Benidorm is a city that in just a few decades transformed from a sleepy fishing village to one of Spain’s most popular holiday destinations. With great weather year-round, beautiful beaches, vivid highlife, and countless leisure activities, it draws thousands of holidaymakes every year. Benidorm is also affectionately called the “Manhattan of Spain” – and one look at its skyline is enough to tell that this city indeed stands out!
But Benidorm isn’t only a perfect spot for typical beach holidays – it’s also a perfect base for discovering more amazing places on the Costa Blanca and also on Costa Calida. And we know what we’re talking about as we’ve lived in Benidorm for 12 weeks! Keep reading and discover our favorite day trips from Benidorm, all within a max of 1.5 hours by car. Whether you’re into nature, charming towns, or hidden gems, there’s something here for every kind of traveler. Vamos!
Learn more: 15+ Things To Do In Benidorm, Spain
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Day trips from Benidorm – Villages, towns & cities
Altea
Altea, located about 20km from Benidorm, is a peaceful coastal town where it seems as if time has stopped. This village has something magical in it – narrow cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, and stunning beaches with calming sea views come together perfectly. Altea is often called the Cúpula del Mediterráneo, thanks to the blue-tiled dome of its main church, an iconic symbol of the town.
In town, you’ll also find numerous workshops, small art galleries, and craft shops with various handmade items – it’s a real paradise for artists and art lovers! If you’re after charm, culture, and a slower pace of life, Altea is the perfect day trip from Benidorm.
Learn more: 10+ Things To Do In Altea, Spain In One Day
Calpe
Calpe is located about 25km from Benidorm and is one of the most scenic day trips you can take along the Costa Blanca. The town is most famous for Peñon de Ifach mountain, a mighty rock that dominates the landscape and gives the area a unique look. Calpe also stands out for its colorful and charming old town, picturesque sandy beaches, small hidden coves, and salinas where you’ll find… dozens of cute pink flamingos!
Learn more: 10+ Things To Do In Calpe, Spain
Denia
Denia is located about 50km from Benidorm, and it’s one of the most interesting and vibrant towns on the Costa Blanca. Whether you’re looking to explore an old town full of history, admire spectacular views, relax on the beach, taste local specialties, or be active on hiking trails – Denia won’t disappoint you! It’s an amazing destination for a Costa Blanca getaway, whether you plan typical beach holidays, a day trip from any nearby city, or a longer stay.
Interesting fact. Denia is also recognized for its culinary scene and was named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. It’s a real treat for food lovers!
Learn more: 10+ Things To Do In Denia, Spain
Villajoyosa
Villajoyosa is located about 15km from Benidorm. The town is especially famous for three things: colorful houses, beautiful beaches, and chocolate manufactured by Valor. Colorful houses give Villajoyosa a unique vibe and make it one of the most picturesque and colorful towns along the coast. Taking a walk through the maze of narrow, colorful streets and enjoying pretty squares is a must while in town. Be sure to add Villajoyosa to your bucket list of day trips from Benidorm – you won’t regret it!
Learn more: One Day In Villajoyosa, Spain. Complete Travel Guide
Finestrat
Finestrat is located about 15km from Benidorm. It’s divided into two main parts: the old town and La Cala Beach. The old town is located at the foot of Puig Campana mountain, and La Cala is tightly squeezed between Villajoyosa and Benidorm. So Finestrat is located at altitudes from 0 to… 1406 m a.s.l! Impressive!
Finestrat is a truly enchanting small town, which without a doubt still can be called a Costa Blanca hidden gem. But don’t let it fool you – it’s one of the best-prepared towns for visitors we’ve seen! Colorful narrow streets and viewpoints where you can admire stunning views over the coast and Puig Campana make Finestrat a perfect place for a day trip from Benidorm.
Learn more: Things To Do In Finestrat, Spain – Hidden Gem On Costa Blanca
Guadalest
Guadalest is located about 25km from Benidorm. This little quaint Spanish village, which sits on top of a high rock at an altitude of about 550m, has existed since the Muslim period. Guadalest is full of history, culture, charming buildings, and spectacular views of the surroundings – all together offer an unforgettable atmosphere right from the village doorsteps. Also, the town is named as one of the most beautiful villages in Spain!
Guadalest is very small, and you probably won’t need more than 2-3 hours to see it. So you can combine a trip with a visit to nearby Fonts de l’Algar waterfalls and/or Polop, and you’ll get a fantastic full-day trip from Benidorm. And a very scenic one!
Learn more: 10+ Things To Do In Guadalest Village And Valley
Alicante
Alicante is located about 45km from Benidorm, and is the capital city of the Province of Alicante. It’s also one of the largest cities in the country, population-wise. Thanks to a typical Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters with lots of sunshine, Alicante is a very popular travel destination all year round. And no wonder because it has a lot to offer!
From its charming old town and hilltop castle to the beautiful Santa Cruz district and quirky Mushroom Street, Alicante offers plenty to see and do. Add in a mix of cultural attractions, lively nightlife, delicious Mediterranean cuisine, and inviting beaches, and you’ve got yourself a fun day trip from Benidorm. Alicante definitely won’t disappoint!
Learn more: Things To Do In Alicante Old Town, Spain In One Day
Javea
Javea, or Xabia in the local Valencian language, is located about 55km from Benidorm. It’s a coastal paradise with amazing beaches, crystal-clear waters, a beautiful historic center, breathtaking viewpoints, scenic hiking trails, and delicious cuisine. For sure Javea has something for every traveler! What’s more, Javea is not as popular as nearby Costa Blanca towns yet, so if you are looking for a slightly quieter destination this one will do!
Learn more: 10+ Things To Do In Javea, Spain
Polop
Polop is a small, peaceful town located about 55 km from Benidorm, and it makes a great stop on the same day as visiting nearby Fonts de l’Algar waterfalls or the picturesque village of Guadalest. This sleepy little gem is perfect for a slow stroll through its narrow, winding streets and up the small hill where the town’s castle once stood. From the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the sea. Polop is a quiet escape with authentic charm, ideal for travelers who love discovering lesser-known spots!
Murcia
Murcia is located about 125km from Benidorm on the Costa Calida. Even though the city is quite big itself, the 7th largest in Spain, there aren’t lots of famous places to see for the visitors. Murcia center offers a small-town vibe, and it’s nowhere as busy as cities like Benidorm or Alicante, so it’s an amazing option if you wanna escape crowds. There you’ll find many lovely streets and squares, an impressive Catedral de Murcia and Palacio Episcopal, some interesting street art, and renowned gastronomy.
Learn more: 15+ Best Things To Do In Murcia City In Spain
Day Trips From Benidorm – Natural sites
Fonts de l’Algar
Fonts de l’Algar are located about 25km from Benidorm. It’s a very picturesque nature reserve with a walking path among waterfalls, springs and natural pools. The surrounding landscape is the result of the karst process on the limestone. In 2002 Fonts de l’Algar was declared a Protected Water Area. It’s a truly beautiful place, so don’t forget to add it to your list of day trips from Benidorm.
Trip to Fonts de l’Algar can be easily combined with a trip to Guadalest located only 15km away, and/or Polop located 8km away.
Learn more: Spectacular Fonts De l’Algar Waterfalls near Benidorm, Spain
Puig Campana
Puig Campana is located only about 20km from Benidorm, just beside Finestrat’s old town. With an altitude of 1406m, it’s the second-highest peak in the Province of Alicante, visible from many places in the area. There are three hiking routes available: circular route, circular route + ascent, and vertical kilometer. Routes vary in distance and difficulty, but each of them guarantees spectacular views and unforgettable experiences. If you love hiking, Puig Campana will for sure become one of your favorite day trips from Benidorm.
Learn more: Puig Campana, The Second-Highest Hiking Route In The Province Of Alicante
Parc Natural de la Serra Gelada
Parc Natural de la Serra Gelada is located about 7km from Benidorm center. It’s a perfect place for a long walk in nature. From the entrance, up to the lighthouse, you can enjoy beautiful landscapes. High cliffs, mountains, Mediterranean Sea and coastline views – it’s all here. The path is very easy and well-maintained so almost everyone will be able to enjoy this route.
Mar Menor
Mar Menor is a coastal saltwater lagoon located in the Region of Murcia. It’s the largest lagoon in Spain with a coastal length of 70km, separated from the Mediterranean Sea by La Manga, a 22km long sandbar. To see Mar Menor you can travel about 130km from Benidorm to San Pedro del Pinatar. You can also take a longer day trip and ride up to La Manga to admire views over Costa Calida from it.
Learn more: Holidays In La Manga del Mar Menor Murcia, Spain
Tabarca Island
Tabarca Island is located one hour’s sail from Alicante port, which is located about 50km from Benidorm. It’s the largest island in the Valencian Community, and also the smallest permanently inhabited islet in Spain. In the past, the island was a refuge for Barbary pirates. Nowadays it stands out for the restaurants with traditional food, the Church of San Pedro and San Pablo, the lighthouse, and the small historic center.
Explore local attractions
Day trips from Benidorm, Spain – Summing up
There are so many beautiful places to discover in the area, right? So if you’re staying longer in Benidorm, you definitely won’t be bored. We hope this post was very helpful, and now you’re one step closer to choosing places you’ll visit during your day trips from Benidorm. We’re curious about which towns and natural sites you chose – let us know!
Our opinion about day trips from Benidorm & TOP5
So far, we’ve spent 4 months living on Costa Blanca (October, November & January, February) during our #season1 and #season4 of digital nomad life. During that time we lived in Benidorm and found it a great starting point for discovering the area. For us, a huge advantage was that during that time area was slowly going to sleep, emptying from huge crowds of holidaymakers.
Overall, we really enjoyed our trips! To be honest, we can’t think about the many downsides… Ok, maybe besides horrendous eating hours which resulted in barely eating out. Our TOP5 day trips from Benidorm? Altea, Villajoyosa, Denia, Javea, and Calpe!
