Holidays to Benidorm
The spiritual home of Brits abroad is not all fry ups and Union Jack towels. As well as plenty of sunshine, Benidorm holidays are all about cerveza on tap and beaches you’ve seen on TV.
Life’s a beach…
Benidorm’s beaches are perfect for chilled-out days. Bright white sands, crystal clear waters… you know the drill. And there’s a shoreline for every occasion – grab your beach bag and bronze up on Poniente Beach, watch sea life potter beneath the waves at rocky Almadraba or escape the crowds altogether on the secret sands of Playa del Mal Pas.
…and then you dine
Whatever else you pack for your Benidorm holiday, bring your appetite. Stack your tapas dishes until they topple at popular tapas bar Taperia La Mina. Here you’ll find popular dishes like patatas bravas, gambas, calamares fritos and croquetas de jamón serrano. Sí, por favor! Prefer your food on a single plate? Fine. Settle into Llum del Mar on the water’s edge for seafood so fresh it could slap the cerveza straight out of your hand.
Get on the hills or seek some thrills
Benidorm is all about that beach, but there’s buckets (and spades) to do offshore too. The white-knuckle rides at Terra Miticia theme park will take you from Egypt to Rome and back. If you’re a landlubber without the stomach for roller coasters, hike the hills of Sierra Cortina. The Med is at its sparkling best from this viewpoint – but be prepared to duck for passing paragliders.
Go mad for the markets
Whether you’re high fashion or bargain basement, Benidorm has somewhere to spend your euros. So, pack an empty bag or three cos you’ll definitely need it. Unleash your inner fashionista in the boutiques of Rincon de Loix, awaken your dormant Del Boy at the Outdoor Market and pack in some fruit and veg at the fragrant Foietes on a Wednesday.
Sneak Peek
Best for... Those looking for a good old fly and flop beach holiday ⛱️
Go... To the old town to see pre-bargain-break Benidorm 🏛️
You have to... Sip a condensation-soaked cerveza at Playa de Levante 🍻
Top destinations in the Costa Blanca
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£265 pp
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£245 pp
Javea
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£477 ppDetails
Currency
Euro
Language
Spanish
Time difference
GMT +1
Cost of a beer
€3.50
3-course meal
€15
Flight time
2.5-3.5 hrs
Benidorm's best beaches
A stretch of golden sands against a backdrop of towering hotels, Playa de Levante is big, brash and oh-so-very Benidorm. Come here to sizzle in the sun, parasail through the skies or prop up the bars that bookend the beach – just expect it to be busy! If you’re more at home under the waves than under the rays, grab your snorkel and dive into Almadraba Beach. Peppered with rock pools, you’re sure to spot crabs and other crustaceans. Bear in mind that it’s popular with nudists, so you may spot a little more than you bargained for.
Embrace Benidorm’s bar scene
Whether you like your drinks by the shot, pint or bucket, you won’t feel shortchanged on a night out in Benners. Hit the strip on Calle Gerona for cheap spirits and bar crawl bargains – and make sure to put the legendary Western Saloon on your crawl itinerary. For something a bit more Spanish, get yourself over to Callejón de los Gatos – Cat’s Alley. The old town’s bars, like Marrs and El Callejón, are a little smaller and way more popular with the locals than the flashy ones on the strip.
A fiesta for the whole family
Benidorm’s beaches will likely keep your whole clan entertained for a week or two. But if you’re ready for a break from the sand, Aqualandia is where it’s at. From the heady heights of Vertigo to the serenity of The Amazon, there are activities here for little whippersnappers and afternoon nappers alike. Back on dry land, the tourist train is a top option for exploring Benidorm’s main attractions. Hop on and hop off, or sit tight to see Avenida del Mediterráneo, Sierra Helada, the Intempo skyscraper and more city sights, whistle-stop style.
When to go to Benidorm
Benidorm is at its sunny best between June and August. Temps are tickling 30C, and the rain clouds have retired until winter.
A word to the wise: while cheap Benidorm holidays are easy to find, they’re a little more shy when school’s out. If you’re free from the shackles of summer holidays, the shoulder season is best for a bargain break in tan-worthy temperatures.
Temps and prices drop in tandem in the winter. But while there’s an evening chill in the depths of December, daytime highs still hit around 17C. Christmas on the beach, anyone?
