El Campello or Benidorm: where to stay on the Costa Blanca

It's the question we get most from people planning a trip to this part of Alicante: El Campello or Benidorm? We live here, we know both towns well, and the honest answer is that there's no outright winner — it depends on the kind of holiday you're after. Benidorm is energy, high-rises and non-stop fun; El Campello is a calm, authentic fishing town. The best part? They're just 30 minutes apart by TRAM, so wherever you choose to sleep, the other is within easy reach. Here's the no-spin version.

Atmosphere: quiet town or city that never stops

Benidorm is a fully fledged resort city: 24-hour buzz, big crowds, shows, shops open late and an energy that's infectious if that's what you want. El Campello is the opposite — a traditional fishing town with its fish market, an unhurried promenade and families who've lived here for generations. In the evenings life revolves around the harbour and its terraces. If you're here to genuinely switch off, El Campello's relaxed pace is hard to beat; if you want constant action, Benidorm delivers it in spades.

Beaches: fine sand versus charming coves

Benidorm boasts Levante and Poniente beaches — vast, golden and packed with every service going, but also very busy in high season. El Campello plays a different game: the central Carrer la Mar beach and, above all, the coves to the north such as Cala Lanuza and El Amerador, more sheltered and with crystal-clear water. Here you'll find a spot without fighting for shade. For families with young children, El Campello's calm shoreline is a real relief compared with the crowds.

Prices: where your money goes further

On the whole El Campello works out cheaper. A beer with a free tapa runs around €2.50-3, and a solid set lunch costs roughly €13-16. Benidorm has everything, from aggressive bargains to clearly tourist-inflated spots. Accommodation also tends to be more reasonable in El Campello, and over a long stay the difference really adds up month by month. If you're travelling on a budget or planning several weeks, your euros stretch further here without giving up a seafront location.

Nightlife and evenings out

Let's be honest: for nightlife, Benidorm wins hands down. The English zone, the pubs, the cabaret and the mega-clubs are a world of their own, perfect if that's your idea of a holiday. El Campello offers something else: fresh fish by the harbour, a quiet drink on a terrace and a stroll back beneath the Torre de la Illeta. And here's the clever bit — if you fancy a big night out, the TRAM drops you in Benidorm in half an hour. Sleep in peace, party when you choose.

Who is each destination for?

Families with children and couples after calm fit El Campello perfectly, as do remote workers and those who come to spend the winter escaping northern Europe's cold. Benidorm shines for groups of friends, stag and hen trips, travellers who want full-on entertainment and anyone who loves having absolutely everything on the doorstep. The good news: you don't have to choose. TRAM line 1 links both towns in about 30 minutes — comfortable, cheap and with frequent stops right along the coast.