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Benidorm
🇪🇸 Spain · Valencian Community (Costa Blanca, Alicante)

Benidorm

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📌City
Benidorm (Comunitat Valenciana, Spain). It is a municipality in the Marina Baixa district of the province of Alicante, on the Mediterranean Costa Blanca. According to the INE it had 77,221 inhabitants on 1 January 2025, the highest figure in its history, and in summer it receives around 400,000 people according to Wikipedia. It covers just 38.5 km², squeezed between the Serra Gelada to the east, the inland mountains and the sea. It is known for two things that go together: its long beaches of fine sand (Levante and Poniente, with Blue Flag status since 1987) and its skyline of skyscrapers. The Intempo, at 202 metres, is the tallest; the Gran Hotel Bali, at 186, was the tallest hotel in Europe in 2002. Behind that image is a tuna-fishing village (almadraba) that in 1956, under mayor Pedro Zaragoza, approved an urban plan designed for tourism, and that today welcomes visitors all year round: British visitors and retirees from northern Europe in winter, Spanish families in summer. Since 2022 it has also hosted the Benidorm Fest, Spain's selection show for Eurovision. For travellers it also works as a base: the TRAM d'Alacant tram takes you to Alicante and Altea, and by car or on an organised trip you can reach the Castell de Guadalest and les Fonts de l'Algar.
📌Currency and language
You pay in euros and cards work almost everywhere, including hotels, restaurants and the TRAM ticket machines. The official languages are Valencian and Spanish; you'll see signs in Valencian ('platja' is beach, 'carrer' is street, 'castell' is castle), but Spanish gets you by everywhere. In the Levante area and the Rincón de Loix many bars serve in English because the British crowd is huge.
📌Best time to go
The climate is semi-arid and mild: an annual average of 18.5 °C and around 3,000 hours of sunshine (source: Wikipedia, climate data). For the beach and reasonable prices, June and September. According to Kayak, August is the most expensive month for accommodation and the lowest prices are between November and January. Watch out for the parks: Aqualandia closed its 2026 season on 27 September, Terra Mítica is open until 1 November and Mundomar is open almost all year. Between 16 and 25 October 2026 the Jornadas de los Arroces de la Tierra rice festival takes place in restaurants around the city.
📌Visa and tourist tax
Argentines, Uruguayans, Chileans, Mexicans, Colombians and Peruvians don't need a visa for tourism of up to 90 days in any 180 within the Schengen area. Since 10 April 2026 the EES has been fully operational: at your first Schengen checkpoint they record your fingerprints and photo instead of stamping your passport. ETIAS (an online permit costing 20 €) is not required yet: the EU no longer talks about late 2026 and is pointing to 2027 with no official date. There is no tourist tax in force in the Comunitat Valenciana as of October 2026: the tax created in 2022 was repealed before it began to be collected.
💱 EUR exchange rate
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🌤️ Weather in Benidorm
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Benidorm is the beach city everyone thinks they know from the skyscraper photos, and it surprises you once you walk it. It has two urban beaches of more than two and three kilometres, clear water, a small old town on a rocky headland that separates the two bays, and a protected mountain range, the Serra Gelada, that drops in cliffs into the sea a few blocks from the hotels. You can get around everything on foot or by bus, and the beach, the promenade and the viewpoints are free.

For a family or a traveller on a tight budget it has clear advantages: a huge supply of hotels and apartments that get much cheaper in the low season, a mild climate all year and three big parks (Terra Mítica, Aqualandia and Mundomar) for the kids' days. It is also connected by the TRAM d'Alacant to Alicante and Altea, so you can put together day trips without renting a car.

The best of Benidorm is sometimes outside the city. By boat you reach the Isla de Benidorm, part of a marine nature park, in no time. By car or on an organised trip you can go up to the Castell de Guadalest, a village perched on a rock with a turquoise reservoir below, and to les Fonts de l'Algar, a set of waterfalls with pools where you can swim. Heading back to the old town at night for tapas on Calle Santo Domingo rounds off the day.

📖 History of Benidorm

There were Iberian and Roman settlements in the area: at the Tossal de la Cala, remains of a Roman trading post from the 3rd to 1st centuries BC were found. After the Christian conquest by James I, around 1245, Admiral Bernat de Sarrià granted the first settlement charter (carta puebla) on 8 May 1325, which set the boundaries and created the castle and the town on the headland that is now the Balcón del Mediterráneo. Attacks by Barbary pirates in 1410, 1448 and 1503 left the village almost empty by around 1520. In 1666 a new settlement charter and the Sèquia Mare irrigation channel made it possible to repopulate it. In the 18th and 19th centuries it lived off tuna fishing with almadraba nets, and the church of San Jaime y Santa Ana was built between 1740 and 1780. During the war against Napoleon the French occupied the castle and British ships destroyed it. In 1952 the main almadraba closed, and in 1956, under mayor Pedro Zaragoza Orts, the town council approved a general plan designed for a tourist city, a pioneering move at the time. In 1959 the Benidorm Song Festival was born; in 1962 the Cross was put up on the Serra Gelada as a religious protest against bikinis being allowed on the beaches; and in 1967 Alicante airport opened, bringing charter flights from northern Europe. The Gran Hotel Bali was completed in 2002, followed by the Intempo. Terra Mítica opened in 2000. Since 2022 the city has hosted the Benidorm Fest, which picks Spain's Eurovision song, and in 2025 its population passed 77,000.

🗺️ What to see

Tours you can book

If you only have one day, take a guided tour on the first one: it sets up the rest of your trip and saves you a lot of walking. We look ours up on Civitatis: guided in Spanish and booked online with no fuss. They have 17 activities in Benidorm. And there are free tours here: you book without paying and tip the guide whatever you think at the end, so trying one costs you nothing. Three are below so you get the idea: tap any of them and they all open.

If you book from here we earn a commission and you pay no more. Prices and availability come from Civitatis.

1
Balcón del Mediterráneo (Mirador del Castell)
The white viewpoint on the old town's headland, where the castle once stood, overlooking Benidorm's two bays.
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The Balcón del Mediterráneo, also called the Mirador del Castell, sits at the tip of the rocky headland that separates Levante beach from Poniente. This is where the fortress stood that defended the village from pirates between the 14th and 17th centuries. During the war against Napoleon it was occupied by the French and brought down by the cannons of the British fleet; today some remains of the wall survive on the rocks. You climb a flight of steps from the Plaça del Castell, where there is a small monument with four cannons. At the top, a tiled platform with white railings looks out over the sea: on one side you see Poniente and its towers, on the other Levante, the Serra Gelada and the Isla de Benidorm. Below lies the Mal Pas cove. It's the classic photo of the city and it's free. It's best at sunset, when the sun goes down on the Poniente side, or early in the morning to avoid the crowds. Combine it with the old town, which surrounds it.
ℹ️ Distance: At the tip of the old town, between Levante and Poniente · Best time to go: Sunset or first thing in the morning · Admission: Free (public space, open all day) · Duration: 30 to 45 minutes
2
Playa de Levante (Platja de Llevant)
Benidorm's most famous beach: fine sand, calm water and a seafront promenade lined with bars facing the skyscrapers.
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Levante beach runs from the old town headland to the Rincón de Loix, at the foot of the Serra Gelada. It is just over 2 km long (one guide gives 2,084 metres long and 55 wide on average) and has had Blue Flag status since 1987. It's the liveliest beach: parasols, water sports, beach bars and, behind it, a promenade with bars, restaurants and shops. The water is usually calm because the bay is sheltered. In summer it fills up early; if you're looking for space, the Rincón de Loix end is a bit quieter. There are showers, toilets and lifeguard posts in season. From the northern end the path to the Cross and the Serra Gelada begins, and from the port, to the south, the boats to the island depart. At night the Levante promenade is the centre of the nightlife, especially the British area of the Rincón de Loix.
ℹ️ Distance: Between the old town and the Rincón de Loix · Best time to go: June and September; in July and August get there early · Admission: Free (public beach) · Duration: Half a day or more
3
Playa de Poniente and Paseo de Poniente (Platja de Ponent)
The longest beach in the city, over 3 km, with a more family-friendly feel and a promenade with a wavy design.
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Poniente stretches south of the old town, from the port to the La Cala area. At more than 3 km long and around 74 metres wide on average (source: Barceló guide) it is Benidorm's largest beach, and it has had Blue Flag status since 1987. The crowd is more Spanish and family-oriented than in Levante, and there's more room on the sand. It is lined by a promenade of colourful curves, with shaded areas, benches and viewpoints, which is great to walk or cycle. At the far end, towards La Cala, are the newest buildings and the Intempo, the tallest skyscraper in the city. It's the best beach for watching the sunset, because the sun sets over the sea. If you're staying in Poniente, the old town is within walking distance.
ℹ️ Distance: South of the old town, between the port and La Cala · Best time to go: All year for walking; June to September for swimming · Admission: Free (public beach) · Duration: Half a day
4
Old town and the church of San Jaime y Santa Ana
The streets of the old fishing village, with the blue-domed church and the tapas area of Calle Santo Domingo.
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Benidorm's old town is what remains of the village before tourism: narrow streets on the headland, low houses and the church of San Jaime y Santa Ana, built between 1740 and 1780, with its blue-tiled dome visible from the beaches. Inside, the Virgen del Sufragio, the city's patron saint, is venerated. Around the church are the Plaça del Castell and the Balcón del Mediterráneo. Further down, Calle Santo Domingo and the neighbouring streets form the so-called 'zona de los vascos' or Tapas Alley: pintxos bars one after another, such as La Cava Aragonesa, Gaztelutxo or Aurrera. You can walk around it in an hour, but it's worth coming back at night for tapas. From the tip of the old town you can go down to the small Mal Pas beach, an urban cove between the headland and the port.
ℹ️ Distance: Central Benidorm, between the two beaches · Best time to go: Afternoon and evening, for tapas · Admission: Free (church open to visitors during service hours) · Duration: 1 to 2 hours
5
Isla de Benidorm (by boat)
The triangular islet off the bay, part of the Serra Gelada Nature Park, reached by boat from the port.
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The Isla de Benidorm is the triangular silhouette you see from every beach. It covers about seven hectares, has cliffs and lies about 3 km off the coast. It is part of the Serra Gelada Nature Park, so you can't stay overnight and you have to keep to the marked paths. Legend has it that a giant tore off a piece of the mountain so the sun could reach his beloved, and the rock fell into the sea. Boats leave from the port of Benidorm (Paseo de Colón), at the end of Levante, roughly every hour from 10 am. The crossing takes 15 to 20 minutes and some boats have glass bottoms. On the island there is a bar-restaurant next to the jetty and paths to viewpoints looking back at the skyscrapers. The best part is snorkelling: the seabed is a marine reserve and the water is clearest in spring and autumn. There's no sandy beach, only rocks, so bring comfortable shoes, water and sunscreen because there's no shade. Departures depend on the weather.
ℹ️ Distance: Departs from the port of Benidorm, 15-20 minutes by boat · Best time to go: Spring and autumn (clearer water, fewer people) · Admission: Return boat trip: 18 to 25 € per adult depending on operator and season (source: Carlos Watersports Benidorm, 2026 guide, aggregator, verified October 2026). You buy tickets at the kiosks in the port · Duration: 2 to 4 hours
6
Serra Gelada Nature Park and the Cruz de Benidorm
The range of cliffs that closes off Levante, with the Cross, the Torre de les Caletes and the trail to the l'Albir lighthouse.
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The Serra Gelada (Sierra Helada) is a nature park of more than 5,000 hectares between Benidorm, l'Alfàs del Pi and Altea, including a marine area and the island. Its cliffs rise over 300 metres and the highest point, the Alt del Governador, is around 438 metres. The easiest walk goes up from the Rincón de Loix (information point between Avenida del Derramador and Calle Gerona) to the Cruz de Benidorm: about 5 km there and back on a paved path, with views over the whole bay. The Cross was put up in 1962 as a religious protest against bikinis being allowed; the current one is made of railway sleepers, after a storm knocked down the first one in 1975. For walkers with stronger legs there is the yellow route, a one-way trail from the Cross to the l'Albir lighthouse: about 8.5 km and 4 to 5 hours with steep climbs. A gentler option is the Torre de les Caletes route, with coves such as Tío Ximo and l'Almadrava. Bring water: there's no shade.
ℹ️ Distance: Starts at the northern end of Levante (Rincón de Loix) · Best time to go: October to May; in summer only very early · Admission: Free (nature park with open access) · Duration: 3 hours (Cross) to 5 hours (route to the l'Albir lighthouse)
7
Terra Mítica
Benidorm's theme park, themed on Egypt, Greece, Rome, Iberia and the Mediterranean islands, with big roller coasters.
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Terra Mítica opened on 27 July 2000 as a large amusement park dedicated to the ancient civilisations of the Mediterranean. It is organised into five areas: Egypt, Greece, Rome, Iberia and The Islands, with around 33 rides. Among the best known are Titánide, an inverted roller coaster with five inversions; the Vuelo del Fénix, a 54-metre drop tower; the Furia de Tritón, a water ride; and Inferno. It has had a rocky history: it went into receivership in 2004, was sold to Aqualandia in 2012 and stayed closed during the pandemic until July 2021. Today it is run by the same group as Aqualandia and Mundomar. Check the calendar: it opens seasonally (in 2026, until 1 November according to resellers) and not every day. In the low season only Egypt, Greece and Rome are open. On 31 October there is a special Halloween opening from 11 am to 1 am. Buying online is considerably cheaper than at the ticket office.
ℹ️ Distance: On the outskirts of Benidorm; best reached by car, taxi or bus · Best time to go: Spring and autumn; avoid August because of the heat and the queues · Admission: Adult 41 € ticket office / 35 € online in low season; 49 € / 43 € in high season. Junior (4-12) and senior (65+): 35 € / 30 € low, 42 € / 37 € high. Under 4s free (source: terramiticabenidorm.com, verified October 2026) · Duration: Full day
8
Aqualandia
Benidorm's water park, at the foot of the Serra Gelada, with big slides and areas for kids.
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Aqualandia is Benidorm's historic water park, at the foot of the Serra Gelada, next to Mundomar and owned by the same group. It has slides of every level, pools, lazy rivers and children's areas, and it's the classic hot-day plan for families. It only opens in summer: the 2026 season closed on 27 September, as announced by the park itself. If you're travelling between October and spring, you won't find it open; check the 2027 calendar on the official website before planning. There is an afternoon ticket with entry from 3 pm, which is worth it if you only want a few hours, and one- or two-day combo tickets with Mundomar. Tickets cannot be changed or refunded. Rides close half an hour before the park does.
ℹ️ Distance: Rincón de Loix, next to Mundomar, at the foot of the Serra Gelada · Best time to go: July and August (only open during the summer season) · Admission: Adult (13-64) 41 € ticket office / from 35 € online; junior (4-12) and senior (65+) 33 € / from 28 €; under 4s free. Afternoon: 31 € / 29 € (source: aqualandiabenidorm.com, verified October 2026; 2026 season closed on 27 September) · Duration: Full day
9
Mundomar
A park of marine and exotic animals with dolphins, sea lions and lemurs, open almost all year.
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Mundomar is a park of marine and exotic animals on Calle Sierra Helada, next to Aqualandia. It has dolphins, sea lions, seals, penguins, lemurs, parrots and other species, along a route you can walk at a relaxed pace. The day is organised around the shows: the dolphin show is at 13:30 and 16:15, the sea lion show at 12:15 and 17:15, and the multi-species show at 11:00 and 15:00. There are paid extra experiences, such as meeting the dolphins or the sea lions (you need to be able to swim). Unlike the other parks, it opens for much of the year: general opening hours are 10 am to 6 pm, and the afternoon ticket is valid from 2 pm. It's a good plan for a cloudy day or a low-season day with kids.
ℹ️ Distance: Calle Sierra Helada s/n, Rincón de Loix · Best time to go: All year; best in the morning to catch the shows · Admission: Adult (13-64) 32 € ticket office / from 26 € online; junior (4-12) and senior (65+) 26 € / from 21 €; under 4s free. Afternoon: 23 € / 21 € (source: mundomarbenidorm.com, verified October 2026) · Duration: 3 to 5 hours
10
Castell de Guadalest (day trip)
A mountain village of fewer than 300 inhabitants, perched on a rock with its castle and a turquoise reservoir below.
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The Castell de Guadalest is one of the most visited villages in inland Alicante. It has 284 inhabitants (INE 2025) and sits at about 570-595 metres above sea level, in the Guadalest valley. You enter the old core through a tunnel carved into the rock. At the top are the remains of the 11th-century castle of San José, destroyed by the earthquakes of 1644 and 1748 and by a blast in 1708, during the War of the Spanish Succession. The castle can only be reached through the Casa Orduña, a 17th-century noble house turned municipal museum. From the top you can see the Guadalest reservoir, completed in 1971, an intense turquoise blue. The village also has several small private museums (of miniatures, nativity scenes, salt shakers, torture instruments). It fills up with tour groups by mid-morning: if you're going on your own by car, get there early. Many organised trips combine it with Algar and Altea in one day.
ℹ️ Distance: Inland Marina Baixa; reached by car or on an organised trip · Best time to go: Spring and autumn, early in the morning · Admission: Casa Orduña + castle: about €4 per adult (source: Mapping Spain and Viajeros Callejeros guides, aggregators, verified October 2026). The village and viewpoints are free · Duration: Half a day
11
Les Fonts de l'Algar (day trip)
Waterfalls and pools of clear water on the Algar river, in Callosa d'en Sarrià, where you can swim.
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Les Fonts de l'Algar (the Algar Springs) is a natural site on the Algar river, in Callosa d'en Sarrià, with waterfalls, cold clear pools and paths through the greenery. It is run by Callosa Town Council and is one of the most popular day trips from Benidorm. You can swim in the river: there are lifeguards at Easter and in summer, and outside those dates you swim at your own risk. Bring water shoes because the rocks are slippery. In July and August visits are split into three time slots (9 am to 1 pm, 1 to 4 pm and 4 to 8 pm) and you can't take food into the swimming area; there is a picnic area further up. Online tickets must be bought at least 24 hours in advance; at the ticket office, on the day until capacity is reached. There is free parking next to the tourist office, 700 metres from the entrance. The Avanza bus goes to the centre of Callosa, 3 km away.
ℹ️ Distance: Callosa d'en Sarrià, inland Marina Baixa · Best time: Spring and autumn; in summer, the first morning slot · Admission: High season (15/6 to 15/10): adult €8, child aged 4-10 €3, student €7, retiree €6. Low season (16/10 to 14/6): adult €6, child €3, student and retiree €5. Under-4s free (source: lasfuentesdelalgar.com, verified October 2026) · Duration: 3 to 4 hours
12
Altea (day trip by TRAM)
The neighbouring white village, with its blue-domed church on the hill, a tram ride from Benidorm.
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Altea is Benidorm's counterpoint: a white, pedestrianised old town on a hill, with cobbled streets, art galleries and sea viewpoints. At the very top stands the church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo, built between 1900 and 1910, with two blue ceramic domes that earned it the nickname 'the dome of the Mediterranean'. Entry to the church is free. From Benidorm you can get there on line 9 of the TRAM d'Alacant, which continues to Dénia, or by car. The L9 runs less often than the L1, so check the return timetable. It's best to go in the afternoon: walk up to the old town, watch the sunset from the church square and have dinner there. If you drive, leave the car down below because the historic centre is pedestrianised.
ℹ️ Distance: North of Benidorm, on the other side of the Serra Gelada · Best time: Afternoon and sunset, all year round · Admission: The old town and the church are free; the TRAM is paid separately (see transport) · Duration: Half a day
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What nobody tells you

💵 Prices

Tickets

TypePrice
Terra Mítica (1 día)Low season: adult (13-64) €41 at the ticket office / €35 online; junior (4-12) and senior (65+) €35 / €30. High season: adult €49 / €43; junior and senior €42 / €37. Afternoon from 3 pm: adult €28-37.50. Under-4s free; no changes or refunds (source: terramiticabenidorm.com, verified October 2026). Buy at tickets.terramiticapark.com
Aqualandia (1 día)Adult (13-64) €41 at the ticket office / from €35 online; junior (4-12) and senior (65+) €33 / from €28; afternoon €31 / €29; under-4s free; large and single-parent families 30% off at the ticket office only (source: aqualandiabenidorm.com, verified October 2026). 2026 season closed on 27 September
Mundomar (1 día)Adult (13-64) €32 at the ticket office / from €26 online; junior (4-12) and senior (65+) €26 / from €21; person with a disability €20; afternoon from 2 pm €23 / €21; under-4s free (source: mundomarbenidorm.com, verified October 2026). Buy on the official website
Combinada Mundomar + Aqualandia1 day: adult €41 at the ticket office / from €39 online; junior and senior €33 / €31. 2 days: adult €57 / €54; junior and senior €45 / €43 (source: mundomarbenidorm.com and aqualandiabenidorm.com, verified October 2026). Only valid while Aqualandia is in season
Barco a la Isla de Benidorm (ida y vuelta)€18 to €25 per adult depending on operator and season; discounts for children (source: Carlos Watersports Benidorm, 2026 guide, aggregator, verified October 2026). Online resellers from €23-25 (Sercotel/Musement). Tickets sold at the kiosks in Benidorm harbour
Les Fonts de l'Algar (Callosa d'en Sarrià)From 15/6 to 15/10: adult €8, child aged 4-10 €3, student €7, retiree or 65+ €6. From 16/10 to 14/6: adult €6, child €3, student and retiree €5. Under-4s and people with disabilities free (source: lasfuentesdelalgar.com, verified October 2026). Online 24 hours in advance or at the ticket office
Casa Orduña y castillo de GuadalestAbout €4 per adult, includes museum and castle (source: Mapping Spain and Viajeros Callejeros, travel guides, aggregators, verified October 2026). Paid at the entrance to Casa Orduña; the village is free
Playas de Levante, Poniente y Mal PasFree (public urban beaches)
Balcón del Mediterráneo y casco antiguoFree (public space)
Parque Natural de la Serra Gelada (Cruz, faro de l'Albir)Free (open-access trails)
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying

Activities and tours

Boat to Benidorm Island with free time for snorkelling
Duration2 to 4 hours
OperatorBoats leaving from Benidorm harbour (Paseo de Colón)
Price
€18-25 per adult return (source: Carlos Watersports Benidorm, 2026 guide, aggregator, verified October 2026)
Day trip to Guadalest, Altea and Fuentes del Algar by coach with a Spanish-speaking guide
DurationFull day
OperatorCivitatis (departing from Benidorm)
Price
From US$ 46-47 per person, includes transport, guide and Algar admission (source: Civitatis, price shown in dollars, verified October 2026)
Guadalest and Fuentes del Algar with a guide and private transport
Duration10 am to 5 pm
OperatorOperators listed by Turisme Comunitat Valenciana
Price
€75 per person, minimum 4 people, includes Algar admission (source: comunitatvalenciana.com, official tourism portal, verified October 2026)
Guided walking tour of Guadalest (castle and Casa Orduña)
DurationAbout 2 hours
OperatorLocal guides listed by Turisme Comunitat Valenciana
Price
From €10 per person (source: comunitatvalenciana.com, verified October 2026)
Kayak to Benidorm Island
DurationHalf a day
OperatorBenidorm kayak operators
Price
€50 adult and €50 child (source: Barceló Guía de Turismo, activities, verified October 2026)
Jet ski to Benidorm Island
DurationUnder 1 hour
OperatorActividades Benidorm
Price
From €80 per person, taxes included (source: spain.info, Turespaña, verified October 2026)
Try-dive at Benidorm Island from a boat
DurationAbout 4 hours
OperatorNisos Benidorm and other dive centres
Price
From €95 per person (source: Yumping, Nisos Benidorm listing updated June 2026, aggregator, verified October 2026)
Variety show at Benidorm Palace
DurationEvening (show of about 2 hours from 10 pm)
OperatorBenidorm Palace
Price
From €55-60 for a show-only ticket (source: Musement and Sercotel Experiencias, resellers, verified October 2026); the dinner option costs more
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying

🚌 How to get there and distances

Getting around

TRAM d'Alacant line 1 (Benidorm - El Campello - Alicante)
DurationAlicante (Luceros) - Benidorm, around 1 h 15 min
Price
From 1 October 2026 the single ticket outside the TAM area goes from €1.45 to €2 and the Bono 10 from €4.80 to €5.40 (source: El Periòdic and Ahora Marina Baixa on the Generalitat's new fare order, 30/9/2026, verified October 2026). FGV's previous table was €1.45 for one zone, €2.80 for two and €3.90 for three; the new 2- and 3-zone prices had not been published
Notes
This is the FGV tram-train linking Benidorm with Alicante along the coast, stopping at La Vila Joiosa and El Campello. It runs every 30 to 60 minutes depending on the time of day. Until 31 December 2026 discounts apply: under-14s travel free, under-31s get up to 50% off and there is a general 40% off on the included tickets. The Hospital de La Vila - Benidorm section fully reopened in December 2025 after the double-track works. There is a new unlimited monthly Móbilis pass for €35.
TRAM d'Alacant line 9 (Benidorm - Altea - Dénia)
DurationLow frequency, every 60 to 120 minutes
Price
Same fare system as the L1: €2 single from 1/10/2026 outside the TAM area (source: Ahora Marina Baixa / El Periòdic, verified October 2026)
Notes
The L9 leaves Benidorm heading north and takes you to Altea, l'Alfàs del Pi, Calp and Dénia. Check the return timetable before setting off because it doesn't run often. FGV plans to convert the Benidorm - Benidorm Intermodal section to tram operation as part of its 2026-2030 plan, so stops in the city may change.
Benidorm city buses (Avanza)
DurationVaries by line; every 15 to 30 minutes during the day
Price
Daytime single ticket €2 (source: benidormbus.com, an aggregator that says it checked with Avanza on 7/8/2026, verified October 2026). The official website only publishes the single fare as an image. Lines 21, 22 and 23 to La Vila Joiosa have their own fares
Notes
The city network connects Levante, Poniente, Rincón de Loix, the bus station and the theme park area. There are daytime (6:00 to 23:59) and night (0:00 to 5:59) tickets at different prices. With the rechargeable Tarjeta Bus (€2 for the card, top-ups of €10 or €20) each trip is cheaper and you get transfers.
Avanza tourist bus cards
DurationUnlimited travel during the period
Price
24 hours €11.30; 48/72 hours €20.60; 7 days €39.20; not rechargeable (source: official Avanza Benidorm website, fares and tickets, verified October 2026)
Notes
Worth it if you'll take more than five or six buses a day or if you're staying far from the beach. For over-65s there is the discounted Tarjeta Oro, but it requires a Spanish DNI, so in practice it's only for residents. The official page mentions both 48 and 72 hours for the second card: check when you buy.
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying

How to get there

Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC) → Benidorm by direct bus
Airlines / operatorsAlsa (stops at the bus station and on Avenida Europa in Benidorm)
Duration45 to 50 minutes
Avg. price
€8 to €9.45 for a single adult ticket; children aged 4 to 12 get 30% off (source: Omio and Welcome Pickups, aggregators, verified October 2026). Alsa reports more than 32 services a day (source: alsa.com)
Alicante city → Benidorm by TRAM L1
Airlines / operatorsFGV - TRAM d'Alacant (departing from Luceros)
DurationAround 1 h 15 min
Avg. price
Single outside the TAM area €2 from 1/10/2026 (source: El Periòdic and Ahora Marina Baixa on the Generalitat's new fare order, 30/9/2026, verified October 2026). The new zone fare for the full Alicante–Benidorm journey had not been published on tramalacant.es at the time of writing: check the amount at the station machines before travelling
Valencia → Benidorm by bus
Airlines / operatorsAlsa
DurationAbout 1 h 45 min on a direct service
Avg. price
From about €5 up to €19 depending on the day and how far ahead you book (source: Omio, aggregator, verified October 2026)
Madrid → Benidorm by long-distance bus
Airlines / operatorsAlsa (there are also services from Barajas airport)
Duration5 h 10 min to 5 h 30 min (over 6 h from Barajas)
Avg. price
From €42, average €49 (source: Omio, aggregator, verified October 2026)
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying

🏨 Where to stay

No exact prices: a scale from $ (budget) to $$$$$ (luxury), with 2-3 options per category.

Guesthouses and budget hotels
Price$$$$$
Recommended options
There are plenty of guesthouses and one- and two-star hotels in the centre and near Levante: Mayna from €55, Bilbaino from €62, Hostal Irati from €63 a night; Benidorm City Olympia and Port Mar Blau (adults only) have shown rates as low as €41 (source: Kayak, verified October 2026). In November and January prices drop even further; in August they go up.
3-star hotel in Levante or the centre
Price$$$$$
Recommended options
3-star hotels start at about €47-59 a night on scattered autumn dates, and Hotel Marbella shows from €65 (source: Kayak, verified October 2026). Many work on a half-board or all-inclusive basis, which is worth comparing. According to the same source, August is the most expensive month, averaging €170-190 a night.
4-star hotel with pool and views
Price$$$$$
Recommended options
Gran Hotel Bali, the 186-metre skyscraper hotel in Poniente, from €106 (with deals from €67); Four Points by Sheraton Costa Blanca, between €74 and €596 depending on the date (source: Kayak, verified October 2026). 4-star hotels in the old town average about €220 according to Kayak for that neighbourhood. In high season, book well ahead.
Luxury and 5-star boutique
Price$$$$$
Recommended options
Hotel Boutique Villa Venecia, on Plaça de Sant Jaume at the top of the old town, ranges between €141 and €888 a night (source: Kayak, verified October 2026); for 27 November 2026 Dertour was offering it at €211 for a double with breakfast. Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, in Finestrat on the outskirts, also shows wide ranges on Kayak. July and August are very expensive.

🍴 Where to eat

Menú del día (almuerzo a precio fijo)
Price$$$$$
Options / signature dish
Starter, main course, dessert and a drink at a set price at lunchtime. In Benidorm recent reviews show set menus from €11.90 to €22.50, many between €12.50 and €17.95 (source: Gastroranking, reviews from December 2025 to April 2026, aggregator, verified October 2026). It's the cheapest way to eat well; avoid the menus with photos on the Levante promenade.
Tapas y pintxos en el casco antiguo (calle Santo Domingo)
Price$$$$$
Options / signature dish
The 'Basque quarter' or Tapas Alley brings together pintxo bars: La Cava Aragonesa (Plaça de la Constitució, with more than 700 wines), Gaztelutxo (Santo Domingo 7) and Aurrera (Santo Domingo 12). At La Cava Aragonesa the average spend is €30-45 per person (source: Gastroranking, reviews from April 2026, verified October 2026). Hopping from bar to bar and grazing works out cheaper than sitting down.
Arroces y fritura de pescado
Price$$$$$
Options / signature dish
Try arroz a banda, soupy rice with anchovies and spinach, coca farcida (a vegetable pie) and faves sacsaes (broad beans stewed with black pudding). Las Gaviotas (calle del Esperanto 16), famous for its fried fish, comes to around €20-30 per person (source: Gastroranking, verified October 2026); La Mejillonera (Paseo de la Carretera 16) does mussels twelve ways. From 16 to 25 October 2026 the Jornadas de los Arroces de la Tierra rice festival runs with special menus (source: Visit Benidorm).
Cena especial: arrocería frente al mar o show
Price$$$$$
Options / signature dish
Bar Mal Pas (calle Santa Faç 50), next to Mal Pas cove, serves rice dishes and chargrilled fish; a 2026 review reports €44.50 per person with wine (source: Gastroranking, verified October 2026). For a different kind of night, the Benidorm Palace dinner show is estimated at €60-100 per person (source: Gastroranking, verified October 2026). In the old town, DVora Gastrobar (Plaça de Sant Jaume 5) has tasting menus.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa, EES or ETIAS to travel to Benidorm from Latin America?+
Argentines, Uruguayans, Chileans, Mexicans, Colombians and Peruvians don't need a visa for tourism stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen area. Bolivians and Ecuadorians, however, do need a Schengen visa. Since 10 April 2026 the EES (Entry/Exit System) has been fully operational: at your first Schengen border check your fingerprints and photo are taken and your passport is no longer stamped. If you fly to Madrid or Barcelona and then on to Alicante, you do this registration in Madrid or Barcelona. ETIAS, the €20 online authorisation, is not required yet: the EU's official website removed the late-2026 date and European governments are already talking about 2027 with no confirmed date. Carry a return ticket, an accommodation booking and health insurance.
Do you have to pay a tourist tax in Benidorm?+
No. As of October 2026 no accommodation in the Comunitat Valenciana is required to charge a tourist tax. Law 7/2022 had created a tax on tourist stays, but the new Consell repealed it by decree-law (Decree-Law 14/2023, ratified by Les Corts in November 2023) before it came into force. We found no new proposal under way. Also, when it was debated in 2021, the mayor of Benidorm had already said the city would not apply it. This could change if the regional government changes, so check the small print of your booking: if a hotel charges you something extra, it is not an official tax.
How many days should I stay?+
With three full days you'll see the essentials: one for Levante, the old town, the Balcón del Mediterráneo and tapas on calle Santo Domingo; another for Poniente and the boat to Benidorm Island; and another to hike up to the Cross along the Serra Gelada or spend at a park. If you're travelling with children, add a day for each park (Terra Mítica, Mundomar and, in summer, Aqualandia). With five or six days you can add Altea by TRAM, the trip to Guadalest and les Fonts de l'Algar, and a day in Alicante. Benidorm works well as a base for the whole northern Costa Blanca.
How do I get from Alicante airport to Benidorm?+
The most direct option is the Alsa bus that leaves from Alicante-Elche airport and stops at the bus station and on Avenida Europa in Benidorm. It takes 45 to 50 minutes and a single ticket costs between €8 and €9.45 according to the aggregators checked in October 2026; children aged 4 to 12 get 30% off. Alsa reports more than 32 services a day. Another option is to go into central Alicante and take the TRAM L1 from Luceros, which takes about an hour and a quarter. If you arrive in the early hours or there are several of you with suitcases, a private transfer or taxi may be worth it.
Is Benidorm safe?+
Benidorm is a tourist town with lots of people out on the streets at all hours, especially along the seafront promenades. The most common problems are the same as in any busy destination: opportunistic theft on the beach, on the TRAM and in the bar areas at night. Don't leave your phone or wallet on your towel when you go into the water, carry little cash and use ATMs inside banks. The Rincón de Loix bar area gets noisy at night with stag and hen parties; if you want peace and quiet, stay in Poniente or the old town. In summer, watch out for the sun and the heat: drink water and avoid hiking the Serra Gelada at midday.
Is it worth going in the low season?+
Yes, if you don't mind not swimming every day. Benidorm is alive all year round because in winter it welcomes lots of retirees from northern Europe, so it's no ghost town. According to Kayak, from November to January hotels cost quite a bit less than in August. The climate is mild, with an annual average of 18,5 °C. What you need to know: Aqualandia closes at the end of summer (in 2026, on 27 September), Terra Mítica is open until early November and not every day, and Mundomar is open almost all year. Les Fonts de l'Algar get cheaper from 16 October.
Do I need a car?+
For Benidorm itself, no. You can walk everywhere, Avanza's city buses cover the neighbourhoods and the TRAM takes you to Alicante, Altea and Dénia. Parking in the centre is expensive and hard to find. A car is useful for the inland area, though: Guadalest and les Fonts de l'Algar are far from the tram line, although an Avanza bus runs to the centre of Callosa for the Algar (then it's 3 km). A good plan is to rent for just one day, or take an organised tour that combines Guadalest, Algar and Altea. To drive in Spain with a Latin American licence, it's a good idea to carry an International Driving Permit as well as your licence.

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