Playa de Poniente (Benidorm)

Poniente is Benidorm's largest beach, over three kilometres of sand running along much of the city's western seafront. What sets it apart is its promenade: an award-winning piece of architecture that skips the usual straight line in favour of white concrete curves echoing the swell of the sea, solving the drop between the city and the sand without a wall that would block the view.

Facing west, it's the pick for sunset, and it tends to run a little less packed than Levante, though high season still brings plenty of people. It shares most services with Levante: lifeguards, showers and a generous run of beach bars and sunbed rental along its full length.