What to see in Benidorm

Benidorm is hard to confuse with any other resort in Spain. It is often called the Spanish Manhattan because of its skyscrapers, which rise directly above the sandy beaches and have long been a defining feature of the city.

Despite its modern appearance, the part of Benidorm where it all began is full of traditional Mediterranean charm. You can easily spend a whole day exploring different sides of the city without limiting yourself to the beach alone.

The most interesting places are close to one another, so the best way to explore them is on foot. You can start your walk in the Old Town, the historic heart of Benidorm, where narrow streets lead to one of the resort's best-known viewpoints.

Old Town

Benidorm's historic centre is a reminder of the days when a small fishing village stood on the site of today's resort. The lives of local residents were closely linked to the sea: fishing provided for their families, and the village itself occupied a rocky headland between two bays, where Levante and Poniente beaches are now located.

In 1325, Bernat de Sarrià officially founded Benidorm and ordered the settlement to be fortified. A castle with defensive walls was built on the Canfali headland to protect residents from pirate attacks, which threatened coastal settlements throughout the Mediterranean. Life in the small town gradually developed behind the fortress walls. The castle itself has not survived, but its history can still be felt in this part of Benidorm: it is here, among the old streets, that you'll find the place where the town began.

Today, the historic centre stretches from Elche Park towards Triangular Square. The pace of life here is quite different from that of modern Benidorm's wide avenues. Narrow streets, small squares, low-rise buildings and numerous cafés create a welcoming atmosphere that invites you to explore at a leisurely pace.

Among the buildings in the old town, the Church of San Jaime and Santa Ana stands out with its blue domes. It rises above the tiled rooftops and serves as one of the landmarks of old Benidorm. The church was built in the 18th century, after the era of the medieval fortress, and remains an important part of the town's historic character.

The famous Balcony of the Mediterranean is also here — a must-see stop on any visitor's itinerary.

Balcony of the Mediterranean

The Balcony of the Mediterranean is one of Benidorm's main symbols and arguably the town's most recognisable viewpoint. It is located on the rocky headland of Punta Canfali, which separates Levante and Poniente beaches. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea, both bays and Benidorm Island, visible on the horizon. Turn around and you'll see the famous skyscrapers that have earned the town its nickname, the ‘Spanish Manhattan’.

A castle once stood on this very headland, protecting the town from pirate raids. In the early 19th century, the fortress became caught up in the events of the Peninsular War: in 1812, when Benidorm was occupied by Napoleon's French troops, the British fleet bombarded the fortifications and almost completely destroyed them. Only a few fragments of the old castle walls have survived. Today, the site is home to the famous viewpoint with its distinctive white balustrade, which has become one of Benidorm's most recognisable symbols.

The upper part of the balcony is Plaza del Castillo. You can sit on a bench for a while, admire the sea and watch the lively atmosphere of the old town. It's particularly pleasant to come here towards the evening, when the sun sinks towards the horizon, the sea changes colour and the promenades and high-rise buildings gradually light up.

Steps with white railings lead down from the upper terrace. They descend to the lower part of the viewpoint, which seems to hang over the sea. Down here, you can really feel how close the water is: you can hear the waves crashing against the rocks, and on windy days, sea spray may even reach you. It's a place where you'll want to linger a little longer, take a few more photos and simply admire the Mediterranean.

Elche Park (Parc d'Elx)

Elche Park is located between Poniente Beach and the Old Town. Although officially a park, it is essentially an extension of the seafront promenade and one of those places where it's nice to stop for a while on your way between the beach and the historic centre.

There are palm trees, fountains, small children's play areas and cosy spots to relax in the shade. You can also see a sculpture of the Lady of Elche and decorative arches in the park. However, the white pigeons usually attract the most attention — it's because of them that Elche Park is often called Pigeon Park.

The birds are so used to people that they come very close, making you almost instinctively want to take a photo with them. You might even feel tempted to offer them a piece of bread to encourage them to come closer. However, feeding the birds is not recommended here, so it's best to stick to taking photos — they'll happily pose alongside visitors even without a treat.

On a hot day, it's pleasant to walk beneath the palm trees, take a break on a bench or buy an ice cream and enjoy it in the shade. Towards the evening, the park becomes livelier: you may come across street performers putting on small shows. The space is also occasionally used for local events, so a walk through the park may turn out to be more interesting than it first appears.

Benidorm's promenades

Benidorm has two main promenades — the western one along Poniente Beach (Paseo Marítimo de Poniente) and the eastern one beside Levante Beach (Paseo de Levante). Both run along the seafront, but each has a different atmosphere: one invites you to enjoy a leisurely stroll and admire the sea, while the other moves to the lively rhythm of a busy resort.

The western Poniente promenade is particularly interesting for its architecture. Its wave-like lines, flowing curves and colourful surfaces evoke the movement of sea waves. The promenade, which is around three kilometres long, was designed as an extension of the beach and the seascape. It doesn't feel like an ordinary straight city street, and the walk itself becomes a chance to discover a little of modern architecture.

The eastern Levante promenade is quite different. It runs alongside one of Benidorm's liveliest beaches, with cafés, restaurants, bars and shops stretching behind it. There's more going on here, especially during the height of the season: some people are returning from the beach, others are settling down at a table overlooking the sea, while others head out for an evening stroll. There are children's play areas along the promenade, and the beach itself even has an open-air library — a lovely opportunity to enjoy a book by the sea.

You can continue your walk along Levante towards the Rincón de Loix area, where even more hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues are concentrated. On Wednesdays and Sundays, there's also a street market here — a good reason to visit and experience a little of everyday life in Spain.

L'Aigüera Park

L'Aigüera Park is located in the centre of Benidorm and stretches along a spacious green valley between urban neighbourhoods. It's a pleasant place to take a break from the busy streets, stroll in the shade of the trees and escape the hustle and bustle of the resort for a while.

The park features wide pathways, open spaces and an interesting combination of greenery and modern architecture. It's a lovely place for a leisurely stroll, to sit on a bench or simply to take a break while exploring the town. Families with children can make use of the playgrounds, while those who enjoy staying active will find areas for sports.

One of the park's most prominent landmarks is the bullring (Plaza de Toros), which hosts various events. The park also has an open-air concert venue where performances and local festivals take place. On event days, the quiet pathways can give way to a completely different atmosphere, with music, spectators and lively crowds.

Tossal de la Cala Hill

If you'd like to see Benidorm from above and discover a little of its ancient history at the same time, head to Tossal de la Cala Hill. It is located at the western end of Poniente Beach, next to Finestrat Cove, and is known not only for its beautiful panoramic views but also for archaeological finds dating back more than two thousand years.

In ancient times, this location was of great strategic importance. An Iberian fortified settlement stood on the hill, and later a Roman military fort known as a castellum was built here. According to archaeological research, it was constructed around the 1st century BC and was probably used during the wars of the Roman general Quintus Sertorius. The fortification was deliberately built on high ground: from here, it was possible to watch the sea and monitor ships travelling along the coast.

Today, you can explore the remains of ancient walls and rooms at the summit, while information boards help you picture how this military settlement was laid out. This is not a medieval castle but an archaeological site from the Roman period that is open to visitors.

Even if ancient history isn't your main interest, the climb is worth it for the views alone. From the hill, you can enjoy panoramic views of Benidorm's beaches, the Mediterranean Sea and Finestrat Cove. It offers a completely different perspective on the resort: from above, you can clearly see the curve of the coastline and the contrast between the sea, sandy beaches and urban development.

Benidorm's beaches

The sea is one of the main reasons to visit Benidorm. There are two long sandy beaches with promenades, cafés and a wide range of facilities, while a small, cosy beach is tucked away between them, at the foot of the Old Town. Each has its own character, so you can choose somewhere for an active day by the sea or a more peaceful break.

Levante Beach

Levante is Benidorm's liveliest and best-known beach, stretching for more than two kilometres east of the Old Town. Its wide stretch of golden sand, calm sea and long promenade make it the centre of resort life. You can hire a sun lounger and parasol, enjoy water sports, relax at one of the cafés or simply stroll along the shore. Numerous restaurants, bars and shops line the streets behind the promenade, so the area stays lively long after sunset.

Poniente Beach

Poniente is longer than Levante, with its sandy shoreline stretching for around three kilometres west of the Old Town. There are plenty of cafés, beach facilities and activities here too, but the atmosphere is generally more peaceful, and the spacious beach is ideal for leisurely walks by the water. It's a good choice if you want to spend a whole day at the beach, swim, sunbathe or stroll along the beautiful wave-shaped promenade. Towards the evening, it's especially pleasant to watch the sun sink towards the sea from here.

Mal Pas Beach

Nestled between Levante and Poniente, at the foot of the rocky headland where the Old Town is located, is the small Mal Pas Beach. It's much more compact than its neighbours, but it's a lovely spot for a swim after exploring the historic streets or for a short break by the water, admiring the sea and Benidorm Island on the horizon.

💡 Nearby, you'll find Benidorm Port, where sightseeing boats depart for the island. This boat trip lets you see the coastline from a different perspective and admire the town from the water — a great idea if you'd like to add something different to your beach holiday.

What to see near Benidorm

Benidorm is ideally located on the Costa Blanca coast and makes a great base for exploring the surrounding area. Beautiful coastal towns, mountain villages and natural attractions are all within easy reach, and there are theme parks for family days out. For convenience and freedom to explore the Costa Blanca, we recommend hiring a car.

• Benidorm's theme parks — a great choice for families with children and anyone who loves rides and attractions.
• Guadalest — a small mountain village with an old castle, narrow streets and impressive views over the valley and turquoise reservoir, not far from Benidorm.
• The Algar Waterfalls — a picturesque natural attraction with cascading water, rocky ledges and natural pools, also located near Benidorm. Visitors come here to enjoy walks in nature and escape the hustle and bustle of the town.
• Alicante — the provincial capital, home to Santa Bárbara Castle, the Old Town and the famous Explanada promenade. You can combine a walk by the sea with a visit to historic sights.
• Parks and family attractions in Alicante and the province — if you'd like to add some variety to your Benidorm holiday, the surrounding area and the wider province offer interactive museums, go-karting, VR experiences and other interesting places for a family day out.
• Altea — a charming town with whitewashed houses, narrow streets, art studios and a church with blue domes. It's well worth a visit for the beautiful views and a leisurely stroll through the Old Town.
• Calpe — a town at the foot of the famous Peñón de Ifach rock. You can explore the old quarters, relax on the beach and admire one of the Costa Blanca's most recognisable landscapes.
• Dénia — a coastal town with a castle, historic centre, port and long sandy beaches. It's a great option for a day trip, with walks by the sea and a chance to sample the local cuisine.