Playa del Mal Pas

The cove feels intimate because the sand, harbour wall and rocky headland are all close together. Local swimmers often arrive early, while families and visitors from the old town fill the limited space later in the day. It is calmer in character than Benidorm's main strands, although peak summer demand can make it feel busy rather than hidden.

Clear-looking water and the sandy entry encourage swimming, but the cove still requires attention to flags, boat movement and changing sea conditions. The rocky side below Punta Canfali attracts snorkellers when the water is settled, while the port side needs awareness of harbour activity and marked boundaries.

Mal Pas is a small sandy beach tucked between Benidorm's port and Punta Canfali, directly below the old town. Its sheltered position and compact scale create a quieter pause between the much larger Levante and Poniente beaches.

The strongest landmark is Punta Canfali, crowned by the Balcon del Mediterraneo and the white balustrades of Plaza del Castillo. Steps lead from the old town towards the beach, making Mal Pas one of the easiest places to combine a swim with Benidorm's historic streets.

The marina and port lie immediately beside the cove, and ferries or excursion boats may add movement offshore. Benidorm Island is visible out to sea and forms part of the wider maritime setting, but the beach itself remains closely tied to the town rather than to open coastal scenery.

Mal Pas is a short crescent of sand held between built edges and the natural rock of the headland. The waterline faces south towards the island, while the old town rises steeply behind, giving the beach a strong sense of enclosure.

Unlike Levante and Poniente, there is no long promenade or broad horizon of uninterrupted sand. The view is layered vertically: beach at sea level, steps and rock above, then church towers, terraces and the viewpoint. This relationship with Punta Canfali gives Mal Pas its identity and explains why it feels both central and separate from the surrounding resort.