast, is the easiest contrast to Benidorm: a whitewashed old town climbing to a hilltop church, small galleries and workshops in its lanes, and a calmer promenade for lunch by the water. It works well as a half-day trip by tram or bus, leaving the rest of the day free for the beach. Guadalest takes you in the opposite direction, inland into the mountains, where a castle village sits above a strikingly blue-green reservoir. Go early if you can, because its viewpoints and museums are much more enjoyable before the day-trip coaches arrive.
Villajoyosa, south of Benidorm, is the gentlest of the three: a working coastal town known for its brightly coloured seafront houses, a quieter beach and a long chocolate-making tradition. It suits a slow morning, a swim and lunch, rather than a packed itinerary. If these excursions make you want a longer stay exploring this stretch of coast at your own pace, our guide to Southern Spain villas: where to stay, from coast to countryside covers bases that work well as an alternative to a Benidorm hotel.
Benidorm With Children and Without: Two Different Trips
With children, the winning formula is a calm base, short days and one big attraction at a time. Base yourselves near Poniente Beach for quieter sand and easier evenings, give Terra Mitica, Aqualandia or Mundomar a full day each rather than trying to combine them, and keep beach mornings and pool time in reserve for when energy dips. Self-catering apartments help with early breakfasts and simple dinners, and the flat promenades make getting around with a pushchair or tired legs noticeably easier than in most historic Spanish towns.
Without children, the same resort becomes a different trip. Days can centre on the Old Town’s tapas bars and narrow streets, the Balcón del Mediterráneo viewpoint and walks towards the cross above Levante or into the Sierra Helada, with long lunches and late dinners that no bedtime routine interrupts. This version of Benidorm is at its best outside the peak weeks, when the weather is still warm but the resort is quieter, which is why our roundup of the best places to visit in October: a UK traveller’s guide is worth a look if you are choosing when to go.
