The Best Things To Do In Benidorm | From Fine Dining To Coastal Kayaks
The best things to do in Benidorm for stylish sunseekers, from boujee eateries to coastal adventures.
Written by: Lesley Stewart | May 2025
Set on Spain’s east coast, against the glistening backdrop of Mediterranean gem Costa Blanca, is Benidorm— an ever-popular holiday hotspot that’s undergoing something of a transformation.
There’s an abundance of things to do in Benidorm, on a coastline blessed with beautiful nature, world-class restaurants, and some of the best wineries in Spain; there’s no shortage of activities to keep even the most active traveller tantalised.
Beach hop or kayak around the coastline to soak up the town’s turquoise seas; whizz around its clifftop paths on an e-bike; hike the trails in the Sierra Helada natural park; get your adrenaline up in an off-roading adventure; take day trips to historic Altea, Alicante or even Valencia; or book a vineyard tour in one of the area’s world-renowned wineries.
It’s especially appealing for foodies, who should make a beeline for Benidorm’s upscale restaurants and authentic tapas bars, which could easily rival those in Malaga or Logroño. The eateries I found here are firmly amongst my favourites, which is also true of the boujee rooftop cocktail bars.
Once overshadowed by its ‘Brits abroad’ reputation, today there’s a growing appreciation that Benidorm’s appeal extends far beyond its disco-pubs and cafes dishing up egg and chips.
These are the best things to do in Benidorm, for modern travellers.
Quick guide to Benidorm
Stay: Barceló Benidorm Beach (££),Primavera Park (££), or H10 Porto Poniente (£££)
Eat: D.VORA (upscale), La Taperia (tapas), or Éxotico (boujee).
Drink: Selvatico rooftop bar
Relax: Poniente Beach, Mal Pas Beach, or Tio Ximo Cove
Things To Do Overview
Here’s how I’d spend my holiday in Benidorm (full details on everything below!):
Wander the Old Town: Stroll cobbled streets to the historic Balcón del Mediterráneo and San Jaime Church with stunning sea views, especially at sunset.
Kayak the coastline: Explore hidden coves and possibly spot dolphins on a guided kayak tour.
Hike or e-Bike Sierra Helada: Discover panoramic cliffside trails and end at a 16th-century watchtower for incredible Mediterranean views.
Jeep safari or tour to Guadalest & Algar Falls: Off-road through the countryside, swim in waterfalls, and explore a quaint mountaintop village.
Wine tasting: Sample local wines at a top vineyard just outside the city.
Sunset cocktails at Selvático Rooftop: Sip drinks with a view and chill music; arrive early for a prime sunset spot.
Dine Around Town: From tapas alley to stylish restaurants like D. VORA and Exótico, Benidorm’s food scene is diverse and vibrant.
Beach hop: spend a lazy day in the sunshine playing hopscotch between Benidorm’s sandy beaches and coves.
Is Benidorm worth visiting?
Benidorm promises a memorable summer getaway for those willing to look beyond the stereotype; coastal adventures wrapped up in endless sunshine and seriously stylish beachfront stays. Low-key but luxe, buzzy but boujee — Benidorm is completely worth visiting.
Map of Benidorm
If you’re planning a summer escape to Benidorm, you'll want to know that the town is divided (roughly) into three distinct parts.
To the east is busy Levante Beach, the town’s most popular beach. This soft sandy stretch is packed with sun loungers, parasols, watersports, lively beach bars, and eateries. You’ll also see shops with straw hats, sunglasses, and trinkets spilling onto the promenade.
Meanwhile, the town’s infamous disco bars and dancefloors are clustered in nearby streets.
To the west is far quieter Poniente Beach, a 2km stretch of golden sand. Though there are loungers, this is a haven for sunseekers looking to avoid the buzz, and the vibe is firmly idyllic.
Nearby, upmarket hotels meet a palm-lined marina, relaxed seafood eateries, coffee shops, and green spaces.
The two beaches are split by Cerro Canfali rock and the Balcón del Mediterráneo, which create a small peninsula that juts into the sea. This area is part of Benidorm’s old town, a small maze of streets packed with authentic tapas eateries and relaxed bars.
The best things to do in Benidorm
1. Explore the Old Town
One of the first things I always do on any trip is wander through the old town. In Benidorm, the old town is small, and you can easily stroll its maze of pedestrian streets and cobbled lanes that guide you through what was once the fishermen’s neighbourhood.
Though few traditional Spanish facades remain here (for those, head to nearby Altea or Alicante), the old town retains its historic essence and is well worth visiting.
Follow the cobbled alleyways until you reach Plaza de Castelar. An ancient fortress once stood here, and hints of its medieval walls remain amongst the tiled floor.
The most charming building is the 18th-century church of San Jaime, with its cobalt blue domes and whitewashed facade. But the old town’s real highlight is the Balcón del Mediterráneo. Boasting sweeping views of the city’s skyline, beaches and coves, and the Mediterranean glittering below, it is not to be missed.
There are benches to sit and soak up the view, pretty tiles and columns in Plaza Santa Ana, and the captivating El Mirador de la Punta del Canfali viewpoint.
One of Benidorm’s prettiest landmarks, this spot is most popular at sunset when the golden light is especially beautiful.
2. Take a kayak tour around the coast
No visit to Benidorm would be complete without taking to the water, and one of my favourite things to do is explore the coastline by kayak.
You’ll get incredible views of the town from the water, and, if you’re lucky, the opportunity to spot Benidorm’s resident dolphins!
Personally, I would book a kayak tour with Capitán Kayak, which offers excursions around the coastline, snorkelling opportunities, and trips to Isla de Benidorm. Trips leave from the marina, cost €40, and last around an hour. They also include a dry box for your valuables, which is so handy.
After boarding your kayak, your guide will set off around the cliffs, passing secret coves and hidden bays along the way. With panoramic views the entire way, we loved seeing other parts of the coastline from this viewpoint.
The pace is leisurely and slow, but definitely make sure you have plenty of sun cream, a hat, and a layer to stop your shoulders getting sunburnt!
3. Explore the Sierra Helada natural park
I’ll be honest, Benidorm’s natural beauty took me by surprise. I expected sun, sea, and sangria, but venture away from the beach and discover the Sierra Helada natural park, some 6,000 hectares of mountains, hiking trails, wildlife, seagrass, and ocean.
If you’re looking for a little adventure during your time in Benidorm, the Punta del Cavall route is one of the best trails in the park. This route takes you along the cliffs and offers some of the most incredible views of the skyline, the island, and the sprawling Mediterranean Ocean.
The trail is about 3km and takes 1 to 2 hours, depending on your pace and how often you stop for photos —which you will because the panoramic views are incredible!
Plan to start first thing in the morning (I recommend around 9 a.m.) to beat the heat. Plus, you’ll be back in Benidorm just in time for lunch.
Though steep, the route is easy to follow and well signposted. You’ll need proper footwear, like trainers (definitely no sandals). Also, there is no shade along the way, so bring a hat, sunglasses, plenty of water, and sunscreen.
While you can walk the route, we explored by e-bike, which was so much fun!
We loved seeing other parts of the coast from the various viewpoints along the way, and honestly, the uphill sections were so much easier to tackle! I recommend renting an e-bike from Tao Bike, which costs around €15 for a day’s hire.
The route starts near Levante Beach and ends at Les Caletes watch tower, an ancient tower constructed in the 16th century to protect the village from pirate attacks.
4. Open-top Jeep safari
If you want a unique experience, I highly recommend booking an open-top jeep safari. We did this during our week in Benidorm, which was easily one of the most fun things from our trip!
We chose a small group tour, and the Jeep allows you to go off-roading where regular cars can’t venture.
There’s a choice of excursions and I recommend Marco Polo Expediciones, but the most epic adventure is this trip to Guadalest and Algar Falls.
Explore the small, charming village of Guadalest with its restaurants and shops, before climbing uphill to the turquoise falls. Once there, you can have a dip in the crystal clear waters and soak in the natural beauty of this hidden area.
Definitely don’t miss this when visiting Benidorm!
5. Algar Waterfalls Tour
This is a similar trip into the beautiful countryside and waterfalls, but this time from the comfort of an air-conditioned bus rather than a jeep! The trip lasts around six hours, and you’ll have a guide sharing their knowledge of the local area.
Guadalest is a charming medieval village located in the Spanish countryside. Stroll the cobbled streets and the prettiest viewpoints, soak in the traditional architecture, pop into a cafe, and pick up a souvenir from a small store.
Next, head to Algar Falls for a swim in the crystal clear pools or wander in this natural oasis. Declared a protected zone, this area is surrounded by stunning beauty and tranquil scenery. There are shaded trails to explore, wooden bridges, lush greenery, and crystal-clear waterfalls.
Book this Algar Waterfalls tour; you’ll find everything you need for an afternoon in the sun: bathrooms, picnic areas, and areas to soak in the sunshine. Be sure to bring water shoes or sandals, a towel, water, and sun cream!
Come the end of the day, you’ll be whisked back to Benidom in your private bus.
5. Vineyards & wine tasting
If you’ve read my posts from earlier trips to Spain, you’ll know how much I love visiting Spanish vineyards - Rioja and Monstant are my current favourites. However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover wine tasting in Benidorm’s nearby countryside.
This experience was probably my favourite from the trip and one of Benidorm's best things to do.
The wider Alicante area is home to a “wine route,” a string of bodegas and vineyards, including the world-renowned Bodegas Enrique Mendoza, a winery a mere 15-minute drive from Benidorm’s city centre.
Once here, an expert guide will show you around the immaculate gardens and lush, green vines, explain the wine-making process, and then take you to a beautifully designed summer house to taste seven wines and sample local cheese and hams.
We tasted a white, blush, and five reds and coudn’t resist taking a few bottles home —they were so good!
Overall, if you enjoy wine and vineyards, this winery is 100% worth visiting for an afternoon.
6. Sunset from a rooftop terrace
Another incredible thing to do in Benidorm is cocktails at sunset on one of the city’s rooftop bars. While there are plenty of options in both the new and old towns, I actually recommend heading a few streets back to Selvático.
This chic rooftop terrace is infamous for its sunsets. You’ll also get incredible city views and a more relaxing atmosphere than other bars in town.
The cocktails are delicious, and there’s a DJ playing chillout music.
Tables for drinks are on a first-come, first-served basis, and it does get busy in summer, so be here a little early to guarantee a spot!
Alternatively, you can book a table for tapas and champagne for €140, perfect for a special occasion or a boujee evening!
7. Eat and drink across the town
Discerning foodies will love Benidorm’s dining scene. It goes far beyond the stereotypical Brit cafes, and upscale restaurants, authentic tapas bars, and stylish eateries are showcasing Costa Blanca’s incredible local produce.
I highly recommend:
D. VORA: A chic gastrobar near the old town with mellow music, sea views, and seriously stylish plates. Don’t miss the Iberian pork—trust me.
Exótico: A sexy eatery with beautiful food and an even more exquisite setting. Expect live music and good vibes.
Urban Beach: Perfect for lunch near Levante Beach. This bright, leafy spot serves global fusion with Spanish flair; think standout croquettes and bao buns.
Restaurante Ulia: A family-run favourite near Poniente Beach, known for its giant pans of freshly made paella.
La Taperia for their delicious broken egg dish and authentic tapa, located in the old town’s tapas alley.
Speaking of Tapas Alley, this narrow, buzzy little street is a must-visit in Benidorm, but it can be overwhelming; there is just so much choice! We were lucky to have a local guide with us, who pointed out the best spots and recommended the most authentic dishes.
I recommend you book this ‘tasting of Benidorm walking experience’ with a local foodie expert to take away the stress!
Wine is included, and you’ll stroll around the old town. While you can choose from lunch or dinner, I recommend the 6pm option, when the tapas street comes to life.
8. Beach hop
Benidorm is blessed with mile upon mile of soft, golden sands, and it would be remiss of me not to suggest spending at least one lazy day soaking up the Spanish sunshine!
Benidorm’s beaches are amongst the cleanest I’ve ever seen, and the turquoise sea is calm, clear, and perfect for paddling.
Hopscotch along the promenade from sandy cove to sandy cove, stopping at the little cafes and bars along the way.
The largest are Levante (lively and best for watersports) and Poniente (most idyllic). But we also love Mal Pas, a protected little sandy crescent, and hidden, rocky coves Tio Ximo and Almadrava.
One of my favourite things to do was wake up early and experience sunrise from Levante; it’s a gorgeous spot early in the morning before the crowds arrive, the Med is glass-like smooth, and the golden light illuminates Isla de Benidorm.
A full post on the town’s beaches is coming soon…
How to get to Benidorm
I chose flights from London Stansted Airport, but Jet2 also offers flights to Benidorm from multiple UK airports, including Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle.
Personally, I love that holidays to Benidorm with Jet2holidays include a very generous 22kg of hold luggage and an incredibly convenient airport transfer.
No matter your budget, there’s a holiday to fit your travel style; choose from luxury stays, all-inclusive packages, or super affordable, cheap holidays to the coastal town.
But if you’re looking for a beachfront, adult-only stay, I recommend Barcelo Benidorm Beach with Jet2holidays. The sea view rooms are stunning, plus there’s a residents-only rooftop pool and cocktail bar, and a tapas eatery onsite.
This guide contains affiliate links; booking through them means I may earn a commission, but at no cost to you. I appreciate your support in running this site! This trip was part of a press trip organised by Jet2holidays and Visit Benidorm, however, my thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
