We are so spoiled for holiday destinations from Ireland to Spain – the only hard choice is narrowing down which costa you want to visit. Among my favourites is the reliable Costa Blanca – home to Spanish culture, family-friendly hotels, great food and a guaranteed 300 days of sunshine.
Some of the most popular resorts along this coastline include Altea, Calpe, Torrevieja, Jávea and Benidorm. There are many more beautiful villages dotted along the coast here, but if you want an introduction to this area, start with Benidorm.
A short two-and-a-half-hour flight from Dublin and you are in the sunshine. My second visit to Benidorm is to see what it offers for families. My twins are now teens, and they like holidays that have shopping, beaches, theme parks, water parks and great resorts that you don’t want to leave, and nor do you have to.
We stayed at the newly renovated Four Points by Sheraton Costa Blanca Resort (originally the Grand Luxor), a 30-minute taxi drive from Alicante airport. This resort is located up in the hills, away from the bustle of the beachfront, yet close enough to go and have a browse. It was rebranded and bought by the Marriott International Group in 2025. The furnishings are Scandic chic and modern, and I love the brightness of this hotel. The outdoor terrace is a real social gathering area in the evening and perfect for sunset photos.
It is very family-friendly with lots of open space for children to roam around safely; it has a huge lagoon pool area with plenty of loungers. There is also a second pool on the opposite side of the hotel. There are buffet-style dining options and also a restaurant and a gorgeous outdoor pizza oven in the summer months.
The hotel has 300 rooms and also offers 100 villas for larger groups or a multigenerational family trip. Most of the villas have their own pool and also their own separate amenities for guests, including a communal pool, shop, and café. It has a real neighbourhood vibe and a quieter option for guests, but you also have the benefits of the hotel facilities. The rooms are bright, modern, marble-floored, and have spacious bathrooms, and the balconies at the front of the hotel have sweeping panoramic views of the Benidorm skyline. The big lure here for families is that it is right beside Terra Mitica theme park, and guests have complimentary access to that and another park called Mundomar – both fantastic for families.
Terra Mitica is just a nine-minute walk from the hotel reception, and as we arrived, we expected it to be crazy with queues – but thankfully it wasn’t. The spacious park has themed areas – Rome, Greece, Egypt, Iberia and the Mediterranean Islands. Depending on how adventurous you are, there are roller coasters, water drop slides, magical shows, a dedicated mini-themed kids’ area and restaurants dotted around each area. We entered when it opened at 10 30 am and left at 5 30 pm – it’s easy to see why Spanish visitors come from miles away for a day trip. If the panoramic views on the rides don’t take your breath away, the drops and rides will. Its location is part of the attraction as it is nestled in the hills and away from the busy beachfront. Be sure to bring plenty of suncream, water and walking shoes – we did 15,000 steps during our visit.
A 20-minute drive away, you arrive at Mundomar, for which you have complimentary access when you stay at the hotel. The sea-life theme park has dolphin shows, sea lions, meerkats, monkeys and more and is perfect for younger children. Just beside it, Aqualandia is excellent for any water park thrill-seekers. Laguna was my twins’ favourite area, and they spent hours here. There is also a Wave pool area which has plenty of seating areas. I was able to base myself at one of these areas while the twins ran around the park, trying all the rides.
For evening entertainment, Benidorm Palace offers a spectacular night with dazzling costumes, acrobatics and live music. The venue itself is enormous, yet still manages to feel intimate once the show begins. If you opt for the dinner package, you’ll enjoy a meal before the show. It’s glamorous, fun, and appeals to all ages.
For a culinary experience, Tapas Tour is in the Tapas alley area on the beachfront and allows you to sample the many delicious tapas available in the restaurants, with great value at €20 per person.
Benidorm’s main beach, Playa Levante, is lively and buzzing with energy, with plenty of people-watching, cafés and holiday atmosphere. After a few hours soaking it all in, you can go back to the hotel, grab a spot on the terrace or your balcony and watch the sun set over the coastline with a cocktail in your hand.
As fun as these parks were, really, when you stay at the Sheraton, everything is there that you need, including a golf course for the children and a great games room.
There is so much for families to enjoy here and the hotel is perfectly located, giving children plenty to do while allowing parents some space to relax without the overwhelm of crowded pool areas. If you fancy exploring further, bike tours with Tao Bike Hire are a great way to see more of Benidorm, or you can walk up to the Cross of Benidorm for spectacular views over the coastline. More adventurous families can head into the hills on a hike or book a jeep safari with Marco Polo Expeditions and discover a different side to the Costa Blanca. It’s the kind of summer holiday the children will be talking about long after they’ve returned home.
Travel Facts
Direct flights from Dublin to Alicante with Ryanair and Aer Lingus.
Approximate rates for Four Points by Sheraton Costa Blanca Resort: July – Hotel (3 guests): €209 per room, per night, August – Hotel (3 guests): €259 per room, per night, July – 2-bedroom Villa (3 guests): €299 per villa, per night, August – 2-bedroom Villa (3 guests): €359 per villa, per night (All stays includes free entry into Terra Mitica and Mundomar parks)
Terra Mitica Tickets: Adult €41 Children (-12) €35
Aqualandia Tickets: Adult €41 Children (-12) €33
Tapas Tour Voucher: €20 pp
Benidorm Palace Show: Show only €40 with dinner €60+
