Benalmádena is a municipality on the Costa del Sol that is located between Torremolinos and Mijas, it extends along the coast and has an inland part up to the foot of the Sierra de Mijas and that corresponds to Arroyo de la Miel and Benalmádena town.
It is a quite popular tourist destination throughout the year and one of the most important places in the province of Malaga in terms of tourism, as it has a large number of tourist attractions for all ages.
Climate of Benalmádena
Benalmádena is a cozy and family-friendly town that has an average annual temperature of 20°C and 300 days of sunshine. In addition to being very close to Malaga and its international airport, for winter ski lovers, Sierra Nevada is only 180 kilometers away.
Areas of Benalmádena and its attractions
Benalmádena Town
Benalmádena town, the ancient heart of Benalmádena, is a charming white village dating back to the Islamic period of Andalucia.
The town is located in the mountains, at about 300 meters above sea level, between the town of Mijas and the Mediterranean coast. Despite its popularity as a tourist destination, Benalmádena town has managed to retain the atmosphere of a quiet white Andalusian town.
In addition, it offers a series of tourist attractions that are worth visiting. The town is home to the largest Buddhist temple in Western Europe, the Stupa of Enlightenment, which offers stunning views of the Costa del Sol:
- Benalmádena Butterfly Garden: An impressive variety of butterflies live in this place in a tropical environment. You can explore different species and learn about their life cycle.
- Enlightenment Stupa: The largest Buddhist temple in Western Europe is located here. In addition to its spiritual significance, it offers impressive panoramic views of the Costa del Sol.
- Colomares Castle: This castle is an architectural jewel inspired by different styles, such as Gothic, Romanesque and Mudejar. It is a fascinating place for lovers of history and architecture.
- Jardines del Muro: These beautiful gardens are located on the mountainside and offer spectacular views of the sea. It is a quiet place to walk and enjoy nature.
- Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán: This historic church dates back to the 18th century and features charming architecture. Its bell tower is a landmark in the town.
- Felipe Orlando Museum of Pre-Columbian Art: Explore pre-Columbian art in this museum located in the old town of Benalmádena.
Arroyo de la Miel
Arroyo de la Miel is the most populated district of Benalmádena and a vibrant center of activity. Located between the coast and the town, this district is a whirlwind of shops and services, which makes it an ideal place for tourists.
The name comes from ancient times, since in this area there were a large number of beehives to produce honey. However, Arroyo de la Miel did not exist as an urban center until the end of the 18th century, when the Italian Félix Solesio bought a farmhouse in the area to create an industrial complex for the manufacture of paper.
Arroyo de la Miel offers a variety of tourist attractions:
- Parque de la Paloma: It is an oasis of tranquility perfect for walking and relaxing. The park has an area of more than 200,000 square meters and is home to a variety of free-ranging animals, and a green space that is very popular with both residents and tourists.
- Teleférico: This cable car takes visitors to the top of Mount Calamorro, from where you can enjoy stunning views of the Costa del Sol.
- Plaza Adolfo Suárez: It is a historic area to walk around with a variety of bars and pubs.
Benalmádena Costa
Benalmádena Costa is the holiday engine of Benalmádena, where the majority of tourist complexes are located. This vibrant coastal area stretching from Torremolinos to Fuengirola is known for its fantastic beaches, lively nightlife and host of attractions:
- Puerto Marina Benalmádena: This marina has more than 1,000 docking points, 200 shops, restaurants, bars and nightclubs and a new shopping center. In addition, it has a 40-meter-high panoramic Ferris wheel called Mirador Princesa, from where you can enjoy privileged views of both Puerto Marina and the coast of Benalmádena.
- Sea Life Benalmádena: The largest aquarium on the Costa del Sol. Located at the entrance to Puerto Marina, this space offers more than 2,000 marine species, including its famous sharks and stingray fish, which you can pet and even feed. It also has a very fun minigolf.
- Castillo de Bil-Bil: It is a neo-Arabic style building with red plaster on the outside and decoration of tiles and bas-reliefs. It is an icon of the municipality and the Costa del Sol.
- Casino Torrequebrada: It is one of the most important centers in Spain in terms of visitors per year, number of tables and volume of gambling machines. In addition, it has a hotel with swimming pools and sports facilities that was inaugurated in 1989.
- Selwo Marina: It is an animal and leisure park located in Benalmádena. This park allows visitors to get up close and personal with wildlife from around the world and enjoy a wide variety of experiences. Highlights include dolphin and sea lion exhibits, as well as dolphin and penguin encounters.
How to get to Benalmádena
Malaga airport is very close to Benalmádena, about 20 kilometers, so you can get there in just 15 minutes or less if you go by car. If you need a rental vehicle upon arrival, you can rent it at the airport.
Nightlife in Benalmádena
Benalmádena is the epicenter of nightlife on the Costa del Sol. On weekends, this place welcomes young people from all the nearby areas, ready for a night out.
In summer, the city multiplies its population, also attracted by nightlife and the two areas par excellence to enjoy the Malaga nightlife are Puerto Marina and Plaza Solymar.
Puerto Marina, in addition to being a nautical and sports center, is the legendary place for discos, clubs and pubs of all kinds, as well as cafes and restaurants. Plaza Solymar is, along with Puerto Marina, another area where you can spend a night of luxury partying.
Benalmádena’s nightlife is very attractive and offers a multitude of atmospheres, which is why prices are higher than in other places.
Festivals and fests in Benalmádena
Benalmádena Costa is also known for its lively cultural and festive life. In fact, the San Juan Fair in Benalmádena is from June 24 to 29, and features performances by renowned artists and a large number of activities for all ages.
The Benalmádena Pueblo Fair, also known as Feria en Honor a la Virgen de la Cruz,is held annually from August 11th to 15th. This festival is one of the main ones in the area and attracts visitors from all over.
During these days, visitors can enjoy a wide range of recreational, cultural and religious activities for all ages. In addition, the fair has great concerts and live music in the Virgen de la Cruz-Caseta Municipal Auditorium. The celebrations begin with a previous fair, from August 4 to 6, in which the city organizes sporting events.
Beaches in Benalmádena
We will talk about the best beaches in Benalmádena and their characteristics:
Playa de las Viborillas
It is also located between two other beaches, which we will talk about later. It is a medium-sized beach about 400 meters long, it usually attracts a nudist public, due to the privacy that being in a natural environment offers.
Playa de las Yucas
This beach belonging to the municipality of Benalmádena is located on the way to Fuengirola. Its main attraction is that it is in a very natural area, it is not in an urban area, but rather away from the hustle and bustle, which tells us that it is not very busy either.
It is ideal for practicing water sports such as diving, and enjoying a relaxing swim in its clean, crystal-clear waters.
Playa de Arroyo Hondo
It is located next to the Playa Bonita hotel, with crystal blue waters, the deep stream flows directly into the sea, so you decide whether to take a bath in fresh or saltwater. Gravel and dark sand are characteristic. Surrounded by very dense vegetation, it is an ideal place to relax and recharge your batteries on vacation.
Playa de Torrevigía
One of the most popular beaches in Benalmádena in summer, we are talking about Torrevigía, located very close to Sunset Beach.
Surrounded by great restaurants, as we have said, it is a quite busy beach. However, its water is crystal clear and with a beautiful turquoise tone, which makes it one of the favorites of all diving lovers, who search in its waters for crustaceans or sea urchins that live in them.
Playa de Santa Ana
Santa Ana beach takes you directly to the famous Puerto Marina, it is an urban beach surrounded by Benalmádena’s main hotels and summer apartments.
It is a beach that is highly sought after by tourists, as it also has numerous beach bars or restaurants where you can have some delicious espetos with views of the sea.
It stands out for its soft, dark sand and its large size, about 500 meters wide, which means you can take some beautiful walks at sunset along this wonderful Malaga beach.
La playa de Bil-Bil
Located at the foot of the castle that gives it its name, Bil-Bil beach is one of the places of tourist interest in Benalmádena.
The beach itself stands out for the restaurants and beach bars around it, such as Maracas Beach, one of the most fashionable in the area.
La playa de Arroyo de la Miel
It is a beach that has a Blue Flag, because it more than meets rigorous requirements for purity and services.
It has a very good location, it is not difficult to get there from the center with a walk, the sand is very fine and the waters immaculate. Right in the middle of this beach, you will see that a stream flows out, not very deep, so it is usually the play place of many children.
Playa Fuente de la salud
We finish our list of Benalmádena beaches with the beach known as “Fuente de la salud”, whose name comes from an ancient legend that stated that its waters had healing properties.
Being close to the marina, you will see many people practicing water sports in the area.
