Benidorm’s ostensible tackiness is all part of its charm. Once a simple fishing village located just south of Alicante in Spain, it has grown—for better or worse—into a hugely popular resort destination, even boasting the most skyscrapers per capita in the world.

For the British and many other northern Europeans, Benidorm is the go-to all-inclusive holiday destination known for its temperate climate, sandy beaches, and raucous nightlife— largely thanks to the raunchy British sitcom set in the resort town. The truth is, if, when walking along the seafront of Benidorm, you don’t hear drunken renditions of “Sweet Caroline” from the nearby bars, then you probably aren’t in Benidorm.

Because of this reputation as an affordable party spot for drunken tourists, Benidorm may be an easy place to write off, but there’s a whole other side to discover once you look past the round belly of the old, debaucherous visitor. Wineries, snorkeling in clear water, day trips to quaint towns, delicious tapas, photo-worthy views, and a fun gay scene are just a few things that await you in Costa Blanca. If you avoid the overrun beachfront bars and all-inclusive hotels, it’s possible to find some enjoyable and more authentic experiences in Benidorm— you just have to know where to look.

Table of Contents

1. General Tips
2. Transportation & Airport Transfer
3. Gay Hotels in Benidorm
4. Sightseeing & Activities in Benidorm
5. Restaurants and Cafes
6. Gay Bars and Clubs in Benidorm
7. Gay Saunas & Cruising Bars
8.Gay Beaches in Benidorm
9. Gay Events in Benidorm
10. Day Trips from Benidorm

General Tips

Benidorm has amazing weather all year long thanks to its geographic location on the coast, nestled between mountains. This provides a temperate microclimate offering beach weather for 8 to 9 months of the year, from roughly April to October. However, as is often the case, the best times to visit are spring (April/May) or fall (September/October) to avoid the full brunt of the tourist hordes and enjoy cheaper hotel prices.

There have been some protests of late against overtourism and badly behaved tourists in Benidorm. However, as long as you don't vomit on the beach or pee against a wall, you shouldn't run into any trouble!

Benidorm’s gay scene is as boisterous as the rest of the city and often features a mix of LGBTQ+ tourists (usually British) and young local Spanish guys from nearby villages who come to party on the weekend. While the straights tend to hang out around the New Town, the Old Town belongs to the gays. Just head to where Calle Cuatro Esquinas and Calle Santa Faz intersect, where you'll find a cluster of gay bars to choose from.

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Transportation & Airport Transfer

Alicante is usually the transportation hub to get to Benidorm, which is located 38 km away. There is a bus that connects Alicante airport with Benidorm, arriving and departing from the Benidorm bus station as well as the Avenida de Europa bus stop in the town. You can also pre-book shuttle transfer services with companies like Beniconnect Transfers, which take about 45 minutes and drop you off at your hotel. Benidorm is also connected to the Alicante (Luceros) station , so traveling by train along the Costa Blanca is also possible, but it’s quite slow, taking roughly an hour and a half. From Alicante, you can connect to the national rail network, which connects Alicante with the rest of Spain.

Benidorm is a walkable and very compact city, so if you stay in the center near the old town, you shouldn’t have to move around too much. Taxis are very inexpensive and are probably the easiest option to get around if your destination is too far to walk. Benidorm does have a public bus with good service, but it’s probably not worth the effort since taxis are so cheap.

Gay Hotels in Benidorm

There aren't really any gay-specific hotels in Benidorm; however, the entire city is quite gay-friendly. The two popular places with the LGBTQ+ community are Hotel Queens and Casa Don Juan.

Luxury

Villa Venecia Hotel Boutique – Located between Levante and Poniente beaches, this luxury hotel in the historic center of Benidorm is ideal for visiting the city’s narrow streets and its tourist attractions. The hotel has a terrace with a hot tub and spectacular sea views, plus a top-rated onsite restaurant, Llum del Mar.

Level at Meliá Villaitana – An adults-only luxury hotel set on 2 golf courses with views of Gran Bahía Bay. The hotel is built in the style of a Mediterranean village, with outdoor pools and an artificial beach. There is also a gym, 2 tennis courts, and 6 paddle tennis courts. The hotel offers a large number of restaurants, bars, and cafés. The hotel is 4 km outside of Benidorm, making it a good option for those who want to escape in luxury from the bustling city nearby.

Mid-Range

Hotel Queens – Situated just 100 meters from Levante Beach in Benidorm’s old town, the hotel offers a rooftop bar and terrace with sea, city, and mountain views. À la carte breakfast is served daily. Hotel Queens is ideally located in the lively old town of Benidorm, surrounded by restaurants, bars, and shops. This is a very popular hotel for gay visitors.

Budget

Casa Don Juan – A small guest house located in Benidorm’s Old Town, just a 2-minute walk from the beach. Nothing fancy, but the property is gay-friendly and a great value.

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Sightseeing & Activities in Benidorm

Mirador de Castillo – Also known as the Balcón del Mediterráneo, this stunning viewpoint in Benidorm is located on the promontory that separates Levante and Poniente beaches. It offers panoramic views of both the Mediterranean Sea and the city's skyline, which is especially beautiful at sunset. The site is marked by a beautiful white balustrade, historic cannons, and a central plaza with a distinctive checkerboard pattern. The viewpoint is situated where Benidorm's castle once stood, adding historical significance to the romantic location.

Watersports – If you want to focus on the water, you can rent some snorkel gear and head to one of the coves. You can even rent your own boat without a license, which is kind of scary but kind of cool. We rented one with Aqua Sports Benidorm and had a great time cruising the coast and heading to Benidorm Island, though there were a bit too many jellyfish in the water for our liking. There’s also parasailing, and at Levante Beach, there’s a cable ski to allow you to practice without the need for a boat.

Aqualandia – Europe’s largest waterpark and really worth a visit. They’ve got some of the tallest and scariest waterslides for the adventurous, as well as calmer attractions like the wave pool and rapids.

Terra Mítica – Benidorm’s theme park, which also has Iberia Park next door. The rollercoasters, regular shows and performances, and panoramic views of the city make this attraction worth the visit.

Shopping – Benidorm has more than 2,000 stores spread across all districts, although the highest concentration is in the heart of the city, where you will also find many well-known fashion franchise stores. The large shopping area runs from Plaza Triangular up to Avenida de Los Almendros, extending through the main streets of the old town and city center, including La Alameda, Gambo, Martinez Alejos, and Paseo de la Carretera. During the summer, there is a handicraft market at Plaza de la Señoria, which operates from mid-afternoon until past dawn, where you can find leather jewelry, silver jewelry and gemstones, handmade soaps, miniatures, pottery, juggling, macramé, foam puppets, and decorative items. At the same time, in the adjoining square, Plaza del Castillo, you will find time artists and portrait painters exhibiting their work and, in some cases, taking orders.

Benidorm Palace – A legendary events venue where you can enjoy a three-course dinner while watching West End/Broadway-level entertainment every evening.

Restaurants and Cafes

With the hefty number of tourists in Benidorm comes the god-awful tourist food joints for you to get your fill of crap pizza and kebabs. However, it’s also surprisingly easy to eat well. Thanks to all the Basques who have moved to Benidorm, there are pinchos galore (Basque-style tapas) in the Old Town. Pair a few of these with sangria or a beer and you’ve got a delicious, authentic meal. The region is also known for a traditional rice dish that’s not actually paella, which you can enjoy at many restaurants.

Restaurant Ulia – This is the region of Spain famous for paella. It’s really easy to find a bad one, but Ulia makes a great one, so definitely check it out.

Restaurante Llum del Mar – A great option for a fine dining experience at Villa Venecia Hotel Boutique. They’ve got incredible dishes, beautiful views from the rooftop, and are conveniently located across from the lookout point Mirador de Castillo.

Amigos Restaurant and Roof Terrace – Fancy tucking into a fresh, juicy Galician steak on a roof terrace with great views over Benidorm? Then this restaurant is a good fit for you. The rest of the menu is top-class too, and the cocktails are pretty good as well.o.

Amigos Bistro by Nas & Dino – A great budget-friendly option located right on the beach, with a small shaded terrace. The food is authentically Spanish and homemade.

Nepali Tandoori Restaurant – Who doesn’t love a good curry? The English tourists certainly do, and this is the best place in Benidorm to have one. The Nepalese-run establishment cooks authentic Indian and Nepali dishes. Expect a lively atmosphere due to its reputation and location in the heart of Benidorm.

Daily Catch – Another English delicacy is, of course, fish and chips. This English-style “chippy” by the beach has the best in town if you're just looking for something cheap and quick, yet deeply satisfying—and sometimes that's exactly what everyone needs!

Gay Bars and Clubs in Benidorm

The city also has a great nightlife scene. There is a vibrant party atmosphere along Levante Beach, and while the straights tend to hang out around the New Town, the Old Town belongs to the gays. Just head to where Calle Cuatro Esquinas and Calle Santa Faz intersect, where you'll find a cluster of gay bars to choose from.

New People Bar – Perhaps the most popular gay bar in Benidorm because it has a little of everything. There's cheap drinks, friendly bar staff, mixed clientele, fun DJs, drag shows, and even a discreet darkroom.

Spirit -A wonderfully Benidorm-style campy gay bar with glitter balls galore and rainbow-colored umbrellas hanging from the roof. The bar staff are particularly friendly!

Bar Code – A more spacious gay bar that fills up on the weekends and plays fun music. A popular hangout with locals and tourists before the next-door nightclub, Mercury, opens.

Bar Mercury – Benidorm's main gay club. It's small but a lot of cheesy fun. Good cocktails too! Don't even think about going before 1 a.m.

Gay Saunas & Cruising Bars

H2O Benidorm – The one and only gay sauna in Benidorm; luckily, it's a reasonable one. It has a spa, steam room, Jacuzzi, bar, private cabins, and a video room. Unfortunately, it isn't open at night, with hours from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., and closed on Mondays.

Bears' Bar – The name says it all: here be bears! It tends to be very sex-focused, with porn playing in the background and a small darkroom to the side.

Copper Club – The first fetish club in Benidorm. It's also the best and has great facilities, despite being a little small. It's open from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. Wednesdays to Sundays and gets very busy on weekends, so you may need to make a reservation through a number found on the website. They also host events throughout the week that affect the dress code, like sporty or masks, so be sure to check what's on that night before going.

Gay Beaches in Benidorm

Ti Ximo Cove – When the gays want a full-body tan in Benidorm, they head to the far end of Levante Beach and up the hill.

Racó de Conill – For a cruisier spot, there’s this gay/mixed nudist beach a few kilometers outside the city.

Gay Events in Benidorm

Benidorm Gay Pride – This week-long pride event takes place in September and is packed with great events. The highlight of this event is the parade on Saturday that runs right along Levante Beach. It ends at the main outdoor stage where the audience is treated to free entertainment from talented artists. Throughout the week, there’s a tapa and wine route, the open-air white party at Mirador de Castillo, various other parties at bars and clubs in the Old Town, as well as free drag performances and live acts at the main stage at Auditorium Julio Iglesias.

Day Trips from Benidorm

Costa Blanca and Guadalest – Get out of the city to tour the nearby Costa Blanca, capture great views of the city’s skyscrapers, and also head to Guadalest, a quaint Valencian town filled with various monuments and perfect for a stroll, photo ops, and a bite to eat. The ancient fortress of Castell of Guadalest is perched on the cliffs that loom over the valley below. The medieval village is incredibly charming with amazing views of the surrounding areas. Located just 30 minutes from Benidorm by car, it makes for a great day trip. Book tour →

Altea – This beautiful little seaside town is just 15 minutes by train from Benidorm. It has a cute café-lined promenade, but Altea's key selling point is its old town, which is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets winding up a hill. Along the way, the streets are filled with churches, great restaurants, and quaint bars—most sporting atmospheric rooftop terraces. After the climb to the top of the old town, you are rewarded for your efforts with a stunning view across the surrounding plains, with Benidorm's towers looming in the distance like the towers of Mordor.

Visit a Winery – A visit to Enrique Mendoza’s winery is a perfect addition to your Benidorm experience. You can take a tour of the winery and finish off with a tasting of six of their wines paired with some meats and cured cheeses. The winery is just a 15-minute drive outside of Benidorm

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