General Background
Benalmádena is a town on southern Spain’s Costa del Sol, famous for its beaches, marina and Tivoli World theme park. With a population of approximately 68,000 people, Benalmádena is located between Torremolinos and Fuengirola and offers many wonderful attractions for tourists. Find out more about some of these below…
About the Area
Benalmádena is divided into three main areas: Benalmádena Costa, Benalmádena Pueblo and Arroyo de la Miel.
As its name suggests, Benalmádena Costa is the coastal area of the municipality, with numerous attractions and amenities for tourists. From beautiful sandy beaches to laidback beach bars, this area is the town’s hub of activity, offering plenty of things to see and do. One major attraction is the award-winning marina. Whether you fancy a relaxing meal, last-minute souvenir shopping or quick drink, this is the ideal place to do it.
If you would rather stay away from the hustle and bustle of Benalmádena Costa, Benalmádena Pueblo provides a change of pace. This area sits high above the coast and offers stunning views across the Mediterranean Sea. It is a great location for those wanting to stay close to the sea yet also gain an insight into the classic Spanish culture and lifestyle.
Sandwiched between Benalmádena Pueblo and Benalmadena Costa is Arroyo de la Miel, which translates to “Stream of Honey”. This area also tends to offer a more traditional way of life than the Costa, and is a particularly popular place to stay for tourists thanks to its central location near the train station.
What to See
Benalmádena Costa’s marina offers the opportunity to enjoy numerous activities. If you are feeling particularly daring, why not try parasailing? Or, if adrenaline sports aren’t your thing, you can always take a trip on a glass-bottomed boat to Fuengirola instead. There are also fishing expeditions and dolphin-spotting trips, so plenty of options to consider.
In Arroyo de la Miel, there is an open-air market twice a week, so make sure you check that out if you are staying in the Benalmádena area. If you like animals, you should also find time to visit Paloma Park, home to pigeons, peacocks, chickens and rabbits all running loose as you wander through the park.
Other attractions include Colomares Castle, the largest Buddhist stupa in Europe and an abundance of beaches. You definitely won’t be bored during your time in Benalmádena.
How to Get There
Benalmádena is located only a few kilometres from Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, and can be accessed conveniently via the autovía (main highway) or coastal road through Torremolinos. In fact, some people find it difficult knowing where Torremolinos ends and Benalmádena begins. So, if you find yourself in Torremolinos, you are (almost) in the right place.