Alicante is usually stronger for retirees wanting the depth of a provincial city: varied neighbourhoods, public transport, year-round services and an everyday routine beyond the beach. Benidorm suits those who want a compact resort-city lifestyle with more seafront high-rise choice, an international social scene and an active promenade culture. September 2026 asking prices reveal a meaningful premium in Benidorm, especially Poniente, but the right home depends on the exact street, building and winter routine rather than the municipality name.