Located on the Costa del Sol, the historic coastal town of Benalmádena has a port, city center and old town – three distinct areas.
The Paseo Marítimo Benalmádena is a long promenade lined with cafes, bars and souvenir shops typical of many seaside towns. But this small town also has a fascinating history that has given rise to some interesting sites. behind its seafront. Since the arrival of the Phoenicians in the 7th and 8th centuries BC, many different civilizations have left their mark there, including the Romans and Arabs. Its name derives from the Arabic words “Ben-al-Madina”, meaning “Children of the mines”.
Historically, the main activities associated with the town were fishing, agriculture and papermaking. Many objects associated with the early settlements can be seen at the Archaeological Museum. At the heart of this museum is the private collection of D. Felipe Orlando, a Mexican who lived here. He donated this collection to the city on the condition that it be exhibited in the locality. The museum is located in Benalmádena Pueblo, the old town of Benalmádena. Arroya de la Miel, the city center, and Puerto Marina Benalmádena, the port are the two other distinct areas of the city.
Puerto Marina Benalmádena on the Costa del Sol The rather plain façade of the small shopping center facing the marina at the edge of town does not reflect what lies beyond and does not encourage exploration. But on the other side, visitors will marvel at the award-winning Puerto Marina Benalmádena. This splendid marina has been voted the best marina in the world several times since its opening in 1979.
International recognition stems from the residential islands’ mixture of Indian, Arabic and Andalusian architectural styles. These luxury apartment blocks are accessible by small bridges spanning the water. There are moorings for over a thousand boats and yachts on the marina surrounded by a covered walkway. The bustling Marina waterfront is full of cafes, quality restaurants and some high-end boutiques, making it a popular attraction in Benalmádena. Another more peaceful attraction located at the opposite end of the promenade is a beautiful park, El Parque de la Paloma.
Paloma Park in Benalmádena The park is a short walk up the hill, just beyond the big red Bil-Bil Castle in Moorish style. This distinctive building was once a private residence, but is now the municipal cultural center and a good landmark for exploring the park. Created as part of the local council’s green spaces, Parque de la Paloma (The Park of the Doves) was opened to the public in 1995. A large artificial lake dominates the landscape and features a circular promenade dotted with paths to further explore the park and gardens. The lake is home to turtles as well as flocks of waterfowl, including ducks, moorhens and swans. Mouflon sheep in their own enclosure are the favorite here.
Other attractions include three enormous bronze heads sculpted by José Seguiri and known as “Las cabezas” or “three heads”. When they arrived in Benalmádena in 2007, they were displayed in the marina on a breakwater. They are representative of the fallen civilizations that preceded ours. The park’s formal gardens include a bamboo area, a water lily-covered pond, and one of the most important cactus and succulent gardens in Europe. Overlooking a small lake, at one end of this large park, is the municipal library which adjoins an adventure playground. A restaurant, cafes and bars, picnic areas, playgrounds and an auditorium for concerts are among the amenities here. The city center, Arroyo de la Miel (Honey Stream), is a short walk from this park or a short public bus ride, alternatively. The main attraction of this area is the cable car leading to the top of Monte Calamorro.
Cable car from Benalmádena to Benalmádena Arroyo de la Miel was originally the site of a farm from which it takes its name. After the farm was purchased to build paper mills, it grew into an industrial complex that became the core of the town. Today, its narrow, cobbled streets and small courtyards dotted with orange trees create an ambiance very different from the coastal area. It is here that the city’s train station and the departure point for the Teleférico Benalmádena were built.
Open every day, the small cabins rise gently to the top of Monte Calamorro. Tickets are available online and are cheaper if purchased from the official website. If the cable car is closed due to bad weather conditions, these tickets may be used on a date other than that for which they were reserved. Climbing the mountain is an exciting experience. But the cable car stops just below the summit and that’s where the real adventure begins. There are two peaks connected by well-built stone paths with handrails. Magnificent panoramic views on both sides of these peaks are the reward for walking to their peaks. A long wooden walkway on the descent from the summit passes the home of a collection of birds of prey. Weather permitting, these birds perform in a show twice daily (additional fees apply). There are regular local buses between the city center and Benalmádena Pueblo, the old town, located a few kilometers away.
Everything you need to plan your trip in 2026 Benalmadena City In the pretty little village of Benalmádena Pueblo, visitors can taste real Spain in both directions. Its narrow cobbled streets lead to the Plaza de España, a traditional square with two restaurants and a sculpture of the city’s emblem, “Niña de Benalmádena”. Wall gardens – potted plants attached to the whitewashed walls of small houses – brighten up the streets leading to Benalmádena’s oldest church. Expanded and renovated several times, the 17th-century Santo Domingo de Guzmán Church stands proudly in its own square. It is distinguished by a rush bell tower containing three bells and a clock.
A gate from its square, which overlooks the coast below, leads to the Jardines del Muro. These gardens were created in 1980 by the Canarian architect César Manrique. They follow the route of the old Muslim wall, integrating the sections still standing. Features of these pretty gardens include a lake, a waterfall and an oriental-style gazebo. There are several viewpoints on the paths through the gardens, from which there are magnificent views of the coast below the old town. The gate at the bottom of the gardens opens onto the road which leads down the hill to Colomares Castle. Young families will enjoy spending time exploring this fantastical modern interpretation of the ships piloted by Christopher Columbus. But a little further out of town is an attraction you wouldn’t expect to find in Spain, a stupa.
The Stupa of Lights at Benalmádena Pueblo The Tibetan Buddhist Enlightenment Stupa adorns a clifftop near Benalmádena Pueblo. This pristine white building was inspired by Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche, a Buddhist master from Bhutan, who frequently visited the area. It is the largest stupa in the Western world and is adjacent to two other interesting attractions.
Next door is Parque Rústico El Reta, site of an annual traditional passion play performed by more than 150 amateur actors from Benalmádena. Titled El Paso de Benalmádena on the Costa del Sol, its audience increases every year. Monowa Butterfly Park, one of the largest butterfly parks in the world, is located directly opposite the park. Its landscaped tropical garden incorporating small waterfalls that cascade into a body of water is home to a multitude of brightly colored butterflies. More than 150 different species from around the world are represented by the 1,500 butterflies raised there.
Getting there Málaga is the closest airport to Benalmádena. Getting from the airport to the city is easy by public transport, bus or train. For more information on Benalmádena, click here.
Valery Collins Valery Collins is a travel writer from the South West of England, United Kingdom. His passion for travel ranges from luxury safaris to stylish ski goggles. Valéry, a passionate photographer, uses her own images to illustrate her writings and her publications on social networks.
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