Benidorm in 2 Days: everything you need to know

Benidorm is one of the most visited places in Spain and during the summer it stands out for its beaches, theme parks and many attractions which are also available at other times of the year. Touring the city in just 48 hours may seem impossible but with the right itinerary and an intensive tour you'll be able to see all the main sites.

Among the best things to see and do in Benidorm in two days, I suggest that on the first day of your trip you focus on the old town area, which includes the Balcon del Mediterraneo and the Municipal Market and Mundomar, while on the second day I suggest you visit the outskirts of the city. Here are all the activities you can do in 48 hours in Benidorm.

The old town of Benidorm concentrates some of the main sites of the city, so on the first day I suggest a tour of the old town, including the Balcón del Mediterráneo, one of the most visited attractions, and the Municipal Market.

You can also visit Mundomar, which is one of the most famous marine animal parks in the Valencian Community and the Elche Park, which stands out for its attractions for children and its colours.

Start the tour in the old town of Benidorm

One of the best things to do in Benidorm is to visit the old town, which is an old fishing village famous for its narrow streets and attractions, including the Church of San Jaime and Santa Ana, the Plaza Mayor and the Mirador del Castillo. It is also home to some of the best things to do in Benidorm.

You can start your first day's tour by taking a walk through the main streets of the neighbourhood and on the way you can have breakfast in the bars near the Plaza de la Constitución. If you plan to visit Benidorm in October you can also walk along the promenade enjoying the mild weather and the autumnal views of the Mediterranean Sea. If you want to save time and energy you can do the tour of the old town by bike or segway, which is a fun option.

If you are a museum lover you can also make the most of your visit to the old town by visiting the Boca del Calvari Municipal Museum and the Maritime Cultural Museum.

Visit the Mediterranean Balcony

The Balcón del Mediterráneo is Benidorm's main attraction. Located on the peninsula of the old town, this beautiful viewpoint divides the Levante and Mal Pas beaches in two, so as well as being an ideal place to watch the sea it is also a popular spot in the summer with tourists, who also come to the nearby restaurants and bars.

At the top of the Balcón del Mediterráneo you can also walk around the square with chequered tiles from which you can see a panoramic view of part of the city, which is in the lower part of the buildings for which Benidorm is known as the New York of the Mediterranean.

The Balcón del Mediterráneo is also an ideal place to watch the sunset, which is one of the clearest and cleanest in Spain, especially if you plan to visit Benidorm in August, although it is an attraction that you can discover at any time and which you will also enjoy during your morning walk through the old town.

Interesting details

• Price... Admission is free.
• Opening hours... The viewing point is open 24 hours a day.
• Location... Plaza de Castelar 1, Benidorm.

Tour the Municipal Market of Benidorm

After seeing the main sites of the old town and the Balcony of the Mediterranean I suggest a stop at the Municipal Market, which is located five streets away from the coast and can be reached in a 10 minute walk or by using the Benidorm tourist bus, as it includes a stop in the market area.

The Benidorm Municipal Market is an ideal place to have lunch during your break, as it has fresh produce stalls selling butchers, greengrocers and fish, but also food stalls where you can buy tapas and other food, and see the colourful decorations and murals of the market.

In the Municipal Market you will also be able to live a local experience, as it is one of the places where Benidorm locals shop every day.

Interesting details

• Price... Entrance to the market is free.
• Opening hours... Every day from 9.00 am to 8.00 pm.
• Location... Carrer del Mercat 1, Benidorm.

Enjoy the aquatic animal park Mundomar

Mundomar is one of the most famous marine animal parks in the Valencian Community and also one of the most complete as it includes a dolphinarium, ponds with sea lions and penguins and an aviary with exotic species and parrots. This park is also located next to Aqualandia, which is one of the best water parks in Benidorm, although it is only open during the summer season.

Mundomar can be reached by bus on lines L1 and L4 and the city's tourist bus and is open all year round, although if you visit Benidorm during the winter some dolphin experiences may not be available. Mundomar is also ideal if you're planning to visit Benidorm with children as there are lots of interactive activities for the little ones.

This family-friendly attraction will also allow you to see the northern part of Benidorm and as the full tour of Mundomar will take between 2 and 3 hours you will also have time to visit Levante Beach, which is one of the most famous beaches in the city, before returning to the old town area.

Interesting details

• Price... From 25 euros per person, with discounts for buying in advance online.
• Opening hours... Every day from 10am to 7pm.
• Location... Calle Sierra Helada s/n, Benidorm.

Visit Elche Park

Elche Park, located on one of the vertices of Mal Pas Beach, is one of the most representative parks in the city and one of the largest, second only to Aigüera Park. You can get to Elche from Mundomar by bus on lines L1, L2 and L4 or on the Benidorm tourist bus.

This park is located on the promenade and stands out for its central esplanade, its fountains and the path of palm trees, which you can see illuminated if you plan to visit Benidorm at night.

From the park you'll also have access to the Mal Pas cove, where I recommend you wait for the sunset, which is a magical spectacle.

Elche Park is also known for being the place where many tourist service providers offer kayaking experiences or jet ski tours starting in the area of the Benidorm Port Lighthouse, so there you can also find tours to do during your visit.

End your first day with a tour of Benidorm's bars

After the intense sightseeing of the first day I suggest you relax and enjoy the local cuisine and visit some of the best bars in town, most of which are located in the areas close to the old town.

In the vicinity of the Plaza de la Constitución you can visit Cervecería Angelillo, where they serve some of the best tapas and beers in town, La Cava Aragonesa, Bar Atxuri and Olivers Bar Old Town, all places where you can enjoy good food and the good weather of the city, as some of these places also have terraces.

If you're planning to visit Benidorm in September you can also sample fresh seafood and fish, during the fishing season, so I recommend you try the tapas that include these products.

For the second and last day of your tour of Benidorm I suggest a visit to the Poniente Beach, especially if you plan to visit the city in summer, and also a visit to Terra Mitica, which is one of the most famous theme parks in the Valencian Community.

You can also visit the Aigüera Park, which is the largest park in the city and one of the most famous, and close your visit to Benidorm by enjoying the local gastronomy in one of the most famous restaurants in the old town.

Spend the morning on the Poniente Beach

The Poniente Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the city along with the Levante Beach, although the Poniente stands out for its services, its proximity to the promenade and because it is one of the beaches with access for the general public. Located to the south of the Balcón del Mediterráneo, it has large stretches of golden sand and crystal clear water.

If you plan to visit Benidorm during the summer you will find that it is one of the most frequented places in the city by tourists and also an ideal beach for snorkelling, kayaking and water sports experiences. It is also very easy to get to because you can get there by bus on lines L1, L2 and L4 or on the city's tourist bus.

During the summer you can spend the morning at the Poniente to take a swim and enjoy the warmth of the city and if you plan to visit the city during the rest of the year you can walk along the promenade, stroll along the beach or relax with the views of the Mediterranean from some of the bars and restaurants that are located in the coastal area, but there is no way you can leave Benidorm without visiting the Poniente Beach.

Visit Terra Mitica

Terra Mitica is not only one of the best theme parks in Benidorm but in the whole of Spain, and is set in the ancient civilisations of the Mediterranean in five divisions with more than 20 attractions in areas called Egypt, Greece, Iberia, Rome and The Islands.

At Terra Mitica you can go on roller coasters, ride the adrenalin-pumping Titanide and Synkope rides and take part in guided tours to learn all about the civilisations that once inhabited the shores of the Mediterranean, making it a fun alternative for all the family. If you are planning to visit Benidorm in October you can also attend the Halloween attractions.

Terra Mitica can be reached from the old town on the L1 bus or Alicante Metro line 1 and a visit to all the park's attractions will take between 3 and 4 hours. Inside the park there is also a bar and restaurant area so you can have lunch there if you wish.

Interesting details

• Price... From 37 euros per person.
• Opening hours... Every day from 10.30am to 8pm.
• Location... Partida de Moralet s/n, Benidorm.

Walk around the Aigüera Park

The Aigüera Park is one of the main green lungs of Benidorm and is also a place you can't avoid visiting during your visit to the city, as it is home to the Town Hall and in its gardens you will also find the Julio Iglesias Auditorium, which during the months of September and October hosts many of the concerts and festivals held in the city.

The Aigüera Park is also home to the Benidorm Bullring and during the summer food trucks and local food stalls are set up, whilst in the autumn the park is the venue for the Iberia Festival and a transit point to the Poniente and Levante beaches.

This park also has a children's play area and attractions, so it's also a good alternative if you plan to tour the city with children, and you can choose to cycle around the park, either on a city tour or on your own with a rented bike.

You can get to the park from Terra Mitica by bus on lines L1, L14 and L16 and line 1 of the Alicante Metro and the best time to visit is in the afternoon to watch the sunset.

Details of interest

• Price... Admission to the park is free.
• Opening hours... Every day from 8.00 am to 10.00 pm.
• Location... Calle Primavera 22, Benidorm.

Say goodbye to Benidorm and enjoy the local gastronomy

One of the great attractions of Benidorm, apart from its beaches and sunsets, is its gastronomy, which is nourished by fish, rice stews and other elaborate dishes such as pebrot and coca farcida, so the best way to say goodbye to the city is to enjoy its typical food.

Some of the places to visit in the areas near the old town are La Mejillonera, Restaurante Casa Toni, La Rana, Ducano, Amigos Bar y Bistro and Taita. All these places are among the most recommended by visitors and also stand out for their service.

Within the old town you can also opt for some more global alternatives, such as fast food, pizzas and pastas, but I recommend that if you get the chance you don't miss out on trying the Valencian paella and Benidorm rice dishes, which are the jewel in Benidorm's gastronomy.