Travel guide Benalmadena
Head south to Benalmadena
Benalmádena is located on the
western Costa del Sol along the Spanish Mediterranean coast in the Andalusian region. You can easily and quickly reach your private holiday apartment in Benalmádena via the airport in
Málaga. The city is integrated into Málaga's metro and regional train network. From the airport, the C1 line towards Fuengirola will take you to your holiday accommodation in Benalmádena every 20 minutes. By car, follow the Spanish coastal motorway AP7 from the border with France, via Barcelona, Valencia and
Almería.
Summer, sun and sea
The climate on the
Costa del Sol is typically Mediterranean with warm to hot and dry summers and mild, humid winters. Benalmádena boasts an impressive 300 sunny days per year. In July and August, daytime temperatures rise to well over 30 °C (86 °F) – perfect for a
beach holiday in Benalmádena. The Mediterranean Sea warms up to around 23 °C (73 °F) during the summer months. In the winter, temperatures rarely drop to single digits. The most rainfall occurs between November and January.
Land of tapas and sherry
Andalusia is the home of tapas and gazpacho, a cold vegetable soup that is perfect as a midday meal on hot summer days. The term 'tapa' comes from the Spanish word 'tapar' which means to cover. Traditionally, these small dishes were served on plates with beer or wine, covering the glass and thus protecting it from flies. The selection is huge and ranges from sausage and cheese specialties like Manchego or Chorizo, to potato omelette, stuffed peppers, grilled small squid, anchovies, mussels, and meat dishes such as rabbit, chicken in mustard sauce or oxtail. While Spain is a big wine-producing country, many Spaniards prefer a small, quickly poured beer (caña) to accompany their tapas. The Atlantic coast of Andalusia, on the other hand, is famous for its sherry (vino de Jerez).
Bathing fun and entertainment guaranteed
A holiday in Benalmádena means beach, sea and fun. On the Costa del Sol, one fine sandy beach follows the next. Directly at the marina Puerto Marina (the largest marina for sports boats in the region with more than 1,000 berths) is the Playa Malapesquera. This is followed by the Playa Arroyo de la Miel, with a good mix of sandy beach, promenade and cafes. South of the town is Playa Santa Ana, with small beach huts (Chiringuitos). If you prefer to relax on the terrace of your own holiday home, book a
holiday with a pool in Benalmádena. Entertainment can be found at the Sea Life Aquarium, a penguinarium and the Selwo Marina Dolphinarium, as well as the small city park Parque de la Paloma. There are also the Aqualand Torremolinos and Aquamijas water parks, Tivoli World amusement park, two zoos and a butterfly park (Mariposario). Outside the high season, the surroundings of Benalmádena offer opportunities for walks and hikes, for example on the Calamorro mountain, which offers an overview of the entire coast, or to the Cañada del Lobo (Wolf Gorge).
Benalmadena: An exciting mix of unusual buildings
Located on the highest point of the city is the three-aisled Iglesia de Santo Domingo, dating back to the 17th century. It is the oldest church in Benalmádena. However, its appearance has changed several times over the centuries. The museum of pre-Columbian art is also worth a visit and can be found near the church on the edge of the old town, which, with its charming houses and streets, offers a welcome change from the hotel-dominated city districts. An unusual sight is the Castillo de Colomares, built in the 1980s by an emigrated doctor in memory of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. What makes this building special is that it was constructed without the use of machines. The Castillo de Bil Bil, a replica of a Moorish palace in the style of Berber architecture, dates back to the early 20th century. Slightly further afield, situated on a hill, stands the largest Buddhist stupa in Europe. The base of the 33-meter-high stupa is accessible to visitors.
