Living in Benidorm
An honest guide to living or buying in Benidorm, Costa Blanca: Levante and Poniente, the old town, apartments with views, rental returns, healthcare, transport and cost of living.
By the team at Team Picou · RE/MAX Inmomás II, Costa Blanca.
Benidorm divides opinion, but one thing is hard to argue with: it’s one of the few places on the Costa Blanca where people genuinely live 365 days a year. Its skyscraper skyline — the most famous in Spain — hides two big sandy beaches (Levante and Poniente), a charming old town, full city services and an exceptional climate that explains why so many people choose it not for a summer holiday but to stay.
For anyone who wants sun, a sandy beach, every service to hand and, very often, a solid rental return, Benidorm is as practical as it is underrated.
Who Benidorm suits
Benidorm fits if you want total convenience: a sandy beach, shops, healthcare, leisure and transport on your doorstep, plus a strong rental market for investors. It works for retirees, for remote workers who want services, and for investors. If you want a secluded, quiet villa with coves, the north (Jávea, Benissa, Altea) will suit you better.
The areas of Benidorm
- Levante beach. The liveliest, most touristy, with day-and-night life and a strong British presence. Apartments with high rental demand.
- Poniente beach. Calmer, more residential and Spanish, preferred for year-round living. A modern promenade and a family feel.
- Old town and Balcón del Mediterráneo. The charming heart between the two beaches, with the Mal Pas cove.
- Rincón de Loix and Sierra Helada / La Cala. From the high density of the Rincón to villas with views on the hillsides.
Beaches and coves
Benidorm has two wide, urban, blue-flag sandy beaches: Levante and Poniente, joined by the Balcón del Mediterráneo. Add the small Mal Pas cove and, to the north, the Sierra Helada natural park with its coves and viewpoints.
Schools
Benidorm has a wide range of state schools and access to international schools in the Marina Baja. Being a city, its education and activities offering is among the most complete in the area. If education weighs on your decision, we’ll help you compare options by your children’s ages.
Healthcare
Benidorm has health centres and the Hospital Marina Baixa (in neighbouring Villajoyosa) as its reference, plus a wide network of private clinics with multilingual care. On healthcare, living in a city is a clear advantage.
Getting around
Benidorm is one of the best-connected spots on the coast:
- TRAM: connects to Alicante and the northern towns (Altea, Calpe, Dénia).
- Alicante Airport (ALC): around 45 minutes.
- Within the city you can live without a car — rare on the Costa Blanca.
International community and social life
Benidorm has a huge international community, with a historic British presence (especially in Levante), alongside other nationalities. Its social, leisure and retail life is unmatched in the area, and everything runs in several languages all year round.
Cost of living
Daily life in Benidorm can be very affordable thanks to competition: markets, restaurants and leisure for every budget. On property, the apartment is the dominant and accessible option, while penthouses with views and the Sierra Helada villas mark the high end.
The Benidorm property market
Benidorm is, above all, an apartment market, with penthouses and villas with views at the premium end. It’s one of the most liquid markets on the Costa Blanca, with strong rental demand. The overall average is misleading because of the mix — what matters is the fine-grained figure by area and by view.
So you can decide with real numbers, we publish up-to-date median prices and €/m² for Benidorm as open data, and you can browse the live inventory any time. If you’re thinking of buying or selling here, talk to someone who walks Benidorm every week: we’ll tell you plainly what’s moving, at what price, and why.
