What to see in Benidorm
Benidorm is the odd one out on the Costa Blanca: a fishing village that in the 1960s bet on mass tourism and ended up as the "New York of the Mediterranean," the city with the most skyscrapers per resident in the world. It sits about 135 km south of València and, whether you love it or just find it funny, it's hard to stay neutral about it.
The skyline is topped by the InTempo, Spain's tallest residential skyscraper (198 metres, 47 floors), with its M-shaped silhouette and a long, messy backstory: it took fourteen years to finish after work stalled during the property crash. There's more to the town than towers: the Balcón del Mediterráneo, the viewpoint on the old castle mound that splits the two main beaches; the golden sand of Levante and Poniente; and water parks like Aqualandia and Aqua Natura, good for families. The Serra Gelada and Benidorm island are close by if you want some nature instead.
From València, the direct bus is the most practical option (about two hours and a quarter), or take the train to Alicante and change to the TRAM. By car it's roughly two hours on the AP-7.
Local tip: go up to the Balcón del Mediterráneo at sunset, then wander the old town, which is more authentic than the cliché suggests, with its taverns and the church of San Jaime. If you're touring the south, pair it with Guadalest, Alacant or the area's beaches, and check our guide to plans with kids.
What to see in Benidorm
- Rascacielos InTempoMonument · FREE~2.3 km from the Town Hall
Benidorm's tallest skyscraper and the tallest residential building in the European Union: two 47-storey twin towers joined near the top by…
- Balcón del Mediterráneo (Mirador del Castillo)Viewpoint · FREE~700 m from the Town Hall
Benidorm's most photographed lookout, on Punta Canfali, atop the rock that splits Levante and Poniente beaches.
- La Cruz de Benidorm (Mirador de la Creu)Viewpoint · FREE~3.0 km from the Town Hall
A large white cross built in 1961 on the slopes of the Serra Gelada Natural Park, above the far end of Levante beach.
- Iglesia de San Jaime y Santa AnaChurch · FREE~600 m from the Town Hall
Benidorm's most emblematic church crowns the Canfali hill at the top of the old town, beside the famous Balcón del Mediterráneo viewpoint.
- Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del CarmenChurch · FREE~550 m from the Town Hall
Beyond the historic churches, this 1970s temple stands out for its striking Brutalist architecture, featured in catalogues of modern…
- Illa de BenidormBeach & nature · FREE~650 m from the Town Hall
An uninhabited rocky islet off the bay, about 2.5 nautical miles from shore, also known as the Island of the Journalists.
- Museu Boca del CalvariMuseum · FREE~400 m from the Town Hall
A municipal museum of temporary exhibitions opened in 2015, in the historic heart of Benidorm in the house that once held the old town hall.
- Parc de l'AigüeraGarden · FREE~350 m from the Town Hall
A large neoclassical linear park designed by architect Ricardo Bofill, separating the old town from the modern city.
- Cala del Tio XimoBeach & nature · FREE~2.5 km from the Town Hall
A small cove of sand and rocks about 60 metres long, hidden at the northern end of Benidorm beside Rincón de Loix and at the foot of Serra…
- Cala de l'AlmadravaBeach & nature · FREE~2.3 km from the Town Hall
A sand-and-rock cove in the north of the town, in the Rincón de Loix area at the foot of Serra Gelada.
- Platja del Mal PasBeach & nature · FREE~950 m from the Town Hall
A small urban beach about 120 metres long tucked between the two big ones, at the foot of Canfali hill beside the old town.
Around Benidorm
- Aqualandia~3.2 km from the Town Hall
- Aqua Natura Benidorm~3.6 km from the Town Hall
- Ermita de la Virgen del Mar~3.3 km from the Town Hall
- Ermita de San Antonio Abad (Ermita de Sanç)~3.7 km from the Town Hall
- Tossal de la Cala~3.3 km from the Town Hall
- Parc Natural de la Serra Gelada~4.6 km from the Town Hall
- Torre de les Caletes (Torre del Cavall)~3.2 km from the Town Hall
- Terra Mítica~3.5 km from the Town Hall
- Mundomar~3.1 km from the Town Hall
🚆 How to get there from València
Compare all towns by transport →
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Benidorm from València?
The most direct way is the ALSA bus from València's main bus station, with departures throughout the day. By car, take the AP-7/A-7. There's no direct train: you'd take a Renfe train to Alicante and catch TRAM line 1 from there up to Benidorm.
How long does it take?
By direct bus, around 1 h 45 min. By car, about 1 h 30 min on the motorway. Train plus TRAM takes noticeably longer, since it routes through Alicante with a change.
What is there to see in Benidorm?
Walk up to the Balcón del Mediterráneo (Mirador del Castillo) between the two beaches, and to the Cruz de Benidorm for the views. The old town has the church of San Jaime y Santa Ana, and for a family day there's Aqualandia and Aqua Natura; the InTempo skyscraper defines the skyline.
Is it worth going with kids?
Yes. Levante and Poniente beaches are wide and sandy, and Aqualandia and Aqua Natura are built for families. It makes an easy one- or two-day beach trip from València.
Benidorm has a fuller guide on our sister site, dedicated to Alicante province.See it on FindeAlicante →
🔒 Secret spots
- Hidden gemWater among rocks: a corner of inland Valencia
A landscape of water and rock in the Valencia region. Supporters can read the place name, location and the article’s visit notes.
- Beach & natureWater and birds: a Valencian wetland to explore
A wetland in the Valencia region, with water, vegetation and birdlife. Supporters can read its name, location and the article’s visit notes.
- Hidden gemRock art in the Valencia region
An article about rock art in the Valencia region. Supporters can read the place name, location and the article’s visit notes.
- Beach & natureA Valencian cove for taking in the sea
A cove in the Valencia region with the coastal landscape at its heart. Supporters can read its name, location and the article’s visit notes.
- Beach & natureA Valencian spring for watching the water
A freshwater spring in the Valencia region, explored through observation. Supporters can read its name, location and the article’s visit notes.
- ViewpointA Valencian cave with a view of the landscape
A cave in the Valencia region with a view of the surrounding landscape. Supporters can read its name, location and the article’s visit notes.
- Natural poolA spring-fed pool among ferns
A small pool in inland Valencia. The Spanish guide covers the walking approach and checks before setting out.
- ViewpointA viewpoint above cork-oak woodland
An inland viewpoint in the Valencia region. The Spanish guide explains the forest-track approach and the steep final section.
- ViewpointA viewpoint over a village and its valley
An inland Valencia viewpoint over a village and valley. The Spanish guide locates the path and explains what to check before going.
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