For most, Benidorm conjures images of mahogany-hued OAPs on mobility scooters with crepey necks, drunken stag and hen parties with ‘Lads/Ladies on tour’ emblazoned on their t-shirts and… well, a severe lack of anything authentically Spanish. But there ARE plenty of non-tacky things to do in Benidorm if you know where to look.
The Costa Blanca destination is aware of its dubious reputation and over the past few years, Benidorm has been regenerating. The now dated budget accommodation blocks are being pulled down and replaced by modern luxury hotels. High-end restaurants are springing up everywhere.
Yes, this Spanish seaside city knows you’ve been nasty about her, so she’s working on her Revenge Body and coming back as an absolute SNACK.
I visited Benidorm on a press trip with Icelolly.com and Visit Benidorm to discover the alternative side of the holiday resort. Here’s the lowdown on the top alternative things to do in Benidorm if you’re planning a holiday there.
The 20 Best Benidorm Attractions & Authentic Places To Visit
Watch my Benidorm travel vlog on Youtube
The main strip definitely caters to the stereotypical Brits Abroad (ugh), but dig a little deeper and you’ll see that this is a beautiful place where Spanish culture is alive and well.
There’s plenty to see and do in Benidorm for families with kids, and couples will be pleased to find ample choice of romantic things to do in Benidorm too!
1. Go to the locals’ beach
Benidorm has long stretches of clean, sandy beaches but forget battling for towel space on Playa de Levante. Avoid the lobster-red masses and head straight to the quieter stretch of sand to the west called Playa de Poniente. This is one of the best beaches in Benidorm.
Learn more about the different beaches in and around Benidorm.
2. Eat paella in a seafront restaurant
There’s a gorgeous restaurant called Ulia on the beachfront serving paella for lunch. The sangria also goes down a treat, take it from me.
3. Explore the National Park near Benidorm by e-bike
You can hire electric bikes from a company called Tao Bike for just 18 Euros for half a day, and they’re a great way to explore the gorgeous scenery around Benidorm with little physical effort. They’re also surprisingly exhilarating!
We took ours along the weaving coastal path in Sierra Helada National Park and the views were fantastic, as was the pitstop at a tiny cove called Playa Cala Tio Ximo.
Check e-bike rental prices here
4. Hike to The Cross of Benidorm
You can hike in this 5,600 hectare park too, if you’re feeling really energetic. It takes around 45 minutes to reach La Cruz de Benidorm, which is one of the top things to see in Benidorm.
The Cross of Benidorm is located in Sierra Helada, and it’s a wonderful lookout point. You can see the city’s impressive skyline from a different vantage point from here.
It’s best not to tackle this hike at midday when the sun is strongest because there’s very little shade. An early morning hike would be perfect!
5. Do a jeep tour to see the best places to go around Benidorm
Alternatively, you can take a jeep tour with Marco Polo and go up into the mountains surrounding Benidorm. We were picked up from our hotel and did a shortened version of their full day tour in a 4×4 Suzuki jeep.
Driving through the Spanish countryside with the music blaring is something I’ll remember forever.
The driver knew all the best spots for photos and took us to two gloriously quaint Spanish villages just outside of Benidorm. It was good to get out of the city for a day and see rural life near Benidorm.
More of an adrenaline junkie? Try a quad bike tour instead.
6. Jet ski
There’s no fear of bumping in to drunk stag dos in the sea, right? Jet ski hire costs 80 Euros for 30 minutes and it’s the best fun ever!
I’ve always been terrified of jet skis because my mum told me they’re dangerous, but as soon as I hopped on the back I realised it’s actually pretty hard to fall off.
I think I giggled the entire time, and practically leaped over Jordan when it was time to switch places. I can’t believe I drove a jet ski! I guess I have Benidorm to thank for unleashing my inner adrenaline junkie.
I’m pretty sure this pic was taken on Brogan’s GoPro. I feel like I need one now!
Check jet ski hire prices here
7. Visit Peacock Island
We also took a boat out to Benidorm Island, which is also known as Peacock Island for obvious reasons. While you’re there you can snorkel in the shallows, which is a fun water-based activity in Benidorm.
I put my wetsuit on the wrong way round and everyone laughed, but it was too late to rectify the issue so I just went with it.
8. Eat at high end restaurants
Step away from the hotel buffet and plan at least one meal at a fine dining restaurant around town. Even if you’re on a strict budget, it’s nice to eat somewhere different for a change of scenery and Benidorm has plenty of lovely restaurants that you won’t want to miss.
Check out my guide to Benidorm’s best restaurants.
9. Linger over tapas in the Old Town
If you’re feeling like Benidorm isn’t all that umm… Spanish, spend a night (or every night) in the Old Town, Casco Antiguo. This is where you’ll find holidaymakers from all over Spain. Located on headlands between Benidorm’s two main beaches, it’s the more traditional part of the city and its cobbled streets will lend a slower pace to your holiday.
The best thing to do in Benidorm’s Old Town is undoubtedly a leisurely evening crawling the area’s tapas bars. There’s an entire street of them! It’s called Calle Santo Domingo – but if you ask for directions to ‘Tapas Alley’, you’ll be pointed in the right direction.
I can vouch for the fact that they don’t serve anything resembling pizza or kebabs – thank God! I never liked croquettes until I tried them in Benidorm.
10. Spend golden hour at Balcon del Mediterraneo
In front of Iglesia de San Jaime y Santa Ana, there’s a pretty blue-tiled plaza called Plaça del Castell with a jaw-dropping view of Benidorm’s coast. Lovers, this one’s for you – it’s the most romantic place in Benidorm come sundown and you can’t miss it.
Previously the site of Benidorm’s castle, this is a perfect picture-taking spot and SO romantic at sunset. In fact, the ‘balcony of the Mediterranean‘ has been named as one of the most picturesque lookout spots in Spain.
11. Sip cocktails at a rooftop bar
If you prefer your nightcap with a view of the city rather than a view of a stripper’s pole, you’ll enjoy the rooftop bar at Hotel Madeira Centro. It’s the ideal place for a classy cocktail if you’re in Benidorm on a hen party too.
I like to squeeze a rooftop bev in to every trip and I loved this bar’s all-white decor.
12. Check out Benidorm’s museums
See, Benidorm does have some cultural attractions!
The Maritime Culture Centre Museum and The House Museum (Casa Museo de Benidorm) are both located in Benidorm Old Town.
There’s no entry fee for either of these Benidorm attractions, making them an easy free thing to do in Benidorm when it rains.
13. Have fun at Benidorm’s theme parks
Terra Mitica is one of Spain’s best theme parks and it’s just outside of Benidorm. There are three areas, each inspired by the ancient civilisations of Rome, Egypt and Greece. You can watch shows, go on the rides and cool off in the pools there.
Get a family ticket here.
One of the newer activities in Benidorm is zip lining. You can spend a few hours zipping through the branches at Forestal Park La Nucia. It’s suitable for children over 6 years age.
14. Make a splash at the water parks
A day at Aqua Natura is probably the best thing to do in Benidorm with kids. Cool off and go wild with 4,000.
Aqualandia is an equally popular place to go in Benidorm. The park has 15 water rides and boasts Europe’s highest standing water slide. Both parks make for a fun family day out in Benidorm.
Get Aqualandia tickets here
15. Visit The Church of San Jaime and Santa Ana
When it comes to sightseeing in Benidorm, look out for this Catholic church from the 1700s, located at the top of a steep hill in Benidorm Old Town.
16. Do some shopping in Benidorm
You’ll find plenty of souvenir shops around town, but if you want to do some serious shopping you should hold out for the Old Town market, which is held on Wednesdays, or the Benidorm Sunday Market. You can buy handicrafts and shoes etc here.
The Benidorm Flea Market (El Cisne Market Benidorm) is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. It’s a bit like a car boot sale. Go early for the best bargains!
17. Take a day trip to Alicante from Benidorm
You may only fly in to Alicante when you’re visiting Benidorm but it’s well worth planning a day in the city before you fly home. Just 40 minutes away by car, Alicante is a pleasant port city with a host of cultural attractions.
18. Or a day trip to Valencia
Less than two hours away from Benidorm by car, Valencia is another port city that doesn’t want for cultural sights. The City of Arts and Sciences has an interactive museum, an oceanarium and planetarium, making it the perfect place to go for a day trip from Benidorm with kids – even if the weather is bad.
Check out these easy day trips from Benidorm for more inspiration.
19. See Benidorm from above at Tossal de la Cala
High on a craggy mound at the southern end of Playa de Poniente, Tossal de la Cala is a brilliant photography spot in Benidorm.
We took a taxi up because we didn’t have time to trek up, but you can do either. This is a must-visit in Benidorm for couples looking for romantic holiday snaps.
20. Learn to cook like the Spanish
If you can’t get enough of the food in Benidorm, why not take a cooking class and learn to create some authentic dishes at home? The best souvenir has got to be a recipe!
Where to stay for a different class of holiday in Benidorm
We were hosted by adults-only Sandos Monaco Hotel & Spa in the city centre, just a few minutes walk to the main beach. I liked that it was spotless, the food was varied and plentiful and there’s a spa onsite.
If you’re looking to escape the crowds, Melia Villaitana is a luxury hotel further inland and looks beautiful. Our guide pointed it out while we were looking over the city from a viewpoint and I got super jealous.
Our guide also told me about an amazing ‘glamping’ style hotel in Guadalest, one of the villages I mentioned. It’s called Vivood Landscape Hotel & Spa and is a 20 minute drive from the coast. The rooms all have floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto the stunning mountains. Bliss!
Search all Benidorm accommodation using the map below.
Booking.comPlan and book every aspect of your Benidorm trip on my Travel Resources page!
Get travel insurance for your holiday to Benidorm
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Our alternative tour of Benidorm really showed me that every holiday is what you make it. You can choose to stay anchored to your hotel, or you can peel yourself off your sun lounger and get out to see the real Benidorm.
I had actually visited with my family twice before and although we always went to the Old Town at night, I had no idea of the rugged landscapes, exciting watersports and unspoilt beaches hidden just out of sight.
I’m a big believer in experiencing a destination for yourself before you write it off, and I’m just gutted that it took three trips for me to discover the other side of Benidorm.
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TELL ME: What comes to mind when you think of Benidorm? Does this post surprise you?
All photographs were taken on my Olympus Pen E-PL7.
This was an unpaid press trip with Icelolly.com and Visit Benidorm. Views are my own.
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newgirlintoon says
Brilliant read! A girl in my office goes twice a year “on the lash” and I’d never dream of going. Brits abroad are my absolute Holiday no no!! So it’s lovely to hear about the other side of Benidorm, your photos are beautiful and I’m very much sold!
Dannielle Lily says
It makes me embarrassed to be British! I’m really glad I gave Benidorm another chance and hope this will show people that it’s not all about cheaper-than-home fry ups!
LuxeStyle says
It was so interesting to hear about the other side of Benidorm! We stayed there a few years ago, well, we thought we were staying in a town nearby but it was actually pretty much in Benidorm itself. We said we would never go back because we hated the area so much, but it sounds like we were close to the worst part x
LuxeStyle
Dannielle Lily says
Such a shame you had a bad experience! With a bit of planning and research you can definitely have ‘your’ kind of holiday there, and it’s so cheap to get to Benidorm that it’s worth trying again!
Stuart Forster says
A good read. Your ;ost highlights the multifacted offerings of Benidorm.
Ashleigh says
Where was your swimsuit from the one you wore when you went jet skiing? I saw it in brogans vlog and need it in my life!x
Dannielle Lily says
Hey lovely, it’s from South Beach but out of stock now! I love it so much! x
Emma Spencer (@theemasphere) says
Ahhh it’s such a fabulous place! I miss it so much! There really is an alternative side to Benidorm! So many fun things to do and so many gorgeous places to explore! Melia Villaitana is certainly LUSH – shame you didn’t get to stay there! You’ll just have to go back! 🙂 Xxx
Dannielle Lily says
So jealous of where you stayed! The pics were all stunning. Really glad we got to see a different side to Beni xx
The Barefoot Backpacker says
See, this is exactly the sort of post that needs writing, promoting, etc. So many places have a ‘negative image’ but there’s history, culture, local vibe everywhere, and we/I shouldn’t dismiss a place just because of what we hear in pop-culture.
Benidorm has been on my ‘list’ for some time, partly to see if the stereotypes were true, but I’ve not made it there yet. This post proves they’re not. Thank you 🙂
Sandy N Vyjay says
Benidorm looks really promising and your pictures are indeed a revelation about the place. Nice to note that it is getting a makeover and emerging as a nice place to getaway and enjoy.
neha says
These are exactly the ways I love to enjoy any destination. The authentic way. Benidorm looks like a beautiful destination and I will surely remember your points when I visit here
SindhuMurthy says
It is amazing to know how a destination can surprise you with many interesting things beyond what it if famous for. I always try to go offbeat to explore the unknown during my trips. Benidorm seems like an amazing place to explore and I would definitely love to explore it your way.
Ami Bhat says
Those beaches look awesome and I like the idea of hiring electric vehicles to tour around. Not only good for the environment but also, sounds like fun. Cheers
Chi says
Thank you for your sharing! It’s so interesting to read about the other side of Benidorm! Your article really urges me to visit this cool place!:)