Benidorm Castle and the Balcó del Mediterrani

The Balcó del Mediterrani (Balcón del Mediterráneo) is the white-railed lookout at the tip of Benidorm’s old town, on the Canfali headland that divides Levante beach from Poniente. It is a public square, the Plaça del Castell, a short walk uphill from either beach and 130 m from the Church of Saint James and Saint Anne. From the rail you see both bays, Benidorm Island and the Serra Gelada cliffs. Under your feet are the remains of Benidorm’s castle, visible through glass panels since 2019. Allow 20–30 minutes.

Quick facts

• Names: Balcó del Mediterrani or Balcó de la Mediterrània (Valencian), Balcón del Mediterráneo (Spanish), Mirador del Castillo, Plaça del Castell; in English, the Balcony of the Mediterranean.
• Where: the southern tip of Benidorm old town, on the Tossal de Canfali between Levante and Poniente beaches.
• Coordinates: 38.53321, -0.13147.
• Castle: a fortress stood here in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, built after the town charter of 8 May 1325.
• Destroyed: in the Peninsular War; Napoleonic troops held it and British forces destroyed it.
• Reopened: November 2019, after excavation, with glass floor panels and seven information panels. The project cost €1.2 million.
• Entry: free; it is an open public square.

Access and parking

On foot: the square is at the very end of the old town, so the simplest route is on foot from either beach, climbing through the old-town streets to the church and then to the square in front of it. The Church of Saint James and Saint Anne stands at the highest point of the old town, on the same Canfali hill (Visit Benidorm).

Step-free access: the accessibility guide Tur4all lists both steps and a ramp at the entrance to the square (Tur4all).

Parking and bus: OpenStreetMap shows no public car park at the lookout; the nearest is a multi-storey about 420 m away, and the nearest bus stop, Pg. Such Ortega (Parc d’Elx), is about 450 m away.

What to expect

The view: Levante to the east, Poniente to the west, Benidorm Island out to sea and the cliffs of the Serra Gelada, which shelter the town from northern winds. Visit Benidorm notes that Benidorm faces south, an unusual orientation on this coast. The white balustrade is one of the most photographed spots in town, so expect company.

The castle underneath: a fortress protected the town here against Algerian and Berber pirates in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. From the headland it could signal to the watchtowers of Punta Cavall on the Serra Gelada and Torre Aguiló at La Vila Joiosa. In the 16th century it became a fortress with two defensive towers, a moat and a wall (Información). Plans to strengthen it were drawn up by the military engineer Juan Bautista Antonelli but never carried out. During the Peninsular War it was occupied by Napoleonic troops and then destroyed by the British (Visit Benidorm); the local historian Francisco Amillo dates the French occupation from March 1812 to March 1813 (HistoBenidorm).

What you can see of it: the 2019 excavation found signs of settlement going back to the 13th century and large quantities of 16th-century pottery. Through the walk-on glass floor you can now see the late-medieval walls on the Levante and Poniente sides, a cistern with its water trough and a section of an 18th-century staircase (Alicante Plaza). Seven panels explain the history of the site (Benidorm town hall).

The square: the balustrade and the two entrance gates were built in 1928 (HistoBenidorm). A wind rose in granite and bronze, added in 2019, marks the cardinal points and shows a native animal for each. The cannons recall the site’s military past.

Practical details

• Cost: free.
• Opening hours: we found no published hours; it is an open public square.
• Time needed: 20–30 minutes for the view and the glass panels; longer if you combine it with the church and the old town.
• Heritage: the castle remains fall under the general protection of Spanish castles from 1949 (Castillosnet). Do not climb on the rails or walls.

Accessibility and safety

Best time to visit

The square is open at all hours, so you can choose your light. Because Benidorm faces south, the balcony looks out over the sea with the sun in front of you for much of the day. If you want photos of the balustrade without people in them, early morning is your best chance.

Nearby alternatives

• Levante Beach (Benidorm), 1.3 km away: the long beach to the east of the headland.
• Tossal de la Cala (Benidorm), 2.8 km away: the hilltop remains of a Roman fort at the far end of Poniente.
• Benidorm Island, 3.4 km away: the island you see from the balcony, reached by boat from the port just below.
• Serra Gelada Natural Park, 7.1 km away: the cliffs on the eastern horizon.
• For where to stay and eat, see our Benidorm town guide.

Distances are in a straight line from the lookout.

FAQ

Where is the Balcón del Mediterráneo in Benidorm?

At the southern tip of the old town, in the Plaça del Castell on the Canfali headland between Levante and Poniente beaches, about 130 m from the Church of Saint James and Saint Anne.

Is Balcó del Mediterrani the same as Balcón del Mediterráneo?

Yes. Balcó del Mediterrani (or Balcó de la Mediterrània) is the Valencian name and Balcón del Mediterráneo the Spanish; it is also called the Mirador del Castillo.

Was there a castle at Benidorm?

Yes. A fortress stood on the headland from the 14th century. It was occupied by Napoleonic troops and destroyed by the British during the Peninsular War. Parts of its walls, a cistern and an 18th-century staircase can be seen through glass panels in the square.

Does it cost anything to visit?

No. It is an open public square, and we found no published opening hours.

Sources and freshness

Checked 29 September 2026. Official: Visit Benidorm on the Mirador del Castillo (history, watchtowers, view, orientation), Benidorm Castle (1325 charter, Antonelli, Peninsular War, 2019 excavation) and the Church of Saint James and Saint Anne; Benidorm town hall on El Castell and the information panels. Press: Información, November 2019; Alicante Plaza. Local history: HistoBenidorm (Francisco Amillo). Accessibility: Tur4all. Location, car park, bus stop and distances: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Photos: Wikimedia Commons, licences as credited.