Benidorm Old Town
Benidorm is a city of two distinct parts. The New Town is where most of the entertainment happens and is home to the popular Levante Beach. In contrast, Benidorm Old Town offers a more traditional and authentically Spanish experience.
In Benidorm’s Old Town, you’ll find charming whitewashed houses, beautiful churches, and the iconic El Mirador de la Punta del Canfali—a castle-like lookout point with stunning views.
The area also features Mal Pas and Poniente beaches, Benidorm Port, and lovely green spaces like Parque de Elche and Parque de L’Aigüera.
Wander through the maze of cobbled streets, where you’ll discover fantastic shops, boutiques, quaint restaurants, and hundreds of bars, all bursting with character. And of course, no visit is complete without experiencing Tapas Alley— a must for anyone wanting to enjoy traditional Spanish tapas.
The wonderful old town, is a complete contrast to the lively energy of the New Town, offering a different, yet equally unforgettable side of Benidorm.
THE WALKING STREET – Passeig de la Carretera
This is a well-known pedestrian street that runs through Benidorm’s Old Town, more or less parallel to the sea. This is the heart of the main shopping area, lined with bars, restaurants, and shops spilling out from the side streets.
How to Get There:
Option 1:
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Walk down Avenida Mediterráneo to the very end.
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Head down the road between Bankinter and El Italiano restaurant.
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Walk under the bridge, then turn left at Hotel Bristol Park.
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Continue straight and you’ll arrive at a pedestrian street—this is Walking Street.
Option 2:
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At the end of Av. Mediterráneo, take the street to the left of Bankinter.
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You’ll see Specsavers on your left.
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Turn right just past Specsavers, then left at Ale-Hop.
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This brings you to Walking Street.
As you stroll along Walking Street, you’ll eventually reach Dove Park—you can’t miss it.
Optional Detour:
At one point, you’ll come to a fork in the road near Pinocchio.
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Take the right fork to stay on Walking Street.
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Take the left fork and continue straight up the hill to reach the beautiful blue-domed church of San Jaime y Santa Ana and the iconic Balcón del Mediterráneo (El Mirador), offering panoramic sea views
Benidorm has been gay-friendly since the late 19th century, making it one of the oldest welcoming towns for LGBTQ+ visitors in Spain. With its vibrant nightlife and friendly gay scene, it continues to be a favourite destination for all. Read more HERE
The Old Town area is also where nearly all the Fiesta Parades take place.
Benidorm the Old Town - NIGHTLIFE
The Old Town's evening and late night entertainment can only be described as diversified. There's karaoke, cabaret and even transvestite bars, all of which guarantee a night of top class entertainment.
BEACHES
Cala Mal Pas
Cala Mal Pas is a small, scenic cove that separates Benidorm’s two main beaches. Nestled between Punta Canfali and Benidorm Port, this charming spot is just 120 metres long and features fine golden sand.
It offers a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere, making it an ideal escape from the busier beachfronts. More information HERE
Poniente Beach
At over 3 kilometres long, Poniente Beach is the longest beach in Benidorm, making it perfect for a relaxing stroll during the day or evening. It’s generally quieter than other beaches and features a modern, architect-designed promenade by Carlos Ferrater.
Along the promenade, you’ll find a wide variety of restaurants, bars, and clubs, offering plenty of options to eat, drink, and unwind. More information HERE
Iglesia de San Jaime y Santa Ana (St James Church)
Dedicated to the patron saint of Benidorm, the Church of Saint James sits proudly at the top of the Old Town, on Canfali Hill. This Neoclassical building, built in the 18th century, is instantly recognisable by its blue-tiled Mediterranean dome.
Inside, you’ll find a small chapel housing a statue of the Virgen del Sufragio, the much-loved patron saint of Benidorm. The sculpture is carved from wood and is tied to a powerful local legend.
Opening hours:
The Church of Saint James is open daily for Mass at 10:00, remaining open until 13:00. It then closes for a few hours and reopens in the evening for Mass at 19:00 and again at 20:00.
On Sundays, multiple Masses are held throughout the day, and the church stays open until after the final service.
Throughout the day, beautiful music is softly piped through the building, adding to its peaceful and reverent atmosphere. It’s a stunning church and well worth a visit while in Benidorm.
The Legend of the Virgen del Sufragio
In 1740, the people of Benidorm were startled by the arrival of a mysterious, crewless ship drifting into the harbour. Fearing the crew had succumbed to the plague, local authorities made the difficult decision to burn the ship in order to protect the town.
After the flames had died down, local children searched through the ashes and discovered, untouched and shining, a small statue of the Virgin holding the Child Jesus in her arms.
Since then, the Virgen del Sufragio has been venerated as a protector of Benidorm. Her Fiesta Day is celebrated each year on the second Sunday of November.
THE BENIDORM VIEW POINT, EL MIRADOR de la Punta del Canfali
The castle or fortress once stood on the large rock that separates Benidorm’s two main beaches, Levante and Poniente. Its primary role was to defend the coast from Berber pirate invasions and is believed to have been built around 1325.
Located at the highest point in Benidorm, the site is now famous for its white balustrade, a distinctive landmark and one of the city’s most iconic symbols.
The viewpoint (known as the Balcón del Mediterráneo) has two levels:
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An upper terrace with benches and rest areas
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A lower viewpoint, reached by descending a number of steep steps, offering breathtaking views closer to the sea.
Sadly the castle sustained significant damage during the peninsular war and was then abandoned and most of it disappeared in 1812.
Today only a few remains of the walls and one arch are still visible, which you can see on the lookout rocks (Mirador), this area is also known as "Balcony of the Mediterranean." and one of Benidorm Old Towns most visited tourist spots with panoramic 360º views.
In the sea near Punta Canfali, you may notice a geyser-like structure. This was once a functioning water jet, but sadly, it is no longer in operation.
It was discovered that the force of the water was causing erosion to nearby structures, including the white balustrade, surrounding buildings, and even the natural rock formations of Punta Canfali. For safety and preservation reasons, it was permanently deactivated a few years ago.
How to get to the Plaza del Castell
To reach the Plaza del Castell, there are several charming streets that lead you there, each with its own unique character.
One particularly scenic route is via Alameda Street. When you reach the beginning of Calle Mayor, turn left—this street leads directly toward the sea. Then, take the first right to begin your climb through the Callejón area.
Along the way, you’ll encounter narrow, cobbled streets, stone arches, and historic buildings—a small glimpse of Benidorm’s past nestled within the modern city.
THE PORT
Enjoy a wander round the port, watching the boats come and go to the Benidorm Island, Tabarca and Calpe.
PARQUE de ELCHE
The famous Elche park is home to hundreds of beautiful white doves and know to many as Dove Park, it is also known for its spectacular palm trees.
It is located just in front of Poniente Beach,and is close to Benidorm Harbour. This is a lovely shady park and a great place to sit and people watch.
TAPAS ALLEY - Officially runs from Pl. de la Constitutio, and along Santo Domingo
Head into the little cobbled streets in the historic old town you can enjoy mouth-watering morsels of Spain from the many tapas bars
Tapas are perfect for sharing and ideal for trying new dishes you might hesitate to order as a full main course. They offer a great way to sample a variety of flavours without the commitment of a large portion.
Tapas are also a smart way to enjoy premium Spanish delicacies—like Denia red prawns or high-quality Jamón—without breaking the bank, giving you a taste of luxury at a fraction of the cost. Find out more HERE
Benidorm The Old Town Municipal Market
Glorious groceries. This indoor market is where locals stock up on fresh foodstuffs. The fruit and veg stalls dazzle in greens and reds, and the delicatessens entice passers-by with the scent of ham.
Pick up some Spanish classics like “jamón ibérico” (cured ham), “churros” (fried dough sticks) and some of the region’s famous oranges.
Benidorm Old Town Market day is Wednesday.
PLAZA MAYOR SQUARE
For a main square, Benidorm’s Plaza Mayor is quite small but still worth a visit.
Despite its size the Plaza Mayor is still a fairly iconic part of Benidorm. Sip sangria inside in one of the quaint bars and restaurants as the sun sets behind the rooftops.
Just outside are a series of shops too if you fancy a few impulse buys on the way home too!
THE HOUSE OF L`HORT DE COLON MUSEUM - House Museum - Casa Museo de Benidorm
The house of l'Hort de Colón which is one of the few houses of the nineteenth century that still stand in the city.
The house has an area of just over 280 square meters distributed over two floors, and reflects the type of homes that were built for the well-to-do families of the town.
The house is used as a museum and for cultural activities throughout the year and is well worth a visit.
Permanently on display in the museum are a variety of paintings and sculptures, along with seasonal exhibitions.
You will find this museum on at 16 Calle de Tomás Ortuño.
BOCA DEL CALVARI MUSEUM
This small museum is located in the spot where until the mid-1970s the old town hall was located, the original house was completely demolished and a new building was built to serve as the museum's headquarters. The present museum has been open since 2015.
The museum hosts temporary exhibitions of different themes which change every few months, check the boards outside for what is currently on display. This museum can be found right on the corner of Calle Tomás de Ortuño
General Opening Hours
Monday: Closed. Tuesday: 5:0 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 10:30 - 13:30 and 17:00 - 20:30 Saturday and Sunday: 10:00h - 13:30h
THE PARQUE DE L’AIGUERA – KNOWN AS THE GREAT CENTRE OF BENIDORM
This is a long, extensive public park in the neoclassical style, designed by architect Ricardo Bofill. It´s a truely beautiful park and well worth a visit.
The park separates the old city from the modern buildings and it has two amphitheatres used for cultural events in the summer months.
The Benidorm song festival takes place in the Julio Iglesias auditorium in the park for two days in the month of June, and various other music festivals are held during the year.
The park ends at the Bullring and an enclosure which is used for fairs during fiestas.
BENIDORM BULLRING (Plaza de Toros)
Several bullfights with top named matadors are held every year. If you’ve ever doubted the popularity of the sport, wait ’til you see how packed it gets.
The bullring is also used during fiesta times for The running with the bulls and amateur bullfights.
The bullring in Benidorm was opened in 1962. Capacity of 9,971 people.
January 2021 Plans are in place to turn the bullring into a library and civic center. This area stopped hosting events due to structural problems two years ago
The City Council is putting out to ender the drafting of the project, included in the EDUSI, (European development funds for sustainable growth) which will be ready in three years.
Services planned are: a central library with multiple spaces, including study rooms and an auditorium; youth and youth information center with a large exhibition hall, hotel room for associations, multipurpose, rehearsal and training, and kitchen room; and a multicultural and multifunctional center with offices and warehouses for associations. It also includes the creation of a stage in the stands of the bullring and the installation of a fixed stage and sound and lighting equipment.
The project has a global budget of 8,695,691 euros and will be ready throughout 2023
HOTELS AND APARTMENTS IN BENIDORM OLD TOWN
Hotels in the centre of Benidorm are ideal for those wanting to take advantage of the beach and also for those who are perhaps looking for something a little different from their holiday in Benidorm!
Most are situated on the charming cobbled streets. All have a very good reputation and most important of all they prove very good value for money.
USE THIS PAGE TO FIND YOUR PERFECT HOTEL OR APARTMENT SITUATED IN THE OLD TOWN AREA
Regards
Richard