Things to do in Benalmádena
And where to stay, the best time to visit, what a day costs, and the traps to skip.
Best time to visit Benalmádena
• a note or something on ✦ an occasion worth the trip
Best months, warm sea, everything open and crowds below August levels.
Hottest and busiest, full programme but highest prices and queues.
Excellent for walking, golf and sightseeing, sea still cool for swimming.
Mild winter, good for golf and walking, some seasonal attractions on reduced hours.
What's on
- Noche de San Juan and Feria de San Juan 23 to 29 June
Beach bonfires and fireworks on 23 June, then daytime and night feria in Arroyo.
- Virgen del Carmen 16 July
Procession and boat parade of the fishermen patron from the marina at dusk.
- Feria de la Virgen de la Cruz 11 to 15 August
Pueblo patronal fair with romeria, processions and village music.
- Semana Santa March or April
Holy Week processions in Arroyo and the Pueblo, with larger processions in Malaga.
- Cruces de Mayo First weekend of May
Flower crosses in streets and squares across the municipality.
Best things to do in Benalmádena
Puerto Marina Benalmádena
The marina to wander at dusk, with canals, terraces and boat trips in one walkable harbour.
Parque de la Paloma
Large free park with lake, cactus garden and roaming animals, ideal for families and picnics.
Castillo Monumento Colomares
Eccentric stone monument to Columbus with sea views, unlike anything else on the coast.
Stupa of Enlightenment Benalmádena
Peaceful Buddhist stupa with a meditation hall and one of the best coastal panoramas in town.
Mariposario de Benalmádena
Tropical butterfly house where free flying butterflies land on visitors among waterfalls.
Benalmádena Pueblo
Whitewashed village of lanes and plazas for a quiet evening above the coast lights.
Castillo de El-Bil-Bil
Small red neo Moorish seafront castle used for exhibitions and concerts, with shaded gardens.
Selwo Marina
Compact marine park with dolphins and sea lions, best for children under ten and a half day visit.
Where to stay in Benalmádena
Puerto Marina and Central Costa
first trip, beach plus evenings
On the promenade and best central beaches, walk to marina restaurants without a car.
Arroyo de la Miel
value, transport and local living
Train station, cable car, Paloma Park and local tapas prices, a short bus to the beach.
Benalmádena Pueblo
couples, quiet and views
Whitewashed village atmosphere and cooler evenings, with the beach reached by bus or taxi.
Torrequebrada and Western Costa
golf, larger resorts and quieter shore
Resort hotels and small coves near golf, quieter but a bus ride from the centre.
Think twice about
- Plaza Solymar 24 Hour Square perimeter
Noise until dawn, touting, overpriced promoted drinks and petty theft targeting drunk visitors late at night. Visit late if you wish, do not base a family or sleep focused stay on the square.
- Far western Holiday World area without a car
Large family resorts in isolation beyond Torrequebrada, dependent on shuttles and taxis for every meal and trip off site. Fine for a self contained package, poor as an exploring base.
- Hillside urbanisations above the A-7 without a car
Steep, shadeless walks to beach, station and restaurants, with buses that thin out at night. A good view does not compensate if you must climb it daily in summer.
Best restaurants in Benalmádena
Alamar
Top rated Mediterranean dining on a sea terrace at the Aleysa, for a special occasion dinner.
Lime & Lemon
Modern Mediterranean sharing plates with faultless service, the best all round dinner in town.
El Mero Los Mellizos
Big traditional marina fish restaurant for grilled catch of the day and pil pil prawns.
Restaurante La Sirena
Calmer seafront seafood terrace for fresh fish and shared paella at lunch.
Restaurante La Fuente
Andalusian dinner on the village square in the Pueblo, with coast views after dark.
Rincón Asturiano
Hearty Asturian stews and cider by Arroyo station, a change from fish and tapas.
Pescadería Los Mellizos
Fish shop restaurant where Arroyo eats fried and grilled fish at local lunch prices.
Chiringuito Rafael
Beach chiringuito for espeto sardines and fried fish with feet in the sand at lunch.
Outdoor things to do in Benalmádena
Teleférico Benalmádena
Cable car to Monte Calamorro for coast views, summit trails and clear day views to Gibraltar.
Jardín de las Águilas
Birds of prey flight displays at the cable car summit against a coastal panorama.
Golf Torrequebrada
Prestige 18 hole course by Jose Gancedo, hilly and challenging with sea views.
Benalmádena Golf
Friendly nine hole pitch and putt with large driving range, ideal for beginners and families.
Senda Litoral
Flat coastal path east to Torremolinos and west to Fuengirola for walks, runs and quiet coves.
Caminito del Rey
Spectacular gorge boardwalk day trip from the coast, high and exposed with guided access.
Mijas Pueblo
Classic white village day trip by cheap bus, with fortress gardens and wide coast views.
Ronda
Gorge town day trip paired with Setenil cave houses, best as a single long guided day.
Best hotels in Benalmádena
Vincci Selección Aleysa
Small five star seafront hotel with spa and duplex suites, the best stay in town for couples.
MAC Puerto Marina Benalmádena
Marina address hotel for couples who want restaurants and boat trips on the doorstep.
Hotel Las Arenas Affiliated by Meliá
Friendly mid range seafront hotel with rooftop bar, praised for food and staff by repeat guests.
Sunset Beach Club
Large aparthotel with kitchenettes and pools, practical value for families who self cater.
Hotel Best Triton
Long established large hotel near the marina with big pools and gardens for families.
Hostal Sol y Miel
Simple family hostal steps from the station and tapas bars, the smart cheap base for day trips.
Hotel San Fermín by Dorobe
Honest three star with pool by Paloma Park, good value for families outside peak season.
Hotel La Fonda
Boutique village hotel around courtyards in the Pueblo, best for a quiet romantic break.
Is Benalmádena expensive? What a day costs
| Budget | €65 a person |
|---|---|
| Classic | €130 a person |
| Splurge | €280 a person |
A day of food, drink, sights and getting around, before the room
What to book ahead
- Mariposario de Benalmádena: a few days ahead
- Selwo Marina: a few days ahead
- SEA LIFE Benalmádena: a few days ahead
- Teleférico Benalmádena: a few days ahead
- Golf Torrequebrada: weeks ahead
- Caminito del Rey: weeks ahead
- Ronda: a few days ahead
- Vincci Selección Aleysa: weeks ahead
- Caminito del Rey places go weeks ahead in spring and autumn.
- Book Lime and Lemon, Alamar and terrace tables at La Sirena and La Fuente in season.
- Book Torrequebrada tee times and hotels for San Juan week months ahead.
Is Benalmádena safe?
- Emergency number is 112. Watch valuables on beaches and in promenade cafes.
- Leave the 24 Hour Square by taxi late at night and avoid being very drunk and alone there.
- Respect lifeguard flags and avoid midday hill walks in August heat.
Benalmádena travel tips: tourist traps to skip
- Promoted drinks in the 24 Hour Square that do not stay at the promoted price.
- Marina restaurants with aggressive touts and fish sold by weight without a price agreed first.
- Timeshare and scratch card promotions on the promenade and in the marina.
Getting around Benalmádena: public transport and more
- Use the C1 train from Arroyo de la Miel for the airport, Malaga and Fuengirola.
- Use local buses between Costa, Arroyo and Pueblo instead of walking back uphill in heat.
- Walk the flat promenade in the centre and use taxis for the Pueblo after dinner.
Who Benalmádena suits
| Solo travellers | OK |
|---|---|
| Groups of friends | Good |
| Couples | Good |
| Bachelor parties | Good |
| Families | Great |
| Bachelorette parties | Good |
Make Benalmádena your trip
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