Things to Do in Benidorm

Discover another side of the Costa Blanca

Benidorm probably has the most recognisable skyline on the Costa Blanca. High-rise hotels and apartment buildings stretch along broad sandy beaches, while restaurants, shops and entertainment keep the town busy throughout much of the year. But Benidorm is more varied than its skyline suggests.
Between Levante and Poniente beaches lies a surprisingly attractive Old Town, with narrow streets, a blue-domed church and the famous Balcón del Mediterráneo. Beyond the centre, you can hike in Serra Gelada, take a boat to Benidorm Island or spend a day at one of several theme and water parks. From Moraira, Benidorm is around 42 kilometres by road and normally takes roughly half an hour to 40 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Here are some of our favourite things to do in Benidorm.

Last updated: September 2026

Explore Benidorm Old Town
If your image of Benidorm consists entirely of skyscrapers, start in the Casco Antiguo. The historic centre occupies the rocky headland between Levante and Poniente beaches. This is where the original fishing settlement developed long before modern Benidorm expanded along the coast. You will find:

• narrow pedestrian streets
• small squares
• tapas bars and restaurants
• whitewashed buildings
• sea views
• Iglesia de San Jaime y Santa Ana

The church dates from the 18th century and its blue domes are one of the most recognisable features of the old centre. This part of Benidorm feels completely different from the broad avenues and towers around Levante.

Visit the Balcón del Mediterráneo
The best-known viewpoint in Benidorm is the Balcón del Mediterráneo, also known as Mirador del Castillo. It sits on Punta Canfali, the rocky point separating Levante and Poniente beaches. A defensive castle once stood here. Historical records place the fortress on this site from the Middle Ages, protecting the settlement against attacks from the sea. Today only small remains of the former walls survive.
The white balustrades, blue details and Mediterranean backdrop have since become one of Benidorm’s most photographed sights. From here you can look across both sides of the coastline. For a first visit to Benidorm, we would definitely include it.

Walk along Levante Beach
Playa de Levante is the beach most closely associated with Benidorm. It stretches for just over two kilometres and has fine sand, shallow water and a long promenade lined with cafés, restaurants and terraces.  During the day, the promenade is ideal for a long walk while watching beach life below. Later in the day it becomes considerably livelier.
Levante is the busier and more energetic side of Benidorm, so if you want to experience the town at its most typical, this is where to go.

Discover the quieter side at Poniente Beach
On the other side of the Old Town lies Playa de Poniente. At around three kilometres long, it is even longer than Levante but generally has a calmer atmosphere. Spain’s official tourism information describes both beaches as major sandy urban beaches, with Poniente stretching south of the historic centre. Its sweeping modern promenade is also worth seeing in its own right.
If Levante feels a little too busy for you, we would choose Poniente for a walk, lunch or a few hours at the beach. Benidorm is not one single atmosphere the two sides feel noticeably different.

Walk to La Cruz de Benidorm
For one of the best panoramic views of Benidorm, head towards La Cruz, high above the eastern end of Levante. The viewpoint sits within Serra Gelada Natural Park, around 237 metres above sea level, and can be reached on foot or by road. From here you look back across:

• Levante
• Benidorm’s skyline
• Poniente
• the Mediterranean
• the mountains behind the city

It is a particularly good place to appreciate just how unusual Benidorm’s vertical cityscape is. We would avoid walking up during the hottest part of a summer afternoon. Early morning or towards sunset is much more pleasant.

Discover Serra Gelada Natural Park
Benidorm may look intensely urban from the beach, but directly beside it lies one of the Costa Blanca’s important protected landscapes. Serra Gelada Natural Park combines dramatic coastal cliffs with a large protected marine area. The mountains drop directly towards the Mediterranean, while the waters around the park contain extensive Posidonia seagrass meadows. Benidorm Island also forms part of this protected environment. There are several walking possibilities in and around Serra Gelada. So if beaches and nightlife are not your main reason for visiting Benidorm, the natural park shows a completely different side of the destination.

Take a boat to Benidorm Island
A few kilometres offshore lies Benidorm Island, sometimes informally called Peacock Island. The island forms part of the protected Serra Gelada environment and can be reached by boat from Benidorm harbour. The official Benidorm visitor guide still lists boat services from the port to the island.
The surrounding waters are especially interesting for their marine life, making the area popular with snorkellers and divers. A boat trip is also simply a good opportunity to look back at Benidorm from the sea. The skyline looks even more striking from offshore.

Spend a day at a theme or water park
For families, Benidorm has a concentration of attractions that you will not find elsewhere around Moraira. The main parks include:

Aqualandia
A large water park with swimming pools, slides and family attractions.

Terra Mítica
A theme park inspired by ancient Mediterranean civilisations, with rides and shows.

Terra Natura
A wildlife park organised around different habitats and geographical areas.

Aqua Natura
A water park next to Terra Natura.

Mundomar
A marine and exotic animal park.

All five are still listed among Benidorm’s principal visitor attractions by the city’s official tourism information. Opening days and hours vary significantly by season, especially outside summer. Always check the individual park calendar before travelling. For a park visit, we would usually make it the main activity of the day rather than trying to combine it with sightseeing in central Benidorm.

Eat and drink in the Old Town
Benidorm has an enormous selection of restaurants, but for a day trip from Moraira we would head towards the Old Town rather than automatically eating along the main tourist strips. Around the historic centre you will find plenty of:

• tapas bars
• Spanish restaurants
• terraces
• cafés
• international restaurants

The contrast is part of what makes Benidorm interesting. You can walk from the high-rise skyline into little pedestrian streets where the atmosphere suddenly feels much more traditional. For us, a good first visit would include a slow lunch in or around the Old Town before walking down towards Poniente or Levante.

Experience Benidorm after dark
Whether you love it or hate it, nightlife is part of Benidorm’s identity. There are several very different evening scenes. Around Levante and Rincón de Loix you will find bars, live entertainment and clubs aimed strongly at international visitors. The Old Town offers smaller bars, restaurants and terraces. Along Poniente, evenings are generally more relaxed. So you do not necessarily need to visit Benidorm for a full night of partying to enjoy it after dark. A dinner in the Old Town followed by an evening walk along the seafront is quite a different experience.

Is Benidorm worth visiting from Moraira?

We think it is, particularly because Benidorm is so different from Moraira. Moraira is small, low-rise and relaxed. Benidorm is larger, vertical, energetic and unapologetically busy. That contrast makes it interesting for a day. If you are visiting for the first time, our route would be: Old Town · Balcón del Mediterráneo · lunch · Poniente promenade · Levante · La Cruz viewpoint
That gives you both the traditional and modern sides of Benidorm without spending the entire day inside attractions. If you are travelling with children, you might prefer to dedicate the whole day to one of the theme or water parks instead.

How to get from Moraira to Benidorm

Driving is the simplest option. Benidorm is approximately 42.5 kilometres by road from Moraira, with a typical driving time of around 30–40 minutes outside heavy traffic. It is also possible to travel by public transport. TRAM line 9 connects Teulada with Benidorm, so guests staying in Moraira can first travel to Teulada station and continue south by tram.  The car is considerably quicker, but the tram can be an interesting alternative if you do not want to drive.

Where should you park in Benidorm?

For a first visit, we would avoid repeatedly moving the car around the city. Benidorm has both street parking and public car parks. A practical approach is to choose a car park around the centre or Old Town and then explore the central sights on foot. If your main destination is a theme park, drive directly there instead. As with most busy Costa Blanca destinations, parking becomes more difficult during July, August and major events, so arriving earlier in the day helps.

More day trips from Moraira

Benidorm is only one of many destinations you can explore while staying in Moraira.

• Things to Do in Altea
  
• Things to Do in Guadalest
  
• Things to Do in Calpe
  
• Things to Do in Jávea
  
• Things to Do in Dénia
  
• Things to Do in Alicante
  
• Things to Do in Valencia

Staying in Moraira?

Moraira Holiday Homes has specialised in holiday accommodation in Moraira and nearby Benissa Costa since 2004. Our collection includes private villas with swimming pools and sea views, as well as apartments and penthouses in Moraira town centre.
Moraira gives you a relaxed Mediterranean base, while places such as Benidorm, Altea, Calpe and Guadalest are all easy to discover on a day trip. Because we live locally, we are always happy to share ideas for places worth visiting during your holiday.
👉🏻 Explore our holiday homes in Moraira

---

Frequently Asked Questions about Benidorm

What are the best things to do in Benidorm?
Highlights include exploring the Old Town, visiting the Balcón del Mediterráneo, walking along Levante and Poniente beaches, enjoying the view from La Cruz and exploring Serra Gelada Natural Park.

Is Benidorm worth visiting?
Yes. Benidorm combines long sandy beaches and a famous high-rise skyline with an historic Old Town, coastal viewpoints, nature and a wide range of family attractions.

Does Benidorm have an Old Town?
Yes. Benidorm’s historic centre occupies the headland between Levante and Poniente beaches and contains narrow streets, the Church of San Jaime and Santa Ana and the Balcón del Mediterráneo. 

What is the Balcón del Mediterráneo?
The Balcón del Mediterráneo is Benidorm’s best-known coastal viewpoint on Punta Canfali, between Levante and Poniente. A medieval defensive castle once stood on the site. 

Which beach is better, Levante or Poniente?
Levante is generally busier and livelier, with a very active promenade. Poniente is longer and tends to have a more relaxed atmosphere. Both are large sandy beaches. 

Is Benidorm good for families?
Yes. In addition to its sandy beaches, Benidorm has several major family attractions including Aqualandia, Terra Mítica, Terra Natura and Aqua Natura. 

Can you visit Benidorm Island?
Yes. Boat services operate from Benidorm harbour to the island. The island and its surrounding waters form part of the protected Serra Gelada environment. 

Can you go hiking in Benidorm?
Yes. Serra Gelada Natural Park offers coastal walking opportunities, and La Cruz above Levante is a popular viewpoint that can be reached on foot. 

How far is Benidorm from Moraira?
Benidorm is around 42.5 kilometres by road from Moraira. Driving typically takes approximately 30–40 minutes depending on traffic. 

Can you travel from Moraira to Benidorm without a car?
Yes. One option is to travel from Moraira to Teulada and take TRAM line 9 towards Benidorm, although travelling by car is considerably faster. 

Is Benidorm only about nightlife?
No. Nightlife is certainly an important part of Benidorm, but the destination also has an Old Town, beaches, nature reserves, viewpoints, family attractions and coastal walking routes.