Benalmadena Area Guide

Visitors Guide to Benalmadena 

Benalmadena is quite a large costal settlement with over sixty thousand inhabitants living and working in this busy town, and that is before you add the large numbers of visitors who flock to the town in the summer and throughout the year. Fantastic beaches are everywhere. You can relax on golden sandy beaches like Playa Malapesquera, play golf at high-quality courses like Torrequebrada Golf, and that is just for starters. Take a look at the whopping list of great attractions below – there’s no surprise that Benalmadena is such a popular destination. 

The town’s name comes from the Arabic ‘Ben-al-Madina’, meaning ‘Children of the Mines’, because many centuries ago, iron ore was mined in the area.  It is easy to spot in many cases the Arabic influences throughout the Costa del Sol, whether is in the names of towns, place names and settlements or indeed the food offerings or the architecture. All this diversity in terms of commerce has now switched almost exclusively to catering for the hundreds of thousands of visitors who choose to spend some time in Benalmadena each year.

A visit to Benalmadena Pueblo is also highly recommended. The settlement is located high on the mountain overlooking the coast. This is of course how Benalmadena started – a traditional Andalucian Spanish village three kilometres inland from Benalmadena Costa at a height of 200 metres above sea level. 

Benalmadena is one of the most popular and vibrant holiday resorts on the Costa del Sol, with a variety of tourist attractions, including Selwo Marina, Sealife Aquarium and a popular cable car ride. Visitors and potential new residents will be spoilt for choice. And if you buy a property here, your friends and family can enjoy numerous attractions all of which deserve more than one visit to fully appreciate. So, get ready for plenty of return visits to your new second home in Spain.

So here are some of the highlights and things to see and do in a little more detail.

1. Parque de la Paloma (Paloma Park)

This is a serene park featuring lakes, wildlife, and walking trails. A visit to this two hundred thousand square meter park for picnics, bird watching, nature and a little peace has been a must since the park first opened in 1995. There is a lovely large lake, with an abundance of birds, ducks and swans. A cobble stone pathway offers easy access to the lake and is stroller friendly for those with children in tow. Don’t forget to visit the Cactus Garden! It boasts 400 different species and is considered to be one of the best in Europe. A popular choice for the little ones is the small zoo, with animals such as rabbits, parrots, pigeons, peacocks, chickens, etc. But the favourites are the mountain goats, emus, and mouflons, which are in large, fenced enclosures.
 
2. Puerto Marina

Puerto Marina is a glamorous marina built in 1979, with luxury yachts, shops, and lively bars. The marina has over 1,100 moorings and is noted for its appealing architecture. It is quite stunning to see the waterways mixed with apartments complexes and commercial premises. It has a sort of mini-Venice feel to it. The marina is very popular for tourists, with many visitors returning time and time again. You can enjoy waterfront dining and a vibrant nightlife throughout the year, plus there’s ample public car parking close by, offering easy access. It is a wonderful area to take a stroll, or people watch while enjoying a cocktail in one of the many bars along the waterfront. Just be aware that the area is quite touristy and caters to the needs of holidaymakers who want a lot packed into a week or two.  It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, for permanent all round living. But it’s a great place to moor a yacht, if you feel so inclined.
 
3. Castillo de Colomares (Colomares Castle)

The Castillo Colomares is one of Benalmadena’s most striking monument and architectural marvel and is a castle, fortress and museum. The complex, which was part completed just in time for the fifth Centenary celebration of the discovery of America in 1992, is a true testament to the creativity and determination of its creator, Dr. Esteban Martín. This monument stands as the largest dedication ever made to Christopher Columbus and the history of the discovery of America. It is, in a way, a monument to Spain, and the people of Andalucia, who crewed the four voyages of Christoper Columbus to the new world. You’ll also be able to enjoy great views of Benalmadena from the castle itself.
 
4. Benalmadena Pueblo (Old Town)

Charming old town with narrow streets and white-washed buildings. Explore local boutiques, cafes, and the authentic Andalusian atmosphere, the town retains the typical postcard images of whitewashed houses with narrow cobbled streets that you would expect to find. A visit here makes a pleasant change from the hustle and bustle of the beach area. Try eating out here in some of the wonderful Spanish restaurants. Head for the centre and the pretty little square of Plaza de Espana with a statue of a small girl (La Nina). The church of Santo Domingo is worth a visit as is the small museum which houses several ancient artifacts excavated from the area.

5. Tivoli World

This much-loved theme park closed down in 2021, and remains closed at time of writing (March 2024). However, the council recently announced that they are working hard to get the doors open once more. Whereas this park was never state of the art, it remained a firm favourite for many over the years, so we’re hoping it will reopen. But don’t worry, there are lots of other great activities, to keep everyone occupied in Benalmadena! 
 
6. Sea Life Benalmadena

A popular, walk through, Marine life exploration with interactive exhibits galore. You can walk through a tunnel surrounded by sharks and rays and all sorts of marine life.  It is a fantastic opportunity for animal and sea creature lovers to get their fix. Visitors can take a stroll along the seabed in a glass tunnel.  With starfish to stingrays and sharks, and many more exotic species, you can study this fascinating marine life close up.  There are 30 tanks in nine different rooms, you see creatures living in a reproduced natural habitat, from above, below, and alongside. The journey includes turtles, sharks, and moray eels, as well as colourful tropical fish and seahorses. There are also jellyfish and octopuses and a rockpool experience where you can hold a crab and touch a starfish.  This attraction is close to the marina, with a great choice of bars, shops, and restaurants close by.

7. Benalmadena Cable Car

The cable car allows visitors a panoramic view of the Mediterranean and Sierra Nevada (white with snow in the winter months) and was opened in 2003. This attraction is perhaps slightly scary for youngsters but equally exhilarating as you go up the 800-metre high Calamorro Mountain.  This is not for those with any phobia or fear of heights.  If you take the cable car up, you will be rewarded with breath taking views of the coastline and the Mediterranean Sea, bring your camera!!!  On a clear day you can see Gibraltar and the coast of Africa. The cars run constantly, and it is normally easy to buy tickets.  Scout out special offers discounts and buy your tickets in advance to save money and secure additional concessions.
 
8. Selwo Marina

Next to La Paloma Park you will find Selwo Marina which is the sister park to Selwo Adventure Park (Selwo Aventura, in Estepona). The theme here is to replicate various locations in South America where you can see dolphins, sea lions, crocodiles, exotic birds, and snakes.  All kinds of sea life can be found here, including shows and performances. Visit the Dolphinarium and see the dolphins and sea lions; at Ice Island, the penguins live in a specially cooled environment, similar conditions to conditions in their native Antarctica.
 
9. Butterfly Park

At the butterfly park you are roam freely amongst the 1500 butterflies at any one time. There are 150 species on view, and the landscape is constantly changing, when you consider that the life span for a butterfly is only 2-3 weeks.  You can get up close to all stages of their transformation from eggs to caterpillars and eventually the beautiful, winged creatures, we all know and love. The internal temperature is kept at 25-29 degrees throughout the year and reflect their natural habitat.  New baby ‘Mariposas’ are being born all the time, so the landscape is constantly changing. Well worth a visit.

10. Bil-Bil Castle

Located on the promenade just a 10-minute walk from Sunset Beach Club, this Moorish-looking building is not really a castle. Although it looks like it was built centuries ago, nothing could be further from the truth. Originally commissioned by Leon Hermann, but finished by an American, William Schenstron.  William was known as Bill, and he was frequently accompanied by his son, little Bill and so the workers called the new structure Bil-Bil. What you have here is an Iconic Arabian-style castle that looks old but is from the 20th Century, and its used now to host cultural events. It has had a brush with many redevelopment attempts since its inception, but local protests and vigilance, have kept it as the original owners intended. The Benalmadena tourist office is also located here, so its easy to get some more information on other great local attractions.

11. Benalmadena Stupa

In Buddhism, a stupa is a monument which represents peace, prosperity, and harmony, as well as being a place for meditation. Benalmadena Stupa symbolizes Buddha's enlightenment. It is 108ft tall and is the tallest in Europe and was incorporated on the 5th of October 2003.


And the list of things to do, just keeps on going. But here is a summary of other attractions in brief: Plaza de España- Lively square in the picturesque suburb town of Arroyo de la Miel with shops and markets, a central hub for local events and gatherings.  Bateria Park is a family-friendly Park with playgrounds and sports facilities with relaxing green spaces for a leisurely day. Consider browsing local markets for unique finds. Puerto Marina Market and Benalmadena Flea Market offer diverse shopping experiences. And a visit to Avenida Antonio Machado- a scenic promenade with shops, restaurants, and Mediterranean views is perfect for a leisurely stroll and seaside dining. And for those who are night owls, consider tasting the nightlife in Plaza Solymar for drinks and late-night entertainment with a variety of bars and clubs.

Benalmadena offers a rich tapestry of experiences, blending natural beauty, cultural heritage, and vibrant entertainment for a truly immersive and unforgettable visit and a wonderful place to consider setting up home.  Why not browse through our selection of properties in this area. Give us a call or email and one of our experienced representatives will be happy to give you a taste of the wonderful properties we have on offer right now.