Benidorm is one of the most famous and sought after seaside holiday resorts on the Costa Blanca. The town offers comfortable beaches, complete services, clear waters and a good ambience throughout day and night.
Video - The Beaches of Benidorm
Once just a small fishing village, the town has grown rapidly over the years to become a perfect holiday destination. Everything, from the fantastic climate (more than 3000 hours of sun per year and an average annual temperature of almost 19°C), to its long and sandy beaches as well as its famous hospitality culture, guarantees you will have an unforgettable holiday, at any time of the year.
The resort has a lot to offer holidaymakers, but the main attraction is still its fantastic coastline. If you're looking for a comfortable holiday and the unique feeling of a Mediterranean seaside town, look no further; find apartments in Benidorm, pack your swimsuit and sun cream and come to discover why this is one of the most popular beach holiday destinations in Spain.
Playa de Poniente
Playa de Poniente is the biggest beach in Benidorm: 3000 metres of white sandy shore, which in some sections is over one 100 metres wide! Located just south of the centre and awarded with the Blue Flag, it's less crowded than Playa de Levante, the other big stretch in the resort, and is generally the favourite of the two by the locals.
Playa de Poniente offers complete services; umbrellas and sunbeds (active 11 months a year), disabled access, free showers and toilets as well as playgrounds for children, lifeguards, and even a public library located on the beach. In the streets behind the promenade, you'll find several free car parks.
For sports lovers there are plenty of activities; the beach is adjacent to the marina of Benidorm, where the Nautical Club is based, along with the PADI sub-center, the ferry service to the Isla de Benidorm (a small island located just a couple of miles offshore the city, that offers a rocky seafloor, perfect for diving enthusiasts), as well as kayaks, jet skis, motorboats and sailing boats rentals, and even a parasailing center.
This beautiful beach doesn't offer chiringuitos or beach bars, but with just a few metres walk across the beach promenade you'll find plenty of restaurants. From places that offer the typical Spanish cuisine, to pizzerias, pubs and international cuisine diners. Prices may vary, but in general are more than reasonable, for a menu del día (the "menu of the day", usually composed of a first course, a second course and a dessert) you will be asked around 12€.
Cala Mal Pas
Located right below the historical centre, between Benidorm's marina and the rock spur on which sits the Balcón del Mediterraneo viewpoint and the centric Plaza Santa Ana, Cala Mal Pas is a quiet and secluded beach, that offers a completely different atmosphere from the lively character of the main beaches in Benidorm, despite being so central.
The water is clear, shallow and generally sheltered from the waves, thanks to the rocks that give shape to both the ends of the golden sand shoreline offering nice opportunities for snorkelling.
Cala Mal Pas has also been awarded the Blue Flag and is 120 metres long and about 20 metres wide. It's equipped with showers, sunbed rental and a rescue service. Again, bars and restaurants are absent, but you'll find many literally two steps away; just head to the centre or to the entrance of the marina nearby.
Playa de Levante
Probably the most popular beach in the resort and one of the best beaches of the Costa Blanca. Its long and golden, sandy bay is visited almost all year round by thousands of tourists looking for a comfortable day by the sea.
Located just north of the town centre and easily accessible, the beach may be crowded from the early morning, but if on holiday you like to enjoy the nightlife, don't worry; Playa del Levante extends for 2000 metres, with an average width of more than 50 metres, so you should be able to find some space even if you arrive to the beach late. Moreover, given the shape and position of its coastline, the beach remains exposed to sunlight almost until sunset, offering many hours of sun for the delayed beachgoers and the die-hard tanners.
The water is clear, shallow and relatively sheltered, making it perfect for families with children. The services are complete with showers, sunbeds rentals, disabled access, rescue service, children's play areas (also in the water, with floating platforms and water slides), nautical equipment rental (jet skiing, windsurfing, water skiing, wakeboarding, pedal boats, etc.).
As on the other beaches in Benidorm, also Playa of Levante does not have any of the famous chiringuitos. But not to worry, if you are hungry or want to have a drink on a terrace while enjoying a fantastic sea view, just cross the pleasant paseo maritimo (promenade) that runs along the entire length of the beach and you'll find countless bars and restaurants (as well as shops and supermarkets). This is also one of Benidorm's most popular nightlife spots, so you can stay on the beach well into the evening without the risk of getting bored.
Cala Almadrava
Surprisingly enough, Benidorm not only offers long and lively sandy beaches but also isolated and tranquil coves. Moving away from the north end of Playa de Levante, climbing up towards the top of Punta de la Llisera (a rocky promontory that offers a breathtaking view of the city and the sea), you'll arrive at a quieter part of the coast, located at the foot of the Sierra Gelada Natural Park.
Here you'll find Cala Almadrava, a small cove located just a few metres away from streets and buildings but nevertheless capable of portraying a feeling of wilderness and isolation. To access the beach you will have to walk down a narrow concrete passage; the entrance of the path can be somewhat hidden. Parking in the surrounding area of the beach can be complicated, so it’s a good idea to arrive by bus or on foot.
The beach which has a mix of fine sand and rocks is open to both“traditional” bathers and to naturists. It’s just 100 metres long and 10 to 15 metres wide; the services are scarce, with only a safety guard active during the summer months, so remember to bring with you everything you may need. The water is incredibly clear, and the sea bed is full of life and interesting rock formations; if you like snorkelling, you should not miss the opportunity to dive.
Cala Tio Ximo
Moving just a few hundred metres further north-east from Cala Almadrava, you'll arrive at its "twin" cove; Cala Tio Ximo. This small and wild beach is located at the foot of a rocky hill, inside the Parque Natural de la Sierra Gelada.
To get to this beach, you will have to drive the same narrow and winding road that leads you to Cala Almadrava. There is a small car park just above the cove, located next to a spectacular viewpoint. If you like hiking or cycling, you may want to leave the car at home; the natural surroundings make for a perfect day in nature since the park offers several paths to explore.
As in Cala Almadrava, the bay (just 60 metres long) is a mix of rocks and fine, golden sand and the services are reduced but in summer months they have a lifeguard. But you don't come here for bars and music but for the relaxed atmosphere, the beauty of the sea; together with the silence and isolation, as well as the fact that it is relatively difficult to access, guarantee a day spent here is a regenerating experience.