THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN BENALMADENA, SPAIN: YOUR GUIDE!

THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN BENALMADENA, SPAIN: YOUR GUIDE!

THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN BENALMADENA: Costa Del Sol, Spain, The Mediterranean
THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN BENALMADENA: Costa Del Sol, Spain, The Mediterranean
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INTRODUCTION: THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN BENALMADENA

THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN BENALMADENA: If you are planning a beach vacation to the Mediterranean coast and more specifically to Benalmadena, Spain, then you’ve come to the right place. This post will provide you with useful information that will help you plan a great summer vacation. As someone who has lived in the area for over a decade, I’m happy to share my insight and insider knowledge of this great city on the Costa Del Sol.

Benalmadena is located about 15km south of Malaga, directly on the Mediterranean Sea. It is made up of 3 main areas: Benalmadena Pueblo, Benalmádena Costa, and Arroyo de la Miel. Along with some beautiful beaches, the town has multiple attractions and parks, with a large selection of activities to choose from. If you are looking for a resort town focused on tourism then this town is for you.

(To find out more about this region see our related posts: Costa Del Sol, Guide to the Coast of Spain, and Guide to the Mediterranean Coast.)

Benalmadena: Restaurante on the Beach
Benalmadena: Restaurante on the Beach

A Brief History of Benalmadena

The Benalmadena area has been inhabited since the bronze age and has changed hands many times from the Phoenicians, Romans, Moors, and finally the Christians. Throughout the years Benalmadena remained a small town with a short flash of development during the 18th and 19th centuries. The city saw incredible growth during the tourist boom of the 1950s and 60s with tourism becoming the single most important industry.

THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN BENALMADENA: Beach, Costa Del Sol, Spain, The Mediterranean
THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN BENALMADENA: Beach, Costa Del Sol, Spain, The Mediterranean

WHAT ARE THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN BENALMADENA?

Marina

The Puerto Benalmadena is a very large port/residential complex that is one of the main attractions in the city. It has over 1100 moorings for boats up to 6m long. It is not only a functional marena but a fully developed and modern shopping facility with shops, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.

Marena
THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN BENALMADENA: Marena

Benalmadena Cable Car

For the best view of the city, the surrounding coastline, and the nearby mountains, take a ride in the Benalmadena cable car. This 3km ride will take you to the top of Calamorro which stands at an elevation of almost 800m and from where you can get an excellent panoramic view of the whole area. On a clear day, you can even see Gibraltar and the north coast of Africa.

Cable Car
THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN BENALMADENA: Cable Car

Old Town

In Benalmadena Pueblo, you can still visit the “Old Town” which is still well-preserved. There are narrow cobblestoned streets winding through neighborhoods of white-washed buildings decorated with flowers. The streets are lined with cafes, shops, restaurants, and boutique-style hotels. Great place for a morning stroll or for a small souvenir shopping expedition.

Old Town
THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN BENALMADENA: Old Town, Costa Del Sol, Spain

Amusement parks, Water parks and Zoos

Parquelandia – small amusement park near the marina, ideal for kids
Costa Waterpark – a floating water park just off of the beach in Benalmadena
Aqualand Torremolinos – a family-focused water park with slides and pools in Torremolinos
Selwo Marina – small marine park/aquarium in Benalmadena, highlight is the dolphin show
Sould Park – amusement park geared towards younger children in Fuengirola

Castillo de Colomares

Castillo de Colomares is a monument in the form of a castle built between 1987 and 1994, dedicated to Christopher Columbus, and is the largest monument in the world dedicated to this explorer.

Colomares
THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN BENALMADENA: Colomares, Costa Del Sol, Spain

Best Beaches in Benalmadena

The shoreline in Benalmadena is a combination of sand beaches with stretches of rocky coastline mixed in. The larger more popular beaches are:

Playa de Santa Ana
Playa de Bil-Bil
Playa de Arroyo de la Miel

Promenade
THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN BENALMADENA: Promenade, Costa Del Sol, Spain, The Mediterranean

Water Sports and Activities

With a stretch of approximately 7km of sand beaches and rocky coastline and clear calm waters, this is a great place for various water sports or activities. This is a good place for swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing, kite surfing, parasailing, jet skiing, and sailing. You can rent most equipment (kayaks, paddleboards, etc..),  at some of the local shops along the beach and at the marina. 

Paddleboarding
THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN BENALMADENA: Paddleboards

Boat Tours

A great way to spend a few hours is to take a boat tour of the Mediterranean. There are various tours available ranging from less than an hour to the whole day. You can even go Dolphin watching. Check with the local tour operators online or at the marina for prices and schedules.

Benalmadena’s Local Cuisine

When visiting Benalmadena make sure you try these Andalusian favorites:

Seafood- Espetos

Being on the coast, you will find that fresh seafood (caught daily)features quite high on most menus. One of the local delicacies to try out is Espetos which is skewered sardines cooked over a beach fire.

Espetos
THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN BENALMADENA: Espetos fresh from the Mediterranean, Costa Del Sol, Spain
Tapas

One of the traditions in this area is to go on a tapas tour or “Ir de Tapas” which involves visiting several bars and restaurants and sampling different foods and drinks. 

Gazpacho

Gazpacho which is a cold soup made of tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, onions, garlic, bread, olive oil, wine vinegar, and salt. This is a standard meal in this region, in particular during the hot summers.

Monkey Burgers

Ok, this one is not traditional but it is local cuisine. We went to this out of the way burger joint, Green Monkey, and I had arguably the best burger of my life. I highly recommend tracking this burger joint down and ordering…no, demanding a burger immediately! You wont be sorry! Even my vegan son found a vegan burger on the menu and was blown away!

Green Monkey Burger Place
Green Monkey Burger Place

Nightlife

There are many bars and nightclubs in Benalmadena and the surrounding area offering a range of entertainment from dancing to live shows. The two epicenters for most of the entertainment are at the 24-hour Square on the coast road and at the Marina. Here are just some of the bars and nightclubs in the city:

  1. Molly Malone’s (Irish Pub)
  2. Maracas Beach Bar
  3. Boal’s Ice Bar
  4. The Fountain Bistro and Bar
  5. Kaleido Puerto Marina (Nightclub)
  6. Discoteca Kiu (Nightclub)
  7. El Elefante Bar
  8. Buzos Bar
  9. Ben’s Bar
  10. Montana Nightclub

Day Trips

Fuengirola

Only 8km away is the town of Fuengirola. Here you can visit the Castillo de Sohail (Castle) which was built by the Moors in the 11th century. You can also visit Roman ruins, “Finca Del Secretario” where they have a salting factory, a pottery studio, and a bathhouse. There is also a small water slide park, Aquamijas, that is a great place for the whole family.

Marbella

Located only 35km west is Marbella with a population of about 104,000. Marbella is a great day trip destination as it offers a wide range of high-end designer shops and boutiques for shopping, you can stroll through Puerto Banus and admire some of the luxury yachts, or head into the city in the evening to enjoy the nightlife.

Day Trip Marbella
Day Trip Marbella
Malaga

The Capital of the Costa Del Sol lies only 15km west of Benalmadena. If you are looking for a big city experience on the Mediterranean coast then a trip to Malaga is definitely worth it. With several historical sites right in the “Old Town”, a bustling shopping district, and lively nightlife, Malaga is a great day trip destination. (see related post on Malaga to find out more)

Day Trip to Malaga: Roman Amphitheater
Day Trip to Malaga: Roman Amphitheater
Ronda

A great day trip option is to visit the town of Ronda which is home to its iconic bridge, “Puente Nuevo” or new bridge, built back in the 18th century over the El Tajo Gorge. Another main attraction is the old town of Ronda, which is a maze of cobble-stoned streets and white-washed houses. Take the time to walk around and explore this town and make sure to try one of the locally produced wines.

Day Trip to Ronda
Day Trip to Ronda

Best Time to Visit and Travel Tips

Peak Tourist Season

July and August are the peak travel months in Benalmadena when most regions of Europe have their school breaks. This of course is when the weather is at its hottest and when the Costa Del Sol is at its busiest. The end result is that millions of Europeans end up heading to the coast all at the same time so make sure to plan ahead.

Tip: If you are looking for a less hectic experience, you might want to consider traveling in May/June or in Sept/October. The weather is still exceptionally nice and you can escape the large crowds.  

Transportation options

Flying

The Malaga airport is only 10km away making Benalmadena a convenient place to travel since it’s only a short taxi ride away from the airport. 

Driving

You can reach Benalmadena by using the AP-7 and the A-7 highway.

Train

The main train station for Benalmadena is in Arroyo de la Miel.

THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN BENALMADENA: Breakwater, Costa Del Sol, Spain, The Mediterranean
THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN BENALMADENA: Breakwater, Costa Del Sol, Spain, The Mediterranean

Accommodations

The main industry in this city is tourism so there is no shortage of hotel accommodations in the area. However, as mentioned above, summer is the busiest time in the area so I recommend that you book well in advance. Your best bet is to check online for available places and book as soon as you can. Check out the link below for places available right now.

Hotel on the Mediterranean
Hotel on the Mediterranean

FINAL THOUGHTS: THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN BENALMADENA

If you are looking for a great tourist destination on the Mediterranean, then Benalmadena is a great choice. Close to Malaga airport, located on the A7 and with its own train station, the town is easily accessible. It is within striking distance of several other great locations on the Costa Del Sol such as Marbella and Malaga. It has several nice beaches, a wide range of entertainment and activities, and enjoys 320 sunny days a year. All in all, this city is a great Mediterranean holiday destination.

“Don’t Just Dream It! Do it!”

How about experiencing the Mediterranean firsthand? Use the map below to inspire you and plan your next Mediterranean vacation right now!

Reg Auge

Reg holds an MBA, is a former Captain in the Canadian military and has worked as a consultant in industry for over 20 years. From his home in Spain, he has spent the last 10 years traveling throughout the Mediterranean, exploring the various countries and regions. He also regularly runs, windsurfs, and kite surfs, maintaining a healthy and active way of life. Captivated by this Mediterranean lifestyle, he began a Blog last year to inspire like-minded souls to learn about and discover this unique region for themselves.

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