Where is Benalmadena?
Conveniently located just 8 kilometres from Malaga Airport and 18 kilometres southwest of Malaga city itself, Benalmadena sits roughly at the halfway point of the Costa del Sol on Spain’s southern coastline. With Torremolinos to the east and Fuengirola to the west, the resort has the rolling hills of the Sierra Mijas as its backdrop.
What kind of place is Benalmadena?
Fast becoming one of Spain’s top holiday resorts, Benalmadena is a town which has several different faces.
Benalmadena Pueblo is the old part of the town and sits inland from the seafront area and in an elevated position. Its streets are steep and narrow and most of the buildings are whitewashed in the typical Andalucian style.
Moving down towards the coast, Arroyo de la Miel, which used to be a separate village in its own right, is now the main residential area of the town and is mostly made up of apartment blocks.
Benalmadena Costa, which lies right on the coast, is a purpose built resort which is home to many excellent hotels and the superb marina.
What is there to do and see in Benalmadena?
With three such different and distinct areas of the town, no visitor to Benalmadena could find himself short of something to do.
To begin with the old town, here you will find archaeological sites and museums which give an excellent insight into the local history, complete with influences from the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Arabs. A leisurely stroll will take you past shops and traditional tapas bars and the typical Andalucian architecture.
The area of Arroyo de la Miel is the most commercially active of the town, but is also where the visitor will find the Tivoli World amusement park, as well as a cablecar which runs to the top of the Calamorro mountain at a height of 769 metres. On a clear day, you can even see the Moroccan coastline from the top!
At Benalmadena Costa, you will be treated to one of the most stunning marinas in the world. Sitting at one of the waterfront bars or restaurants, you can sit and take in the view of the magnificent yachts which are moored there, before wandering around a great selection of shops. With a sandy beach and palm-lined promenade, Benalmadena Costa is also home to a SeaLife centre, an aquatic theme park with dolphins, seals and penguins named the Selwo Marina, and the Parque Paloma, a beautifully landscaped park with a lake.
If you are looking for the ultimate in nightlife, Benalmadena offers everything from cabaret and flamenco shows to trendy quayside bars and a casino, and is fast becoming the new Puerto Banus!
What is there to do and see in the area generally?
Turning inland from Benalmadena, you can explore the pueblos blancos, the pretty whitewashed villages of the area, or take a trip to nearby Benahavis, known as the culinary capital of the Costa del Sol. Jump on the ferry at Algeciras and you can even visit Morocco for a day spent haggling for a carpet!