Benidorm: Authentic Segway Machine Tour

Benidorm looks modern from its famous strip, but a Segway tour reveals a more varied town: old fishing quarters, public parks, the City Hall, the bull ring, coastal roads, and hillside views toward the Mediterranean. The 15-minute practice session gives first-timers time to get comfortable before the group heads out.

I like the small groups, limited to eight, and the patient instruction from guides such as Neil, Sariel, Jan, and Alba. I also like the choice between a flatter route and a hillier ride toward the nature reserve and famous cross, where you get views that are hard to reach on foot in only two hours.

The main consideration is that this is not suitable for everyone. You must weigh more than 38 kilograms and less than 130 kilograms, children under 15 need a family member with them, and anyone nervous about balance should allow extra time for practice.

Key points at a glance

• A proper 15-minute training session: You learn to start, stop, turn, and control the Segway in the Flamingo Oasis Hotel car park before setting off.
• Two very different sides of Benidorm: The route can include city streets, the old town, parks, and public buildings, or quieter hillside roads and nature areas.
• The famous cross and mountain views: The higher route gives a fresh angle on the city and coastline, with several stops for photos and local stories.
• Small groups with live guidance: A maximum of eight people makes it easier for the guide to watch each rider and answer questions.
• Useful local advice: Guides have suggested beaches, restaurants, and places to visit, making this a sensible activity near the start of your stay.
• Good value at $58: For two hours of transport, instruction, guiding, insurance, and sightseeing, the price is fair if you want to cover more ground than walking allows.

Why a Segway changes the way you see Benidorm

Benidorm is often reduced to tall hotels, packed beaches, and nightlife. That picture misses the older town and the hills behind it. A Segway gives you a way to connect these parts without spending the whole morning walking uphill or waiting for transport.

The machine is controlled by shifting your weight. Lean forward gently and it moves ahead. Lean back to slow down or stop. The guides do not assume you already know what you are doing, which matters because the first few minutes can feel strange.

The training takes place before the proper tour begins. Several guides have given nervous riders extra time to practise, and that practice is not treated as part of the sightseeing time. You may feel awkward at first, but most of the difficulty is simply learning how much pressure to use.

Once you are moving, the Segway feels light and responsive. It is especially useful on a route that combines long promenades, broad roads, parks, and a climb toward the hills. You can cover more ground while still stopping often enough to hear the guide and take photos.

Meeting at the Flamingo Oasis Hotel car park

The meeting point is Costa Blanca Tour Services, in the car park of the Flamingo Oasis Hotel. Look for the Segways and the guide rather than expecting a large shopfront or a formal visitor centre.

This is the one practical detail that deserves attention. A few people have found the meeting area confusing, so give yourself time to locate the car park and the instructor. Once you see the Segways, you should be in the right place.

Wear comfortable shoes. In summer, bring water, sunglasses, a hat, and sun cream. In winter, warm clothes are sensible, since you will spend much of the tour outdoors and moving through open areas.

The tour runs for two hours and is offered in English or Spanish. Groups are limited to eight people, but a booking needs at least two participants to operate. The small size is useful here because the guide must keep an eye on riders, not simply talk while walking at the front.

The first 15 minutes: learning to ride safely

The safety briefing is not a token introduction. You receive hands-on instruction before leaving the car park, with time to practise balance, steering, speed control, and stopping.

This is particularly helpful if you have never used a Segway. Several riders have arrived nervous and left the car park feeling ready for the road. Guides such as Neil and Sariel have been praised for watching each person closely and repeating instructions without making beginners feel rushed.

The wireless audio system helps once the group is moving. Instead of gathering around the guide at every stop or trying to hear a voice over traffic, you can listen while keeping your attention on the route.

Still, a Segway is not a bicycle. You remain upright, and the machine reacts to small movements. If you have poor balance or simply dislike the idea of riding one, this activity may not be your best choice. The instructor can help, but you need to feel willing to try.

Along the city streets, parks, and promenades

The city portion introduces Benidorm as more than a beach resort. You pass through avenues and parks, with stops at places such as the City Hall and the bull ring.

The bull ring has a useful cultural connection. Spanish song festivals took place there, and Julio Iglesias began his successful career in Benidorm. That detail gives the stop more interest than a quick photo outside a public building.

The pace is gentle rather than a race. You ride for a while, stop for an explanation, then continue. Guides have also made time for drinks, stretching, and photographs, which keeps the two hours comfortable in hot weather.

The route can change depending on the group. One party may choose the nature reserve and mountain road, while another may prefer a flatter ride through the city and old town. This flexibility is one of the activity’s stronger points, though it also means the exact sights are not identical on every departure.

If you want a fixed checklist of monuments, this may feel less precise than a walking tour. If you prefer a guide who adjusts the ride to confidence levels, weather, and group interests, the flexible format works well.

The old fishing town beneath modern Benidorm

The old part of Benidorm gives the tour its historical contrast. Before the high-rise resort grew around it, this was a fishing town, with a castle once occupying the area.

You see that change from the Segway. Modern buildings, broad resort roads, and older streets appear within the same short outing. The point is not to study a single monument in depth. It is to understand how Benidorm changed from a coastal fishing community into one of Spain’s best-known holiday resorts.

The guide adds local stories and practical context at the stops. Guides including Alba and Sariel have been praised for explaining the city’s past while also offering advice about beaches, restaurants, and places to visit later in the holiday.

For this reason, I would book the tour early in your stay if you want to use the guide as a local sounding board. You can ask where to eat or which parts of town deserve more time. The activity works as both sightseeing and a quick orientation.

The mountain route and the famous cross

The hillier option is the part that makes this tour different from a standard city ride. You may head toward the nature reserve and climb toward the famous cross visible from the Benidorm strip.

The climb sounds more intimidating than it feels once you are comfortable with the machine. Several riders who were worried about the slope found that the Segway handled it without a problem, though the guide warns you about steep sections and turns before you reach them.

At the higher points, you get broad views over Benidorm and the sea. There are several photo stops, but the guide does not keep stopping so often that the ride loses momentum. That balance matters, since you want time for both the views and the experience of moving through the hills.

The mountain route is also quieter than the main resort areas. It gives you a different sense of Benidorm, with open views and less attention on hotels and entertainment. You should expect sun exposure and some uneven or sloping sections, so water and sun protection are essential.

The drawback is simple: people who want a completely flat ride should say so before setting out. A flatter option has been available for groups that did not want the mountain, and the guide can help match the route to the riders’ confidence.

How the guides shape the experience

The guide is the key part of this activity. The Segways are fun, but clear instruction and good group control decide whether the ride feels relaxed or stressful.

Neil has led riders through the city and hills with frequent stops, warnings about steep roads, and practical advice about Benidorm. Sariel has been especially patient with first-time riders and has also taken photos for groups. Jan has been praised for calm instruction and interesting local facts, while Alba has combined history with an easygoing approach.

Names and staff can change, but the pattern is clear: the guide rides with you, uses the wireless audio system, and keeps watch throughout the route. You are not left to work out traffic, bends, or hills on your own.

That makes this a good activity for a mixed group. A confident rider can enjoy the freedom of the machine, while a nervous beginner gets repeated reminders and close supervision. A hen party, family group, couple, or group of older friends can all fit the format, provided everyone meets the weight and age rules.

Is $58 a fair price for two hours?

At $58 per person, this is not the cheapest way to move around Benidorm. You can walk along the promenades for free, and public transport costs less. The comparison is not quite fair, though, because this price includes the Segway, instruction, guide, insurance, and the chance to reach hillside viewpoints without arranging another excursion.

The value is strongest if you want an active tour that covers several parts of the city in one morning. You are paying for the equipment and for the guide’s attention, not just transport from one stop to another.

The price is less attractive if you only want a short ride or if you plan to spend the whole time on the beach. It also does not include food, drinks, or museum entrances. Bring your own water and budget separately if you plan to visit anything that charges admission.

For two hours in a small group, I consider the cost reasonable, especially if you use the activity as your introduction to Benidorm. The guide’s restaurant and beach suggestions may also save you time later, though that is a bonus rather than something to count on as part of the formal tour.

Who should book this ride?

You should consider it if you want to see more than the main strip and enjoy trying an unusual form of transport. It suits first-time Segway riders because the instruction is thorough and the guide stays close.

It is also a good match for repeat visitors. One returning rider found the second tour worthwhile because the guiding and information were not simply repeated word for word. A new route or a different guide can show you another side of the city.

Families need to check the age rules carefully. Children under 15 must be accompanied by a family member, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed. Every rider must weigh more than 38 kilograms and less than 130 kilograms.

I would not choose it for anyone over the upper weight limit, anyone who cannot comfortably stand and steer for the duration, or anyone who strongly dislikes hills and balance-based machines. The flatter route helps, but it does not turn the activity into a standard sightseeing bus ride.

Booking details worth knowing

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Check the available start times when booking, since the exact departure schedule is not fixed in the tour details.

The experience includes insurance and a wireless audio system. Food, drinks, and museum entrances are separate, so arrive prepared rather than expecting a café stop or admission ticket to be included.

English and Spanish are available. If your group has different riding abilities, mention that at the start. The guide can explain the route and help decide between a flatter course and the mountain option.

Should you book the Benidorm Segway tour?

Book it if you want active sightseeing with strong beginner support, hillside views, and a quick introduction to Benidorm’s old and modern sides. The training, small groups, flexible route, and patient guides make it more approachable than the word Segway may suggest.

Skip it if you want a slow walking tour focused on detailed monument interiors, or if the weight, age, balance, or hill requirements do not suit your group. For everyone else, $58 buys a lively two-hour outing that reaches places you would not easily cover on foot, with enough local context to make the ride more than a simple thrill.

FAQ

How long does the Benidorm Segway tour last?

The tour lasts two hours, including guided sightseeing and stops.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at Costa Blanca Tour Services in the car park of the Flamingo Oasis Hotel. Look for the Segways.

Is training included?

Yes. The tour includes a 15-minute training session to teach you how to operate the Segway before the ride begins.

What languages are available?

The live guide is available in English or Spanish.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 15 must be accompanied by a family member. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

Are there weight requirements?

Yes. Riders must weigh more than 38 kilograms and less than 130 kilograms. People over 130 kilograms cannot take part.