Best Areas to Stay in Benidorm
Quick Answer: Where Should You Stay in Benidorm?
If you just want a fast recommendation:
- First time visitors → Levante Beach
- Couples → Old Town or Poniente Beach
- Families → Poniente Beach or Finestrat
- Nightlife → Rincon de Loix
- Quiet escape → La Cala
Benidorm is compact, so no matter where you stay, you’re never far from the beach, nightlife or attractions.
If you’re still planning your trip, our full guide to Benidorm Holidays covers everything you need to know.
Understanding Benidorm’s Layout (It Helps More Than You Think)
Benidorm is built around two main coastlines:
- Levante Beach (east side) → lively, tourist heavy, entertainment focused
- Poniente Beach (west side) → quieter, more modern and relaxed
Between them sits the Old Town, the most traditional part of the resort.
To the east you’ll find Rincon de Loix, the nightlife hub.
To the west is La Cala, a calmer residential style bay.
Just outside the resort is Finestrat, home to newer family focused developments.
Once you understand this layout, choosing where to stay becomes much easier.
Benidorm Areas Compared at a Glance
| Area | Atmosphere | Best For | Nightlife | Beach Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levante | Lively | First time visitors | Excellent | Excellent |
| Old Town | Traditional | Couples, food | Moderate | Very Good |
| Poniente | Relaxed | Families, couples | Low | Excellent |
| Rincon de Loix | Busy | Nightlife, groups | Excellent | Very Good |
| La Cala | Quiet | Relaxation | Very Low | Very Good |
| Finestrat | Modern | Families | Low | Good |
Levante Beach: Best for First Time Visitors
Levante is the “classic Benidorm” most people imagine—busy beachfront, endless restaurants and nightlife just steps away.
You get:
- A long sandy beach with full facilities
- A lively promenade packed with bars and cafes
- Easy walking access to nightlife and attractions
It’s ideal if you want everything on your doorstep.
Where to stay in Levante
Hotel Helios Benidorm
A popular all rounder just back from the beach. Known for its relaxed pool area and excellent value for its central location.
Hotel Cimbel
One of the best positioned beachfront hotels in Levante, ideal if you want sea views and immediate access to the promenade.
Best for: first time visitors, groups, nightlife seekers
Watch out for: noise in peak season
Old Town: Best for Atmosphere, Dining & Couples
Old Town feels like a completely different destination compared to the high rise beachfront.
Expect:
- Narrow streets and historic charm
- Tapas bars and independent restaurants
- Beautiful viewpoints over both beaches
It’s the most atmospheric part of Benidorm.
Where to stay in Old Town
Hotel Villa Venecia Boutique Gourmet
A luxury boutique hotel built into the cliffside with some of the best sea views in Benidorm, very popular for couples.
Gastrohotel RH Canfali
Stylish, modern and perfectly placed in the heart of the Old Town with rooftop dining and excellent views.
Best for: couples, food lovers, repeat visitors
Watch out for: fewer large resorts
Poniente Beach: Best All Round Relaxed Stay
Poniente is the calmer, more modern side of Benidorm, wider beaches, newer hotels and a slower pace overall.
You get:
- A huge, less crowded beach
- Modern seafront promenade
- A more residential feel than Levante
Where to stay in Poniente
H10 Porto Poniente
A stylish modern beachfront hotel with rooftop pools and a quieter, upscale feel, ideal for couples.
Gran Hotel Bali
One of Spain’s tallest hotels, offering big resort facilities and panoramic views over the coastline.
Best for: couples, families, relaxed beach holidays
Watch out for: quieter nightlife
Rincon de Loix: Best for Nightlife & Entertainment
This is Benidorm’s entertainment zone, packed with bars, shows and late night venues.
Expect:
- Live music venues
- Cabaret and tribute acts
- Busy nightlife streets
Where to stay in Rincon de Loix
BCL Levante Club & Spa
A popular choice for groups, offering spa facilities and easy access to nightlife.
Melia Benidorm
A large resort style hotel with pools, entertainment and strong all round facilities.
Best for: nightlife, groups, short breaks
Watch out for: noise at night
La Cala: Best for Peace & Quiet
La Cala feels more like a small coastal village than a busy resort.
You get:
- A smaller, calmer beach
- Fewer crowds
- A more residential atmosphere
Where to stay in La Cala
Nomad Resort & Spa La Cala Finestrat
A modern, relaxed resort style property designed for quiet stays and comfort.
Hotel Servigroup Torre Dorada
A well established hotel offering great views and a peaceful setting above the beach.
Best for: couples, older travellers, relaxation seekers
Watch out for: distance from nightlife
Finestrat: Best for Families & Modern Resorts
Finestrat is just outside central Benidorm and has become popular with families looking for newer accommodation and quieter surroundings.
Expect:
- Modern resorts and apartments
- Shopping centres nearby
- Easy access to theme parks
Best for: families, longer stays, resort style holidays
Watch out for: less traditional Benidorm atmosphere
Best Area in Benidorm by Travel Style
- Best all rounder: Levante Beach
- Most relaxing: Poniente Beach
- Most romantic: Old Town
- Best nightlife: Rincon de Loix
- Best quiet escape: La Cala
- Best for families: Finestrat
Old Town vs Levante: Which Should You Pick?
| Old Town | Levante |
|---|---|
| Atmospheric & scenic | Busy & energetic |
| Great dining | Huge nightlife choice |
| More boutique stays | More hotels & apartments |
| Quieter evenings | Lively 24/7 feel |
Choose based on mood, not quality. Both are excellent in very different ways.
Getting Around Benidorm
Benidorm is compact and most areas are:
- 5–15 minutes apart by taxi
- Walkable along the beachfront
- Well connected by local buses
So you can easily stay in one area and still explore others.
For transfers, see: Alicante Airport to Benidorm
If you’re still unsure where it sits in Spain, read: Benidorm Is Where in Spain?
Frequently Asked Questions About Where to Stay in Benidorm
Levante Beach is the most popular choice for first time visitors because it offers a central location, a long sandy beach and easy access to restaurants, bars and nightlife.
Levante is busier, more lively and better for nightlife and convenience. Poniente is quieter, more modern and better for relaxed beach holidays. Neither is better overall, it depends on your travel style.
Most visitors stay in Levante Beach and Rincon de Loix because these areas have the highest concentration of entertainment, pubs and familiar holiday facilities.
La Cala is generally the quietest area, followed by parts of Poniente Beach. These areas are ideal for travellers looking for a more relaxed or residential atmosphere.
Yes. Old Town is one of the best areas for couples thanks to its traditional charm, excellent restaurants, scenic viewpoints and more relaxed evening atmosphere compared to Levante.
Finestrat, Poniente Beach and parts of La Cala are the most family friendly areas due to their quieter surroundings, modern accommodation and easy access to attractions.
All main areas in Benidorm are around 45–60 minutes from Alicante Airport, depending on traffic and transfer method.
For transfer details, see: Alicante Airport to Benidorm.
Yes. Benidorm is compact and most areas are only 5–15 minutes apart by taxi or a short walk along the beachfront, making it easy to explore multiple areas during your stay.
Final Thoughts
The best area to stay in Benidorm depends entirely on your travel style:
- Choose Levante for energy and convenience
- Choose Old Town for charm and food
- Choose Poniente for space and relaxation
- Choose Rincon de Loix for nightlife
- Choose La Cala for peace
- Choose Finestrat for family friendly modern stays
The key advantage of Benidorm is flexibility. No matter where you stay, everything is close enough to explore.
Explore More Benidorm Guides –
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Find out where Benidorm is in Spain
Explore our complete Benidorm holidays guide
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