Why we love Benalmádena
Benalmádena is one of the Costa del Sol’s most popular holiday destinations, and it’s easy to see why. Just a short 15-minute drive from the Málaga airport, the resort has over 10kms of sandy beaches, a vibrant town centre and lots of attractions; including Tivoli World, Selwo Marina, Sealife Aquarium Butterfly Park and even a cable car.
What’s it like?
The town has 3 different personalities; there is the Benalmádena Costa, Arroyo de la Miel (the business district) and Benalmádena Pueblo, where you’ll find the white washed traditional houses and winding streets. If you want to party, head to the famous Arabic style award-winning Puerto Marina which has been voted the best marina in the world several times, where you’ll find shops, bars, restaurants and clubs. It is also a residential area with floating islands and there are over 1,000 moorings. Solymar Square is the other main entertainment centre, which is popular with all ages, whether strolling through the new shopping centre, sipping a coffee, taking a walk or partying ‘til early in the morning. This being the Costa del Sol, there are several golf courses, hotels and a casino and a casino, where you can enjoy a meal and a show.
Attractions
Eating and drinking
As befitting a coastal town in southern Spain, Benalmádena has a wide selection of restaurants, including many specialising in the healthy, Mediterranean cuisine, particularly the delicious region paella. The area are the marina, has a good range of fresh fish restaurants, and you’ll also find every other type of food, from Argentinian steaks to Middle East, Indian, French and Italian.
Nightlife
Benalmádena has a rightly deserved reputation as one of the best places to go out drinking and dancing on the Costa del Sol. Revellers tend to head down to the Puerto Marina to sample the delights of the many pubs and clubs. Getting there is simple, watch out for signs for Solymar Square and you’re nearly there.
Shopping
Benalmadena offers a variety of shopping options. The area has a wide range of large and smaller shops and plenty of weekly markets to choose from. The shopping centre has different stores and shops with popular Spanish brands such as Zara, Mango and Massimo Dutti. The weekly markets are home to many different gadgets, souvenirs and clothes all at great prices.
Sports and outdoor activities
Sports are a major part of the Costa del Sol ‘outdoor’ lifestyle, and this applies to Benalmádena too. There is a seemingly endless choice of world-class golf courses dotted along the coast, several of which are in and around Benalmádena, and the superb climate means that you can play all year round. There’s also the option of hiking in Monte Calamorro, water sports, horse riding, sailing, windsurfing or simply lolling about on a li-lo.
Golf courses in the municipality of Benalmadena
- Golf Torrequebrada – 18-holes, restaurant, club house, pro-shop, driving range
- Benalmádena golf -9-holes par 27, pitch and putt, golf school, pro-shop
Beaches in Benalmádena
Benalmádena has over 10kms of beach, to the east the beaches are sandy and flat and to the west they are a little rockier. These rockier beaches are popular for fishing, water sports and diving.
- Arroyo de la Miel: Together with Bil Bil beach, this is one of the most popular beaches due to the good range of facilities and promenade.
- Arroyo Hondo: Situated next to Hotel Costa Azul it can get very busy.
- Benalnatura: This is a nudist beach where you can sunbathe and swim without clothes and without being bothered.
- Bil Bil: This is one of the most popular places for a promenade.
- Carvajal: Well-equipped but extremely busy due to its central location. It has lots to do, including yachts, sunbeds, sunshades and there are toilets, very popular with families.
- Fuente de la Salud beach: On the border of Benalmádena and Torremolinos, close to the marina. It’s fairly rocky and not very sandy.
- La Morera: Small and set away from the hustle and bustle, but it can still get fairly busy.
- La Perla: Probably the smallest beach, nestling between two artificial breakwaters.
- Las Yucas: Small. It has a mix of sand and gravel.
- Malapesquera: The place to go during the summer! There are 4 bars, volleyball, goalposts for football and lots of sunbeds and umbrellas, there are also showers and toilets.
- Melilleros: Divided into two parts by an inlet, this one of the prettiest beaches and is popular with young people.
- Santa Ana: The largest beach in Benalmádena covering 500 metres has a lovely promenade and is well equipped with hammocks, sunbeds and umbrellas. There are also public toilets, showers, rescue and Red Cross and plenty of parking. It also has disabled access and tourist information.
- Tajo de la Soga: Small, busy and good facilities.
- Torremuelle beach: This beach mainly serves the two neighbouring residential areas of Valdeconejos and La Hidalga.
Historic Benalmadena
Benalmadena’s history is very much evident today, particularly in the remains of the three watchtowers rooted to rocks overlooking the coastline. The commercial district of Arroyo de la Miel proudly displays an ancient Roman archway, and there is also the famous Benalmádena Castle, which served an important part of the town’s fortifications. In the 1970s, The Municipal Archaeological Museum (Pre-Columbian Art Museum) opened in Benalmádena to house the area’s important historical exhibits including a collection of Neolithic artifacts which pre-date Christopher Columbus.
Facts & Figures
Here is some useful information about Benalmádena to help you make up your mind as to whether this is the place that you would like to relocate or to invest in property.
Schools
Children are well catered for in Benalmádena with a wide choice of nursery, junior and secondary level schools; private, international and state school, offering the English and Spanish syllabus. The Benalmádena International College is situated in Nueva Torrequebrada, close to Benalmádena, this private establishment opened in 1997. The College offers international education for children aged from 3 to 18 years. And it also provides education for those with special needs.
Transport links
Benalmádena is conveniently located for those arriving by air, just 19kms and a short 15 minute drive to Málaga international airport. You can take the A-7 motorway (toll road) also known as the Autovia del Mediterraneo or the coast road. In additional to the excellent roadlinks, a regular public bus service also connects Benalmádena to the other towns on the Costa del Sol, including Torremolinos to the east and Fuengirola, Marbella, Estepona and even La Linea, where Spain meets the Gibraltar frontier. There is a handy train station at Arroyo de la Miel.
