Benidorm City Guide
Image by Maksim Ivanov via unsplash

Spain

Benidorm City Guide

Valencian Community

Benidorm is a coastal city in the Valencian Community, Spain, known for its tall buildings, lively nightlife, and sandy beaches. It attracts tourists and families and offers solid infrastructure for remote workers. The vibe is touristy but comfortable.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Good
7

Food options include local paella, seafood, and tapas plus international restaurants like British, Italian, Chinese, and Indian. Vegetarian and vegan choices are growing. Many places serve late into the night.

Local Dishes:
Paella, Fresh seafood, Tapas
International Cuisine:
British, Italian, Chinese, Indian
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Excellent
9

Nightlife is lively with pubs, nightclubs, and cabarets. English Square is a hotspot for late-night bars and clubs.

Coffee Culture
Good
6

There are traditional Spanish cafes and some specialty coffee shops, but coffee culture is modest.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping is appreciated but not required. Rounding up fares or giving 5-10% in restaurants is common.

Top Attractions
Balcón del Mediterráneo
sight
Scenic viewpoint over the sea.
Benidorm Old Town
sight
Historic area with shops and restaurants.
Levante Beach
beach
Popular sandy beach with amenities.
Poniente Beach
beach
Quieter sandy beach.
Benidorm Cross
sight
Iconic landmark on a hillside.
SIM Cards

SIM cards available at Vodafone, Orange, and Movistar stores. ID is required. eSIM is becoming more common depending on provider and device.

Available at:
Vodafone
Orange
Movistar
Recommended Apps
Google Maps(navigation)
Cabify/Free Now(transport)
WhatsApp(communication)
TheFork(food)
Renfe(transport)
EMT Valencia(transport)
Glovo/Uber Eats(food)
TripAdvisor(travel)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Good
7

The city is generally clean, especially in tourist areas, with regular street cleaning and recycling options.

24/7 Services
Good
7

Many bars and clubs open late. Some convenience stores and pharmacies operate 24/7 or have on-call hours.

Groceries
Mercadona
Carrefour
Lidl
Consum

Supermarkets like Mercadona, Carrefour, Lidl, and Consum sell international and local goods. Smaller shops and the municipal market offer fresh produce. Hours are typically 9am-9pm, closed or reduced on Sundays.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Most places accept cards, but carry some cash for small shops and markets.

ATMs

ATMs are common around the city, especially near banks like CaixaBank, Santander, and BBVA. Some charge fees, so use major bank ATMs if possible.

Schools
International

Local Spanish schools are available. The British School of Benidorm provides education in English. Early application is recommended for international schools.

Available Schools:
The British School of Benidorm

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
4
Available Spaces:
Coworking Benidorm
Flexible desks and meeting rooms.
Vivero de Empresas de Benidorm
Business incubator with shared office spaces.
Work-Friendly Cafés
Good
Starbucks (Av. del Mediterráneo)
Chain cafe with Wi-Fi and seating.
Café de Paris (Paseo de la Carretera)
Popular spot with Wi-Fi.
Various beachfront cafes
Many offer Wi-Fi with seating options.
Alternatives:
Benidorm Public Library
Quiet place with Wi-Fi.
Hotel lobbies
Some allow non-guests to use Wi-Fi and seating.
Cultural centers
Wi-Fi access and quiet work spots.
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
3

Benidorm has a small digital nomad scene compared to bigger cities. Remote workers find cafes but few meetups.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Good
6

Parks like Parque de Elche and Parque de la Aigüera provide green spots. Sierra Helada nearby offers more nature access.

Running
Good
7

Running routes include beachfront promenades and natural park trails; safety and air quality are generally good.

Gyms
Available

Several gym and sports facilities are available.

Available Gyms:
Gimnasio Benidorm
Palau d'Esports l'Illa de Benidorm
CrossFit Benidorm
Fitness Place Benidorm
Tennis
Good
6

Tennis and padel courts are available at clubs and hotels, with bookings and some rentals.

Padel
Good
6

Padel courts exist alongside tennis options with coaching available.

Yoga
Good
6

Yoga studios and wellness centers offer classes and spa services, often with English instruction.

Martial Arts
Limited
5

Karate, Taekwondo, and boxing gyms are present. Access to specific gyms like BJJ or Muay Thai is limited nearby.

Skiing
Poor
0

No skiing nearby; nearest resorts are hours away.

Water Sports
Good
7

Jet skiing, parasailing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and sailing are common along the beaches.

Surfing
Poor
2

Surfing is limited due to the sheltered bay. Waves are small and inconsistent.

Diving
Good
6

Diving and snorkeling around Benidorm Island are popular with good visibility and marine life.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Excellent
8

Benidorm has good healthcare with English-speaking staff at Hospital Clínica Benidorm and other centers. Both public and private options are available.

Hospitals:
Hospital Clínica Benidorm
Pharmacies:
Various visible by green cross sign
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water is safe to drink, though some prefer bottled water due to taste.

Common Scams
Pickpocketing in crowded areas, Shell game street scams, Being pressured to pay for "free" items

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Excellent
9

Lots of family attractions, playgrounds, and kid-friendly restaurants. Baby supplies are easy to find.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Excellent
9

Benidorm is welcoming to LGBTQ+ visitors, with dedicated bars, events, and good legal protections.

Pet Friendly
Good
6

Pet-friendly spots and vet services are growing. Several parks and accommodations allow pets. Spain has strict pet entry rules.

Communities
Benidorm Expats (social)
Benidorm Seriously (social)
Benidorm Forum (online)
Benidorm Information & Advice (social)

Quick Facts

Population
72,342
Power Reliability
Excellent
9/10

Power supply is stable with rare outages.

Beach Access
Available

Benidorm is known for its long sandy beaches with good facilities and easy access.

Mountains
Available

Mountains near the city offer hiking and nature experiences.

Languages
Spanish(90%)
English(70%)
Valencian(30%)
Emergency
112
General Emergency
091
National Police
092
Local Police
061
Ambulance

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
2
🏔️
Earthquake
Low Risk
3

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Extreme heat
July, August
Temperatures can exceed 30°C (86°F).
Crowds
June, July, August
High tourist volumes during summer months.

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