Frequently Asked Questions about Benidorm

1.    Where is Benidorm in Spain?

The city and municipality of Benidorm is located on the eastern coast of Spain, in the province of Alicante. As part of the famous Costa Blanca—the 200-kilometre stretch of coastline on Spain’s southeastern Mediterranean coast—Benidorm has its fair share of crystal clear Mediterranean waters, making it a resort city.

2.    How big is Benidorm and is it a busy city?

Benidorm has a total land area of 38.51 km², with a population of 67,558 as of 2018, according to the Instituto Nacional de Estadística. The city is a fusion of skyscrapers and beaches, making it very appealing to local and international visitors who enjoy both the relaxing vibe of the beaches and surrounding nature and also modern amenities the city provides.

Benidorm can be regarded as a busy town, although there are many spots—such as Benidorm Old Town and the many large parks throughout the area—which offer an entirely different atmosphere.

3.    Why is Benidorm popular and what is it famous for?

Benidorm is famous for its tall hotels, apartment blocks, and offices—the tallest of which is even 52 floors high; this is the Intempo apartment building, which is also the 5th tallest skyscraper in Spain. Visitors looking for luxury and excitement during their holidays on the Costa Blanca prefer to stay in Benidorm due to the many attractions and activities it has to offer—both natural and manmade.


4.    What does its name mean?

The city got its name way back from when it was just a small town inhabited by the Muslim Arabs. The word ‘Benidorm’ originating from the Arabic word ‘beni’ which means “sons of”, has been used by a lot of other villages in Valencia as well (Beniarres, Benimuslin, Benitachell, among others). The words that follow ‘beni’ would refer to the name of the tribe or clan that inhabited the place.


5.    How far is Benidorm from Alicante Airport?

Using the shortest route, which is via the A-70 and AP-7 highway, Benidorm is only 58.2 kilometres from the Alicante International Airport. Travel time takes approximately 42 minutes.


6.    How do you get to Benidorm from Alicante Airport?

There are 4 ways to get to Benidorm from the Alicante International Airport:
•    Car Rental Service – Rates will depend per company, and can be booked in advance
•    Taxi Cab – Taxis are available at the airport throughout the day, and the travel time to Benidorm is around 40 minutes under light traffic conditions. Fare for the whole trip will range from €70 - €80.
•    Bus – The suburban Alsa Bus is available from 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM, with various departure schedules. The trip takes around 50 minutes under light traffic conditions and the fare costs €9.45.
•    BeniConnect–A company that offers transfer and transport services from the airport to Benidorm and other parts of Costa Blanca. It provides airport shuttle transfer, private transfer, and even train station transfer, which can easily be booked online or through the phone.


7.    What are the city’s neighbouring towns?

The towns of Albir, Altea, Benimantell, CallosaD’enSarriá, El Castell de Guadalest, Finestrat, Villajoyosa, L’Alfáz delPí, La Nucía, Orxeta, Polop, Relleu, and Tárbena are towns and cities located on the surrounding areas of Benidorm. They have plenty of beautiful scenery and exciting activities to offer as well and are just a few minutes’ drive from the city.


8.    What is the weather or climate like?

Benidorm shares the Costa Blanca’s sunny and temperate climate and cool air, which lasts nearly all-year-round. The hottest month is July, with temperatures that reach up to 29°C maximum daily, and average daily temperatures around 25°C. The coldest month is January when Benidorm experiences a few days which have a maximum temperature of only 12°C. That said, the actual average daily temperature for January is about 12°C.

The wettest month is September when the city can experience rain showers throughout many days.


9.    What is Benidorm Old Town and where is it located?

Unlike its counterpart, New Town, with high rise buildings and busy streets, Benidorm Old Town features the more laidback part of the city. It has traditional Spanish style buildings, white-washed houses, and cobblestone streets—complete with a Tapas Alley and small cafés; all of which give a touch of real Spain. Benidorm Old Town is situated on an inlet surrounded by the Poniente and Levante Beaches


10.    What is Rincón de Loix and where is it located?

Rincón de Loix is one of the most populated areas of Benidorm. It is an extensive neighbourhood offering an abundance of hotels, restaurants, bars, and nightlife. Its beach area on the Levante offers different kinds of watersports. It also has an air of international diversity which can be seen in its many different kinds of shops, restaurants, and entertainment. The Rincón de Loix is located in the Levante area, on the northern side of Benidorm, and bordered by the Avenida Europa and the Sierra Helada mountainside.

11.    What are some things to do in Benidorm?

With so many attractions, amenities, and tourist destinations, you will never run out of exciting activities in Benidorm. Aside from the Mediterranean waters and golden sand beaches, Benidorm has its own theme and water parks, shopping centres, coves, and hiking trails, among many others! To know more about the excitement that Benidorm has to offer, click here.

12.    What are the best beaches in the city?

•    Levante Beach – This famous Blue Flag beach spans 2 kilometres in length and is Benidorm’s most visited beach. There are plenty of restaurants and bars along its Italian-marble promenade.

•    Poniente Beach – Unlike Levante, this beach is a quiet, more peaceful place. It has a promenade with excellent views of the sea and budget-friendly restaurants.

•    Mal Pas Beach – A small cove hidden at the end of the harbour road, on the side of Benidorm Old Town, this beach is a tranquil spot to enjoy the sea. The waves are also significantly calmer here, making it safe for children to play in.

•    Cala Finestrat – Just a few minutes away from Benidorm, on the southwest, is CalaFinestrat. It is a small, sandy beach with a few bars and restaurants along its promenade and a big, open-air market on Saturdays.

13.    How do you get around the city?

•    Car Rental Service – You can book a car for personal use for a certain amount of time

•    Taxi Cabs – While walking is a great way to get around the city, taxis also run around Benidorm at all times of the day, so you can hail one any time.

•    Tourist Train – Tourist trains are an ideal way to explore the many attractions of Benidorm. There are two companies with various trains operating throughout the day—perfect for first-time visitors, or those who simply want to enjoy the scenery.

•    Bicycle Rental Service – Be it along the beach’s promenade, on the hiking trail in Sierra Helada, or through Benidorm Old Town, bicycles are a great way to get around the city while enjoying the scenery and fresh air.

•    Walking –Walking around the city, especially by the beach, or on a trail near the mountain, enables you to see and experience more of Benidorm and its charm. You don’t even need to worry about getting lost, because maps and trails are available online, or in the many tourist centres located across the city.

14.    What is the nightlife in Benidorm like?

Benidorm is well-regarded for its nightlife. This is due to the many bars, clubs, and entertainment areas around the city which are open until the wee hours of the night. You can go dancing all night to music played by a DJ, or have a drink while enjoying live music from a band in a bar by the sea. There is also the Benidorm Palace, which is a very popular entertainment place in the city. Here, you can eat dinner or have a drink while getting captivated by various performances—from magicians and acrobats to musicians and dancers.

15.    Are apartments and houses expensive in Benidorm?

Most of Benidorm’s high-rise buildings are actually hotels and apartments, because of the influx of visitors—both local and international—and foreigners who want to stay in the city for long periods, if not even permanently settle in it. Property developers and investors saw this demand, giving rise to short and long-term rental units, as well as villas and apartments for sale. Because of the various types of properties on the market, you are sure to be able to find one suited to your budget. Luxury accommodations are rampant in Benidorm, and although these are pricier, you are sure to get your money’s worth when it comes to the comfort, scenery, convenience, and location.