Benalmadena Holidays

Q: Is Benalmadena good for couples?

Holidays to Benalmadena are a good choice for couples, with various fun water sports and plenty of secluded beaches to discover. You can also opt for a gentle round of golf or a spa treatment at one of the wellness centres. You'll find international food outlets and shops in the marina, as well as a late-opening terrace bar. You can also book yourself a romantic boat trip here, or treat yourselves to a couples massage and sauna at the old Arabic baths. Nearby, you might visit the old village of Benalmadena Pueblo, with its traditional Andalusian streets and buildings.

Q: Is Benalmadena good for families?

Though famous for its cocktail bars and nightlife, Benalmadena isn’t just a party town. Those who prefer quiet nights – and kid-friendly amusement – will still enjoy many of the activities available.

Q: When’s the best time to visit Benalmadena?

Weatherwise, you'll find the best climate and water temperatures in May to October, with peak summer heat averaging 31ºC. It'll be busy in the school holidays, with local people also taking holidays in August, but there are plenty of things to do at any time of the year. It's warm enough to visit comfortably in winter if you want to see the historic Colomares castle monument or visit the world's biggest Buddhist Enlightenment centre. During the summer festival, you'll find lots of activities in Benalmadena, including live music and street theatre, as well as free films on the beach and food festivals.

Q: What are the beaches like in Benalmadena?

In addition to Malapesquera, Santa Ana and Arroyo de la Miel beaches, you'll come across several more beaches to the west of the town, including Torrequebrada and Viborillas. You'll see that these are more scenic, small stretches of pebbly sand, though not so easily accessible. You descend from a paved promenade and the shore is rocky, so sea shoes are a good idea. Holidays to Benalmadena also give you the chance to visit the Puerto Marina, which has often won the Best Marina in the World award. Here you'll be able to take boat trips, go sailing and wakeboarding and there are shops and restaurants.

Q: How’s the food in Benalmadena?

Delicious and plentiful. You’ll find typical Spanish dishes and lots of seafood, along with a variety of international restaurants that serve up flavours from around the world.

Q: What’s the nightlife like in Benalmadena?

Benalmadena holidays give you a wide choice of nightlife. If you just want to chill out and watch people passing by, head for a quayside restaurant at sunset, or choose one of the many Arroyo de la Miel cocktail bars. When you're bursting with dance energy, you should go to Benalmadena Costa, where the clubs are underground. You might find it on the map as Plaza Solymar, but people call it 24-Hour Square since most places here close at breakfast time. Another interesting option is to visit the Tivoli World theme park, which stays open till two in the morning in August.

Q: Where's the best area to stay in Benalmadena?

In Arroyo de la Miel, you'll be surrounded by shops, restaurants and bars and close to the railway station linking Benalmadena to Malaga and Fuengirola. It's near Mount Calamorro, where you can take a cable car to the summit for great views of the Mediterranean. You'll also find sports such as hiking and biking trails, plus Tivoli World theme park. At the foot of the mountain is the original village of Benalmadena Pueblo, where you'll have good food and scenery and traditional buildings. Just outside Benalmadena Pueblo, you can choose full-on luxury in the quiet neighbourhood of La Capellania.

Q: How far is Benalmadena from Marbella?

By road, it's just under half an hour. If you're off to the clubs and bars, you can take a taxi, but it'll cost you about 10 times as much as the bus. This goes every 20 minutes via Fuengirola, which takes about 12 minutes. Here you get a connecting bus that takes another hour and a quarter and goes every fifteen minutes. If you fancy a shopping or sightseeing trip to Marbella, you can take a daily tour bus, which takes about 45 minutes.

Q: Is there much to see in Benalmadena?

If your vacation isn’t complete without a bit of exploring, Benalmadena is well-placed for a tour of the region’s charming whitewashed villages, and there are various cultural sights to check out.

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A vibrant beachside getaway

One of the most popular destinations on Spain’s Costa del Sol, Benalmadena is bursting with energy. Packed with family-friendly amusements and vibrant nightlife, it’s a town that has plenty to please both the young and the young at heart. Benalmadena holidays offer the chance to enjoy the Puerto Marina, which has twice been awarded Best Marina in the World and is sometimes described as the Andalucian Venice.

Naturally, there are also some great beaches as well as a variety of water sports, and interesting sightseeing and local culture. A couple of the more surprising sights include the largest Buddhist temple in Europe (complete with spectacular views) and Colomares Castle, a modern monument to Christopher Columbus. From the backdrop of the Sierra de Mijas mountains to the sparkling shores of the Mediterranean, holidays to Benalmadena really do stand out from the crowd.

Best things to do Beaches

Take to the water
Even if you’re a water sports newbie, it’s easy to enjoy the excitement of riding the waves on a rented jet ski or spend a fun morning learning to paddle board.
Visit Colomares Castle
Take a break from the beach to visit this cultural curiosity. Shaped almost like a sandcastle, it’s the largest monument in the world dedicated to the legacy of Christopher Columbus.
Head to Tivoli World
Spend a day out at this amusement park packed with rides, attractions and a slew of live shows – it’s a great destination for visitors of all ages.