Last updated: September 2026
Benidorm holidays are a genuinely unique proposition in European tourism. The resort — instantly recognisable from its dramatic skyline of high-rise hotels rising from two perfect sandy bays — is one of the most extraordinary concentrations of holiday infrastructure on the planet.
Over 40,000 hotel beds, two outstanding Blue Flag beaches, a world-class theme park, two water parks, a sea life park and over 300 days of sunshine per year create a resort that operates across the full age spectrum. Benidorm holidays suit families with toddlers, retired couples, groups of friends and solo travellers equally well.
Benidorm’s two beaches are the foundation of every Benidorm holiday and among the best resort beaches in Europe. Both hold Blue Flag status, awarded annually for water quality, safety and facilities.
Playa de Levante (the east beach) is the longer of the two — approximately 1.8 km of fine golden sand curving around the bay below the high-rise hotel strip. It is the busier, livelier beach with a full complement of beach bars, sunbed hire, water sports operators and the electric atmosphere of a peak-season Mediterranean resort beach.
Playa de Poniente (the west beach) is approximately 2 km long and marginally quieter than Levante. The backdrop of mountains rather than hotel towers gives it a different character — slightly more local and Spanish in atmosphere, particularly at the southern end. Families tend to prefer Poniente for its calmer waters and slightly less frenetic pace.
Both beaches have excellent facilities throughout the summer season — lifeguard supervision, accessible beach areas, sunbed and parasol hire, water sports centres and beach bars serving food and drinks all day. The sand quality on both beaches is exceptional by Mediterranean standards.
Benidorm has an unrivalled concentration of paid attractions for a resort of its size, making Benidorm holidays outstanding value for families who want more than beach time.
Terra Mitica is the flagship theme park — a large, well-maintained park with rides themed around ancient Mediterranean civilisations (Egypt, Greece, Rome, Iberia and Carthage). The park has a range of rides and shows suited to all ages including serious thrill rides for teenagers and adults. It is consistently rated one of the best theme parks in Spain.
Aqualandia is the oldest water park in Spain and one of the largest, with over 25 slides and attractions including the high-speed Niagara slide and a dedicated children’s area. It is walkable from the Levante beach area and open from May to October. A full day at Aqualandia is a highlight of most family Benidorm holidays.
Mundomar is a sea life and animal park adjacent to Aqualandia, with dolphin and sea lion shows, exotic birds and a reptile house. It is particularly popular with younger children. Combined tickets for Mundomar and Aqualandia are available and represent good value.
Benidorm Palace is a dinner-and-show venue offering the Costa Blanca’s most spectacular cabaret entertainment — a long-running institution on the Benidorm holiday scene, with elaborate productions running throughout the season.
Benidorm’s Old Town (casco antiguo) surprises many first-time visitors. Perched on the rocky headland that separates the two beaches, it is a genuinely attractive quarter of traditional white-painted houses, narrow streets and a 17th-century church.
The lookout point (mirador) at the headland tip is one of the best viewpoints on the entire Costa Blanca — the panorama taking in both beaches simultaneously, with the Serra Gelada cliffs rising beyond Albir to the north and the town’s extraordinary skyline reflected in the blue water below.
The Old Town has a concentration of tapas bars and restaurants popular with Spanish visitors and those on Benidorm holidays who want a break from the international resort food on the main strips. Prices here are noticeably lower than in the hotel zones.
Benidorm offers more eating and drinking options per square kilometre than almost any other resort in Europe. The range is enormous — from full English breakfasts to excellent Spanish tapas, from fast food chains to surprisingly good fine dining.
For genuinely good Spanish food, head to the Old Town’s tapas bars or the residential areas away from the main tourist strips. Arroz a banda, paella valenciana and fresh grilled fish are the local specialities worth seeking out.
The international restaurant scene on Avenida del Mediterraneo and the surrounding streets covers every cuisine and price point. Prices on Benidorm holidays are notably lower than comparable UK eating out — a two-course meal with wine on the Levante strip typically costs 15-25 GBP per person.
Benidorm’s entertainment scene is unlike anything else in Spain. The resort effectively runs 24 hours during peak season, with live music venues, bars, clubs and late-night restaurants covering the full age spectrum.
The English Square area on Levante beach is the epicentre of the well-known entertainment strip — live tribute bands, karaoke bars and themed pubs operating from mid-morning until the early hours. This area polarises opinion but delivers exactly what its audience expects with considerable professionalism.
Away from the English Square, the Spanish entertainment scene — flamenco shows, live jazz, cinema and the many local festivals throughout the season — offers a very different Benidorm holiday experience for those who look for it. The local population of Benidorm is large and genuinely proud of their town’s cultural identity beneath the resort surface.
Benidorm holidays begin at Alicante Airport (ALC), approximately 60 km south. Transfer time is 40-55 minutes by road. Direct flights operate year-round from most major UK airports with Jet2, easyJet, Ryanair and TUI. Summer schedules from regional airports are extensive.
The TRAM coastal railway (Line 9) connects Benidorm to Altea (15 minutes), Albir (10 minutes), Calpe (35 minutes) and Alicante (75 minutes). It is a comfortable and inexpensive way to explore the surrounding coast during a Benidorm holiday.
Coach transfers from Alicante Airport are available through tour operators and independent transfer companies. Taxis are also plentiful at the airport but more expensive for the full distance to Benidorm.
Benidorm is one of the few Costa Blanca resorts that genuinely works year-round. Over 300 days of sunshine per year and a mild winter climate mean the resort never fully closes.
Peak season (July and August) offers guaranteed sunshine and a full complement of open attractions, but Benidorm holidays in these months are at maximum price and maximum crowd levels. Beaches and pool areas are busy from early morning.
June and September are widely regarded as the best months for Benidorm holidays — near-peak temperatures (26-28°C), warm sea (24-25°C), all attractions open and noticeably lower prices and smaller crowds than July and August.
Winter Benidorm holidays (November to March) offer the resort’s best prices, uncrowded beaches and reliably mild weather. Several major UK tour operators run dedicated winter sun programmes to Benidorm specifically for the retired market. Entertainment, restaurants and most hotels remain open throughout.
| Region | Costa Blanca, Valencia, Spain |
|---|---|
| Nearest Airport | Alicante (ALC) — 60 km, ~50 min |
| Beaches | 2 Blue Flag beaches — Levante and Poniente |
| Best For | Families, groups, value, entertainment |
| Best Time | June and September (best value/weather balance) |
| Sun Days | 300+ per year |
| Theme Parks | Terra Mitica, Aqualandia, Mundomar |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| ATOL Protection | Available on all UK package deals |
Search4Sun compares Benidorm holiday deals from the UK’s leading tour operators, with departures from regional airports across the UK. Whether you are looking for an all-inclusive hotel on Levante beach, a self-catering apartment or a Poniente boutique stay, we can help you compare packages and find the right option at the right price.
Always check your booking is protected by ABTA, holds ATOL certification or carries ABTOT cover — these schemes protect your money if an operator ceases trading before or during your holiday. For a plain-English guide to what each scheme covers, read our holiday protection guide.
For last-minute Benidorm deals, check LastMinute.com for the latest availability and rates. See also our Calpe holidays and Costa Blanca holidays pages for more destinations nearby.
Benidorm has the largest and most diverse hotel and apartment stock on the Costa Blanca — over 40,000 tourist beds spread across all categories from budget one-star apartments to four-star all-inclusive hotels. The choice of accommodation for Benidorm holidays is genuinely unrivalled in Spain.
The Levante zone (east beach area) is the busiest and most central, with the greatest concentration of hotels, bars, restaurants and entertainment venues. It is ideal for first-time visitors and those who want to be at the heart of the Benidorm holiday experience.
The Poniente zone (west beach and Rincon de Loix area) is slightly quieter, with several adults-only and boutique hotels that have opened in recent years. This part of Benidorm suits couples and those seeking a more relaxed atmosphere while retaining easy access to both beaches and all the resort facilities.
All-inclusive hotels are widely available in Benidorm and represent excellent value — several large hotel complexes offer comprehensive all-inclusive packages at prices that compare favourably with equivalent room-only rates. UK tour operators including Jet2, TUI and easyJet Holidays feature extensive Benidorm programmes year-round.
Benidorm is one of Europe’s best family holiday destinations. The two Blue Flag beaches are safe and well-supervised, the water parks (Aqualandia and Mundomar) keep children entertained for full days, and Terra Mitica theme park covers all age groups. All-inclusive hotels in Benidorm typically offer children’s clubs, kids’ pools and family entertainment programmes. The resort’s flat seafront areas and beach promenades are pushchair-friendly. Family Benidorm holidays represent exceptional value compared to equivalent UK theme park breaks.
Levante (east beach) is slightly longer at 1.8 km and sits beneath the main hotel high-rise strip — it has the liveliest atmosphere, most beach bars and greatest concentration of water sports operators. Poniente (west beach) is 2 km long, slightly quieter and has a mountain backdrop rather than a hotel backdrop. Both hold Blue Flag status for water quality. Families with young children often prefer Poniente for its slightly calmer atmosphere; those who want to be at the centre of the Benidorm holiday action tend to prefer Levante.
Terra Mitica is approximately 3 km from Benidorm’s Levante beach — around a 10-minute taxi ride or 20-minute walk via the resort’s road network. A free shuttle bus operates between the main hotel areas and Terra Mitica during the summer season. The park is also accessible by the local bus network. Most visitors on Benidorm holidays allocate a full day to Terra Mitica — the park opens at 10am and evening opening extends the experience in the peak summer months.
Yes — Benidorm has diversified significantly across the quality spectrum over the past decade. Several boutique and adults-only hotels have opened along the Poniente beach strip and in the quieter areas south of the Old Town. The Old Town itself is a genuinely pleasant area for couples who want good restaurants and a more Spanish atmosphere. Couples on Benidorm holidays who stay in the quieter western end of the resort have easy access to the beach and entertainment without being immersed in the busiest parts of the resort.
No — a car is entirely unnecessary for most Benidorm holidays. The resort itself is compact and walkable, with both beaches, the Old Town, theme parks and entertainment zones all reachable on foot or by local bus from the main hotel areas. The TRAM coastal railway connects Benidorm to Altea, Albir, Calpe and Alicante without needing a car. Day trips to Guadalest and inland villages are available as organised excursions from the resort. Hiring a car for a day or two mid-holiday is a cost-effective option for those who want to explore the surrounding area independently, but it is far from essential for a typical Benidorm holiday package.
Whatever your accommodation preference, Benidorm delivers more choice, more flexibility and more value per pound than any other resort on the Costa Blanca — making it the default choice for a first-time Spanish holiday and a perennial favourite for those who return year after year.
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