Discover Benidorm: Top Beaches & Best Day Trips 2026

Benidorm has a way of drawing you in quickly. The beaches, the Old Town, the viewpoints and even the bus connections all sit so close together, you barely need a map after the first day. Every time we’ve stayed here, whether researching the Best Things to Do in Benidorm or traveling along beautiful coasts by car with Rentiago. The same pattern appears: you walk out the door, and suddenly everything is right in front of you.

This guide focuses on Benidorm’s beaches and the day trips that make a short stay feel like a much bigger journey. And if you’re still deciding where to stay, our notes connect naturally with the Best Hotels in Benidorm and even the Best Campsites in Benidorm for those who prefer a slower, outdoorsy base.

Levante and Poniente: Benidorm’s Blue Flag Classics

Levante Beach runs along the eastern edge and remains the most energetic spot in the city. We’ve walked this stretch countless times at sunrise, cleaners working their way down the sand, cafés setting up chairs, early swimmers already in the water. Levante is around 2 km long, consistently Blue Flag certified, and always well kept. The gentle gradient makes it suitable for families and anyone who prefers an easy entrance into the sea.

Poniente, on the western side, feels like Levante’s calmer sibling. The promenade is wider, lined with palm trees and shaded benches. The kind of place where you sit down “for two minutes” and suddenly an hour has passed. Both beaches are wheelchair-accessible, with adapted sunbeds available through the municipal office in summer.

If you’re staying near the centre, both beaches are walkable. Otherwise, TRAM stops nearby make access simple, and municipal car parks run along the promenade if you arrive by car or via Rentiago carsharing.

Mirador del Castillo and Benidorm’s Old Town

Between the two beaches rises the Old Town, a reminder that Benidorm wasn’t always skyscrapers and nightlife. The walk up to the Mirador del Castillo takes around ten minutes a short climb past tiled façades, tapas bars and ceramic shops. We’ve done it at sunset and sunrise, and the view never gets old: Levante on one side, Poniente on the other, and the city glowing beneath.

The Old Town remains one of the best places to eat traditional Spanish dishes. Tapas bars spill into the lanes in the evening, with a slower rhythm than the beachfront. The Church of San Jaime and Santa Ana anchors the neighbourhood. It’s simple inside but beautifully positioned above the bay.

Coastal Day Trips: Altea, Albir and Calpe

One of the nicest things about staying in Benidorm is how fast you can switch scenery. Altea is only 10 km north, yet it feels like stepping into a different world: whitewashed houses, cobbled lanes and the blue-domed church watching over the hilltop. Whenever we take the TRAM Line 9 here (a 20-minute ride), we end up wandering longer than planned. The promenade is quieter than Benidorm’s, and the pebble beach has incredibly clear water.

Albir, just before Altea, is a calm, easy-going stop with a long pebble beach and the start of the lighthouse trail in Sierra Helada. It’s ideal for travellers who prefer a slower pace without going far.

Calpe, around 20 km north, stands out thanks to the Peñón de Ifach. Hiking the limestone rock is a highlight: the trail takes about two hours, and the views are spectacular. The beaches here, Arenal-Bol and Levante, match Benidorm’s in facilities, and the harbour is great for seafood lunches after the hike.

Inland Highlights: Guadalest and the Algar Waterfalls

If you need a break from the coast, Guadalest offers cooler temperatures and mountain views. The village sits dramatically on a rocky ridge and has a series of tiny museums from vintage motorcycles to miniature houses. The drive from Benidorm takes about 40 minutes, and the scenery alone is worth it. We’ve visited on both quiet weekdays and busy weekends, and the vibe changes completely so arrive early on holidays.

Not far away are the Algar Waterfalls, a series of clear pools and cascades fed by mountain springs. Even in summer the water stays cold, which makes swimming refreshing rather than relaxing. Walkways and platforms make the site easy to navigate, and the café at the entrance keeps things simple. If you’re using Rentiago carsharing, this is one of the easiest inland trips to plan.

Getting Around: Public Transport and Flexible Options

Benidorm’s TRAM network makes coastal travel easy. Line 9 links the city to Altea, Albir, Calpe and smaller towns with regular departures, especially in summer. Tickets are available at stations or through the app. For places like Guadalest or Algar, buses run part of the way, but most travellers prefer using a rental vehicle or a shared car.

Local buses fill in the gaps within Benidorm itself, and ridesharing platforms connect the city with Alicante and Valencia. Because the urban area is compact, you rarely need a car for daily movement – only for day trips beyond the TRAM line.

If you’re deciding how to organise your stay, our guides to the Best Hotels in Benidorm and Best Campsites in Benidorm are useful companions to this overview.