Activities in Benidorm, Alicante
- Fact: Benidorm spends more on keeping its beaches clean than most cities spend on cleaning their streets.
- Travel tip: If you’re visiting Terra Mítica and its peak season, it’s a good idea to go later in the day to avoid the queues at the most popular rides.
Break into something new
Even the most energetic person would struggle to get bored in Benidorm, and everyone will find their senses awoken by the ocean breeze and the buzz of the streets.
People of all ages can break into something new each day whether it’s a fresh pitch on the beach, a delightful day trip, a new club or thrilling theme park.
Here we reveal the hottest attractions…
Innovative and immaculate; the best beaches in the Med
Get up early and you’ll spot the sweeping marks all over the beach; the sand is swept, pampered and picked spotlessly clean each day. It’s also topped up with fresh imported sand each year.
The cleanliness is partly what earns the beaches their fabulous reputation and blue flag status, but they’re also known for their forward thinking facilities.
Not only were they some of the first beaches to be made accessible to disabled bathers but they also host a library!
You can borrow your holiday reading from one from the small beach libraries on Levante, Poniente and nearby Cala beaches. This groundbreaking idea is the envy of many other European tourist resorts.
If you want to keep up with the news at home and abroad, you can also borrow one of the 70 national and international newspapers from the library. Libraries are generally open from 11 in the morning until 7 at night from April to November.
Safe Havens
Both Blue Flag beaches, Levante and Poniente, are very accessible and safe for children. Gently sloping into the sea, they have lifeguards throughout the day so kids can splash about in absolute safety.
There are also excellent play areas for the kids and beach markers, so that children can always see where their parents are.
Active beaches
All of Benidorm’s beaches are a hive of activity, but Poniente beach in particular has a range of sand and water sports and every summer hosts an international volleyball tournament.
If you want to try scuba diving, head for the Isle of Benidorm; its verdant and fascinating seabed has been declared a marine nature reserve.
Beaches for the disabled
You’ll find excellent facilities for the disabled at Levante Beach, where there are ramps, specially adapted wheelchairs and people on hand to assist those of us who are not so mobile. So, for once, there is nothing to stop you from taking a reviving dip in the Med.
There are now a number of beaches along the Costa Blanca that offer similar disabled access; you can find out more from the Tourist Office.
Quieter Coves
Playa del Mal Pas is a small cove between Poniente and the centre of the old town. This can be easily reached from the port or the stairs down from the castle.
Cala Beach is along the coast from Poniente and is ideal if you prefer a quieter, less crowded place.
Old Town
In contrast to the rest of this modern city, the Old Town retains some of the flavour of Benidorm’s past. It’s a charming area to wander, buy traditional goods and eat great Spanish food.
Throw the kids to the sharks
Even kids sometimes get bored of the beach. So it’s useful to have some other plans ready just in case. How about swimming with sharks?
No, it’s not a joke. Terra Natura is a themed park, zoo and unusual water park just outside of Benidorm where the brave can go for a safe swim with sharks, alongside friendly Rays and other sea life.
If you don’t fancy that, there are hydrotherapy pools and themed areas. Big kids go hurtling down huge water slides and smaller ones can play in water castles and shallow pools.
More family fun
Just five minutes from the centre of Benidorm, Terra Mítica will be a big hit with children and adults alike; it has loads of breathtaking rides and games including the scary sounding Pyramid of Terror and fierce Warrior of Dawn.
Are you brave enough to ride the Tizona? This roller coaster reaches speeds of 100kmh and heights of more than 31 metres; with riders suspended beneath the track – definitely not for the faint-hearted!
You can also keep the kids, and parents, happy with a day out at Aqualandia Water Park or visit Mundomar Marine Exotic Animal Park where you can see some fantastic animal shows including dolphins and parrots.
Picnics and palm trees
If you like to get close to nature, a short distance from buzzing Benidorm you will find miles of unspoilt mountain scenery; perfect places for walking, picnicking and bird watching or just to enjoy the natural beauty of the landscape.
You can even find some relaxing seaside gardens in the middle of this bustling city; palm tree filled L'Aiguera Park runs right through the centre of Benidorm.
If you’re looking for a moment of tranquillity, visit the cliff top square, Placa del Castell, with its blue-domed church.
Venturing out
You can add spice to outdoor excursions by taking in the scenery with a jeep safari or from the back of a bike.
Boat trips also make a refreshing change from the beach, we recommend a trip to L’illa, the little Island of Benidorm; boats depart regularly from the harbour.
Hop aboard the Lemon Express for a 30-mile scenic tour, passing through Altea, Calpe, Benissa and Teulada, ending at Gata de Gorgos. See for yourself how local crafts are produced. The train leaves the railway station, Tuesday to Saturdays, at 9.35 am.
Enchanting Guadalest
High in the mountains, the pretty town of Guadalest, the Eagles Nest has spectacular views and the remains of a number of ancient Moorish castles set into the hillside.
The delightful castle village is reached through a tunnel cut into the mountainside; you are bound to find the perfect souvenir present in one of its quaint little craft shops.
Song and dance
Everyone loves live music and the Benidorm Song Contest, held in the Parque de l'Aigues every July, is definitely worth a visit. It features musicians from throughout Spain performing all types of music from folk to pop.
For year round entertainment, visit the small theatre, Carrer l’Almeda, where you can see exhibitions and music and intimate theatre performances. There are also entertaining outdoor performances throughout the year in the Parque de l’Aigues.
Sports clubs
In and around Benidorm you can play all day if you want. There are water sports, tennis, lawn bowls and countless more sport and social clubs to meet new people and fill your days.
If you want to improve your handicap, there are loads of golf courses, many internationally renowned; the great weather means you can play every day and every evening if you want.
Chocolate Heaven
For anyone with a sweet tooth, the Chocolate Museum (Museo del Chocolate) is a must. There you can learn all about the chocolate making tradition of the area, and sample some for yourself…
Historical museums
The Agricultural Museum, The Sea Cultural Centre with its nautical artefacts and the House Museum where you can look inside a century-old house are all of great historical interest and free to enter.
If you’re attracted to the wonderful climate and healthy lifestyle that’s guaranteed in this part of Spain, find out how easy it is to buy property in Benidorm here.
