Benidorm has historically been divided into five parts: Levante and Poniente, each bordered by the beach of the same name, plus the old town (El Castell), La Cala and Rincón de Loix. The name "Levante" denotes an orientation, not a historic place name.
History & origins
Unlike Casco Antiguo or Poniente, Levante carries no neighbourhood identity that predates 20th-century tourist development: its story begins with the seaside boom.
The story of the skyline begins in the 1950s with the town's urban planning, and from the 1970s onwards the model of large apartment blocks became a reference point for architects looking for distinctive designs.
Heritage & architecture
Levante has no monument that predates the 20th century; its "heritage" is its vertical architecture itself. The Coblanca 5 building captures the brutalist, sculptural aesthetic of the skyline, with cylindrical volumes and semi-circular windows.
Playa de Levante
2,084 m · Blue Flag since 1987Fully pedestrianised seafront.
Levante skyline
Skyscrapers 1950-1970The most widely used image to represent Benidorm.
Coblanca 5 building
Brutalist architectureCylindrical volumes.
Punta Canfali
HeadlandMarks Levante's southern boundary.
Culture & living traditions
Levante has no distinct festive or religious tradition of its own; its cultural identity is that of mass tourism and seaside nightlife, with an "atmosphere that's lively all year round" according to the official source.
Suggested itinerary
Morning · 9am-12pm: Beach and seafront
Playa de Levante, a walk along the pedestrian seafront to Punta Canfali.
Afternoon · 12pm-5pm: Skyline and a break
Taking in the skyline (Coblanca 5 and the surrounding area), lunch on a terrace.
Evening · from 5pm: Nightlife
Bars and restaurants along the seafront.
Suggested itinerary, not field-tested.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the name "Levante" come from?
From "llevant", the cardinal point where the sun rises, as opposed to "Poniente".
Does Levante have a history that predates tourism?
None has been documented; unlike Casco Antiguo or Poniente, Levante is a 20th-century identity.
Why is the Levante skyline so well known?
It's the most widely used image to illustrate Benidorm, with landmark buildings such as Coblanca 5.
Is Levante beach certified?
Yes, it has held Blue Flag status since 1987.
Is Levante lively all year round?
Yes, according to the official source, not just in summer.
