Why Visit Benidorm?
Beaches, nightlife, great value and a lot more variety than you might expect
Benidorm is one of those places people think they already know. High-rise hotels, busy beaches and plenty of nightlife – and yes, you'll find all of that here. But there's much more to it.
We've been coming to Benidorm since the mid-1980s and still return around three times a year. What keeps bringing us back is the choice. You can spend the morning on Levante Beach, wander around the Old Town in the afternoon and finish the day with tapas, live entertainment or a quiet drink overlooking the Mediterranean.
Families, couples, groups of friends and people looking for some winter sunshine can all have completely different holidays here.
If you've never been before, this guide will show you why Benidorm has kept people coming back year after year.
Beaches You Can Actually Spend All Day On
Lively Levante, relaxed Poniente and a few smaller spots in between
Benidorm's beaches are a big part of why we keep coming back. You've got long stretches of sand, a Mediterranean backdrop and plenty of places nearby when it's time for a drink or something to eat.
Levante is the livelier choice, with bars, restaurants and entertainment never far away. Poniente has a more relaxed feel and is particularly popular with families and couples.
Then there's little Mal Pas tucked beside the Old Town, plus smaller coves such as Tío Ximo and Almadrava if you fancy somewhere different.
The best bit? You don't have to choose just one. They're close enough to explore during the same holiday.
Sunshine Isn't Just for Summer
Benidorm works surprisingly well outside the traditional summer holiday season
One of the reasons Benidorm stays busy throughout the year is the climate. Summers are hot and made for the beach, but spring and autumn can be brilliant times to visit if you prefer things a little cooler.
Winter is different again. You're not guaranteed shorts-and-T-shirt weather every day, but compared with a grey British winter, sitting outside with a coffee or a drink in the Spanish sunshine can feel pretty good.
We've visited at different times of year, and each season has its advantages. The best time really depends on whether you're coming for hot beach days, nightlife, sightseeing or simply a break from the weather back home.
There's Another Side to Benidorm
Leave the high-rises behind for a while and have a wander around the Old Town
If your picture of Benidorm is all tower blocks, British bars and packed beaches, spend a few hours in the Old Town and you'll see a very different side of the resort.
Wander through the narrow streets, stop for a few tapas, browse the little shops and make your way towards the Balcón del Mediterráneo for some of the best views along the coastline.
This is one of the things we like most about Benidorm. You can enjoy the lively side when you want it, then walk away from it and find somewhere that feels completely different.
Don't rush it. The Old Town is best enjoyed with no real plan and a few stops along the way.
Nightlife for Just About Everyone
Big nights, live entertainment, beachfront drinks or somewhere quiet for a beer
Benidorm has a reputation for nightlife, and there's certainly no shortage of it. But it doesn't mean every night has to involve the Strip until the early hours.
You'll find live music, tribute acts, cabaret, British bars and late-night clubs around the Levante side, while the beachfront is great for sitting outside with a drink and watching the world go by.
We enjoy both sides of it. Sometimes it's a bucket of beers at Uncle Peds or a chill-out in the Explorers Club before things get busier. Other nights, we'd rather head towards the beachfront or Old Town and take things a bit easier.
That's the good thing about Benidorm nightlife – you can make the evening as lively or as relaxed as you want.
Benidorm Isn't Just for One Type of Holiday
Families, couples, groups of friends – everyone can do Benidorm differently
One of Benidorm's biggest strengths is that two people can come here at the same time and have completely different holidays.
Families have beaches, waterparks and plenty of attractions to keep everyone occupied. Couples can mix lazy beach days with the Old Town, restaurants and evenings by the sea. Groups of friends have the bars, entertainment and nightlife Benidorm is famous for.
You can spend plenty of money if you want to, but you don't have to. There are hotels and places to eat across a wide range of budgets, and some of the best parts of a Benidorm holiday – the beaches, promenades, viewpoints and simply having a wander – don't cost anything.
That's a big reason people keep returning. Benidorm makes it surprisingly easy to build the kind of holiday you want.
You Can Still Do Benidorm Without Spending a Fortune
From budget breaks to something more luxurious, there's plenty of choice
Benidorm isn't as cheap as it was years ago – where is? – but one of its advantages is the amount of choice you have.
There are hotels for different budgets, plenty of competition between bars and restaurants, and you don't need to spend money every hour of the day to enjoy yourself.
A walk along Levante or Poniente, an afternoon exploring the Old Town, watching the sunset or simply finding a sunny spot for a drink can be some of the best parts of the holiday.
We'd rather spend money on the things we actually want to do than feel as though every day needs to be packed with paid attractions. Benidorm makes that pretty easy.
You'll Struggle to Get Bored
Waterparks, theme parks, boat trips and days out when you fancy leaving the sunbed
There's nothing wrong with spending a week moving between the beach, the pool and your favourite bar, but Benidorm gives you plenty of options when you fancy doing something different.
You've got Aqualandia for a day in the water, Terra Mítica for rides and attractions, Mundomar for a different family day out, plus boat trips and excursions along the Costa Blanca.
Or keep things simple. Walk up towards La Creu for the views, explore the Old Town or take a stroll along Poniente promenade.
That's another reason we like Benidorm – you can fill every day if you want to, or do absolutely nothing without feeling as though you're missing out.
So, Why Do We Keep Going Back to Benidorm?
After all these years, we still haven't got bored of it
We've been visiting Benidorm since the mid-1980s, and these days we still manage to get back around three times a year.
It's not because Benidorm is perfect. It's because every trip can be different. One visit might be mostly beach, sunshine and a few drinks. Another might involve more time around the Old Town, trying somewhere new to eat or simply walking along the promenade with nowhere particular to be.
There are places we return to every time and others we're still discovering after all these years.
If you've never been to Benidorm, our advice is simple: don't judge it entirely by what you've seen on television or heard from somebody else. Come and experience it for yourself. You might understand why so many of us keep coming back.
