I know, I know — when you're staying in Benidorm with the sun hammering down on Playa Levante and a cold Estrella in your hand, the idea of going anywhere else feels borderline ridiculous. But after ten years living on the Costa Blanca, I can tell you this: some of the best days I've had started with a short drive or a bus ride away from Benidorm's famous skyline. September is honestly the perfect month for day trips — the heat has mellowed just enough, the crowds at nearby sites are thinner, and the light is absolutely stunning in the late afternoon.
Here are my honest picks for the best Benidorm day trips — tested, timed and worth every kilometre.
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Find rentals →1. Guadalest: The Mountain Village That'll Stop You in Your Tracks (35 mins)
If you do only one day trip from Benidorm, make it Guadalest. This medieval hilltop village sits inside a reservoir valley about 24 km inland, and the drive alone — winding up through almond and orange groves — is worth it. Park at the bottom (€2, well-signposted), walk through the tunnel carved into the rock, and suddenly you're inside a tiny fortress village with jaw-dropping views over the Guadalest reservoir.
The village itself has about a dozen quirky museums (the miniatures museum is genuinely impressive, the torture museum is exactly what it sounds like) and plenty of local honey, almond nougat and ceramic shops. Go early — by 11am in summer tour buses arrive and it gets tight. In September, you'll have more breathing room.
Getting there: By car via the CV-70, 35 minutes. Or take the ALSA bus from Benidorm bus station (line 25, runs regularly).
Cost: Free to enter the village. Parking €2. Museo de Microminiaturas €3.50.
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2. Altea: Benidorm's Elegant Neighbour (15 mins)
Just 10 km down the coast, Altea couldn't be more different from Benidorm if it tried. The old town tumbles down a hillside of whitewashed houses and bougainvillea, ending at a pebble beach backed by seafood restaurants. The blue-and-white domed church at the top is one of the most photographed spots on the Costa Blanca.
Altea has a genuine arts scene — galleries, ceramic workshops, independent restaurants run by people who actually care about food. I love having lunch at El Portal on Carrer de la Mar, then wandering up through the casco histórico in the early evening when the light is golden. There's a good Saturday market on the promenade too.
Getting there: TRAM coastal train from Benidorm station — 20 minutes, around €2 each way. Or drive and park near the promenade.
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3. Alicante City: History, Tapas & a Proper Castle (1 hour)
Alicante is only 55 km south of Benidorm, and it punches well above its weight as a city destination. The Castillo de Santa Bárbara sits 166 metres above the city on a bare rock face and you can take the lift straight up from the beach — the views over the port and the old town are spectacular.
Down below, the Explanada de España promenade is lined with palm trees and outdoor terrace bars. The Mercado Central is worth a wander (go before 2pm), and the El Barrio neighbourhood has brilliant tapas bars — try Taberna de la Abuela on Calle Mayor or any of the places around Plaza Gabriel Miró for no-frills local food.
For September visitors, Alicante hosts the Semana Grande festival in mid-September — check dates, because if it overlaps with your trip, you're in for fireworks, live music and serious local atmosphere.
Getting there: ALSA bus from Benidorm (around 75 mins, €5–7 each way). Or the TRAM to El Campello then connecting service. Driving is straightforward via the AP-7 motorway but parking in the city centre costs.
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4. Calpe & the Peñón de Ifach: Rock Climbing & Paella by the Sea (30 mins)
Calpe is a solid half-day or full-day trip from Benidorm — 22 km north up the coast. The town is dominated by the Peñón de Ifach, a 332-metre limestone rock that juts out into the sea like a natural skyscraper. You can hike to the top (it's genuinely steep in places — wear proper shoes, bring water) and the panoramic views stretch from Benidorm to Dénia and across to Ibiza on a clear day.
Afterwards, the fish market area (La Lonja) is surrounded by excellent seafood restaurants. Restaurante La Bocaina on Avenida de los Ejércitos does a proper arroz a banda that I still think about. The salt lakes behind the town are a flamingo habitat — bring binoculars if you have them.
Getting there: Regular ALSA bus service (line 10), about 40 minutes, €3–4. Or drive — parking near the Peñón is paid but available.
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5. Dénia & the Montgo Natural Park (1 hour)
Dénia sits at the northern end of the Marina Alta, about 60 km from Benidorm. It's a proper Spanish town — not a resort — with a medieval castle, a genuinely good restaurant scene and some of the best beaches on the Costa Blanca (Las Marinas, Els Molins). The Montgo mountain that towers over the town has walking trails of varying difficulty and cave paintings inside.
If you're a foodie, Dénia has serious culinary credentials — this is the hometown of Quique Dacosta, one of Spain's Michelin-starred chefs. You don't need to eat at his restaurant to enjoy the food culture; the market and the tapas bars in the old town deliver at street-level prices.
Getting there: Drive via the AP-7/N-332, about 55 minutes. ALSA buses run but journey times are longer with connections.
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6. Villajoyosa: The Painted Houses & Chocolate Town (20 mins)
Only 12 km south of Benidorm and usually overlooked, Villajoyosa (La Vila Joiosa in Valencian) is one of my personal favourites. The old town's waterfront is famous for its brightly painted fishermen's houses — each a different colour so fishermen could spot their home from the sea. Walk the seafront, visit the Valor chocolate factory and museum (free, and the tasting bit is obviously the best part), then have lunch on one of the terrace restaurants on the Playa Norte.
It's genuinely unspoilt, genuinely local, and genuinely 20 minutes from Benidorm. No excuse not to go.
Getting there: TRAM coastal train from Benidorm — direct, about 25 minutes, €1.50–2 each way.
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Practical Tips for Benidorm Day Trips
- September timing: Leave early (before 9am for mountain trips) to beat the heat and tour groups. Return for sunset — the light on the coast in September is extraordinary.
- Public transport: The TRAM (coastal train) and ALSA buses cover most destinations affordably. Get a Bono card for the TRAM — it saves money on multiple trips.
- Car hire: Book through the airport or a local agency. Parking at mountain villages is usually cheap and well-signposted.
- Budget: Most of these day trips cost €20–40 per person all-in if you're sensible, less on public transport.
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Of course, none of this means you have to leave your holiday base — having a comfortable, well-located apartment makes all the difference between a good trip and a great one. Browse our Benidorm holiday rentals and you'll find properties right in the heart of the action, or quieter options with easy access to the TRAM for days exactly like the ones described above.
Booking direct with JV Properties saves you up to 18% compared to Airbnb — that's money better spent on paella in Calpe or a round of drinks in Altea's old town. See all available properties and book without the platform fees.
Benidorm is a brilliant base. These day trips make it even better.
