Day Trips from Benidorm: 7 Easy Costa Blanca Escapes

The single best thing about Benidorm? You can leave it whenever you want, and you don’t need a car to do it. The town sits roughly halfway along the Costa Blanca coast, with the TRAM Line 1 light rail running right through it, ALSA coaches heading north and south, and a stack of organized excursions that pick you up near your hotel. That central spot is exactly why day trips from Benidorm are so easy to pull off, even on a package holiday with no rental car in sight.

Over the next sections you’ll find seven destinations worth your time: a mountain village perched above a turquoise reservoir, whitewashed seaside towns, two proper cities, a giant limestone rock you can climb, and theme parks within minutes of your sun lounger. Each one comes with the journey time, the cheapest way to get there, and an honest note on who it suits.

Here’s the quick rundown of the seven day trips covered below:

• Guadalest – mountain village and clifftop castle (~25km, coach tour)
• Altea – whitewashed artists’ town (~11km, TRAM)
• Alicante – city, castle and beach (~45km, TRAM or bus)
• Valencia – futuristic architecture and paella (~150km, ALSA bus)
• Calpe – the Peñón de Ifach climb (~35km, TRAM)
• Theme parks – Terra Mítica, Aqualandia, Terra Natura (in/near Benidorm)
• Denia and Javea – gastronomy and quiet coves (~90 min, TRAM)

If you’re still sorting your stay, my Benidorm travel guide covers the basics, and there’s plenty of things to do in Benidorm itself for the days you’d rather not travel.

How to Get Around: Transport Options for Day Trips from Benidorm

You’ve got four realistic ways out of town, and for most people the first two do everything you need.

The TRAM (Tram-Alicante)

This is your workhorse. TRAM Line 1 runs along the coast and connects Benidorm to Altea, Calpe, and Denia going north, plus Alicante going south (with a change at Luceros). It’s cheap, the carriages hug the cliffs in places, and it runs frequently through the day. Fares work on a zone system: the network is split into zones radiating out from each city, and the price climbs the more zones you cross.

I went to Benidorm from my home town of Alicante (El Campello to be more exact) about a month ago late 05/2026 and as usual the tram was quite packed in the morning, but luckily there were plenty of free seats on the way back. The trams have great aircons so despite some of us having to stand the whole trip to Benidorm the air was fresh and the temperature very nice.

Single fares usually sit between €1.50 and €4.50 depending on distance, so a short hop to Altea costs a couple of euros while the full run to Denia or Alicante is only a bit more (2.8€ one way). If you’re hopping between a couple of towns in one day, ask about a TRAM day pass at the station, it lets you ride freely within the chosen zones and works out cheaper than stacking up single tickets. Buy from the machines or the ticket office at the station, and keep the ticket on you, inspectors do check. The main Benidorm TRAM stop is a short walk from the old town. If you’ve just landed, our notes on getting to Benidorm from Alicante Airport explain the connections.

Buses and Organized Tours

ALSA buses cover the longer hauls the TRAM doesn’t do well, Valencia being the obvious one (around two hours). For places with no direct public link, like Guadalest up in the hills, an organized coach excursion is genuinely the sensible choice. GetYourGuide and Viator both list half-day and full-day tours with hotel pickup, often for €15-30. The TRAM and ALSA together cover the entire coast, so most travellers never need a car.

But if you want the freedom to reach back-country villages, mountain viewpoints, and the inland spots the buses skip, hiring a car for a day or two opens those up, and you can pick one up right in the resort through the usual rental sites. Just remember that for everything along the Mediterranean coast, the TRAM gets you there for a fraction of the cost and no parking headache.

1. Guadalest: The Mountain Village in the Clouds

Guadalest sits about 25km inland, roughly 45 minutes by road, wedged into the rock so tightly that you reach part of the old town through a tunnel carved by hand. There’s no direct TRAM or regular bus, so a Guadalest tour by coach is the easiest route, and most pick you up near your hotel for around €15-25. You can book one through GetYourGuide or Viator.

There are also lots of wineries in the hills and we booked a tour in the only one that still had space. Result: 35€ for a short tour plus 4x4cl tiny tastings. Don’t repeat my mistake and book your tours early, folk.

Up top, the castle ruins look down over the El Guadalest reservoir, a band of bright turquoise water against the brown hills. The village itself is tiny and packs in a run of oddball museums (there’s one devoted to miniatures, another to salt and pepper shakers). Go in the morning before the coach crowds thicken. Best for: scenery, photos, and anyone who likes a bit of history with their views.

2. Altea: The Whitewashed Artists’ Town

Eleven kilometres up the coast and about 20 minutes on the TRAM, Altea is what Benidorm looked like before the high-rises. The old town climbs a hill to a church crowned with a blue-tiled dome you’ll recognise from every postcard in the region. The streets are cobbled, steep, and dotted with small art galleries and studios, which is how the town earned its artsy reputation.

Down at sea level there’s a long pebble promenade lined with seafood restaurants. It’s a calmer, slower place than Benidorm, which is exactly the point. Best for: a relaxed half-day trip, photographers, and a long lunch. Tip: climb to the church square late afternoon when the light softens and the tour groups have gone.

3. Alicante: City, Castle and Culture

Alicante lies about 45km south. The TRAM gets you there in roughly an hour and a quarter (with a change), and a direct ALSA bus is quicker if you’d rather not faff with connections. Either way it’s a full-day destination.

The headline sight is Santa Bárbara Castle, looming over the city from Mount Benacantil. You can take a lift up through the rock or walk it if your legs are willing, and the view stretches across the whole bay. Below, the palm-lined Explanada de España runs along the marina, the El Barrio old quarter fills with tapas bars after dark, and Postiguet Beach is right by the centre if you want sand. History buffs should make time for the MARQ archaeological museum. Once you’ve covered the highlights, there are more day trips from Alicante worth chaining onto a longer stay.

4. Valencia: Spain’s Third City and Futuristic Architecture

This is the ambitious one. Valencia is around 150km north, about two hours each way on an ALSA coach, so you’ll want an early start and to accept you won’t see everything. Some travellers prefer a guided full-day tour to skip the logistics; both work.

The City of Arts and Sciences is the draw most people come for, a cluster of white, swooping buildings that look like they landed from another century, set among reflecting pools. Beyond that, the Mercat Central is one of Europe’s biggest covered markets, the old riverbed has been turned into the long green Turia Gardens, and Valencia is the birthplace of paella, so eat one here. Best for: confident day-trippers who want a real city and don’t mind the early alarm.

5. Calpe and the Peñón de Ifach

Calpe is about 35km north, roughly 50 minutes on the TRAM, and it’s dominated by one thing: the Peñón de Ifach, a 332-metre limestone tower rising straight out of the sea. There’s a marked trail to the top through a tunnel, and the reward is a panorama back along the coast. It’s a proper scramble near the summit, so wear decent shoes and skip it in the heat of midday.

I came here for a little getaway from Alicante last December (2025) and I was surprised how much the town had grown since my last visit that was perhaps two years ago. There were a lot of new developments going on and the town seemed to be growing quite a bit. The old town was very charming lots of cute restaurants and bars and it was very walkable, as Spanish towns tend to be. I really like Calpe and hope to come back here soon.

Around the rock you’ve got sandy beaches either side, a working fishing port where the catch comes in each afternoon, and salt flats inland where flamingos sometimes gather. Best for: nature lovers and anyone who fancies earning their beach time with a climb first.

6. Theme Parks: Terra Mítica, Aqualandia and Terra Natura

These three sit on or near the edge of Benidorm, so they’re less a journey and more a full day out a short hop from your hotel. Tickets are widely available online, including through GetYourGuide if you want to lock in a date.

• Terra Mítica – a rides-and-rollercoasters park themed around ancient Mediterranean civilisations. Day tickets generally run €30-40.
• Aqualandia – one of Spain’s older water parks, with big slides and pools, perfect on a scorching afternoon. Expect around €30-35.
• Terra Natura – part zoo, part water park, with animals you can get close to plus splash areas; tickets sit in a similar range. They have very good shows with dolphins and sea lions that I enjoyed a ton when I visited the park last year.

Best for: families and groups who want a big day without going far.

7. Denia and Javea: Coastal Charm to the North

Ride the TRAM Line 1 all the way to its northern end and you reach Denia, about 90 minutes out. The town has a hilltop castle over the harbour, ferries that sail to Ibiza and the rest of the Balearics, and a serious food reputation, it’s a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, so the seafood and the famous red Denia prawns are the reason to come. The ferry terminal sits right by the centre, and crossings to Ibiza take roughly two to three hours depending on the boat, which makes Denia a genuine jumping-off point if you ever fancy adding an island to your trip. Wander up to the castle for the harbour view, then settle into one of the seafront restaurants for the prawns, they’re sweeter and pricier than anything you’ll find on the strip back home.

Just south, Javea (Xàbia) trades the busy port for quieter rocky coves and clear swimming spots. The Granadella cove in particular is a stunner for snorkelling, with water so clear you can watch fish from the surface, though it gets busy in August. You’ll want a car or taxi to link Denia and Javea comfortably, as the public connection between them is slow. Best for: foodies and travellers chasing calmer beaches than the resort strip.

Tips for Planning Your Day Trips from Benidorm

A few things that make day trips from Benidorm run smoothly:

• Book coach tours and theme park tickets a day or two ahead in July and August, popular dates sell out.
• Start early for Valencia and Alicante so the travel time doesn’t eat your whole day.
• Carry water, sun cream, and a hat, especially for the Peñón de Ifach climb or Guadalest’s exposed castle.
• Check the TRAM timetable before you set off, services thin out in the evening.
• If you’re visiting two coastal towns in one day, a TRAM day pass usually beats buying singles.
• Pair a long-distance trip with a rest day; back-to-back early starts wear you out fast on a holiday.

Still choosing a base? Our guide to where to stay in Benidorm helps you land close to the TRAM stop, which makes every trip on this list easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best day trip from Benidorm?

It depends what you’re after. For scenery and a bit of drama, Guadalest and its clifftop castle is hard to beat. If you want something easy and relaxed, hop on the TRAM to Altea for whitewashed streets and a seafront lunch. Both are popular for good reason.

Can you do day trips from Benidorm without a car?

Easily. The TRAM Line 1 reaches Altea, Calpe, Denia, and Alicante, ALSA buses run to Valencia, and organized coach tours cover the inland spots like Guadalest with hotel pickup. Plenty of travellers explore the whole coast without ever hiring a car.

How far is Valencia from Benidorm?

Around 150km north, which works out to about two hours each way by ALSA bus. It’s doable as a day trip if you leave early.

Is the TRAM from Benidorm worth it?

Yes. It’s cheap, runs often, and the coastal stretches are genuinely scenic. With one line you can reach Altea, Calpe, Denia, and Alicante, and a day pass keeps the cost down if you’re town-hopping.

How many day trips can I fit into a week in Benidorm?

Three or four is a comfortable target for a seven-night stay, leaving room for beach and rest days. A sensible mix might be one big city (Valencia or Alicante), one village (Altea or Guadalest), and one nature outing like Calpe, with the rest of the week spent locally. Cramming in more than that and you’ll spend half your holiday on a coach.

Final Thoughts: Make the Most of Your Costa Blanca Base

Benidorm gets a lot of stick for its beaches and nightlife, but as a launchpad it’s hard to fault. In a single week you could climb the Peñón de Ifach, wander Altea’s old town, eat prawns in Denia, and still have a beach day in Alicante, all without renting a car. The smartest approach to day trips from Benidorm is to mix it up: one city, one village, one slice of nature. Grab a TRAM timetable, pick three from this list, and you’ll head home having seen far more of the Costa Blanca than the strip outside your hotel.