Benidorm's skyline is one of the most photographed urban panoramas in Spain — a wall of skyscrapers rising straight from the Mediterranean, which looks frankly absurd and completely magnificent at the same time. After ten years on the Costa Blanca, I still find a good vantage point over Benidorm genuinely exciting. But most visitors only ever see the view from the beach, looking up. Flip that around, and you unlock something far more dramatic.
Here's my definitive guide to the best viewpoints in Benidorm — ranked, mapped in my head, and road-tested on countless evenings with a cold Estrella in hand.
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Find rentals →1. Mirador del Castillo (The Old Town Belvedere) — The Classic for a Reason
If you only do one viewpoint, make it this one. Perched above the Casco Antiguo on the rocky headland that divides Playa de Levante from Playa de Poniente, the Mirador del Castillo gives you the full 180-degree panorama: the twin bays, both beaches stretching in opposite directions, and that iconic skyline looming behind.
The walk up from the old town takes about five minutes through narrow, flower-lined streets — follow the blue signs. Go at golden hour (around 7:30–8pm in September) and you'll understand why half of Instagram is full of Benidorm sunset shots. The light turns the towers amber and the sea goes copper. It's genuinely spectacular.
Practical tip: there's a small terrace bar just below the mirador — perfect for a post-sunset glass of wine. Gets busy at weekends; arrive 20 minutes early for the best spot at the railing.
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2. Sierra Helada Natural Park — The Viewpoint Hikers Know About
The Sierra Helada is the limestone ridge that rises behind the Rincón de Loix neighbourhood at the eastern end of Benidorm. Most tourists drive past it without a second glance. That is their loss.
A well-marked trail (Sendero de la Sierra Helada) winds up through pine and scrub to a series of clifftop miradors that look back over the entire bay of Benidorm. At 250 metres above sea level, the perspective is breathtaking — you see the full arc of Playa de Levante, the island of Benidorm (L'Illa de Benidorm) floating offshore, and on clear days, the cape of Cap de la Nau to the south.
September is the perfect month for this hike — the savage summer heat has eased, the light is golden and long, and the park is quiet compared to July. Wear proper shoes (it's rocky), bring a litre of water per person, and allow 2–3 hours return from the trailhead on Calle Almendros. Free parking nearby.
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3. Tossal de la Cala — The View the Locals Keep to Themselves
About 3km north of Benidorm, rising above the quieter beach of Playa de la Cala, is the Tossal de la Cala — an ancient Iberian settlement site that doubles as one of the coast's best-kept viewpoint secrets. From here you get Benidorm in miniature, framed by mountains and sea, the towers tiny against the Sierra de Aitana behind.
There's an archaeological site at the top (free entry, open mornings) and the walking trail up is short but steep — about 20 minutes from the beach car park. In September the wildflowers are still in bloom and the light is extraordinary in the late afternoon.
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4. Puig Campana from the N-332 Layby — The Dramatic Backdrop Shot
Okay, this one isn't technically in Benidorm, but it's the shot that explains why the skyline looks so cinematic. About 5km north of town on the N-332 towards Altea, there's a layby (look for it past the petrol station at La Nucia junction) where the full Benidorm skyline appears with the 2,596m peak of Puig Campana rising directly behind the towers.
This is the photograph. The contrast between those glass skyscrapers and the raw, jagged mountain is surreal — it's been used on countless magazine covers and it never gets old. Early morning works best: the mountain catches the first light while the city below is still in shadow.
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5. L'Illa de Benidorm (Benidorm Island) — 360 Degrees of Sea
A short boat trip (around 20 minutes, departures from Playa de Levante all morning) takes you to L'Illa de Benidorm, a protected marine reserve. From the island's rocky summit, the views back to the mainland are completely unique — Benidorm seen from the sea, surrounded by blue on all sides.
Boat tickets cost around €12 return. The island has a small beach and snorkelling area with crystal-clear water. In September the crowds are thinner than August, the sea temperature is still warm (around 25°C), and this excursion feels like a proper escape even though you're only 3km offshore.
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6. Cala de Finestrat Viewpoint — Sunset Over the Southern Bay
Drive or cycle south from Benidorm towards Finestrat and you'll hit a series of clifftop pullouts above Cala de Finestrat where the view sweeps back north over the whole bay. This is a quieter, more contemplative viewpoint — popular with local cyclists on Sunday mornings. The rocky inlet below is beautiful too, and makes a good swimming spot.
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Best Time to Visit Benidorm's Viewpoints in September
September is honestly ideal. The light is warmer and more golden than midsummer, sunrise is around 7:45am and sunset around 7:30pm — both manageable times. The humidity has dropped. Sierra Helada in particular is a revelation in autumn light.
For sunset viewpoints, the Mirador del Castillo is magical. For sunrise, Tossal de la Cala or Sierra Helada face east and catch the first light over the sea.
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Stay Close to All These Viewpoints
The beauty of Benidorm is its compactness. All these viewpoints are within easy reach of the centre — and staying in a well-located holiday rental in Benidorm means you can be at the Mirador del Castillo in ten minutes on foot, or at the Sierra Helada trailhead in a short taxi ride.
Browse our Benidorm holiday rentals and find your perfect base. When you book direct with JV Properties, you save up to 18% compared to booking through Airbnb or similar platforms — that's real money that's better spent on a boat trip to the island or a sunset dinner on the old town terrace.
For more on making the most of your time here, read our full guide to exploring Benidorm.
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JV Properties is a direct-booking holiday rental agency based on the Costa Blanca. We've been helping visitors find the right apartment since 2014 — and we actually live here, so the advice is real.
