Best Things To Do in Benidorm

Enjoy beaches, coves, skyscrapers and delicious food all in one place, Benidorm. It's not for nothing that it's known as the Manhattan of the Mediterranean.

Adrián Carrero

Adrián Carrero

12 min read

Best Things To Do in Benidorm

Vista panoramica de Benidorm |©Emilio Sánchez

Benidorm offers skyline views that will amaze you, especially if you like to admire high-level architectural designs. Also, this coastal town has a variety of water attractions, which you can enjoy best in summer.

That is, in Benidorm you will find crystal clear and calm waters for kayaking, snorkelling, scuba diving, etc. So, if you're wondering what to see and do in Benidorm, stay until the end of this article in which I recommend 12 spectacular activities.

1. Explore Benidorm's most emblematic sites by Segway

Segway Man|©Per Sistens
Segway Man|©Per Sistens

If you're going to Benidorm, I recommend you start with a Segway exploration. To make your experience in the city complete, a tour on this two-wheeled vehicle will allow you to explore in an original way places like.

  • The Callejón de los Gatos: This street is in the centre of the city and starts from Playa de Levante to the Church and the Mirador. Although it is a narrow street it is still very popular, thanks to its cheerful people and the food shops or bars on either side.
  • Church of San Jaime and Santa Ana: This church was built in the 18th century and its architecture is striking at first sight. If you are Catholic, you should take the opportunity to enjoy the Holy Mass, so you can see the inside of the temple.
  • Parque de Elche: This is an urban park located at the end of Colón Street, in Poniente Beach. There you can see an esplanade and the fountain along with palm trees. Many people who visit this beach pass through the Parque de Elche.
  • Viewpoint of the city and remains of the Castle: This viewpoint is known as the Balcony of the Mediterranean and is one of my favourite places to visit on Segway. However, you can contact the tour guide for other sightseeing options in Benidorm. A Segway tour lasts approximately 2 hours.

Book a Segway tour in Benidorm

2. Speed along Benidorm's coastline on a Segway jet ski

Jet ski in the water|©Donald Tong
Jet ski in the water|©Donald Tong

A jet ski ride along the coast of Benidorm will allow you to see the skyline of the city from the sea. The different skyscrapers and the Poniente and Levante beaches will leave you with a memory you will never forget.

However, this is a weather dependent activity, so it can't be done on any given day and last minute changes may occur. It's best to go in summer, as Benidorm's skies are usually clear during this time of year.

This Jet Ski adventure includes helmets and life jackets, so don't worry, you don't have to bring them. The tour also allows you to get a close-up view of some of the surrounding cliffs. Without a doubt, this is an experience for you to enjoy nature to the fullest, and one of the best activities you can do on your Benidorm holiday.

Book a jet ski adventure along the coast of Benidorm

3. Have fun with your children at Terra Mitica park

Boat ride at Terra Mitica|©DEREK APPLETON
Boat ride at Terra Mitica|©DEREK APPLETON

Terra Mitica is one of the best water parks in Benidorm. There are not only water rides, but also mechanical rides and historical sites from different countries such as Rome or Egypt. For example, in Rome you'll find attractions such as the Flight of the Phoenix, which is like a falling lift in the open air, do you dare to go up?

Another attraction in the Roman area is Ayquesustus, which is similar to the previous one, but in this case the fall is gentler, which is ideal for the youngest members of the family. And if you're looking for something more family-friendly, you can enter the Iberia themed area, which has 1700m² of pools and spa.

Among Iberia's options you will find Jacuzzis, a large and relaxing pool to enjoy after the rides. You can go there if you are travelling to Benidorm with children, but also with your friends or simply with your partner. Similarly, I recommend you take your children to Jabato, a small and safe car crash track.

Buy tickets for Terra Mitica

4. Kayak paddle around Cova Tallada

Three kayaks in the sea|©Alexander Bobrov
Three kayaks in the sea|©Alexander Bobrov

Kayak along the north coast of Alicante and discover the Cova Tallada. Please note that most kayak tours offer the service plus the necessary equipment, i.e. kayak, paddle and lifejacket.

In addition, on this tour you will be able to snorkel, which is a must on your holiday. Remember that this is an activity that you can do individually, as a couple or in groups, so it is always an excellent option. At the end of the day, the team organising the tour will give you a small snack.

In addition, the tour lasts 3 hours. Likewise, you will always be accompanied by a guide specialised in kayaking, snorkelling and cave exploration. In fact, before you start using the kayak, the guide will explain you how to paddle, in case you don't know how.

If you like adventure and water activities, have you ever thought about paddle surfing? There are tours of up to 2 hours around the coves and caves of Benidorm that will allow you to get your first taste of this fantastic sport - highly recommended!

Book a paddle surfing tour in Benidorm

5. Visit the beautiful beaches of Benidorm

Poniente beach at sunset|©sebas Fdez
Poniente beach at sunset|©sebas Fdez

Benidorm's beaches are very popular in summer, as they have crystal clear waters and spectacular views of the Mediterranean. In addition, they almost always have small waves, so they are safer for the whole family. In fact, lifeguards are on duty at all times to protect swimmers.

Here are the main beaches in Benidorm that you shouldn't miss:

Levante Beach

At Levante Beach you can enjoy a sunny afternoon with friends while swimming in the Mediterranean waters. It is 2,084 metres long, so it is quite wide.

Poniente Beach

Another place I recommend you to visit to get a tan and relax in the open air is the Poniente Beach, which is located very close to a variety of shops both for clothes and food. This is also the largest beach in Benidorm, thanks to its length of 3100 metres.

Mal Pas Beach

And if you want to enjoy a small or less crowded beach, I recommend Playa de Mal Pas, since it has a length of 120 metres. You should also know that this beach is next to the Balcón del Mediterráneo.

From some of these beaches you can enjoy a boat trip along the coast of Alicante.

Book an excursion to the coast from Benidorm

6. Marvel at Benidorm's viewpoints.

Benidorm Cross|©Andrey Glazunov
Benidorm Cross|©Andrey Glazunov

In Benidorm there are several viewpoints that offer you views of the Mediterranean Sea and the city from above, these are one of my favourite tourist destinations. When you are there you can see green areas, skyscrapers and beaches. You can reach them either on foot or by using the Benidorm tourist bus.

Among the different viewpoints I would like to recommend you:

Balcón del Mediterráneo

Without a doubt, the Balcón del Mediterráneo is the best viewpoint, as it has large spaces where you can find food and, above all, local craft stalls. Also, sometimes there are groups or street artists, both music and painting.

Benidorm Cross

The walk to the Benidorm Cross is good for a bit of exercise, as it's a short trail where you can enjoy both natural and urban views. I like to go at night, as I can see the city lit up with its skyscrapers and admire the starry sky at the same time. Put it on your list of things to do in Benidorm at night.

Aguiló Tower

The Aguiló Tower dates back to the 16th century and is located on the outskirts of the town, but offers views of Benidorm as well as the coastline of Villajoyosa. In fact, you can enjoy the rock of Calpe, although the best thing for me is to see the sunset from there. Therefore, I recommend you to go up to the site in the late afternoon, to see this natural spectacle on the horizon.

Viewpoint of La Cala

If you want to enjoy a historical site and at the same time natural or urban views, go to the Tossal de la Cala. This viewpoint is part of a historical site that some archaeologists and historians attribute to Roman rule in the 1st century AD. Learn a little bit of history while seeing the Mediterranean and the city of Benidorm from the top.

Book a guided tour in Benidorm

7. Take a guided walking tour of Benidorm

Stroll through the streets of Benidorm|©Luis Pérez Contreras
Stroll through the streets of Benidorm|©Luis Pérez Contreras

Walk with a guide who will tell you stories or anecdotes about Benidorm and show you favourite places, for example, the Town Hall, Gran Hotel Bali, San Jaime and Santa Ana Church or the Intempo Skyscraper. The sites are varied, so find the tour you like best or ask for a personalised tour.

The Mirador, the Benidorm Promenade and the Roman sites are some of the places you can also see if you take a walking tour of the city. You can also visit the beaches and coves in and around Benidorm. In fact, there is a boat in the city that allows you to sail around the Mediterranean Sea watching the fish, as if you were in a submarine.

On the other hand, I recommend you visit the different bars in town to wet your tongue with cocktails, beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages. As you can see, "The Manhattan of the Mediterranean" has a lot to offer.

Book a guided tour in Benidrom

8. Have a delicious meal in a Benidorm restaurant.

Burger on the table|©Valeria Boltneva
Burger on the table|©Valeria Boltneva

Another attraction of Benidorm is its gastronomy, so I invite you to visit some of the restaurants. In these places you can find a variety of food options, from mussels and burgers to dishes from renowned chefs. Here are some of the restaurants you should visit for a delicious meal.

  • La Cava Aragonesa is a restaurant in the old town of Benidorm (Plaza de la Constitución) and offers various dishes such as fish fideuá, sautéed mushrooms and asparagus or meat lasagna. They also offer delicious hors d'oeuvres, salad with duck ham and creamed corn.
  • Restaurant Belvedere Benidorm, a luxury restaurant on the 21st floor of the Hotel Madeira Centro. This means that from the restaurant you can admire the skyline of Benidorm. At the same time you can eat the culinary creations of Spanish chef Kiko Lázaro.
  • La Mejillonera Benidorm, this restaurant offers excellent mussels and rice varieties, thanks to its award-winning chef Josetxo García. If you decide to visit this restaurant, I recommend you try the Lobster Paella, although you can always order whatever you fancy.
  • Amigos Bistro by Nas & Dino, another Spanish food restaurant, but also with a mix of other countries. For example, you'll find delicious homemade hamburgers, tomato and basil soup, Chips, apple pie, steaks with peppers, etc.
  • Florentine Tea Room, a 1930's themed tea room to relax and sweeten you up. Their walnut tart with jasmine green tea will delight your taste buds. You can also listen to old-time music such as Mantovani.

9. Go hiking in Benidorm

people walking on the path|©Guduru Ajay bhargav
people walking on the path|©Guduru Ajay bhargav

For hikers, there's nothing better than the views and the salty wind of the Mediterranean Sea. First, start your adventure on the Ruta Senderista de Punta del Caballo, a 1.6 km trail that will take you to the Sierra Helada viewpoint, Punta de Cavall o Seguró and Punta del Caballo viewpoint. The three destinations are relatively close to each other.

Also, here is the address of Punta de L' Escaleta according to Google Maps. As you can see, this tourist site and viewpoint of Benidorm is also in the vicinity of the destinations mentioned above. At the end of these hiking routes you can marvel at the views of the Mediterranean Sea, the city of Benidorm, as well as various cliffs and coves.

Make the most of the opportunity to go on one of the excursions to the towns and villages near Benidorm. One of the most recommended is the one that takes you to Valencia, just 2 hours away.

Book an excursion to Valencia from Benidrom

10. Walk along Benidorm's promenade Paseo Marítimo

Levante Promenade|©Nicolas Vigier
Levante Promenade|©Nicolas Vigier

Along thePoniente Beach is Benidorm's promenade, which has an architectural design similar to the waves of the sea. This place not only offers a space to walk, sit and read a book, take photos, etc., but also has spectacular views of the sea.

Also, when you walk through it you will have natural areas on one side and the urban traffic area, clothes shops, food on the other side. For example, towards the urban side you will get British food, hamburgers, pizza, Spanish rice dishes, seafood, sweets, etc. In other words, there is a bit of everything, so you can choose the food you want.

During the day you can walk along Benidorm's Paseo Marítimo until you reach the Balcón del Mediterráneo. The whole walk offers views of the sea and the city, but on the balcony you'll have a much more panoramic view. However, at night you'll also have beautiful views, thanks to the sustainable lighting of the Paseo Marítimo and the city itself. Here you can see more details of Benidorm's promenade.

11. Admire the Benidorm Skyline

Lugano Tower|©KaMpErƎ & Le-tticia
Lugano Tower|©KaMpErƎ & Le-tticia

From Benidorm's beaches and viewpoints you can admire the Benidorm skyline, although I also recommend you get up close to each skyscraper to see the outside of it up close, or why not go on guided tours. As you might expect, you don't have to pay anything if you want to admire the skyscrapers and take photos for your social media.

However, there are several skyscrapers, so I have decided to recommend you 3 of my favourites:

Intempo

The Intempo offers 256 flats, which you can rent for your holidays in Benidorm. On the 46th floor there is a gym, spa and jacuzzi. From this floor you have a panoramic view of the city that you will never forget. By the way, this skyscraper has an average height of 200 metres.

Grand Hotel Bali

If you are looking for a 4 star hotel, I recommend the Gran Hotel Bali, moreover, this way you will be able to see the city of Benidorm from the top, depending on the floor where you stay. The place offers a restaurant, swimming pool, gym, games room, children's playground and much more. Of course, check out the guided tours, as this way you don't have to stay in the hotel. This skyscraper is 186 metres high.

Lugano Tower

This is the third tallest skyscraper after the 2 I mentioned above. It is 158 metres high and has 43 residential floors, so you can search the internet for flats for rent in case you want to stay there while visiting Benidorm. The Lugano Tower is located in C. de Viena, Benidorm. Also, I would like to inform you that this tower has a swimming pool, fitness centre and free WiFi.

12. Have a great experience in Mundomar with your family

Mundomar as a family|©Sheena Suthreland
Mundomar as a family|©Sheena Suthreland

Mundomar is an animal park for the whole family, so you can take your children to have fun and learn by watching different species of mammals, reptiles and birds. In addition, this place offers various shows and you can even swim with sea lions or see dolphins up close.

Similarly, if you want, at Mundomar you can become a trainer for a day, an experience you will never forget. And among the animals you'll also see there are parrots, lemurs and lorises. Take photos with as many of them as you like and explore the green areas and the different aquatic spaces.

You will also have the chance to see birds such as storks, black-necked swans and flamingos. At Mundomar you will also find otters, monkeys, turtles and meerkats. Mundomar Park is located in Calle Sierra Helada. An important advantage is that it is close to Aqualandia Benidorm, another place I recommend you to visit with your family.

When to go to Benidorm

Benidorm is a city you can enjoy all year round. Its location on the Levantine coast means that it has mild temperatures all year round. So it is not surprising to find tourists even in the low season such as in October or December. However, if you are one of those who prefer a holiday for travellers, I advise you to book your flight and accommodation in advance because it tends to be very busy, especially in July, August and September.

If you are one of those who prefer to have all your plans planned and you are overwhelmed by so many proposals, relax, I leave you our itineraries by days so that you only have to worry about packing your suitcase and enjoy everything that Benidorm has to offer!