Best Beaches in Benidorm for Families (2027)

Benidorm is famous for its long stretches of golden sand, and its beaches are one of the biggest reasons the resort works so well for family holidays. But which are the best beaches in Benidorm for families?

Poniente and Levante are the two big names, but they’re quite different in atmosphere. There are also smaller beaches and coves around Benidorm that are worth knowing about if you fancy escaping the busiest parts of the resort.

In this guide, we’ll compare the best beaches in Benidorm for families, including Poniente, Levante, Mal Pas and some of the smaller coves, to help you decide which beach is best for younger children, teenagers, relaxing, swimming and exploring.

🏖️ Holiday Blueprint Quick Pick: If we had to choose just one beach for a family holiday, we’d pick Poniente Beach for its combination of space, facilities and more relaxed atmosphere.

Poniente Beach – Best Overall for Families

If we had to choose just one of the best beaches in Benidorm for families, we’d choose Poniente Beach. It offers a long stretch of sand and plenty of space, while generally feeling more relaxed than the busiest parts of Levante.

Poniente is particularly well suited to families who want proper beach days rather than being surrounded by constant activity. The promenade also makes it easy to break up the day with a walk, lunch or an ice cream.

Families with younger children may especially appreciate the more relaxed atmosphere, while there’s still enough happening nearby that older children shouldn’t feel cut off from the rest of Benidorm.

🏆 Best for: Younger children, relaxed family beach days and families who like plenty of space.

Holiday Blueprint Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Levante Beach – Best for Teenagers & Atmosphere

Levante Beach is the livelier alternative to Poniente and a great choice for families who like plenty happening around them. The long beachfront promenade is lined with restaurants, cafés and shops, giving the area a much busier holiday atmosphere.

We’d particularly consider Levante for families with older children and teenagers. Being close to so much of Benidorm’s entertainment means there’s usually something going on before and after your beach day.

The downside is simply that it can feel busier, particularly during the peak summer months. If your idea of the perfect family beach is somewhere quieter and more relaxed, we’d choose Poniente instead.

Best for: Teenagers, lively family beach days and families who want restaurants and entertainment close by.

Holiday Blueprint Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Mal Pas Beach – Best Small Beach

Mal Pas Beach is a much smaller alternative to Benidorm’s two main beaches, tucked between Levante and Poniente close to the Old Town.

Its central location makes it particularly useful if you’re spending part of the day exploring Benidorm Old Town and fancy combining sightseeing or lunch with a few hours by the sea.

It doesn’t offer the sheer amount of space you’ll find at Poniente, so we’d arrive earlier during busy periods if Mal Pas is specifically where you want to spend the day.

Best for: A shorter beach visit, Old Town days and families who prefer a smaller beach.

Holiday Blueprint Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tio Ximo Cove – Best for Snorkelling & Quieter Beach Time

Tio Ximo Cove (Cala Tio Ximo) feels very different from Benidorm’s main beaches. This small cove sits beneath the cliffs at the eastern end of the resort and is better suited to families looking for clear water, snorkelling and a quieter few hours by the sea.

We’d consider it more of an adventure than an all-day family beach. It’s much smaller than Poniente or Levante and doesn’t offer the same level of beachfront facilities, so we’d arrive prepared rather than expecting everything to be immediately available.

Families with older children and confident swimmers are likely to get the most from it, particularly if everyone enjoys exploring the water.

Best for: Snorkelling, older children, confident swimmers and escaping the main resort beaches.

Holiday Blueprint Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Almadrava Cove – Another Quieter Option

Almadrava Cove (Cala Almadrava) is another small cove away from Benidorm’s long sandy beaches. It’s worth knowing about if you’re looking for somewhere quieter and don’t need all the facilities of Poniente or Levante.

We wouldn’t choose it as our main family beach, particularly with younger children, but it can make an interesting change for families who enjoy swimming and exploring smaller coves.

Best for: A quieter swim and families wanting to explore beyond Benidorm’s main beaches.

Holiday Blueprint Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐½

Which Benidorm Beach Is Best for Your Family?

The best beach in Benidorm depends on the type of beach day your family enjoys. For most families, the decision will probably come down to Poniente vs Levante, while the smaller beaches and coves are better for particular types of day.

Best Benidorm Beach for Younger Children

Poniente Beach would be our first choice. Its spacious feel and more relaxed atmosphere make it particularly well suited to families with younger children who want plenty of time playing on the sand and swimming.

Best Benidorm Beach for Teenagers

We’d choose Levante Beach for teenagers, particularly those who prefer a livelier atmosphere. Having restaurants, shops and entertainment close to the beachfront gives the day more variety than simply spending hours on the sand.

Best Benidorm Beach for Snorkelling

Tio Ximo Cove is our pick for families who want to spend more time exploring the water. We’d favour it for older children and confident swimmers rather than very young families.

Best Benidorm Beach for a Relaxing Day

Poniente wins again. If your priority is finding some space and enjoying a slower family beach day, we’d choose it over the busier Levante side.

Best Beach Near Benidorm Old Town

Mal Pas Beach is the obvious choice. Its location makes it easy to combine a smaller beach with exploring the Old Town and stopping for lunch or dinner nearby.

🏆 Overall Holiday Blueprint Winner: Poniente Beach
If we were booking our first Benidorm family holiday and wanted the best all-round beach, Poniente would be our choice.

Where to Stay for the Best Benidorm Beaches

If beach time is a major part of your Benidorm holiday, we’d choose your hotel location based on the type of beach your family prefers.

Stay around Poniente if you want easier access to our overall family beach winner and a generally more relaxed base. Choose Levante if you’re travelling with older children or teenagers and want restaurants, shops and entertainment close to the beach.

Staying around Benidorm Old Town can give you convenient access to both sides of the resort as well as Mal Pas Beach, making it an interesting compromise if you don’t want to commit entirely to Levante or Poniente.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Don’t judge a hotel purely by how many metres it is from the beach. Check which beach it’s actually near — the atmosphere around Poniente and Levante can be quite different.

Best Time of Year for Benidorm Beaches

Benidorm’s beaches are at their busiest during July and August, when families can expect hot weather, warm sea temperatures and the liveliest atmosphere — but also the biggest crowds.

If school dates allow, we’d consider late May, June or September. You can still enjoy excellent beach weather while generally avoiding some of the intensity of the peak summer period.

Easter and October can also bring pleasant beach days, but the weather is naturally less reliable if swimming and sunbathing are the main reasons for your holiday.

Holiday Blueprint Pick: June or September would be our choice for families who want warm beach weather without visiting at the absolute peak of summer.

Benidorm Beach Tips for Families

A little preparation can make a family beach day in Benidorm much easier, particularly during the hotter summer months.

Arrive earlier in peak season – Popular sections of Poniente and Levante can become busy during July and August, so an earlier start gives you more choice of where to settle.

Take plenty of sun protection – Use high-SPF sunscreen, reapply it regularly and consider UV swimwear for children spending hours in and around the water.

Bring suitable footwear – Sand and promenades can become extremely hot in summer, while the smaller coves may be less comfortable underfoot than the main sandy beaches.

Keep everyone hydrated – It’s easy to underestimate how much you need to drink when you’re swimming and relaxing by the sea.

Take extra care at the coves – Tio Ximo and Almadrava offer a different experience from Poniente and Levante, so we’d be more prepared when visiting with children rather than expecting the same facilities as the main beaches.

Don’t take unnecessary valuables – Keep what you bring to the beach relatively minimal, particularly if everyone plans to be in the water together.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Mix your beach days rather than automatically returning to the same spot. Try Poniente for a full family day, Levante for a livelier afternoon and Mal Pas when exploring the Old Town.

Benidorm Beaches FAQs

Which is the best beach in Benidorm for families?

Poniente Beach is our overall choice for families thanks to its long stretch of sand, spacious feel and more relaxed atmosphere. Families with teenagers who prefer somewhere livelier may favour Levante.

Is Poniente or Levante Beach better?

Poniente is better for a more relaxed family beach day, while Levante is better for atmosphere, restaurants and entertainment. We’d choose Poniente with younger children and consider Levante with older children and teenagers.

Are Benidorm beaches suitable for young children?

Yes. Benidorm’s main beaches are popular with families, although parents should always pay attention to current sea conditions, beach flags and lifeguard advice on the day.

Does Benidorm have quieter beaches?

Yes. Tio Ximo and Almadrava provide smaller alternatives away from the main stretches of Poniente and Levante. They have a very different feel but aren’t necessarily as convenient for families wanting extensive beachfront facilities.

Which Benidorm beach is closest to the Old Town?

Mal Pas Beach sits beside Benidorm Old Town between the Levante and Poniente sides of the resort, making it particularly convenient for combining a beach visit with exploring the historic centre.

Final Verdict: Which Is the Best Beach in Benidorm for Families?

Benidorm has a surprisingly good variety of beaches, from long stretches of golden sand to small coves where you can escape some of the resort’s busiest areas.

For most families, Poniente Beach is our overall winner. Its combination of space, relaxed atmosphere and convenient facilities makes it the beach we’d choose for a traditional family day by the sea.

Levante Beach would be our choice for families with older children and teenagers who want a livelier atmosphere, while Mal Pas is ideal for combining some beach time with exploring Benidorm Old Town.

Families interested in snorkelling and quieter surroundings should also consider Tio Ximo Cove, particularly with older children and confident swimmers.

Ultimately, you don’t need to choose just one. One of the advantages of staying in Benidorm is being able to experience several very different beaches during the same holiday.

🏆 Holiday Blueprint Overall Winner: Poniente Beach

Best overall: Poniente Beach
Best for teenagers: Levante Beach
Best small beach: Mal Pas Beach
Best for snorkelling: Tio Ximo Cove
Best quieter alternative: Almadrava Cove

Continue Planning Your Benidorm Holiday

Planning a family holiday to Benidorm? Start with our Benidorm for UK Families: The Complete 2027 Guide for help choosing where to stay, family attractions, water parks, getting from Alicante Airport and exploring the Costa Blanca.

More Benidorm family guides coming soon:

☀️ Best Time to Visit Benidorm: Month-by-Month Guide
🎢 Terra Mítica for UK Families
🌊 Best Water Parks in Benidorm: Aqualandia vs Aqua Natura
🏨 Where to Stay in Benidorm for Families