On a clear winter morning you can stand on one mountaintop and see two continents, a snow-capped sierra and most of the Costa del Sol. On a hazy August afternoon you might see half of that.
The Benalmádena cable car (Teleférico Benalmádena) lifts you from the streets of Arroyo de la Miel to the summit of Monte Calamorro, around 770 metres above sea level. It’s the only cable car on the Costa del Sol, and the ride takes about 15 minutes each way in small four-person cabins. At the top you’ll find viewpoints, hiking trails, a restaurant and a birds of prey presentation run by a local foundation.
You’ll often see it written without the accent, as the Benalmadena cable car, and locals simply call it the teleférico. In this guide you’ll find when to go for the clearest views, what to do on Mount Calamorro, how to get to the bottom station and how long to plan for. If you’re building a longer day out, our guide to the best things to do in Benalmádena covers the rest of the town.
💰 Hostal Sol y Miel - a simple guesthouse in Arroyo de la Miel, eight minutes on foot from the cable car.
🏨 Sunset Beach Club - a seafront aparthotel with studios, pools and a mini club.
💎 Estival Torrequebrada - a big seafront resort with pools and a children’s splash park.
Where is the cable car in Benalmádena, Spain?
The bottom station is on Explanada del Tivoli in Arroyo de la Miel, the inland part of Benalmádena, right next to the Tivoli World amusement park. From the beach hotels of Benalmádena Costa it’s a short taxi or bus ride uphill. The top station sits on Monte Calamorro, a peak in the Sierra de Mijas, the mountain range that rises behind the coast between Benalmádena and Mijas.
People often search for a Malaga cable car or a Torremolinos cable car, and this is the one they mean. Neither Málaga nor Torremolinos has its own cable car, and Benalmádena is the next town west of Torremolinos along the coast.
The cable car ride to Mount Calamorro
The cabins are small, enclosed gondolas for up to four people, and they come with an audio guide that tells you about the landscape below. The cable car ride climbs steadily over the rooftops of Arroyo de la Miel and then over pine-covered slopes, with the sea getting bigger behind you all the way. You get a bird’s eye view of Benalmádena, the marina and the coast towards Málaga.
If you’re afraid of heights, sit facing uphill and keep your eyes on the mountain. The cabins can sway a little on windy days, which some kids love and some adults don’t. Cyclists can take their bikes up too, which is popular with mountain bikers who ride back down on the trails.
What can you see from the top?
Monte Calamorro is the highest point you can reach easily on the Málaga coast, and its location gives you amazing views in every direction. Looking east, you see the whole bay of Málaga. To the north lie the Guadalhorce Valley and, on clear days, the Sierra Nevada, which is covered in snow for much of the winter.
Looking south-west, you can spot the Rock of Gibraltar and, when the air is really clear, the mountains of North Africa across the Strait. These are some of the most spectacular views in southern Spain, and on the best days you understand why people ride up more than once.
The viewpoints on the summit
Short paths link several lookouts across the summit, each facing a different direction. The steepest one takes you to the very top of Calamorro in about ten minutes from the station. The ground is rocky and uneven, so trainers or walking shoes are a much better choice than flip-flops.
Best time to visit the Benalmádena cable car
The best time to visit is a clear, calm day, and that matters more than the month. Wind can stop the cable car at any time of year, and haze can hide Africa and the Sierra Nevada even when the sun is shining.
Season by season
Autumn, winter and spring usually bring the sharpest air, especially after a spell of rain or a cold, dry wind from the north. That’s when you’re most likely to see Gibraltar, the Moroccan coast and snow on the Sierra Nevada. It can feel chilly at the summit, so pack a jacket even if it’s warm by the sea.
Summer is the busiest season. The heat often creates a haze over the coast, so the long-distance views are less reliable, but the sea views are still lovely. In July and August, go early in the day or wait for the evening, when the summit is cooler and quieter.
Morning, afternoon or sunset?
Mornings are usually the clearest time of day and the best time for photos looking towards Málaga. Late afternoon light is softer and looks great over the coast towards Fuengirola. Weekends and July are the busiest times, so a weekday morning outside the school holidays is the most relaxed option.
Cablecar Nights in summer
In high summer the cable car stays open late, until 11pm, and runs a programme called Cablecar Nights. In 2026 it ran from 21 July to 31 August, with an open-air stargazing session led by an astronomer and an evening birds of prey show. Riding up in daylight and coming down after dark, with the lights of the coast below you, is a memorable experience.
Opening hours
The cable car usually opens in the late morning, around 10am or 11am. Closing time changes a lot through the year, from late afternoon in winter to early evening in spring and late at night in July and August. Times change by season, and the cable car also closes for maintenance on some days and in strong wind.
Birds of prey show on Monte Calamorro
The birds of prey presentation is the highlight for many families. It’s run by the Fundación Valle de las Águilas, a foundation that works with birds of prey, in an open-air arena near the top station. You watch the birds fly low over the audience against the sky and the coast, while the handlers explain how each species hunts and lives. The foundation’s name means Valley of the Eagles, and for many kids this bird show is the most fun part of the trip.
The birds you may see include the Eurasian eagle owl, the griffon vulture, the Harris’s hawk, the ferruginous buzzard and the caracara. In October 2026 the shows ran at 1pm, 2.30pm and 4.30pm on the days the cable car was open. The prey show isn’t included in the cable car ticket, and you pay for it separately in cash at the entrance to the arena.
Hiking trails from the top of the cable car
Several marked hiking trails start at or near the summit, and they let you explore and discover a natural environment of pine, scrub and limestone in a Mediterranean mountain landscape. They range from short strolls to proper hikes, so you can pick one that suits your legs and the weather.
- R-1 Calamorro: the classic route between the summit and Arroyo de la Miel, passing Puerto de las Ovejas, with lookouts towards Gibraltar, the Guadalhorce Valley and the Sierra Nevada.
- R-2 Woodcutters’ Trail: a circular route of about 5 km that you can do on foot or by bike, with views over the Guadalhorce Valley.
- R-6 Hunters’ Trail: a longer route across the highest parts of the Sierra de Mijas, climbing to around 925 metres near Cerro de Castillejo.
Can you walk down from the cable car?
Yes, you can buy a one way ticket up and walk back down to Arroyo de la Miel on the R-1 trail. It’s a long descent on rocky, steep paths, so it’s best for fit walkers with good shoes and plenty of water. With young children, a return ticket is the easier choice.
Is the Benalmádena cable car good for a family day?
Yes, it’s one of the most popular attractions in Benalmádena for a family day out. Kids enjoy the cabins, the birds and the feeling of being on top of a mountain, and the whole family can share a meal at the restaurant at the summit. Children under three, or under one metre tall, ride free.
Keep an eye on younger kids near the viewpoints, as the terrain is natural and rocky. A hat, sun cream and water are essential in summer, because there is little shade on the summit paths.
How to get to the Benalmádena cable car
By train, take the Cercanías C-1 line, which runs from Málaga Centro-Alameda through the airport to Fuengirola, and get off at Benalmádena-Arroyo de la Miel. From the station it’s a walk of about ten minutes to Explanada del Tivoli. From Málaga city centre the train takes about 20 minutes.
Local buses stop near Tivoli World, and taxis are easy to find in Benalmádena Costa and Torremolinos. If you’re touring the coast, a hire car lets you combine the cable car with the white village of Mijas or a day at El Caminito del Rey. Parking around Tivoli fills up quickly in summer.
How long do you need?
Plan two to three hours for the whole trip. The ride takes about 15 minutes each way, and most visitors spend one and a half to three hours at the top. Add more time if you want to hike one of the longer trails or eat at the restaurant.
Tickets and combined tickets with Selwo Marina
You can choose a return ticket or a one way ticket, and on busy summer days it’s worth booking ahead to avoid long lines at the entrance. The SelwoPack combines the cable car with Selwo Marina, the marine park in Benalmádena, and Selwo Aventura, a safari-style wildlife park in Estepona. It’s a good choice if you’re spending a week on the coast with children and want to fit in all three.
For more ideas in the region, see our guide to the best attractions in Andalusia.
Practical information
- Benalmádena cable car tickets are best bought in advance. You’ll skip the ticket queue at the entrance and avoid the risk of tickets selling out on busy days.
- Address: Explanada del Tivoli, s/n, 29631 Benalmádena, Málaga, Spain
- Buy tickets on GetYourGuide
Hotels in Benalmádena
Arroyo de la Miel puts you within walking distance of the cable car and the train station, while Benalmádena Costa gives you the beach and the promenade. These three hotels cover both, in three price ranges.
💰 Hostal Sol y Miel
A simple, good-value guesthouse on Avenida Blas Infante in Arroyo de la Miel, about an eight-minute walk from the cable car. Rooms have air conditioning and free Wi-Fi, and some come with a balcony or terrace. It suits travellers who want to explore by train and on foot and only need a clean base for the night.
🏨 Sunset Beach Club
An aparthotel on the seafront of Benalmádena Costa, about 50 metres from the beach. The studios have a kitchenette with a microwave, oven and hob, and there are three outdoor pools (one for children), an indoor pool and a mini club. It works well for families who want the freedom of self-catering with the pools and services of a hotel.
💎 Estival Torrequebrada
A large seafront resort on the western side of Benalmádena Costa, close to the Torrequebrada golf course. It has three outdoor pools, an indoor pool, a children’s splash park and its own casino. Choose it if you want a full resort with plenty to do on site, and a short drive to the cable car for your day in the mountains.
Benalmádena cable car FAQ
Is the Benalmádena cable car worth it?
Yes, the Benalmádena cable car is worth it on a clear day, and it’s highly recommended if you’re travelling with kids. The views over the Costa del Sol are among the best on the coast, and the birds of prey show and hiking trails turn the trip into a half-day outing. On a hazy or windy day, it’s better to wait for the weather to change.
How long does the cable car ride take?
The ride from Arroyo de la Miel to the top of Mount Calamorro takes about 15 minutes each way. Most visitors spend one and a half to three hours at the summit, so plan two to three hours for the whole visit.
Where does the cable car start and finish?
It starts on Explanada del Tivoli in Arroyo de la Miel, next to Tivoli World, and finishes at the summit of Monte Calamorro, around 770 metres above sea level. The bottom station is about ten minutes on foot from Benalmádena-Arroyo de la Miel train station.
Can you see Africa from the Benalmádena cable car?
Yes, on very clear days you can see the mountains of North Africa from the summit, along with Gibraltar. The best chances are in autumn, winter and spring, when the air is drier and less hazy than in summer.
Is the birds of prey show included in the ticket?
No, the birds of prey show isn’t included in the cable car ticket. It’s run by the Fundación Valle de las Águilas, and you pay separately in cash at the arena. Show times change by season, and shows can be cancelled in bad weather.
Is the cable car open in winter?
Yes, the cable car runs through most of the winter, with shorter opening hours than in summer. It can close for maintenance periods and in strong wind, so winter visits work best on calm, clear days.
