Benalmádena, located on Málaga’s Costa del Sol, is a vibrant tourist destination that combines golden beaches, a lively nightlife and an attractive marina. Among its charms is the Arroyo de la Miel neighbourhood, a dynamic area known for its wide range of shops, restaurants and recreational activities. Arroyo de la Miel is also home to the famous Benalmádena Cable Car and the Parque de la Paloma, providing visitors with a perfect mix of culture, entertainment and natural beauty. With its Mediterranean climate and welcoming atmosphere, Benalmádena is the ideal place to enjoy a complete experience on the Costa del Sol.
Where is Benalmádena located
Benalmádena is located 21km from Malaga capital with a population of 68.128 inhabitants. The municipal term has a dimension of almost 27,20km square.
Origin of the name Benalmádena
There are several theories:
- The most accepted is that it comes from the Arabic sound “Ibn al-ma´din” which means “Children of the mines” which would be signified by the multitude of iron and mineral mines found in the area.
- Maybe the original name of the village was “Bena-A La Ena” which means “Population between two springs”
- The town mentions a lineage that the prefix “Ben” is used in Arabic, therefore “Ben al-Madana” would mean “The lineage of Madana”.
Denonym of th people of Benalmádena
The inhabitants are called “Benalmadense”.
Monuments and places of interes in Benalmádena
Benalmádena Pueblo
- Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán: This temple was built in the 17th century, on another previous smaller temple. Built next to the old wall and therefore it can be considered the nucleus of the old town. It is a peculiar place of the town with viewpoints of the coast line next to the gardens of the wall.
- Gardens of the old city wall: Located next to the church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán in Benalmádena Pueblo. The remains of the old wall of the Arab fortress currently offers a beautiful natural viewpoint. The viewpoint made up of a square and cozy gardens offers unparalleled views over Benalmádena and the Costa del Sol.
- Colomares Castle: The castle was built between 1987 and 1994 by the doctor Esteban Martín Martín in honor of the discovery of America and Cristóbal Colon. The construction and building measuring 1500 square meters is a mixture of architectural styles such as Neo-Gothic, Neo-Byzantine, Neo-Mudejar and Neo-Romanesque.
- Estupa Budista de la Iluminación: Located in the highest part of the village. It is a Tibetan Buddhist stupa built between 2002 and 2003. The temple measures 33 meters and is the largest in the West. Its privileged location on a slope of the Sierra de Mijas means that the stupa is also a viewpoint over the Costa del Sol. It was inaugurated on October 5, 2003 by the Buddhist master Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche, which was his last project, since he passed away. that same year. The Enlightenment stupa can be visited, it contains a meditation hall and a basement. The walls of the meditation hall are decorated with the life story of Sakyamuni Buddha.
- La niña de Benalmádena: Bronze sculpture created by the sculptor Jaime Fernández Pimentel. It represents a 1.25 meter girl welcoming, offering brotherhood and friendship that Benalmádena offers to its visitors. The girl represents the revival of the local economy linked to tourism and its culture. In Brussels, the capital of Belgium, there is a replica of La Niña, as a twinning with Benalmádena.
Benalmádena Costa
- Castle El-Bil-Bil: Located at KM 227 of the N-340 road. The castle was built between 1927 and 1936, in a neo-Arab style. The purpose was to build a vacation home, but the owners never lived in it since the Spanish Civil War broke out in 1936. The second owners were from the United States and named the Castillo using their own names, Elsa (EL) and William (BIL) twice: Castillo El Bil Bil. Today it has become a cultural center.
- Museum Arqueológico y de Arte Precolombino: Located on Avenida de Luis Peralta. It was inaugurated on May 5, 1970 with a major reform on April 26, 2005. The museum houses two collections on two different floors. The ground and first floors contain Felipe Orlando García-Murciano’s collection of pre-Columbian art with pieces from Peru, Costa Rico, Ecuador, Mexico and Nicaragua. The basement of the museum contains an archaeological collection from prehistoric times to Roman times.
- Torremuelle: Watchtower located in the neighborhood with the same name. It is a tower that was part of the coastal defensive line against pirates and invaders. From the garden of the tower there are beautiful views of the coast, therefore its function has become a lookout point.
- Torre Quebrada
- Bermeja Tower: Located in the marina, a lookout tower built in brick in the 15th century with a height of 10 meters and 3.33 meters in diameter. Formerly the tower was located on the coastline, but the expansion of the port in 1982 left the tower on the second line.
- Cuevas del Toro
Arroyo de la Miel
- Church of the Immaculate Conception: The patronage of the Virgin Immaculate Conception arrived in Arroyo de la Miel at the hands of Félix Solesio, founder of Arroyo de la Miel, who had great devotion to said Virgin. The temple has been renovated and modernized in recent decades.
Leisure in Benalmádena
- Prison Island & Laser Tag: Located in Puerto Marina. Great leisure for the whole family and with friends. More than 20 rooms to test your skills, full of puzzles, quizzes and mysterious games. Each test gives points and you have to try to add the maximum score possible. Will your team be able to beat the monthly high score? You can also enjoy a modern laser tag, test your adrenaline and your team skills in an enclosure that is a labyrinth, will you be able to come out victorious?
- Tivoli: Amusement park founded in 1972 with dozens of attractions for all ages, shows and concerts. The enclosure can be accessed without making use of the attractions by paying a ticket. To access the tickets you can buy a bracelet. Currently the park is closed due to administrative matters.
- Selwo Marina: Located next to Parque de la Paloma. It is an animal park where you can enjoy with the family of aquatic animals such as dolphins, sea lions, penguins and many more. The duration of the visit is around an hour and a half. Read more…
- Mariposario: The Benalmádena Butterfly Park is a space dedicated to this beautiful insect, and is the largest in Europe. More than 1500 butterflies await you in this Thai temple. During the visit, you will be able to learn and observe how butterflies are born, reproduce, and live. Butterflies fly freely around visitors, temple keepers will explain the butterfly cycle.
- Sea Life: An aquarium located in the marina of Benalmádena. inaugurated in 1995 as a shark protection center with more than 5000 specimens from all over the world. The building is divided into 9 rooms with 25 aquariums.
- Ferris Wheel Mirador Princess: Located in the Marina. The Ferris wheel is 40 meters high with 14 cabins and was built in 2022. It serves as a viewpoint over the city of Benalmádena both day and night. The trip lasts for three laps.
- Turistic Train Tour
- Teleférico: It is the only cable car in the province of Malaga. It was inaugurated in the year 2000. The start of the route begins at Arroyo de la Miel and ends at the top of Mount Calamorro at an altitude of 700m. The journey is 10 minutes to the top, where you can go hiking, enjoy the views of the coast and Africa on clear days. They can also enjoy a raptor bird display.
- Minigolf Kiwi: Located next to Santa Ana Beach, it is a classic 12-hole open-air circuit spread over a large area. The crazy golf has a bar called Blue Kiwi that serves drinks and snacks. The price to play mini golf is €4, but there are some combo offers: a game, drinks and a snack for €7.50. Read More…
Where to eat and drink in Benalmádena
Tapas Bar Grill La Terraza: Near El-Bil-Bil Beach. Great selection of typical Spanish and Malaga tapas where price, quality and quantity reign. We highlight the friendliness of the staff and the home-made and well-presented dishes.
For more information about Benalmádena Village: visit the City Council page