Benalmadena - Andalusia

Benalmadena is a small town in the very heart of Costa del Sol that attracts thousands of tourists each year with its large hotel resorts, lively nightlife and a 12 kilometre stretch of golden sand. Here you will find something to entertain the whole family.

The area around Benalmadena has been occupied by people since the Bronze Age, by Phoenicians, Romans and Moors. An earthquake and frequent attacks by pirates made the area very difficult to live in, however, and it wasn’t until the later part of the 20th century that the town began to grow into its present size.

The town is divided into three main areas. Benalmadena Pueblo is the old original village, with white-washed Andalusian buildings mixed with modern-styled architecture. Here you will find an archaeological museum with artefacts dating back to the Bronze Age as well as streets with traditional Andalusian charm.

Located by the coast, Benalmadena Costa has plenty of hotels, restaurants, bars and shopping centres to cater for the town’s many tourists. Animals and birds roam free in the beautiful La Paloma Park, which also holds an Auditorium and several little bars where you can sit down and relax. Along the coast, a promenade with restaurants and bars to suit your every taste lines the long stretch of beach below. The marina at the centre of Benalmadena Costa has won awards with its Arabic-inspired design. Here you will also find the SeaLife Aquarium and the Selwo Marina, a theme park with dolphin and seal shows.

Arroyo de la Miel was originally a separate village that has grown together with Benalmadena, and it has become the residential and commercial centre of the town. It is here you will find the Tivoli World amusement park, which will entertain the whole family with its open-air theatre and 300 different rides. A cable car leaving from the Tivoli’s entrance can take you up to the Calamorro mountain, from where you can see Gibraltar, Sierra Nevada and Morocco on a clear day.

Benalmadena has plenty of beaches to choose from, like the Malapesquera and Arroyo Beach running on each side of the marina. The Torre Bermeja Beach has great opportunities to try jet ski or play a game of beach volleyball.

Restaurants come in plenty of varieties, from inexpensive tapas bars to exquisite fine dining. The nightlife in Benalmadena is very lively, and most bars and discos are located around the 24-hour Square near the coast road or within the marina.

Benalmadena is easy to reach from Málaga Airport, either by the motorway A7 or a train leaving every 20 minutes. You can also take the train or local buses to visit other towns along the coast, such as Marbella, Fuengirola, Mijas or Málaga. Catamarans in the marina will offer to take you dolphin sightseeing, or you can even take a day trip to Morocco.

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