Twenty minutes on the train from the airport, and you could be gliding over pine forests to a summit almost 800 metres above the sea.
Benalmadena sits between Torremolinos and Fuengirola, about 20 km west of Málaga, and it packs far more into one small municipality than most visitors expect. In a single day you can sip coffee in a whitewashed square, ride a cable car up a mountain, watch dolphins from a boat and finish with fresh fish at the marina. The town has long been a favourite with British holidaymakers, and it is easy to see why: the beaches are long, the promenade is flat and the trains to Málaga run every 20 to 30 minutes.
In this article you’ll find the best things to do in Benalmadena, from the old village and Puerto Marina to the beaches, family attractions and day trips. There are also tips on how many days to plan, how to get around and where to stay.
💰 Hotel Best Tritón - A four-star hotel by Torre Bermeja beach and Benalmádena Marina, with two outdoor pools and a spa.
🏨 Estival Torrequebrada - A four-star beachfront hotel with indoor and outdoor pools, tennis court, sauna and casino.
💎 Vincci Selección Aleysa - A five-star beachfront hotel in Benalmádena, close to Selwo Marina.
Is Benalmadena worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you want an easy beach holiday with plenty to do between swims. Benalmadena is quieter and greener than Torremolinos, and less built-up than Fuengirola. It also has something many resorts on the Costa del Sol lack: a genuine old village in the hills, with narrow streets and views down to the sea.
Benalmadena makes a relaxed base for families, couples and anyone who’d rather not hire a car. Most of the popular tourist attractions are within walking distance of each other or a short local bus ride away. If you prefer long sightseeing days, Málaga, Mijas and even Granada are easy day trips.
Benalmadena Pueblo, Arroyo de la Miel and Benalmadena Costa - which part is which?
Benalmadena is really three places in one, and knowing the difference makes planning much easier. Benalmadena Pueblo is the original village, perched about 280 metres above sea level. It’s the old town, with white houses, flowerpots and quiet squares.
Arroyo de la Miel lies in between. This is where most locals live, and where you’ll find the train station, the cable car and the busy shopping streets. Benalmadena Costa is the seafront strip, with the hotels, the beaches, the promenade and Puerto Marina. Which part is nicest depends on your plans. The Costa is best for beach time, while the Pueblo is the place for atmosphere and sunsets.
Best things to do in Benalmadena
Here are the Benalmadena attractions most worth your time, roughly in order of how well they capture the town’s character.
Wander the white streets of Benalmadena Pueblo
If you’re looking for an old town in Benalmadena, Benalmadena Pueblo is it. Start at Plaza de España, the heart of the village. Here a bronze statue of a girl holding a shell, the Niña de Benalmádena, has watched over the fountain since the late 1960s. She has become the symbol of the town and its hospitality.
From the square, follow the narrow streets to the 17th-century Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, the oldest church in the municipality. Right next to it are the Jardines del Muro, terraced gardens designed by the Canarian artist César Manrique. They mix plants, water and stone, and they’re one of the most beautiful spots on the coast to catch the sunset.
Before you leave, step into the Felipe Orlando Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. Its collection of pieces from Mexico, Peru and Central America was donated by the Cuban artist Felipe Orlando. It is one of the most important of its kind in Spain. Traditional tapas bars around Plaza de España are made for a long lunch before you head back down to the coast.
Take a cable car ride to Mount Calamorro
The Benalmadena cable car is one of the most popular tourist attractions in town, and with good reason. The ride starts at the Explanada de Tívoli in Arroyo de la Miel and climbs for about 15 minutes to the top of Mount Calamorro, at around 770 metres. It’s the only cable car on the Costa del Sol.
At the top you’ll find viewing platforms, hiking trails through Mediterranean scrub and a birds-of-prey display. On a clear day the views stretch from Málaga and the Sierra Nevada to Fuengirola, Marbella, Gibraltar and even the coast of Africa. Go in the morning or late afternoon, when the light is softer and the coastal views are at their best. The cable car closes in strong wind, so keep an eye on the forecast.
Explore Puerto Marina
Puerto Marina is Benalmadena’s showpiece, and it doesn’t look like any other marina in Spain. Its apartment blocks rise from small artificial islands, with domes, terraces and cascading plants that make the whole place feel like a seaside fantasy. Construction began in 1972, and the marina was named the best in the world by international nautical magazines in 1995 and 1997. It has also held the Blue Flag for decades.
Come in the evening, when the restaurants and bars along the waterfront fill up and the lights reflect on the water. You’ll find everything from fresh fish and seafood to cocktails with live music. There is a big wheel by the dry dock, and the Sea Life aquarium is just along the quay. Is Benalmadena marina worth visiting? Absolutely, even if you only come for a stroll and an ice cream.
Go on a boat trip and spot dolphins
Most boat trips in Benalmadena leave from Puerto Marina, and dolphin watching is the classic choice. Catamarans head out along the coast for one to two hours, and on a lucky day you’ll see common or bottlenose dolphins swimming close to the bow. Even without dolphins, the coastal views of Benalmadena Costa, the cable car and the mountains behind are worth the trip.
If you want something more active, some tours add snorkelling, paddleboards or a slide from the boat. You can also hire a small boat that doesn’t need a licence and explore the bays on your own. In summer, go in the morning, when the sea tends to be calmer.
Visit Castillo de Colomares
Castillo de Colomares is one of the coast’s real surprises. It looks like a medieval fortress, but it was built between 1987 and 1994 by Dr Esteban Martín Martín, with the help of just two local masons. The monument tells the story of Christopher Columbus and the discovery of America in stone, and it is often described as the largest monument to Columbus in the world.
As you walk around it, look for references to his three ships, the Catholic Monarchs and the three cultures of medieval Spain. Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic and Mudéjar details sit side by side, and there is even a small Chinese-style pagoda, a nod to Columbus’s dream of reaching Asia. Inside the complex you’ll also find a tiny chapel often called the smallest church in the world. The castle stands in pine woods between the Pueblo and the coast, so it pairs well with a visit to the old village.
Find calm at the Stupa of Enlightenment
The white and gold Stupa of Enlightenment rises above Benalmadena Pueblo, and you’ll probably spot it from the motorway long before you visit. At 33 metres, it is the tallest stupa in Europe. This Buddhist temple was inaugurated in 2003 and was the last project of the Bhutanese master Lopön Tsechu Rinpoche.
Unlike most stupas, you can go inside this one, with a meditation room and a gilded Buddha. Entry is free, and the terrace has stunning sea views. Please keep your voice down and dress respectfully, as this is a working place of worship.
Walk among butterflies at the Mariposario
Right next to the Stupa, the Mariposario de Benalmádena is one of the largest butterfly parks in Europe. More than 1,500 butterflies from around the world fly freely in a warm, tropical greenhouse, built in a style inspired by Thai temples. Kids love spotting chrysalises and watching new butterflies emerge.
The butterfly park is a good choice for a hot or rainy afternoon. Allow around an hour for your visit, and combine it with the Stupa and the Pueblo for an easy half-day.
Meet dolphins and penguins at Selwo Marina
Selwo Marina is a small marine park next to Paloma Park, and it is the only dolphinarium in Andalusia. Besides dolphins and sea lions, you’ll see penguins in a cooled ice house, exotic birds and an Amazon-themed area with reptiles and fish. Shows run throughout the day, so check the schedule when you arrive.
The park usually closes for a few weeks in winter for maintenance. If you visit outside the summer months, check the opening calendar before you go.
Discover the underwater world at Sea Life
Sea Life Benalmadena is an aquarium right on the waterfront at Puerto Marina. Its tanks are home to sharks, rays, turtles and seahorses, and there are feeding sessions and talks throughout the day. It is smaller than the big aquariums in Valencia or Barcelona, but it’s a pleasant way to spend an hour with children, especially when combined with a walk around the marina.
Picnic in Paloma Park
Parque de la Paloma is the green heart of Benalmadena Costa, and it is completely free to enter. Paths wind around a lake with ducks and swans, and you’ll meet rabbits, peacocks and goats wandering among the trees. Look out for the cactus garden, a favourite photo spot.
Paloma Park has playgrounds, shaded lawns and a café, so it is ideal for a picnic or a lazy morning. It’s a short walk from the beach and the hotels on Avenida Antonio Machado.
See Castillo de Bil-Bil and walk the promenade
Castillo de Bil-Bil is a red, neo-Moorish villa right on the seafront, completed in 1934. Today it belongs to the town council and hosts exhibitions, concerts and other cultural events. It’s also a popular venue for civil weddings. Its tiled patios and Moorish-style fountains make it a lovely building to admire, even from the outside.
From the castle, the Benalmadena promenade (Paseo Marítimo) runs for kilometres along the coast. It is flat and wide, which makes it ideal for a morning walk, a jog or a bike ride. The promenade is lined with ice cream parlours and chiringuitos (beach bars) serving grilled sardines, the local speciality.
Spot the old watchtowers
Benalmadena’s coastline was once guarded by watchtowers built to warn of pirate raids. Three of them still stand: Torre Bermeja, Torrequebrada and Torremuelle. They are not big attractions in themselves, but they add a historic touch to walks along the coast. Torre Bermeja is the easiest to reach, close to Santa Ana beach and the marina.
Best beaches in Benalmadena
Benalmadena has around 9 km of coastline, with busy urban beaches near the centre and quieter coves further west. These beautiful beaches mostly have dark sand, with sun loungers, showers and beach bars in summer.
Playa de Santa Ana sits right next to Puerto Marina. It is about 500 metres long, with shallow water and good facilities, so it is popular with families. Malapesquera, on the other side of the marina, is great for beach volleyball and water sports. Playa de Bil-Bil, below the castle of the same name, is one of the busiest beaches in town, and it is a few minutes from Paloma Park.
Arroyo de la Miel beach has a Blue Flag and an easy-going atmosphere. If you want more space, head west towards Torrequebrada, Arroyo Hondo and La Viborilla, where the coast becomes greener and rockier. Playa de Carvajal, on the border with Fuengirola, is a lively family beach with its own train stop.
Food, nightlife and street markets
Benalmadena is a great place to eat well without spending a fortune. Head to Puerto Marina for fresh fish, seafood and sunset cocktails, or go up to the Pueblo for traditional tapas in small family bars. On the beach, try espetos, sardines grilled on skewers over an open fire in an old fishing boat filled with sand.
After dark, the marina is the centre of the action, with restaurants and bars, live music and clubs open until the early hours. Plaza Solymar, near the seafront and nicknamed the “24-Hour Square” by British visitors, has a more party-focused vibe.
Street markets are a big part of local life. The large market in Arroyo de la Miel takes place every Friday morning in the Tivoli car park, with around 230 colourful stalls selling clothes, crafts, fruit and souvenirs. On Wednesdays there is a flea market by Paloma Park, and an organic market is held there on the first and third Sunday of each month.
Things to do in Benalmadena with kids
Few towns on the Costa del Sol have so many family-friendly activities in such a small area. Selwo Marina, Sea Life, the butterfly park and the cable car are all within a short ride of each other. Paloma Park is free and keeps younger children busy for hours.
A fun way to see the town is the tourist train, which links the main sights along the coast. For a full water park day, Aqualand in neighbouring Torremolinos is only a few minutes away. A dolphin-watching boat trip from the marina is usually the highlight for the whole family.
Tivoli World - what happened to the amusement park?
Many older guides still list Tivoli World, Benalmadena’s famous amusement park in Arroyo de la Miel. It opened in 1972 and was one of the oldest theme parks in Spain, but it has been closed since 2020. There are plans to renovate and reopen it as part of a larger leisure complex, though no reopening date has been confirmed.
The cable car still starts right next to the old park entrance, and the Friday market is held in the Tivoli car park. If you’re visiting with children and want rides, check the latest news before your trip.
Day trips from Benalmadena
Benalmadena’s location on the Costa del Sol makes it an ideal base for exploring southern Spain. The nearby towns and cities below are all easy to reach by train, bus, organised tour or hire car.
Málaga
Málaga is just 30 minutes away by train. Spend the day exploring the Alcazaba and the cathedral, visit the Picasso Museum in Málaga and finish with tapas in the old town. It is the obvious first day trip if you’re staying on the coast.
Mijas and Fuengirola
Mijas Pueblo is one of the prettiest white villages in Andalusia, and it is only a short bus ride from Benalmadena. Its streets are full of flowers, souvenir shops and scenic viewpoints over the coast. The neighbouring town of Fuengirola is easy to reach by train, or by ferry from Puerto Marina - a fun way to see the coast from the water. You can visit both in one day.
Caminito del Rey
The Caminito del Rey is a walkway pinned to the walls of a deep gorge about an hour inland. The route is around 7.7 km long, including the access paths, and has superb views of the canyon and the turquoise reservoirs. Tickets often sell out in spring and autumn, so book your visit well in advance. A guided tour with transport from the coast is the easiest way to go.
Nerja, Ronda, Granada and Gibraltar
East of Málaga, Nerja is known for the Balcón de Europa and its famous caves. Inland, Ronda sits on top of a dramatic gorge crossed by the Puente Nuevo, and many tours combine it with the white village of Setenil de las Bodegas.
For a longer day trip, Granada and the Alhambra are about two hours away by car. Gibraltar, with its famous Rock and Barbary macaques, is a similar distance in the other direction. Organised tours run to both from Benalmadena. For more ideas across the region, see our article on Andalusia.
How many days do you need in Benalmadena?
Two full days are enough to see the main attractions in Benalmadena. Spend one day on the Pueblo, the Stupa, the butterfly park and Castillo de Colomares. Use the second for the cable car, Paloma Park and an evening at Puerto Marina.
Most people, however, come for a week-long beach holiday. With a week you can add a boat trip, a lazy beach day or two and day trips to Málaga, Mijas or the Caminito del Rey. That mix of beach time and sightseeing is what makes Benalmadena such a popular base.
How to get to Benalmadena and get around
Málaga Airport is about 12 km from Benalmadena. The easiest way into town is the C1 local train (Cercanías), which runs from the airport towards Fuengirola. It reaches Benalmadena-Arroyo de la Miel in around 20 minutes, with no change needed. There are also stops at Torremuelle and Carvajal, further west. The same line connects Benalmadena with Málaga city centre and Torremolinos. You can check connections and book tickets for longer journeys on Omio.
Around town, local buses link Benalmadena Costa, Arroyo de la Miel and the Pueblo, which is handy because the old village sits uphill. If you plan several day trips inland, car hire gives you much more freedom, especially for Ronda, the Caminito del Rey and the white villages. Parking at Puerto Marina and along the seafront can be tricky in the summer months.
When to visit Benalmadena
Benalmadena enjoys over 300 days of sunshine a year, so there is no bad time to visit. July and August are hot, often above 30°C, and the beaches are at their busiest. May, June, September and October are ideal for a mix of beach time and sightseeing, with warm seawater and fewer crowds.
Winter is mild, with daytime temperatures often around 17°C, which makes it good for walking and day trips. Some attractions, such as Selwo Marina, may close for a few weeks in winter, so check opening times before you travel.
Benalmadena also celebrates several lively festivals. In Corpus Christi week, the streets of the Pueblo are decorated with carpets of flowers and plants. On the night of San Juan, in late June, people gather on the beaches for bonfires. In mid-July, the Virgen del Carmen festival sees the patron saint of fishermen carried to the sea in a procession. Book accommodation well in advance for July and August, when the best seafront hotels in Benalmadena, Spain, fill up fast.
See available accommodation in Benalmadena
Hotels in Benalmadena
Most hotels in Benalmadena line the seafront between Puerto Marina and Torrequebrada, so you’re never far from the beach. Here are three options for different budgets, all on or near the promenade.
💰 Hotel Best Tritón
A large four-star hotel on the seafront, just 200 metres from Torre Bermeja beach and a short walk from Puerto Marina. Rooms have private balconies, and the hotel is surrounded by gardens and palm trees with two outdoor pools and a tennis court. There is a buffet restaurant, a kids’ club, daily entertainment and a small spa with a sauna and Turkish bath. It is a great-value choice for families who want to stay close to the beach, the marina and Sea Life.
🏨 Estival Torrequebrada
A four-star beachfront hotel in the quieter western part of Benalmadena Costa, and every room has a sea-view balcony. The hotel offers indoor and outdoor pools, a tennis court, a spa and a buffet restaurant. There is even a casino on site, and the Torrequebrada golf course is around 2 km away. It is ideal for couples and golfers who want a calmer base, and it’s still only a short ride from the marina.
💎 Vincci Selección Aleysa
A five-star boutique hotel right on the beach, close to Paloma Park and Selwo Marina. Its elegant, modern rooms look out over the Mediterranean, and guests can relax in the outdoor pools, the hot tub and the spa with a sauna. The restaurant serves international cuisine, and breakfast gets particularly good reviews. It is the place to stay for a romantic break or a special occasion in Benalmadena.
