Benidorm Don Pancho and Beyond: A Holiday Guide from the UK

Benidorm is a coastal resort town of around 70,450 people on the Costa Blanca, in the Valencia region. Its shape is simple to grasp: Platja de Llevant runs one way, Platja de Ponent the other, and the old town headland with the Mirador de Sant Jaume viewpoint and Platgeta del Mal Pas sits in the middle. The Museo Boca del Calvari is also right in the centre.

For anyone searching for stuff to do in Benidorm, the family parks are the main draw beyond the sand. Terra Mítica is the big theme park, Aqualandia is the waterpark, Mundomar is the marine animal park, and Terra Natura Benidorm, a zoo, lies about 2.5 miles out. The old bullring is close to the centre, and La Cruz de Benidorm Viewpoint gives the classic view over the bay.

Most visitors stay in Benidorm itself, choosing between the Llevant side and the Ponent side of the bay, or the older streets around the headland between them. Smaller coves such as Almadrava Cove and Cala Tío Ximo offer a change from the main beaches.

Finestrat, about 5 miles away with a population of around 3,900, is the quieter neighbour. It has its own beach, Playa de Finestrat, and the remains of El Realet castle. Among the Benidorm things to see, a trip to Finestrat makes an easy half-day out, and it is slightly closer to Alicante airport, at 39 minutes by road.

If you are checking the temp in Benidorm before booking, the pattern is reliable. July and August are the hottest months, with highs of 30 to 31°C and lows around 23°C, and July is the driest month of the year. June and September both reach around 26°C, and October still manages 25°C, which makes the shoulder of summer comfortable for sightseeing as well as the beach.

The best months run from May to November. Rain is light overall, though May and September are the wettest, with around 50 to 56mm across about seven rain days. From December to April, highs sit between 16 and 20°C, so winter is for walking and mild sunshine rather than sunbathing. Benidorm at Christmas typically means around 17°C by day, 9°C at night and only a couple of rainy days in December. An AccuWeather Benidorm forecast is worth a glance in the week before you fly, but the monthly averages tell you most of what you need.

School holidays in summer and at Easter are when package prices tend to climb, so May, June, September and October give better value for families not tied to term dates.

Alicante is the airport to fly into. It has direct flights from the UK, and the transfer to Benidorm takes about 41 minutes by road, or 39 minutes to Finestrat. That short hop is one reason short stays in Benidorm work well: a long weekend loses very little time to travel.

With a package holiday, the flight, hotel and transfer are booked together, so a coach or shared transfer meets you at Alicante and takes you straight to your hotel. Car hire is useful if you plan to explore Finestrat or further along the coast. Ferry ports are within reach too: Dénia is about 25 miles away, with Valencia around 61 miles and the Ibiza crossings beyond.

Most British travellers book Benidorm as a package, with flights from the UK, accommodation and airport transfers bundled together. Board basis varies by hotel, from room only through half board to all inclusive, so it pays to compare like with like. On this page you can compare package deals from Jet2holidays, TUI, loveholidays and On the Beach side by side.

You can also check hotel prices if you would rather arrange flights separately, compare car hire for days out, and browse tours and tickets. There is a wide range of activities to choose from, which helps when sorting out what to do in Benidorm beyond the beach, including entry to the theme parks and the zoo.