Benidorm & Altea

The resort strip of the northern Costa Blanca: Benidorm's twin high-rise bays and the Balcón del Mediterráneo, Altea's whitewashed old town, the clifftop village of Guadalest and the Fonts de l'Algar waterfalls in the hills, and the Peñón de Ifach rising straight out of the sea at Calp.

Benidorm & Altea sits in the middle of the Costa Blanca, in the north of Alicante province in Spain's Valencian Community. Using Benidorm as a base, the area runs about 30 km along the coast from Calp in the north to Villajoyosa in the south, backed by the mountains of the Marina Baixa. It has a classic Mediterranean climate with nearly 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, and winter days often reach 15–18°C, making it a favourite winter-sun escape for Northern Europeans. June–September is peak beach season, while April–May and October are pleasantly warm and quieter—the best time for hiking and village trips. The area breaks down into three parts. First, Benidorm itself: the Levante and Poniente beaches flank the Balcón del Mediterráneo on the old-town headland. Take a boat to Benidorm Island, climb to the Mirador de la Cruz for skyline views, visit Terra Mítica and Terra Natura on the northern outskirts or Aqualandia and Mundomar to the east, and catch a dinner show at night. Second, the northern coast: the Albir lighthouse trail, Altea's old town of white walls and blue domes, and Calp's Peñón de Ifach, flamingo salt flats and Roman fish ponds (Baños de la Reina). Third, the inland mountains: the clifftop village of Guadalest, the Fonts de l'Algar waterfalls, and the hill villages of Polop and Finestrat; keen hikers can tackle Puig Campana or the tunnel route through the Serra de Bèrnia. Getting there: the nearest airport is Alicante–Elche, about 60 km away, with direct buses. TRAM Line 9 links Alicante, Villajoyosa, Benidorm and Altea towards Dénia, so most coastal sights are reachable by tram; buses to the hill villages and waterfalls are infrequent, so hire a car or join a day tour. Allow 3–5 days: 1–2 days for the beaches and town, 1 day for the northern coast, and 1 day for the villages and waterfalls. Summer accommodation prices rise sharply, so book early. Parts of Benidorm are noisy at night; if you prefer peace and quiet, stay in Altea or Albir.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries