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Benalmádena

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City
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Benalmádena (Spain)
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Practical info — Benalmádena

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Ride the Teleférico to Mount Calamorro for panoramic views; buy tickets online in advance to save money.
  • The town has three distinct areas: the coastal strip, the commercial Arroyo de la Miel, and the traditional Pueblo. Use local buses to navigate the steep hills between them.
  • While Puerto Marina is memorable, head to Arroyo de la Miel for more authentic and budget-friendly tapas bars.
  • Visit the Castillo de Colomares, a unique monument to Christopher Columbus, early in the morning or late afternoon for the best lighting and fewer crowds.

🍽 Food

🍽
Espeto de Sardinas

Sardine skewers roasted over an open fire, best enjoyed at traditional chiringuitos along the beach.

🍽
Pescaíto frito

A mixed platter of locally caught fried fish, widely available in seafood restaurants near the port.

🍽
Traditional Tapas

Explore the narrow streets of Benalmádena Pueblo for small, authentic bars serving regional dishes.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Friday Market in Arroyo de la Miel

A bustling street market near the Tivoli parking lot, great for finding clothes, accessories, and local crafts.

🛍
Puerto Marina Boutiques

Browse through a variety of fashion boutiques and souvenir shops in the pretty marina area.

🧘
Parque de la Paloma

A vast, beautiful park in the center of town featuring a large lake, a cactus garden, and free-roaming peacocks and rabbits.

🧘
Stupa of Enlightenment

Visit this large Buddhist monument situated high above the town for meditation and sweeping coastal views.

Highlights of 2026

2

Benalmádena is one of the most diverse destinations on the Costa del Sol, offering three distinct environments. Benalmádena Pueblo is the original hilltop village with whitewashed houses and floral balconies. Arroyo de la Miel serves as the bustling commercial district, while Benalmádena Costa is home to the tourism industry and beaches. The Puerto Marina is an architectural landmark, blending Moorish and modern styles, and has been voted the best marina in the world on several occasions. The Benalmádena Cable Car takes visitors to the summit of Mount Calamorro at 769 meters, providing panoramic views that stretch to the African coast. Another highlight is the Castillo de Colomares, a unique castle-monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus. The town also features the Enlightenment Stupa, the largest Buddhist stupa in the West, measuring 33 meters in height. With 20 kilometers of coastline, it provides everything from quiet coves to lively beaches.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Jul, Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C131314161821242522201614
Rain mm565769512431329608271

Geography

Population
58,854
Coordinates
36.59800, -4.51600

Facts

  • The 33-meter Stupa was inaugurated in 2003
  • The marina has over 1,100 mooring berths
  • Mount Calamorro summit is 769 meters high
  • Colomares Castle was built between 1987-1994
  • 20 kilometers of diverse coastal beaches
  • Arroyo de la Miel dates back to the 18th century

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Benalmádena (13)

Puerto Marina

An award-winning marina famous for its unique architecture and artificial islands, hosting many shops and restaurants.

Selwo Marina

A modern marine park and dolphinarium focused on South American fauna, featuring sea lions, penguins, and exotic birds.

Benalmádena Cable Car

A cable car ride that leads to the top of Mount Calamorro, offering memorable views of the coast and bird of prey shows.

Stupa of Enlightenment

The largest Buddhist Stupa in the Western world, standing 33 meters tall and offering a peaceful atmosphere with sea views.

🕒 Tu-Su 10:00-14:00,16:00-18:30; Mo off

Paloma Park

A vast urban park in the town center known for its free-roaming animals, large cactus gardens, and artificial lakes.

Sea Life Benalmádena

An interactive aquarium located in the marina, featuring shark tunnels, rays, and diverse marine life from around the world.

Benalmádena Pueblo

The traditional old village part of the town set on a hillside, characterized by its white houses and flower-filled streets.

Butterfly Park

A butterfly zoo housed in a traditional Thai temple building, containing thousands of exotic butterflies in a tropical garden.

Castillo Bil-Bil🏰 castle

A distinctive Neo-Moorish style building located directly on the coast of Benalmádena.

Playa de Torre Vigía🎡 recreation

A beach with a watchtower from the 16th century.

Playa Malapesquera🎡 recreation

A lively urban beach with a long promenade and chiringuitos.

Playa de la Yuca🎡 recreation

A quiet beach with a yucca plant garden backdrop.

Frequently asked questions

What can you do at Puerto Marina?
The award-winning marina provides shopping, restaurants, the Sea Life aquarium, and various boat trips.
Where is the Butterfly Park located?
The Butterfly Park (Mariposario) is located in the upper Benalmádena Pueblo, right next to the large Stupa.
Is the cable car ride worth it?
Yes, the cable car goes up Mount Calamorro, offering bird of prey shows and views as far as Africa.
What is Castillo de Colomares?
A fairytale-like monument in the shape of a castle, dedicated to Columbus and the discovery of America.
Is there a train connection to Málaga?
Yes, the C1 commuter train frequently connects Benalmádena with Málaga city and the airport.
Benalmádena: where is it located?
Benalmádena is located in Spain.
Benalmádena: what is there to see?
Highlights include Colomares Castle, Puerto Marina, Selwo Marina.
Benalmádena: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Jul, Sep.
Benalmádena: why is it worth visiting?
Benalmádena is one of the most diverse destinations on the Costa del Sol, offering three distinct environments.
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