Best Beaches in Benidorm: Levante, Poniente & Hidden Coves

Why Benidorm’s Beaches Are Worth the Hype

Benidorm packs more than 5km of Blue Flag coastline into a single bay, split between two big golden-sand beaches that feel completely different from each other. One throbs with bars and water sports until late; the other stretches quietly past local families and joggers. Add a sheltered cove right in the middle and a handful of rocky inlets just north of town, and you’ve got a lot of different types of places within your reach. This guide walks through the best beaches in Benidorm so you can pick the right stretch of sand before you even land at Alicante Airport, whether you want party energy or a calm spot for the kids.

Levante Beach (Playa de Levante): The Lively Heart of Benidorm

This is the Benidorm of the postcards. A two-kilometre arc of soft golden sand backed by a wide promenade, with high-rise hotels glittering behind it and the Mediterranean Sea lapping in front. Come July, you’ll struggle to find a free patch of sand by 11am.

What to Expect at Levante

The sand is clean and well-raked, the water shelves gently, and lifeguards patrol the flagged sections through summer. Facilities are everywhere: showers, foot-rinse taps, toilets, and ranks of sunbeds and parasols for hire. Pedalos, kayaks, and parasailing operators set up along the shoreline, and the promenade behind is lined with ice-cream stands, beach bars, and the British pubs of the Rincón de Loix area, where the karaoke starts early and finishes late. It’s busy, loud, and unapologetically so. If you want to be in the middle of everything, the streets just behind Levante are also a popular place to base yourself, so it’s worth checking where to stay in Benidorm before booking.

Best For

Nightlife-focused groups, people-watchers, and anyone who wants their cocktail within a two-minute walk of their towel. Families do well here too, thanks to the gentle water and constant supply of amenities, just expect crowds and noise rather than peace.

Poniente Beach (Playa de Poniente): The Quieter, Family-Friendly Choice

Walk to the other side of the headland and the mood shifts entirely. Poniente runs for around three kilometres, making it Benidorm’s longest beach, and it draws a more Spanish, more local crowd. Fewer rowdy bars, more families spreading out picnics, couples walking the full length at sunset.

What Makes Poniente Different

The standout feature is the promenade, redesigned by Valencian architect Carlos Ferrater with wave-like white concrete forms that double as shaded seating and planters. It won design awards and genuinely makes the walk pleasant rather than a slog past identical kiosks. The water here is shallow and calm, the sand just as golden as Levante’s, and there’s far more elbow room even in August. Parking is easier on this side too, which matters if you’re driving in for the day.

Best For

Families with young children, couples wanting a long flat walk, and anyone who came to Benidorm for sun and sea rather than a 2am singalong. Sunbathers who like space will find it here long after Levante has filled up.

Mal Pas Beach (Cala del Mal Pas): The Small Cove in the Centre

Tucked beneath the Balcón del Mediterráneo viewpoint, right where the two big beaches meet, sits a tiny pocket of sand most day-trippers walk straight past. Mal Pas is sheltered by rocks on both sides, so the water stays glassy and calm, which makes it the best spot in the centre of town for swimming and a bit of snorkeling.

The catch? It’s small. Really small. On a hot day it fills by mid-morning and there’s nowhere left to put a towel by noon. Come early, claim your spot, and you’ll have a sheltered swim with the Balcón del Mediterráneo’s white balustrades looming photogenically overhead. There’s no long promenade trek involved, which makes it handy if you’re staying in the old town and just want a quick dip without the hike to Poniente.

Beyond the Main Beaches: Coves and Boat Trips

The sandy beaches get all the attention, but the rocky coves north of town reward anyone willing to make the effort.

Cala Tio Ximo & Cala Almadrava

• Cala Tio Ximo sits north of the Rincón de Loix and is reached by a short walk down a track. It’s pebbly and small, with clear water that’s excellent for snorkeling around the rocks. No real facilities, so bring your own water and shade.
• Cala Almadrava is another rocky inlet nearby, popular with divers and snorkelers thanks to the visibility and the marine life around the rocks. Neither cove suits buggies or anyone wanting sunbed service, but for a quiet swim away from the crowds they’re worth the trek.

Benidorm Island

The pyramid-shaped Isla de Benidorm sits just offshore, and regular boats run out from the Levante jetty, including glass-bottom options that let you watch the fish on the way over. The water around the island is clear and protected, so it’s one of the better snorkeling spots in the area. You can book Benidorm Island boat trips through GetYourGuide or Viator, often combined with snorkeling time, and prices stay reasonable for a half-day out.

If you fancy a change of scenery, the calm seaside towns of Altea and the brightly painted houses of Villajoyosa both make easy beach day trips along the Costa Blanca, reachable by tram in well under an hour.

Practical Beach Tips for Your Benidorm Trip

A few things worth knowing before you head down to the sand. Sunbeds and parasols on Levante and Poniente run roughly €5 to €7 per bed per day, paid to the attendant who comes round; the beaches themselves are completely free and so are the showers and foot-taps. Crowds peak between noon and 4pm in summer, so arrive before 10am for a good spot or come for the late afternoon when the day-trippers thin out and the light softens.

Water temperature climbs to a swimmable 24-26°C in July and August, hovers around 20°C in June and October, and drops to roughly 14-15°C in winter, when only the brave go in. Lifeguards work the flagged zones in season: green means go, yellow means caution, red means stay out. Both main beaches have wheelchair-friendly boardwalks across the sand and, in summer, an assisted-bathing service with amphibious chairs near the lifeguard posts. For arrival logistics it’s worth reading up on how to get to Benidorm from Alicante Airport so you’re not stuck working it out on the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best beach in Benidorm?

It depends on what you want. Levante is the best beach in Benidorm for nightlife, water sports, and a lively atmosphere with bars right behind the sand. Poniente is calmer, longer, and more family-friendly, with shallow water and a quieter, more local feel. Both have golden sand and Blue Flag status.

Are Benidorm beaches sandy?

The two main beaches, Levante and Poniente, are soft golden sand, as is the small Mal Pas cove. The coves north of town, like Cala Tio Ximo and Cala Almadrava, are rocky and pebbly, which is exactly why they’re good for snorkeling.

Are Benidorm beaches free?

Yes. All the public beaches are free to use, along with the showers and foot-rinse taps. You only pay if you rent a sunbed and parasol, which costs around €5 to €7 per bed for the day.

Which beach is best for families?

Poniente is the top pick for families wanting calm, shallow water and space to spread out. Levante also works well for families who’d rather have bars, ice-cream stands, and water sports close at hand, just expect bigger crowds.

Do I need a car to reach the beaches?

No. Both main beaches and Mal Pas are walkable from the town centre. You’d only want a car or a short taxi for the northern coves or for day trips to Altea and Villajoyosa, though the tram covers those too.

Choosing Your Perfect Benidorm Beach

The best beaches in Benidorm cover more ground than the town’s party reputation suggests. Go to Levante for the buzz and the bars, Poniente for calm family days and long walks, and Mal Pas for a sheltered swim in the centre. The rocky coves and the boat trip out to Benidorm Island handle the snorkeling. Once you’ve sorted your sand, there’s plenty more to fill the trip, so take a look at things to do in Benidorm beyond the beach to round out the holiday.