Bars, beaches, landmarks and local spots in Benidorm — a hyperlocal guide to where to go.
A lively old-town restaurant with a popular roof terrace — an international menu spanning steaks, curries and tempura, known as much for its buzz and service as its food.
One of Europe's oldest and largest water parks, up in Rincón de Loix — big slides, a wave pool and landscaped lagoons. Open through the summer season.
The balustraded viewpoint on the rocky point where Benidorm's castle once stood, dividing the Levante and Poniente beaches — the town's signature photo spot, with sweeping views along both bays.
The old quarter above the beaches — narrow lanes, the blue-domed church of Sant Jaume, and 'Tapas Alley' (Calle Santo Domingo) lined with traditional Spanish bars. The authentic heart behind the resort.
The town's landmark cabaret and music-hall — a big dinner-and-show venue of dancers, feathers and live music that has defined Benidorm's nights for decades.
A speciality coffee shop roasting its own Ethiopian, Brazilian and Colombian beans, with good breakfasts and cakes — the pick for serious coffee.
A small sheltered cove tucked below the old town beside the Balcón del Mediterráneo, between the two big beaches — calm, scenic and handy for a quick central swim.
One of Benidorm's most iconic chiringuitos, on Avenida de Madrid by Levante — open from 9am to the small hours, from morning coffee to late-night drinks on the sand.
Widely rated the best breakfast in Benidorm — a speciality-coffee café doing generous tostadas, pancakes and cakes. A proper brunch stop off the Levante grid.
Isla de Benidorm (boats from Benidorm port)
The little island off the bay — a marine nature reserve reached by glass-bottom boat from the port, with snorkelling, a café and free-roaming peacocks. A short, scenic trip.
Plaza de la Constitución, Benidorm
A Benidorm old-town institution on Plaza de la Constitución — a heaving tapas and wine bar with a huge list of montaditos, cheeses and cured meats and a serious cellar. Order at the bar and graze.
A quiet old-town alley table doing seafood-led traditional tapas with fresh Valencian ingredients — grilled squid, artichokes, salads and more.
A seafood-and-rice specialist — fresh fish and generous arroces (seafood rice and paella), a reliable choice for a proper Valencian lunch.
A sleek, high-end seafront club on Levante — minimalist styling, cocktails and a more sophisticated crowd.
A marine and exotic-animal park beside Aqualandia — dolphins, sea lions, penguins and parrots, with shows through the day. A favourite with younger families.
A reliable bakery-café for a quick, good-value coffee and a fresh pastry or ensaïmada — handy any time of day.
An Argentine grill for serious meat-eaters — chargrilled steaks and ribs in a warm parrilla setting, one of the town's go-tos for a steak.
A fun, disco-themed beach club on the Levante seafront — DJs and dancing on the ground floor, private parties above. A staple of the Benidorm party scene.
Benidorm's iconic main beach — a 2 km arc of golden sand beneath the high-rise skyline, with a lively palm-lined promenade, watersports and a wall of beach bars. Blue Flag, and busy year-round.
The longer, calmer beach west of the old town — a 3 km sweep with a striking wave-form promenade by architect Carlos Ferrater, favoured by families and residents over the busier Levante.
A popular Mediterranean and European table known for its grilled fish and octopus — friendly, dependable and a local favourite.
An old-town favourite for Valencian rice — its speciality caldero (a rich, brothy rice) alongside paella, tapas and seafood, with quiet outdoor tables.
A long-standing seafood restaurant with a leafy outdoor courtyard near the centre — big shared shellfish platters, from clams to crayfish, and the day's fresh catch.
A protected clifftop natural park on the headland east of Levante — walking trails to the Cruz de Benidorm viewpoint and on toward the Albir lighthouse, with dramatic drops to the sea.
A large theme park in the hills above town themed on the ancient Mediterranean — Egypt, Greece, Rome and Iberia — with big rollercoasters and family rides. A full day out.
An animal park where you walk among the species in recreated habitats — elephants, big cats and rhinos — with the Aqua Natura water park alongside in summer.
A busy brunch spot for avocado toast, full cooked breakfasts and hearty lunches — the all-day-breakfast side of Benidorm done well.
A big, buzzing beach bar on Levante with a wide terrace over the sand — burgers, pizzas and full meals (the fish and chips is a UK favourite), open late through summer.
A hill at the western end of Poniente with a Roman archaeological site and one of the best free viewpoints over both of Benidorm's bays.
Two 18-hole courses — Levante and Poniente — at the Meliá Villaitana resort above Benidorm, with wide coastal views and a full clubhouse.
A friendly, great-value spot for tapas, paella and a menú del día — generous plates and jugs of sangria at prices that keep regulars coming back.