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Car rental in Benidorm opens up a Costa Blanca resort often called the "Manhattan of the Mediterranean". High-rises along Levante beach, an endless promenade, the Terra Mítica and Aqualandia parks, and beyond town the mountain villages and wineries of Alicante province. Benidorm itself is compact: Levante and Poniente beaches, the Old Town, the Balcón del Mediterráneo viewpoint.
A couple from Edinburgh signed the contract on the bonnet at ALC arrivals and were on Levante before lunch — 45 minutes on the AP-7, toll-free since January 2020.
Benidorm has no airport of its own. Most travellers fly into Alicante (ALC, 58 km and 45 minutes via the AP-7) or Valencia (VLC, 145 km). The car is collected on arrival.
Benidorm works best as a base. A week with a car covers the whole northern Costa Blanca — Guadalest, Altea, Calpe, Jávea.
The week's plan writes itself: one inland day, two coast days, a city day in Valencia.
Where to drive from Benidorm
A 100 km radius covers the whole northern Costa Blanca and adds Valencia.
Altea
10 km and 15 minutes north on the N-332. White village with a pebble beach and blue-domed church — quieter than Benidorm. A regular evening choice.
Guadalest
40 km and about 50 minutes on a winding road. Clifftop castle, mountain reservoir — the most photographed inland spot of the region. Often paired with the Algar waterfalls.
Calpe and Jávea
Calpe at 25 km: the Peñón de Ifach rock and a strong coastal panorama. Jávea at 50 km: gourmet town with quieter coves at Granadella and Portitxol.
Valencia
145 km and 1h 35min on the AP-7 (toll-free between Valencia and Alicante since 2020). City of Arts and Sciences, Old Town, paella. Best with an overnight.
Theme parks
Terra Mítica and Aqualandia are inside Benidorm, reachable by bus. A car pays off if you want more than one stop in the same day.
Guadalest is essential. 50 minutes from Benidorm and you're in a different world: mountains, a small castle, quiet.
The coast still pulls people back for evenings, but Guadalest is the inland anchor — and the photos people send home come from up there.
Valencia as a day trip from Benidorm works, but it feels rushed. The AP-7 has been toll-free since 2020 — one more reason to stay over.
For a slower week, plan two coastal days (Altea + Calpe/Jávea) and one inland day. Valencia earns the overnight.
What we do for customers in Benidorm
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Pickup at Alicante (ALC) or Valencia (VLC)
You know in advance where you're going after arrivals and how the handover works.
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Every car carries the DGT sticker
Entry into all three Benidorm ZBE sub-areas without needing a separate permit.
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Long-term hire from 28 days saves 25–40%
For the winter regulars in Benidorm, certain suppliers also offer no-deposit options.
Parking, fines, AP-7
Parking colours, briefly
Blue is paid (max 2 hours). Green is residents-only — tow-aways are quick. White is free, including ~8,000 outer-edge spaces opened in 2024. Orange is residents-priority. Yellow is for disabled drivers. Sundays and public holidays the blue zone is free — a Valencia-region quirk that carries over here.
Speed and fines
Since 2021 the city limit is 30 km/h on most streets. Speed cameras are unforgiving and fines run €100–600. The 50% early-payment discount applies if you pay within 20 days. Drink-drive limit: 0.05% (0.03% for under-two-year drivers). Spain is moving towards 0.02% — effectively zero tolerance.
AP-7 and N-332
The Alicante–Benidorm AP-7 is now toll-free, but a lot of customers don't realise — old 2018–2019 guides still describe it as paid.
The AP-7 between Alicante and Tarragona has been toll-free since 1 January 2020. Many old guides still mention tolls — that information is out of date. The N-332 runs along the coast, slower but more pleasant for days with stops in Altea, Calpe or Jávea.
Frequent Questions
No. The closest is Alicante (ALC), 58 km and 45 minutes via the AP-7 (toll-free since 2020). The alternative is Valencia (VLC), 145 km away. Most customers pick up the car at ALC and drop back there on the day they fly. The route and meeting point are in your booking confirmation.
No, it's been toll-free since 1 January 2020. Many guides still mention tolls — that's out of date. The alternative is the coastal N-332, slower but passing through Altea and Calpe — better for a touring day with stops.
The ZBE has been live since 1 July 2025, split into three sub-areas: Centro, Levante and Poniente. Spanish hire cars with a DGT sticker pass through without issue. Hotel guests are exempt automatically — the hotel registers your plate. The fine for non-compliant entry is €200.
Since 2024 Benidorm has opened around 8,000 free outer-edge spaces (aparcamientos disuasorios). It's the simplest way to save on day parking — leave the car in a white-zone lot at the edge of town and walk or take a local bus to the beach.
Yes — the blue zone is free on Sundays and public holidays. It's a Valencia-region quirk that applies here too. On weekdays the blue zone is paid, usually with a two-hour cap. Green lines stay residents-only 24/7 and are fined regardless.
Yes. 40 km and 50 minutes on a winding road through Polop. Clifftop castle and reservoir views — the region's most photographed inland spot. Often paired with the Algar waterfalls. Parking at the village is paid (€2–3); cars aren't allowed within 200 metres of the entrance.
10 km and 15 minutes north on the N-332. White village with a pebble beach and the blue-domed church. Quieter and more atmospheric than Benidorm — popular for an evening with a sea view. Parking at the edge of the old town is paid.
Yes, both lie on the same northbound run. Calpe at 25 km has the Peñón de Ifach rock and good beaches. Jávea at 50 km is a gourmet town with quieter coves at Granadella and Portitxol. Calpe in the morning, lunch in Jávea, return in the evening — a workable day.
Yes, but the day fills up. 145 km and 1h 35min via the AP-7 (toll-free since 2020). Allow 6–7 hours on the ground for the City of Arts and Sciences, the Old Town and lunch. With kids or a slow lunch, an overnight is more comfortable.
Both parks are inside Benidorm and reachable by bus, and many hotels run a transfer. A car earns its place if you're combining one or two parks with a trip out of town the same day. Park parking costs €5–10 a day.
Benidorm is a winter base for British and northern European travellers. Rates from 28 days run 25–40% below the daily price, and some suppliers offer no-deposit options. Spanish law caps the contract at 28–30 days, with renewal beyond that. Book ahead, especially November–March.
Since 2021 it's 30 km/h on most streets. Main avenues run at 50 km/h. Speed cameras are unforgiving — fines from €100 to €600. The 50% early-payment discount applies if you pay within 20 days. Drink-drive limit: 0.05% (0.03% for new drivers).
At peak season the closest car parks fill by 11 a.m. Either use an underground garage (€2–3 an hour), or park in a white-zone lot at the edge and walk in for 10–15 minutes. An early arrival (before 10 a.m.) also works.
A heavy rain on the Polop switchbacks turns the mountain road slippery. If the forecast looks bad, postpone. Short rains on the Costa Blanca are rare but autumn and spring storms can be intense.
After-hours dropoff at ALC is available with most suppliers, sometimes for a €30–60 fee. Confirm at booking. Some local operators stay open until 23:00 in high season. Refuel on the way, return with a full tank, and place the keys in the secure key-box at the counter.
Yes, one-way Benidorm–Valencia is standard with most chains: €60–100 depending on season. Useful if you fly in to Alicante and out from Valencia. Book ahead — high-season rates and availability move quickly.