Benidorm completely took us by surprise with everything that it has to offer. Here we’ve recorded our top 17 best things to do in Benidorm.
1. Balcon Del Mediterraneo
Balcon del Mediterraneo, or the Castle Viewpoint, is located in the centre of Benidorm Old Town.
Known as the most beautiful Benidorm viewpoint, the fortress that once stood here between the 14th and 17th centuries had a main purpose to defend the town from pirate attacks.
Nowadays you will not find a castle in sight. However what you will find are some of the most beautiful landscape of the surrounding city and views out to the ocean for as far as the eye can see.
At sunset it does get a little busy because of the stunning photo opportunities. The area itself is surrounded by small cafes where you can order a soda or a cocktail, and watch the sun go down.
Everything is white making it a clean, picture perfect destination.
2. Rent Jet Skis
Out of all the best things to do in Benidorm, renting jet skis will probably be the activity where you’ll laugh the most. You might even be smiling for the rest of the day like we were.
After getting the hang of it straight away, we rode along behind the instructor crashing down on the waves.
They’ll take you to the other side of the island, past Levante Beach, where you can get a glimpse of the cliff edges that are connected to the national park.
With breathtaking views and crystal blue sea we couldn’t help but fall in love with Benidorm.
For our jet ski morning we used Carlos Water Sport Benidorm!
3. Sunrise Kayak Tour
Another of the popular water sports in Benidorm, the sunrise kayak tour was a real magical experience.
It was refreshing to be a few of the only ones awake amongst the pure silence of the crazy city that Benidorm can be. We paddled out to a spot to watch the sun come up and it was bliss.
If you prefer a quiet sunrise to a busy sunset we highly recommend trying the sunrise kayak tour whilst you’re in Benidorm.
For all your kayaking needs we can highly recommend Captain Kayak!
4. Visit Benidorm Island
Benidorm Island is a very small island, sitting approximately 3.5 kilometres from the Spanish mainland.
Super close to the holiday town, it’s just a five minute ferry ride from Levante Beach, and there are boats going back and forth to the island every hour.
The ferry journey has some impressive views of Benidorm and round the trip costs just 15 Euros.
When you arrive at the island you can explore the trail by foot. It takes around 10/15 minutes to reach the top at a slow pace.
So Benidorm island is entirely suitable for families and the stunning views of Benidorm from the top are really worth the ride.
Nobody lives on the island but there is a restaurant and bar with toilets. After your small hike to the top you can relax and watch the busy Benidorm coast from afar.
5. Diving Or Snorkelling
Diving and snorkelling are definitely the most popular things to do in Benidorm.
Many people have a wonderful experience diving here because of the perfect climate of the Mediterranean Sea. Not only that, the crystal clear water allows visibility for a fair few stretch of metres.
Not only that, but you can enjoy some of the most colourful underwater wildlife in Europe, taking you to another world.
Their main dive sites are situated only 5 minutes away from the Benidorm harbour.
For our diving and snorkelling experience we used Diving Stones!
6. Rent E-bikes & Ride Along The Coast
Renting E-bikes was definitely another one of our favourite things to do in Benidorm.
We rode along the stunning coastline at sunset, up towards the national park. If you rent E-bikes and move away from the noise for sunset it can be so peaceful, plus you see a completely different side to Benidorm.
E-Bikes cost roughly £30 per day, and can be booked in advance through Tao Bike here: Benidorm Full-Day Explore by Electric Bike.
The E-bikes have several speeds, depending on how much help you want the motor to give you and they are entirely eco-friendly!
For anything E-Bike related hit up the guys at Tao Bike who are doing great things!
7. La Creu de Benidorm (Benidorm Cross)
Sierra Helada National Park is a whopping 5,600 hectares in size and every tiny area is different and beautiful in it’s own natural way.
With peculiar trees, wildlife and unusually shaped cliffs, this has to be a place you experience when adventuring out of the Benidorm city and beaches.
If you’re not much of an explorer though, you should at least head to La Creu de Benidorm, or the Benidorm Cross.
The viewpoint below is from the huge cross that is at the start of the trek to Albir which we’ll move onto next.
8. Sierra Helada Trek From Benidorm To Albir
The most adventurous of the things to do in Benidorm.
There are many Benidorm viewpoints and small hikes available within Sierra Helada National Park.
Although, if you’re feeling super adventurous, you can hike the 8km Sierra Helada trail from Benidorm to Albir, which takes approximately 4 hours.
This particular trek is famously known to follow the cliff edges that drop over 300 metres.
With that astonishing height, you’re rewarded with the most spectacular views of Benidorm City, it’s famous national park and of course the Spanish Mediterranean coast.
For any hiking or outdoor activities we certainly recommend Marco Polo Expeditions.
9. Cala Tio Ximo
This peaceful, rocky cove is hidden down a small path on the way towards the National Park. It’s crystal clear waters and tranquil atmosphere make it the perfect place to chill for an afternoon.
The cove is located beneath two steep cliffs so if you’re looking for sweeping views, this is certainly a cool place take it all in.
Also not many tourists know about it so it’s usually pretty quite!
10. 4×4 Jeep Tour
The jeep tour was definitely something special.
It took us back a few kilometres from the coastline and into the rocky roads and rich green countryside. This is yet another expedition where we saw a different side to Benidorm.
You can ride with or without a driver, along the insane tracks through the Sierra Cortina mountains and stunning valleys.
There are many different options available, from half day to full day tours, where you can visit numerous spots with lunch included.
To book a Benidorm Jeep Tour we recommend Marco Polo Expeditions again.
11. Cable Ski Benidorm
We are not going to lie, cable skiing was pretty tricky to grasp but it’s definitely worth a go.
If you’re a master of balance with good concentration, you’re made for this sport.
At the same spot, towards the end of Levante Beach, they also do wake boarding and kite surfing. So you’ll never run out of things to do in Benidorm, especially when it comes to water sports!
There only one place for Cable skiing in Benidorm and that’s Cable Ski Benidorm!
12. Hit The Beaches
Like the majority of tourists in Benidorm, you’ll probably want to head to the beach.
Well the two main beaches both show very different sides of Benidorm.
Levante Beach, located on the main strip, tends to be the busiest area of this coastline, and where the majority of things happening take place.
The classic pop music is playing from the bars and the family vibe really sets the scene for this packed out beach.
Poniente Beach however, is situated closer to the old town and tends to be a little less noisy.
If you’re into a more chilled beach vibe, then this is definitely the beach for you.
Both beaches are not far from each other and are super clean and well maintained.
They are also surrounded by shops, restaurants and souvenir stalls if you want a little break from sunbathing.
13. Tossal De La Cala Viewpoint
Tossal De La Cala is located at the end of Poniente Beach on a hill 100 metres above sea level
It takes roughly a 40 minute to reach from the middle of Poniente, and the walk is all uphill. So be prepared for a bit of a workout!
Once home to a Roman fort, nowadays, the exposed foundations of this Roman settlement are open for the public to view.
Reaching out from the foot of where you stand, you will be able to see all the way across to the far end of Poniente Beach and beyond.
We rose early one morning to visit Tossal De La Cala at sunrise, and as you can see by the photos it was definitely one of the best viewpoints in Benidorm.
14. Eat Paella
As with every country we visit, we love to try the famous local cuisine. So the final of our things to do in Benidorm is to EAT!
Now we’re not exaggerating when we say we enjoyed the best Paella we have ever tasted at Ulia restaurant, located in front of Poniente Beach.
The famous Spanish dish originates from Valencia, which is just 140km up the coast, and the flavours were like fireworks in our mouths.
For those REALLY looking to get a taste of the Spanish cuisine, you could book onto a cooking class!
The most popular one in the area is: Benidorm: Traditional Spanish Cooking Class.
Where you get to experience a hands-on cooking class and learn how to cook traditional Spanish dishes like tapas and paella.
You’ll shop for fresh ingredients in the local market with expert chefs, then learn how to cook them yourself. Before enjoying your creations for lunch accompanied with wine.
15. Stand Up Paddle Boarding
If you’ve never tried Stand Up Paddle Boarding before then you’re in for a real treat.
We edged ourselves out into the water from the shores of Levante Beach, and stayed low to the board until the ocean got deep enough to stand up.
The first few tries may be a bit wobbly, however once you’re out there almost walking on water its a unique experience.
We were the only people out at sea and it was a freeing feeling.
With Benidorm Island in the distance and the people back at Levante just tiny dots, we tripped around the coast to Cala Almadraba.
It was a slight surprise as Cala Almadraba seemed to be a nudist beach, so we didn’t stay for long.
However a great addition to an afternoon of things to do in Benidorm!
16. Helados Sirvent Ice Cream
At some point on your holiday you’re going to want to enjoy an ice cream in the sun. Well this is your spot!
Helados Sirvent has been serving ice cream in Benidorm since 1954.
Originally built by two brothers, the business has now expanded and there are three Helados Sirvent’s located in Benidorm.
They sell every flavour you can imagine and are all made fresh on the premises.
From Cherry Choc to After Eight, and Bailey’s to Pistachio, there’s also Snickers, Tobelerone and Choc Orange just to name a few!
It’s not only ice creams that are popular at Helados Sirvent though. You’ll also find waffles, coffee, brandy and cake too.
So if you’re looking for something sweet and cool to enjoy along the promenade, or even take down to the beach, then we recommend giving them a visit in Levante.
17. Vineyard & Wine Tasting Tour
Spain has over 1.2 million hectares (2.9 million acres) planted in wine grapes, making it the most widely planted wine-producing nation.
So I’m sure you’ll need no convincing that a wine tasting tour is a great idea when visiting Benidorm.
We opted to take a Vineyard & Wine Tasting Tour at Bodegas Enrique Mendoza, a family run business that’s been operating since the 1970’s.
Their Spanish wines are made in a range of styles that reflect the country’s diverse regions and native grape varieties, offering the consumer a unique and authentic experience with each wine.
Any wine tour ‘should’ be good. But what made this one great was how enthusiastic and knowledgable our guide was.
The out-door tasting on white tablecloth, accompanied by lovely bread and cheeses made it a very good ending to the experience!
Where To Stay In Benidorm
Luxury: Hotel Boutique Villa Venecia
Situated next to Levante Beach in Benidorm Old Town, Villa Venecia Hotel Boutique has a terrace with a hot tub and spectacular sea views.
Rooms feature a flat-screen TV, hydromassage bath and free Wi-Fi. Each elegant room at Villa Venecia Benidorm offers panoramic views of the sea and town.
Rooms include designer furniture, a Nespresso coffee machine and a choice of pillows and mattresses.
The Villa Venecia’s Llum del Mar restaurant serves creative Mediterranean cuisine from local produce and fine wines from around the country.
The hotel also has a stylish bar with terrace.
Mid-Budget: Sol Costablanca
The adults-only Sol Costablanca Hotel is right on Levante Beach, in central Benidorm.
It offers an outdoor pool and air-conditioned rooms with satellite TV and a private balcony, some with Mediterranean views.
The modern rooms are carpeted and come with a private bathroom with a hairdryer. There is a minibar, work desk and free WiFi. A safe is available for an extra charge.
The hotel has a buffet-style restaurant featuring show cooking. Guests can enjoy a drink in the lounge bar, which has a TV and offers live evening entertainment.
There are also bars and discos within a 5-minute walk.
Budget: Apartment Mirador Benidorm
Situated in Benidorm, 550 yards from Levante Beach and 650 yards from Cala Tio Ximo, Apartment Mirador offers a garden and air conditioning.
The apartment has 2 bedrooms, a TV, an equipped kitchen with a microwave and a fridge, a washing machine, and 1 bathroom with a bath.
This apartment is 4.3 miles from Mal Pas Beach and 6.2 miles from Terra Natura.
For more places to stay in Benidorm you can check the latest prices on Booking.com.
More Europe Blogs
15 Best Things To Do In Santander
7 Awesome Things To Do In Berlin
6 Amazing Things To Do In Val Di Sole Trentino
Trip sponsored by Visit Benidorm
@visitbenidorm
www.visitbenidorm.es
Pin It For Later!
