Best Beaches in Benidorm: The Complete 2026 Guide

Benidorm’s reputation was built on two enormous stretches of golden sand, but there are five beaches in total within the town limits, and the two famous ones aren’t necessarily the right pick for every day of your trip. This guide covers all five — Levante, Poniente, Mal Pas, Cala Tío Ximo and Cala Almadraba — plus a couple of nearby coves worth the short trip out of town, so you can match the beach to the day you actually want.

Not sure where to base yourself yet? Our Benidorm hotel guide breaks down which areas sit closest to which beach, and if you’d rather explore on foot first, our Benidorm Old Town guide covers the headland that separates Levante from Poniente.

Levante Beach

Levante is the beach most people picture when they think of Benidorm — a broad curve of fine golden sand running for around 2 kilometres between Punta Canfali and Punta Pinet, backed by a promenade lined with bars, ice-cream kiosks and late-night terraces. It’s the busiest beach in town by a wide margin, and it’s also the most fully equipped: thousands of sunbeds, foot-washing stations, a beach library, lifeguard cover and easy access to water sports operators along the sand.

Best for: nightlife, water sports, people-watching, first-time visitors who want the classic Benidorm experience Getting there: a short walk from most Old Town and eastern hotels; see our Benidorm nightlife guide for what’s on the promenade behind it

Poniente Beach

Poniente is Benidorm’s longest beach, stretching more than 3 kilometres from the marina out toward La Cala. It has the same Blue Flag sand and full range of facilities as Levante, but a noticeably calmer, more local atmosphere and a longer, flatter walk if you want to stretch your legs. Families tend to prefer it for exactly this reason — fewer crowds, gentle water, and a promenade that feels more residential than party-driven.

Best for: families, long beach walks, a quieter alternative to Levante with the same level of facilities Getting there: accessible from the western side of town, connected to Levante by the full beachfront promenade via Elche Park

Mal Pas Beach

Tucked into a small cove between Levante and Poniente, right below the Old Town and the Balcón del Mediterráneo viewpoint, Mal Pas is easy to miss but worth the short detour. At roughly 100 metres long, it’s tiny compared to the two main beaches, with calm, sheltered water that makes it a good option for a swim without the crowds. It sits opposite Benidorm Island, and the clear water here is popular with snorkellers.

Best for: a quick, quiet swim near the Old Town, good views back toward the marina and the castle Getting there: reached by stairs down from the Old Town, or on foot from the marina — see our Benidorm Old Town guide for the full walking route

Cala Tío Ximo

North of the Rincón de Loix area, at the base of the Sierra Helada cliffs, Cala Tío Ximo is a small, pebbly cove reached by a short walk down a dirt track rather than a road. There are no facilities here — no sunbeds, no bars, no showers — so it’s a bring-your-own-everything kind of beach, but the trade-off is clear water and good snorkelling around the rocks, away from any of the main beach crowds.

Best for: snorkelling, a quiet escape, visitors happy to skip facilities for scenery Getting there: a 15–20 minute walk north from Levante Beach along the coastal path

Cala Almadraba

A little further along the same stretch of coast from Tío Ximo, Almadraba is another rocky, pebbly cove favoured by divers and snorkellers for its visibility and the marine life around the rocks. It’s quieter still than Tío Ximo and attracts mostly locals rather than tourists, with the same lack of facilities.

Best for: diving and snorkelling, escaping the crowds entirely Getting there: continue along the coastal path past Cala Tío Ximo, or combine both coves in one walk

Worth the Short Trip: Cala de Finestrat and Playa de Albir

If you don’t mind a short drive or taxi ride, two beaches just outside Benidorm are worth adding to the list. Cala de Finestrat sits a few minutes from the town centre, surrounded by hills and with a much more local, laid-back feel than anything inside Benidorm itself. Playa de Albir, on the far side of the headland east of town, is quieter again and known for particularly clear water — it takes around 15 minutes to reach by car.

Benidorm Beaches Compared

Practical Tips for Benidorm’s Beaches

• All beaches are free, including showers and foot-rinse taps, even on the main beaches
• Sitting isn’t allowed within the first 6 metres of the waterline on Levante and Poniente — this rule started during the pandemic and has stayed in place
• Bring cash or a card for sunbed and umbrella hire on Levante and Poniente; the coves have no rental service at all
• Water quality is tested daily in summer at official sampling points, so both main beaches carry Blue Flag status
• Pack your own food, water and shade for Tío Ximo and Almadraba since neither cove has a single kiosk or bar

When to Visit

Peak crowds hit Levante and Poniente from mid-June through August, particularly in the middle of the day. Early mornings on Poniente are noticeably quieter even in high season. If your trip falls outside summer, check our seasonal guide to Benidorm for what’s actually open month to month, and if the forecast turns, our rainy day guide to Benidorm has plenty of indoor backups.

Planning Your Benidorm Trip

• Best Hotels in Benidorm
• Benidorm Old Town Guide
• Benidorm Attraction Tickets
• Benidorm Nightlife Guide
• Rainy Day Guide to Benidorm
• Airport Transfers to Benidorm
• Adults-Only Hotels in Benidorm

Frequently Asked Questions

How many beaches does Benidorm have? Five within the town itself — Levante, Poniente, Mal Pas, Cala Tío Ximo and Cala Almadraba — plus nearby options like Cala de Finestrat and Playa de Albir a short drive away.

Which is the best beach in Benidorm for families? Poniente, thanks to its calmer atmosphere, gentle water and full range of facilities including lifeguards and play areas. Levante works too but is busier and noisier.

Which Benidorm beach is best for snorkelling? Cala Tío Ximo and Cala Almadraba, both rocky coves north of Levante with clear water and no crowds, though neither has facilities so bring your own supplies.

Are Benidorm’s beaches free to use? Yes, all of them, including sunbed access to showers and foot-washing stations on the main beaches. Sunbed and umbrella hire is a separate paid extra on Levante and Poniente.

Is Mal Pas Beach worth visiting if I’ve already seen Levante and Poniente? Yes — it’s a completely different experience, small and sheltered rather than expansive, and it’s only a short walk from the Old Town, so it’s easy to combine with sightseeing.