Levante is livelier with more bars and nightlife; Poniente, right by the hotel, is wider and quieter — most visitors end up using both.
Discover Local Benidorm: What to Do Around Mercure Benidorm
At Mercure, we believe you shouldn't need a guidebook to feel like you belong somewhere. That's the idea behind Discover Local: since 1973, every Mercure hotel has been built around its neighbourhood, not just dropped into it — from the décor on the walls to the flavours on the menu. Step into any Mercure and our teams are on hand with the kind of tips you won't find in a guidebook: the market stall locals queue for, the bar where nobody speaks English, the walk that skips the crowds. They live here. They know. Discover Local isn't a generic city guide — it's a short, honest list of the restaurants, markets and neighbourhoods our own hotel teams actually recommend to guests, updated as the city changes around us. Below, you'll find our picks for Benidorm, an interactive map to help you find your way, and answers to the questions travellers ask us most. So — where will Discover Local take you?
Benidorm in 5 picks
Playa de Levante
Benidorm's most famous beach — a long stretch of golden sand backed by a lively promenade of bars, shops and restaurants. It's the busier, more built-up of the city's two main beaches, and where most of the nightlife energy spills out onto the sand.
Playa de Poniente
A 3km beach on the quieter western side of the city, wider than Levante and popular with a more local crowd. Better for a long walk or an unhurried afternoon than for people-watching.
Balcón del Mediterráneo
A white stone viewpoint in the Old Town, perched between Levante and Poniente, giving you a panoramic look at both beaches and the Benidorm Island skyline at once. It's a short stop but one of the best photo spots in the city.
Casco Antiguo (Old Town)
Narrow streets, whitewashed houses and small squares on the rocky headland between the two beaches. Calle Santo Domingo — nicknamed Tapas Alley — is the place to graze on Valencian tapas and fresh seafood.
Benidorm Island boat trip
A glass-bottom boat from the port takes you out to the protected nature reserve just offshore — a straightforward half-day activity if you want a break from the beach towel.
FAQ
Compact and whitewashed, with the Balcón del Mediterráneo viewpoint and Tapas Alley on Calle Santo Domingo as the main draws, sitting on the headland between the two main beaches.
About 15 minutes on foot, with Playa de Poniente right next to the hotel itself.
Where to sleep
See Mercure hotels in Benidorm, all within reach of these picks.