United Kingdom
Benalmadena Hotels and Apartments
Sunset Beach Club
Las Arenas
Medplaya Bali
Vistamar
Doramar
Los Patos Park
Ibersol Alay
Palmasol Hotel
THB Torrequebrada
Apartamentos Benalmadena Playa Good Places
Pierre and Vacances Benalmadena Principe
Best Siroco
Medplaya Balmoral
Minerva Jupiter Apartments
Apartamentos MS Alay
Betania
Best Benalmadena
Palia La Roca
First Flatotel Apartments
Holiday Palace
Benalmadena Overview
If the idea of endless stretches of sandy beach, buzzing nightlife, relaxing sea cruises and an award-winning marina appeals to you, Benalmadena could be your ideal holiday destination. It’s a big town located on the Costa del Sol, between Torremolinos and Fuengirola. Without a doubt Benalmadena’s beautiful beaches are its biggest draw. With 7km of sun-soaked coastline, there’s a beach to suit everyone, from popular Blue Flag stretches filled with families, to quiet, hidden-away coves.
Explore Benalmadena
Benalmadena is split into three main areas. Benalmadena Costa is the coastal strip and the main tourist hub, with lots of hotels, nightlife, an aquarium, Parque de la Paloma and the Arabian-style Puerto Marina. Arroyo de la Miel is something of a commercial centre – home to Tivoli World theme park, shops, bars, restaurants and a cable car. It’s also home to the train station – rail links here are very good, and you can easily visit nearby cities such as Malaga.
Visit the old town
The third section, Benalmadena Pueblo, is where you’ll find traditional Spain. Set back from the coast at the foot of Mount Calamorro, it’s a village made up of white-washed houses and narrow cobbled alleyways. It’s also home to the largest Buddhist temple in Europe, making for a very impressive sight. Benalmadena Pueblo can be easily reached by bus.
Things to do in Benalmadena
On the beach in Benalmadena
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches in Benalmadena. Whether you like sunbathing, swimming, surfing, partying, building sandcastles with the kids or relaxing on a stretch of sand without another soul to be seen, there’s a beach for you here. Some of the most popular include Carvajal Beach, which is great for families, and Arroyo Beach, which is a hot spot for keen swimmers.
Top Tip:
Even if it’s not advertised, most beaches have taps and showers – so you don’t need to worry about heading back with sandy feet.
Eat and drink in Benalmadena
With tens of thousands of foreign visitors every year, there’s a restaurant in Benalmadena for almost every country imaginable. For mouth-watering local food, however, head to the “chiringuito” beach bars or the Marina. Here you can enjoy the freshest seafood along with a chilled glass of wine or sangria, while watching the boats go by.
Top Tip:
Some traditional Spanish bars will serve free tapas if you buy a drink – this is a great way to pick up a light meal and save money.
Benalmadena Nightlife
If you’re after a big night out, the aptly-named 24-Hour Square is the place to go. It’s located near the harbour and is a complex of the biggest, most energetic bars and nightclubs. For a more sophisticated evening, the Marina is the place to go. There are lots of classy bars overlooking the docks, and plenty of live musical performances.
Top Tip:
Watch out for high drinks prices in July and August.
Shopping in Benalmadena
Avenida de Constitucion, the main street in Arroyo de la Miel, is great for retail therapy with fashion, souvenir and shoe shops lining both sides. The surrounding streets are also filled with shops, and there’s an open-air shopping centre on the Marina too.
Top Tip:
Street markets are big business in Benalmadena. They’re held every Friday morning, with one at Tivoli World and one near Paloma Park.
Things to see in Benalmadena
Parque de la Paloma is well worth a visit. This beautifully landscaped park is located right in the middle of Benalmadena Costa. There are themed gardens and waterfalls, as well as goats, rabbits and exotic birds roaming free. It’s perfect for a relaxing day with the kids.
Top Tip:
There are cafes and bars within the park, so there’s no need to take a packed lunch.
We Recommend
Toro
For some of the best steaks on the Costa, you don’t need to look further than Toro. The restaurant boasts a prime spot on the Marina and the food is cooked to perfection – if you order rare, then rare is what you’ll get.
Bar Ole
This British-run bar is well known for its excellent cocktail menu. Located in a quaint little plaza close to the promenade, Bar Ole is a great place to unwind. The friendly hosts will make you feel very welcome.
Veladilla del Carmen
Held on the evening of July 16th, this sailor’s celebration has become something of a local tradition. It involves the carrying of the “Virgin Carmen” down to the sea, a firework display from Malapesquera Beach, and then the procession continues by boat from Benalmadena Port. You might see people jumping in the sea, and there’s music and dancing until sunrise.
Fast Facts
· Currency – EUR
· Time zone – GMT+1
· Travel time – 2h 40min from London, 2h 55min from Dublin
· Transfer time – 15 min (taxi)
Map
Benalmadena Reviews
18 November 2011
ideal
David Wallace, Glasgow
a lovely resort with lots to do and easy to get to places.eating out was very reasonable too,we loved it .be back again
The best thing about my stay was ...
the walk along the front to the marina
12 August 2013
plenty to do ans see
Sharon Livingstone, Belfast
quietest of all the resorts on the Costa Del Sol but the nicest with beautiful beaches. Plenty of bars and restaurants. Just souvenir shops and they all sell the same things. The public bus takes you to the Marina and Malaga, Torromollios, Fuengorola, Marbia all for just a few Euro and all with 20 - 30 minutes and the buses run until 2am Would recommend Torromollios for shopping and lively street entertainment
The best thing about my stay was ...
The Beaches and the public transport is very reasonable
25 September 2010
Excellant place to visit / stay
Edward Davies, Wigan, Lancs
This is an ideal place to stay or visit. You are in themiddle of three resorts, Torre and feuge. this is the quiter of the three i have stayed in this resort many times over the years and feelvery comfortable with the area and feelsafe towalkthe streets
The best thing about my stay was ...
Cheap food and beers / Vino
05 September 2012
transfers
Kevin Mclean, Belfast
get the train from airport for 1.85euro excellent value
09 December 2012
Nice place
Gary and Sue, Manilva, Spain
Benalmadena is a beautiful, clean place with lots of choices when it comes to eating and drinking and an exceptionally pleasant beach and marina.
The best thing about my stay was ...
Beach.
15 December 2010
Very English
Paul, London
Lovely Beach, great bars would recommend for an out of season break
18 May 2012
great location and facilities
graeme stanford, Herne Bay
great location and facilities
24 May 2012
Something for everyone
Allan Medlicott, Tredegar
Very well placed for trips to historical parts of Spain and of course Gibraltar and Tangiers. Good beach holiday if that's what's wanted.
14 March 2012
Beautiful
Glen, Blackpool
Beautiful resort, stunning marina, lovely walks along the prom
The best thing about my stay was ...
"Sunshine"
09 September 2013
Fabuluos
Jayne and Richard Cooke, Ireland
Great pubs. Great trips. Fab marina
The best thing about my stay was ...
All of it
31 August 2010
Plenty to do
Louise Bolam, Swansea
There is plenty to do for everyone, excellent beaches, good selection of bars and restaurants and theme parks, water parks, and even a crocodile park within a short taxi ride of the resort.
The best thing about my stay was ...
Variety
28 July 2011
good holiday location
jennifer, coleraine co.londonderry n.ireland
beautiful place all round would recommend
The best thing about my stay was ...
close to shops and beach
09 August 2012
Sun, sea and sand
Nicholas Scoltock, Chester
Nice resort with plenty to do regardless of age.
18 November 2011
Amazing Resort
Michalis Ouachmpa, London
Benalmadena is the place to be for couples and families alike. The beach is fantastic, sandy and with shallow waters. With respect to nightlife, there is something for everyone around the Marina, and its the norm to see families pushing around their pram chairs in the middle of the night. Its soooo lively. There are also discotheques, bars and pubs for couples.
The best thing about my stay was ...
Beach and night life
20 October 2012
Best of the Costa del Sol
George Moir, Kidderminster
Much nicer than its neighbours, lovely marina and the promenade to Torremolinos is very pleasant walk. The bars and resteraunts are very good value. I also liked Arroyo very much.
10 October 2010
Beautiful, clean, tranquil and vibrant
Lisette MacCormac, Southend-on-Sea
The Marina is beautiful, with shops, restaurants and bars to suit everybody - great, clean beaches, watersports and boat trips. And, of course, great weather.
The best thing about my stay was ...
Weather and facilities
25 March 2012
Good place to go
Jean Magill, Lancashire
We have been to Belamadina 4 Years running and love it, lovely park good walk into Torramalinos, nice beach, we recomend Tony,s Bar nice and friendly,
The best thing about my stay was ...
The Weather
16 June 2012
Something for all
Maria , Benalmadena
For us, Benalmadena offers us what we are looking for in a holiday, rest, relaxation and if we want plenty of things to see and do. We have done so much over the years when visiting the resort, from taking a bus to Mijas and having a donkey ride, to jumping on the train and heading to Malaga and having a try of the many Malaga wines!! Bebnalmadena has the best beaches in Europe and we got a sunbed with sangria for €9 (that was for 2 of us) We noticed on this quick trip how much Arroyo had been cleaned up with lovely flower beds, it looked so clean and there was a great atmosphere.
The best thing about my stay was ...
One of the best things is the beautiful Paloma Park, we love feeding the ducks!!
01 June 2011
paradise
linda byrne, dublin ireland
just sheer pleasure i would go back it was most pleasant
The best thing about my stay was ...
the localaty
13 September 2010
Fantastic
Daniel, Cary, NC, USA
Everyone was very friendly, good food, excellent transport system (bus and trains) Wonderful attractions in Benalmadena: Marina, Parque de la Paloma. Bioparc Fuengirola (zoo) is also very good. Dolphin cruise with Costasol was superb. Torremolinos is also very nice, very alive. And Malaga is an awesome town, very friendly, manageable, the Picasso Museum is a must. Mijas is different than the others, a beutiful little town. All in all, all cities visited were very nice.
The best thing about my stay was ...
Location in the middle of the Costa del Sol, but everything was very nice
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