Playa de Levante

Playa de Levante: The Heartbeat of Benidorm

Few beaches in the Mediterranean carry as much character — or as much photogenic power — as Playa de Levante. Stretching 1.5 kilometres along the eastern bay of Benidorm, this Blue Flag beach is the one that defines the city’s unmistakable identity: a crescent of fine golden sand framed by a forest of gleaming high-rise towers that rise straight from the promenade like a Mediterranean Manhattan. It is brash, brilliant, and utterly alive.

What Makes It Special

Levante is the living room of Benidorm. From the moment the sun rises over the headland and catches the towers in its early light, the beach begins to fill with a wonderfully eclectic mix of swimmers, sunbathers, families with infants, elderly couples on their morning constitutional, and backpackers chasing the day’s first wave. This is a beach without pretension — welcoming to all, buzzing with energy, and backed by one of the most recognisable urban skylines in Spain.

The Blue Flag has been awarded consistently for water quality and safety. Despite the sheer volume of visitors, the local authority invests heavily in daily cleaning, raking, and water monitoring. The sand is genuinely fine and pale, and the sea in the eastern bay is slightly more sheltered than Poniente, making it excellent for families with young children.

What to Do There

• Swimming: The bay’s natural curve and relatively shallow gradient make it ideal for casual swimmers and paddlers. The sea stays warm well into October.
• Water sports: Jet-ski hire, banana boat rides, parasailing, and kayak rentals are all available along the beach, making Levante the go-to spot for aquatic thrills.
• Beach volleyball and football: Marked areas are set up during summer and attract impromptu tournaments throughout the day.
• Promenade life: The paseo marítimo is one of the most animated in the region, lined with souvenir shops, cocktail bars, and restaurants serving everything from full English breakfasts to paella valenciana.
• People-watching: Honestly, simply sitting with a cold drink and watching the extraordinary tapestry of humanity that passes through Levante is an entertainment in itself.

At the northern end of the beach, the Balcón de Mediterráneo — Benidorm’s famous viewpoint — provides the classic postcard shot of both bays and the dividing headland.

How to Get There

Levante beach is essentially in the centre of Benidorm, easily reached on foot from the old town and most hotel zones.

• By car: Parking is tight in summer. Use the underground car parks on Avenida de l’Aigüera or Calle Gambo and walk to the beach (5–10 minutes). Avoid arriving between 11 am and 2 pm in August.
• By bus: ALSA long-distance services and local urban buses stop on or very near Avenida de Martínez Alejos, parallel to the promenade.
• By train: The TRAM line 1 from Alicante stops at Benidorm. From the station, local buses or a 20-minute walk along the promenade bring you to Levante.
• On foot: If you are staying anywhere in central Benidorm, the beach is almost certainly walkable from your hotel.

Best Season to Visit

Levante is at its most electric in July and August, when the beach is packed shoulder to shoulder and the party atmosphere extends from sunrise to well past midnight. If that energy appeals to you, this is the time to come. Book accommodation months in advance.

For a more relaxed experience with equally warm seas, June and September are outstanding. The water is comfortable, the promenade is lively but not overwhelming, and restaurant tables are easier to find. October still delivers pleasant beach weather and significantly fewer crowds.

Practical Tips

• Arrive early: In high season, sunbeds are in demand by 9 am. If you want a frontline spot, be on the sand by 8:30 am or hire sunbeds in advance through your hotel.
• Sunbed hire: Regulated by the municipality. Expect to pay a fixed daily rate per lounger; operators are not permitted to overcharge.
• Safety: Lifeguards patrol from mid-June to mid-September. Always check the flag colour before entering the water.
• Hydration: The sun on Levante is relentless in July and August. Bring plenty of water, use high-factor sun cream, and take a midday break in the shade.
• Evening dining: The promenade restaurants fill up quickly after 8 pm in summer. Book ahead for sit-down meals, or grab a table at one of the many chiringuitos (beach bars) for a more casual bite.
• Nearby: The Aqualandia water park and Terra Mítica theme park are both within easy reach by local bus — perfect for families looking to extend the fun beyond the beach.

Playa de Levante is not for those seeking solitude — but for anyone who wants to feel at the very centre of Mediterranean summer life, there is nowhere quite like it.