Tossal de la Cala, Benidorm: Roman Fort, Hours & Access

By CostaMap · Published 14 June 2026 · last reviewed 29 September 2026
Researched and written by an AI editorial system. Where sources are listed at the end of the page, the text is based on them.

Tossal de la Cala is the hill at the far end of Benidorm’s Poniente beach, above La Cala, where the remains of a Roman fort from the 1st century BC have been excavated and opened to visitors. Entry is free, and Visit Benidorm lists it as open daily from 9:00 to 20:00 (checked September 2026). You cannot drive up: park below and walk about 750 m uphill, 15–20 minutes. It suits anyone curious about Roman Benidorm and the view back over Poniente; skip it in the midday heat.

Quick facts

What: the remains of a Roman fort (castellum), probably built around 77 BC under the general Sertorius as part of a coastal defence plan.
Where: a hill about 100 m high between Poniente beach and the beach of La Cala de Finestrat, at the south-west end of Benidorm.
Coordinates: 38.52527, -0.16156.
Opening hours: daily 9:00–20:00, according to Visit Benidorm. Other sources give shorter winter hours, so check before you go.
Entry: free. Guided tours on Fridays and weekend mornings; an audio guide in Spanish, Valencian and English.
Protected: declared a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) on 7 July 2023.
Not Benidorm Castle: that stood on the other side of the bay, at the Balcó del Mediterrani.

Access and parking

By car: you cannot drive to the site; the road up is for residents only (Valencia Bonita). Visitors who have written up the walk recommend the car park at the Plaza Encarnació Lloret Devesa, about 750 m away, and then 15–20 minutes on foot, all uphill. They also found the way poorly signposted at first (Con los niños en la mochila).

On foot from Benidorm: the hill is at the end of the Poniente promenade, so you can walk along the beach and climb from La Cala.

By bus: several Llorente Bus stops sit 150–250 m from the foot of the hill, according to OpenStreetMap; check the line on the operator’s site.

What to expect

An archaeological site on the hilltop, laid out for visitors in stages, with information panels, a toilet and a lookout at the highest point. Around 1960 an access road and a lookout were built on the summit and destroyed part of the site (Spanish Wikipedia).

The history: Visit Benidorm describes a Roman military fortress built on the orders of Sertorius, probably around 77 BC. It was first excavated in the 1940s by the priest José Belda, again in the following decades, and since 2013 by the University of Alicante. Local press describes it as a 1st-century BC fort that watched over passing ships (El Periòdic, 2026). The town has applied for further funding to create accessible visitor routes, so work on the site continues.

The finds: objects from the Tossal, among them a bone stylus, are shown on the third floor of the Museu Boca del Calvari in Benidorm old town, C/ Tomás Ortuño 61 (Alicante Plaza). Other finds are held by the MARQ in Alicante and in Valencia.

Practical details

Hours: daily 9:00–20:00 according to Visit Benidorm (checked 29 September 2026). Valencia Bonita gives 9:00–19:00 in summer and 9:00–17:00 in winter, so check if you plan a late visit.
Guided tours: Fridays at 17:00, 18:00 and 19:00, and on Saturdays and Sundays every hour from 10:00 to 13:00, with limited places. Book through the address on Visit Benidorm’s page.
Audio guide: the text of the information panels in Spanish, Valencian and English.
Cost: free.
Facilities: information panels, a toilet and a lookout. Bring water; we found no café listed on the hill.

Accessibility and safety

The route through the excavations has slopes of 3.5% to 14% in places (Tur4all). Tur4all also lists a vehicle to the entrance for people with reduced mobility by arrangement, two electric wheelchairs and an adapted toilet; confirm with the site before you go. One family blog reports no shade on the walk up, so avoid the middle of the day in summer. Stay on the paths and off the excavated walls.

Best time to visit

Early morning or late afternoon: the climb is fully uphill and, by visitors’ accounts, without shade. For context, book a guided tour (Friday evenings or weekend mornings) or use the audio guide.

Nearby alternatives

Cala de Finestrat, 0.5 km away: the sandy cove right below the hill.
Benidorm Castle and the Balcó del Mediterrani, 2.8 km away: the lookout on the site of Benidorm’s medieval castle, at the other end of Poniente.
Benidorm Island, 3.7 km away: the island in the bay, reached by boat from Benidorm port.
Villajoyosa (La Vila Joiosa), 6.6 km away: the next town along the coast.
For where to stay and eat, see our Benidorm town guide.

Distances are in a straight line from the fort.

FAQ

Is Tossal de la Cala the castle of Benidorm?

No. Tossal de la Cala is a Roman fort (castellum) from the 1st century BC at the south-west end of Poniente. Benidorm Castle was a later fortress on the headland in the old town, where the Balcó del Mediterrani is today.

Is Tossal de la Cala free to visit?

Yes. Entry is free, and Visit Benidorm lists it as open daily from 9:00 to 20:00.

Can you drive up to Tossal de la Cala?

No. The road up is for residents only. Park below, for example at the Plaza Encarnació Lloret Devesa, and walk about 750 m uphill, 15–20 minutes.

Where can I see the finds?

At the Museu Boca del Calvari in Benidorm old town (C/ Tomás Ortuño 61), which shows objects from the Tossal including a bone stylus.

Sources and freshness

Checked 29 September 2026. Official: Visit Benidorm, Tossal de la Cala (history, hours, tours, audio guide) and exhibitions (museum address). Press and guides: El Periòdic, January 2026; Alicante Plaza, November 2025; Valencia Bonita (BIC, access, hours); Con los niños en la mochila (parking, walk, shade). History: Spanish Wikipedia. Accessibility: Tur4all. Location, bus stops and distances: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Photos: Wikimedia Commons, licences as credited.

Tossal de la Cala (Benidorm)