Benidorm (Spain Costa Blanca)

Benidorm is an unusual and infrequently used cruise destination rather than a conventional cruise port. Its small harbour cannot accommodate a large cruise ship, so any cruise call is likely to involve anchoring offshore and tendering ashore. Once landed near the harbour, passengers are immediately beside Mal Pas Beach and the Old Town.

Independent sightseeing: Easy for the Old Town, viewpoints and central beaches. Independent travel requires more planning for Altea or inland attractions, while an organized excursion is preferable for Guadalest and the Algar waterfalls.

Getting Ashore

• Ship access: Expect a tender operation unless the cruise line provides different instructions. Tendering may involve queues and can be affected by sea conditions.
• Landing area: Tender arrangements are determined for each call, but passengers may be brought into or near Benidorm’s small harbour.
• On arrival: The harbour, Mal Pas Beach, Elche Park and the lower edge of the Old Town are close together and require no shuttle if this landing point is used.
• Local transport: Taxis and local buses are useful for the eastern end of Levante Beach and attractions outside the center. Confirm the final tender departure time before traveling farther afield.

Best Ways to Spend Your Time

Explore the Old Town and Mediterranean Balcony

Allow 2–3 hours for the compact historic center between Levante and Poniente beaches. Walk uphill through the narrow streets to the Church of Saint James and Saint Anne, Plaza del Castell and the Balcón del Mediterráneo viewpoint. The climb is short but includes slopes, steps and uneven paving.

This is the easiest independent option and can be combined with tapas, shopping or time at Mal Pas Beach.

Combine the Old Town with a Beach

Mal Pas is the closest beach to the harbour and the simplest choice for a short swim. Poniente Beach begins just west of the port and has a broad promenade, while Levante Beach lies east of the Old Town and has the busier resort atmosphere.

Allow at least 2–4 hours for sightseeing and beach time. Keep valuables secure and allow time to change before returning by tender.

Walk the Levante Seafront

From the Mediterranean Balcony, descend toward Levante Beach and follow the level promenade eastward. Walking the full promenade toward Rincón de Loix is approximately 2.5 km (1.6 mi) each way, so passengers can turn back earlier or use a local bus or taxi for the return.

This option is easy independently, although the promenade can be crowded during the main holiday season.

Take a Boat Trip to Benidorm Island

Local sightseeing boats operate from Benidorm harbour on selected days and seasons. The outing generally requires at least two hours on the island in addition to the crossings. Paths there are rocky and exposed, with limited shade.

This is practical only when published departure and return times fit comfortably within the cruise call. Do not rely on the final possible return boat.

Visit Altea

Altea, approximately 12 km (7.5 mi) northeast of Benidorm, offers a whitewashed hilltop Old Town, sea views and a waterfront promenade. It can be reached by taxi or by combining local transport with the coastal tram, but the hilltop streets are steep and cobbled.

Allow about 4–5 hours and build in extra return time. A taxi or arranged tour is more efficient during a short cruise call.

Self-Guided Old Town Walk

Route: Harbour or tender landing → Elche Park → Mal Pas Beach → Church of Saint James and Saint Anne → Plaza del Castell → Balcón del Mediterráneo → Alameda pedestrian streets → Levante promenade → return through the Old Town.

• Distance: Approximately 2.5 km (1.6 mi).
• Pure walking time: About 40–50 minutes.
• Recommended total time: 2–3 hours, including viewpoints and refreshment stops.
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate. The seafront is largely level, but the approach to Plaza del Castell has slopes and steps.
• Return: The final section descends toward the harbour. Allow an additional tender margin beyond the cruise line’s stated all-aboard time.

Inland Excursions

Guadalest

The mountain village of Guadalest is roughly 25 km (15.5 mi) inland. Its castle viewpoints and old quarter require uphill walking, steps and uneven surfaces. Public transport is too limiting for many short port calls, so a ship excursion, organized tour or pre-arranged round-trip taxi is preferable.

Algar Waterfalls

The Algar waterfalls are approximately 20 km (12.4 mi) from Benidorm. Visiting independently requires arranged transport, and the paths around the pools can be wet and slippery. Combining the waterfalls with Guadalest is best suited to a structured excursion with a clearly controlled return schedule.

Practical Tips

• Check the ship’s daily information for the confirmed tender landing point and last tender time; arrangements may differ between calls.
• Passengers with limited mobility should review tender access with the cruise line before going ashore.
• Wear shoes with grip for the Old Town’s slopes and for any island or waterfall visit.
• Carry sun protection and water, particularly for exposed promenades and boat trips.
• For independent trips outside central Benidorm, leave a generous margin for road delays and the tender journey back to the ship.