10 saker att göra i Benidorm - från cava till permobil

Here are 10 things to do in Benidorm, on the Costa Blanca in Spain. Benidorm is the largest and most famous holiday resort on the Mediterranean coast, with 3000 hours of sunshine and beautiful sandy beaches. The entertainment offer is huge with shopping, bars and nightclubs. If you can't walk ... drive a permobile as many people do here. Marvel at the tall skyscrapers and drink cava in the Spanish Quarter.

Posts updated in 2019

At first, approaching the city by car is an experience. First comes nothing but mountains and gentle vegetation, then even more nothing, and then ... a compact waterfront city with skyscrapers licking the sky. So, what can you do in Benidorm? Here are ten tips!

Table of contents

1. Experience the big city feel

This is what it must be like to come to Las Vegas! First this dry desert-like landscape with its jagged mountains and occasional gnarled plants. And then, as if from nowhere, a big city with skyscrapers. Known as the 'New York of the Mediterranean', it has the most skyscrapers in Spain.

Spanien — We roll into the province of Alicante in eastern Spain, on the Mediterranean Costa Blanca in the Marina Baja area.

Benidorm — At 200 metres, the I Tempo is now one of the tallest hotels in Europe.

Benidorm Spanien — This is where package tourism or package holidays started to take off in the 1950s.

2. campa in Benidorm

It's easy to think of Benidorm as just a big city with hotels, but there are plenty of campsites in this town - and they're centrally located. We stayed at a campsite called Arena Blanca.

From here it is walking distance down to the city and the beach and with ACSI discount we pay 16 euro/day including free WiFi. Many Swedes who stay for a whole season choose instead a campsite called El Raco, which may offer good seasonal prices, but where we cannot use our ACSI card.

Camping Benidorm — Camping Arena Blanca in Benidorm

Camping el Raco — Camping El Raco in Benidorm

3. Sunbathe on beautiful sandy beaches

The two main beaches are Playa de Poniente with afternoon sun, and Playa de Levante with morning sun. There is also Playa de Mas Pas and the lovely little bay of Playa Cala Ti Ximo.

If you are in Benidorm in the right season, you should of course take the opportunity to sunbathe and swim. Benidorm has about 3000 hours of sunshine per year, and the average annual temperature is 19 degrees. The beach is located in the centre of town, and you have to say that the skyline with all the skyscrapers is pretty cool. Here in March it is sunny and around 18 degrees.

Spanien Benidorm — The seafront promenade along Poniente

4. Experience the sights

Benidorm is a nice city to walk around. The city consists of two parts; the "British part" with Levante beach and the "Spanish part" with Poniente beach. To simplify things a bit, you should go to the British part if you want steak and chips, and to the Spanish part if you want tapas and cava.

Don't miss the beautiful viewpoint and fortress (Balcon de Mediterraneo) located between the main beaches! Also visit the church of San Jaime and Santa Ana located in the upper part of the old town on the Canfali hill. It was completed at the end of the 18th century and is dedicated to the patron saint of Benidorm.

5. Shopping and partying

Benidorm is full of shops, so if you like shopping, you can definitely take the chance! We bought a pair of jeans here, which we were very happy with. The prices are good and there is a lot for all ages.

The city has been known for its bars and nightlife for 40 years. Benidorm is one of the first tourist destinations on the entire Mediterranean coast. Instead of reducing the opening hours of its nightclubs, it has more police officers to keep the town in order.

Benidorm Gamla stan — Have a beer at one of the many great outdoor cafés.

Benidorm shopping — Here you'll find everything from bathing rings to luxury shops and boutiques.

6. go to the market

From time to time a market is organised in Benidorm. Here you will find everything from clothes and pirated bags to freshly baked churros. Crowded and good atmosphere even though it is only March when we are here! Luckily there is a market and the mood is great. I found nice jewellery at good prices while chewing on a churros.

What to do in Benidorm? Go to the market!

7. eat British food

When you're in Benidorm, you're in Spain, but if you're in the British part, you'll feel more like you're in... the UK. That means there are plenty of chances for a steak and chips or fish and chips if you're into that!

READ MORE: Peniscola, Spain - for the holiday worshipper
READ MORE: Tarragona in Spain - history and charming neighbourhoods

8. Drink cava and eat pintxos

In the Spanish part of Benidorm there are plenty of places where you can order cava and small snacks. We paid 60 kroner for a bottle of cava and six small tapas/bruschettas/pintxos. We're a little unsure of the correct term here, but we can at least say that it was very affordable and delicious! Walk around the old town (El Castell) and enjoy the lovely alleys and Spanish life.

9. drive a permobile

In Beniform, it's not just people with disabilities who drive a permobile, but everyone! Apparently there's a British TV series called Benidorm, and it's a permobile... Good thing we've brought our training tent, I think! If we're going to eat chips and steak and then drive a permobile ... with lots of beer and then this will end badly!

We've walked and walked so much that our feet are sore, but there will be no permobile for us! (And Peter says that if he will have one in his old age, it will be called Freedom and decorated with a lot of LED lights, haha ...). But as I said, if you want to drive a car, there are all possibilities for it right here!

I Benidorm kan du hyra permobil i varje gathörn! — Rent a permobile instead of walking, haha. If you have a lot to do in Benidorm!

Det finns mycket att göra i Benidorm — Only one permobile left?

10. get a tattoo

Do you know what we did here in Benidorm? We got tattoos! There are lots of tattoo parlours, and after talking to several, we settled on one that we felt comfortable with. What did we tattoo? Freedom of course!

More things to do in Benidorm

Family parks: The range of attractions is huge and there are three major family parks. Aqualandia and Mundomar are on the outskirts of Levante, and Terra Mitica is at the foot of the big mountain that you can't miss.

Shopping centres: On the outskirts of the city is the large Marina shopping centre.

Festivals: In July each year there is an indie music festival that further enlivens the town, called the Benidorm Low Coast Festival. In the second week of November, the Virgen del Sufragio (patron saint) is celebrated.

Uninhabited island: The uninhabited island of Benidorm (L'Illia, Isla de los Perodistas), which you can see across the Mediterranean from the city, is an island of love that you'll have to do some research on while you're there. You can take an excursion to the Isla de Tabarca off the coast.

Lilla Benidorm — Little Benidorm (L'Illia)

More things to do in the neighbourhood?

ValenciaWhen you're in Benidorm, you can, of course, go on various excursions! Not too far away is Valencia, which has a lot to offer in terms of exciting architecture, among other things. If you happen to be here at the right time in March, you can also take advantage of the fascinating festivities during the festival. Las Fallas. Do you have any other tips for things to do in Benidorm?

Las fallas statyer — There is a lot to do in Benidorm, but also around it! Las Fallas festival in Valencia 2015

Country: Spain
Region: Valencia
Provins: Alicante
Municipality: Benidorm
Population: 72 000 (2011)

Getting to Benidorm

Flights: Swedes fly to Alicante Elche airport (60 km from Benidorm) and there are also low-cost flights.
BusesThere are many buses that run frequently between Benidorm and, for example, Alicante, Madrid, Valencia and many more locations.
Train: It is also possible to travel by train (Metropolitan Tram).
BilIf you are driving, take the N-332, at the AP-7 and CV-70 motorway as we did. Exit to 65A or 65.

All our top tips about Spain. Click on the image!

17 Comments

Add yours →

Kjell & Solveig says:

Welcome to Benidorm. Now we are almost neighbours, we live at El Raco p. 432, you are welcome to visit us.

07 March 2015 - 10:26

solveig rhann says:

Hey kids! You are too funny...we also got the last seat at Arena Blanca. We were the only Swedes, quite nice sometimes! The pool is excellent for water jogging, but early, preferably at 9 o'clock. Then it will be a greenhouse climate ...
Now we are outside Denia, at a non Acsicamping. 12 € including 6 amps and good wifi. Pure pitch price. We hear the sea, fantastic beach, 3 min from the site. But ... you have to stock up on food beforehand, few shops. Requires a bike. But not as touristy as along Altea/Torrevieja.

07 March 2015 - 10:26

FANTASYDINING-A blog about themed restaurants and travel says:

I have never been to Benidorm myself but have a couple of friends who have been going there for years and always talk about it.

07 March 2015 - 10:36

Comment by post author

admin says:

Kjell & Solveig, thank you! We will come by on occasion!
🙂

Solan, Peter wonders if you have an app to sniff out cheap campsites, haha *ler*. It sounds like you have found a good place! Have checked the map and see that you have reached a bit east of us.

FantasyDining, yes it is a popular tourist destination!

07 March 2015 - 11:25

Mr Steve says:

Around 18°C sounds lovely. There are always some compatriots to visit, I understand. Have a good time!

07 March 2015 - 14:17

BP says:

YESSSS! You've come to the right place, absolutely right! I wonder if you like Benidorm as much as we do. There is sooooo much to do, see and experience.
Here are some tips. Googling.
Gambrinus - beer and tapas in the Old Town
Freiduria Las Gaviotas - best seafood place for lunch. A bottle of wine and dessert is included, approx. 10 Euro.
The promenade in the Spanish part of Benidorm, lots of pubs and tapas places.
There is Paquillo with a fine three-course lunch. Their mussels are outstanding.
Let me know if you want more tips.

07 March 2015 - 17:31

Role o Carina says:

Lovely, sunshine and warmth and blue skies!
Enjoy for us too 🙂

07 March 2015 - 17:54

Ama de casa says:

Benidorm is a fantastic city! We have gone there on mini holidays several times 🙂 .

07 March 2015 - 18:50

Mr Lars Andersson says:

Hello!
You have come to a real holiday destination, with sun and swimming. I hope you continue to write and photograph from here,
Never been there, so it seems very nice, hope you enjoy it.

Goodbye!
Lars and Inger

07 March 2015 - 19:56

Deciree says:

I went to Benidorm as a 16 year old 🙂 Since then I have not been there. Hope we also get to go there sometime with the motorhome. Have a good time there. Sounded very nice where you live:) Hugs

07 March 2015 - 19:30

Comment by post author

admin says:

Steve, yes along the Spanish Mediterranean coast there are Swedes everywhere!
🙂

BP, oh how nice that you are so positive! We haven't found the old town yet... just seen a very modern city. But we have to look around more definitely! Thanks for the tips!

Rolle and Carina, we will!
🙂

Ama de casa, funny, many people seem to like Benidorm!

Deciree, yes, this was a common charter holiday destination for Swedes in the past! Now it seems to be mostly British charter travellers. But definitely worth a visit!

Lars, we will probably stay for a week or so, so of course there will be more reports!

07 March 2015 - 20:44

Ditte says:

Glad you found a good campsite, close to everything, which is important.
I recognise the beach here in Benidorm and it looks like it did in the 70s. Maybe more high-rise buildings.
With its tall buildings, it is reminiscent of Dubai or parts of Miami. Fun!
But there is an older part too, a bit different from the completely modern.
Benidorm was in the 70's a real stopover place where you went on charter holidays and it's funny that the city still keeps up.
Enjoy the sun, warmth and good food.
Can report that Stockholm was cold today! And windy!

07 March 2015 - 21:02

Comment by post author

admin says:

Ditte, it seems that Benidorm is still a bit of a hang-out, but more for Brits than Swedes. BP told us about the old part. We haven't found it yet, but we'll have to look for it!

07 March 2015 - 21:21

JoY says:

Having a campsite so close to a big city is really good, I would like to go there.
Hugs Yvonné

07 March 2015 - 22:55

Matts Torebring says:

Benidorm is one of the few places we haven't enjoyed in Europe. We tried three nights in a row to get down to the sea with our Honda. We felt that we were drowning in the traffic and did not dare to continue. Too many hotels, too many people and traffic and we stayed at a completely "Automated" boring Camping Almafra. Hugs

08 March 2015 - 12:12

Comment by post author

admin says:

JoY, extra good now that we have the awning up and can't drive away!

Matts, I haven't seen that campsite? There are four campsites on the street where we live. We've just walked and it's worked well, but I can understand that this is a city that not everyone likes.

08 March 2015 - 18:42

Mr John says:

We have found this news by chance. Next time you visit a campsite in Benidorm, try Armanello.

We will be happy to explain where you can go, which cities you must visit on the Costa Blanca, where you can eat better... And we are sure you will fall in love with the city.

Greetings and enjoy the sun

21 December 2020 - 9:28

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Spain's most beautiful beach | FREEDOMtravel

10 things to do in Benidorm - from cava to permobile

1. Experience the big city feel

2. campa in Benidorm

3. Sunbathe on beautiful sandy beaches

4. Experience the sights

5. Shopping and partying

6. go to the market

7. eat British food

8. Drink cava and eat pintxos

9. drive a permobile

10. get a tattoo

More things to do in Benidorm

More things to do in the neighbourhood?

Facts about Benidorm

Getting to Benidorm

You might also like:

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17 Comments

Kjell & Solveig says:

solveig rhann says:

FANTASYDINING-A blog about themed restaurants and travel says:

admin says:

Mr Steve says:

BP says:

Role o Carina says:

Ama de casa says:

Mr Lars Andersson says:

Deciree says:

admin says:

Ditte says:

admin says:

JoY says:

Matts Torebring says:

admin says:

Mr John says:

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