Benidorm vs Magaluf:Which Spanish Strip Wins?
The two OG British stag destinations. Both cheap. Both legendary. Both have a strip that runs until 6am. Here's how they actually compare in 2026.
The head-to-head
| Category | Benidorm | Magaluf | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight from UK | £30 to £100 | £40 to £110 | Benidorm |
| Hotel (all-in pp/night) | £50 to £90 | £55 to £95 | Benidorm |
| Pint on the strip | €3 to €5 | €4 to €6 | Benidorm |
| Club entry | €10 to €15 | €15 to €25 | Benidorm |
| Beach quality | Excellent | Excellent | Tie |
| Weather (sun hours) | 3,000/year | 2,800/year | Benidorm |
| Strip length | 1.5 km (Levante) | 0.5 km (Punta Ballena) | Benidorm |
| Drag shows | Iconic (Benidorm Palace) | Limited | Benidorm |
| Strip clubs | Few | Many | Magaluf |
| Water parks | Terra Mitica | Western Water Park | Tie |
| Hangover day scenery | Guadalest mountains | Cala Bassa | Tie |
| 3-night total | £320 | £370 | Benidorm |
The case for Benidorm
Benidorm is the value pick. Cheaper flights to Alicante, cheaper hotels, cheaper pints on the Levante strip. A 3-night trip comes in at £320 per person with all-inclusive accommodation, which is hard to beat anywhere in Europe.
The British infrastructure is overwhelming. English is the default language of the Levante strip. Every bar runs karaoke, tribute acts, or drag shows. Benidorm Palace has the biggest cabaret in Europe. Sticky Vicky retired in 2016 but the nostalgia tours still run.
Weather-wise, Benidorm sits in a rare microclimate that gives it 3,000 hours of sun per year. October to April is still warm enough for pool days. Magaluf closes down much harder outside of peak summer.
See the full Benidorm stag do budget guide and the Benidorm stag do page.
The case for Magaluf
Magaluf is the concentrated pick. The Punta Ballena strip is half the length of Levante but packs more venues per block. BCM Planet Dance is one of the biggest clubs in the Balearics. The BH Mallorca hotel pool parties pull headline DJs all summer.
It's the pick for groups who want the traditional Shagaluf experience: big clubs, pool parties, and a louder overall atmosphere. Magaluf leans harder into the 18-30s demographic than Benidorm, which has diversified more into families and older British expats.
The beach (Magaluf Playa) and the nearby Cala Bassa are arguably better than Benidorm's Levante beach for daytime photos. And Palma is 20 minutes away for a more cultural day trip when the group needs one.
See the full Magaluf stag do page.
The verdict
Pick Benidorm if:you want the cheapest Spanish stag, a longer strip with more options, drag shows and cabaret on the agenda, or you're going outside of peak summer.
Pick Magaluf if: your group is 18 to 30, you want bigger pool parties, you value a more concentrated strip, or BCM is on the bucket list.
Either way, the photos from both strips have a long shelf life. Set up the trip before you fly.
FAQs
Is Benidorm or Magaluf cheaper?
Benidorm is cheaper by about 15%. A 3-night trip lands at £300 in Benidorm vs £350 in Magaluf. Flights to Alicante are often £20 cheaper than to Palma. All-inclusive hotels are similar, but Benidorm's food and drink off-strip is noticeably cheaper.
Benidorm or Magaluf for bigger groups?
Benidorm handles larger groups better. The Levante strip has more venues, the British bars are bigger, and the drag shows scale up to groups of 20+. Magaluf's Punta Ballena strip is tighter and better for groups of 8 to 12.
Which has better weather?
Benidorm wins. It sits in a microclimate on the Costa Blanca with 3,000 hours of sun per year, one of the highest in Europe. Magaluf on Mallorca can get windier and has more cloud cover in spring and autumn.
Which is closer to the UK?
Near identical. Alicante (Benidorm) is 2h 25m from London. Palma (Magaluf) is 2h 15m. Both have cheap Ryanair, easyJet, and Jet2 flights year-round.
Which is more famous for stag dos?
Both are legendary. Benidorm is the classic British stag destination going back to the 1970s. Magaluf (Shagaluf) had its peak in the 2000s and is more associated with 18-30s trips. Both now attract mixed stag and regular tourist crowds.
Benidorm or Magaluf for strip clubs?
Magaluf. The Punta Ballena strip has more adult entertainment venues per square metre. Benidorm is more about drag shows, karaoke, and tribute acts than strip clubs.