Benalmadena Spain. Benalmadena, Spain - hotels and attractions of the city. Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

In addition to the fact that this Spanish resort is quite popular and visited not only by the Spaniards themselves, but also by tourists from around the world, there are still many interesting places and attractions that will add variety to your vacation and bring a lot of pleasant moments.

And so, what can you visit while relaxing in Benalmadena? I will begin with entertaining and more visited places.

First of all, I will say about the amusement park Tivoli world. There are shops and restaurants representing regions of different corners of our planet. For children there is a large selection of attractions, and if you are lucky, you can get to a theatrical performance or concert, which is sometimes held in the theater, in the open. The hall is designed for two thousand two hundred people and for more than forty years of the park's history, many famous artists performed on this stage. Among them: Boni M, Montserrat Caballe, Julio Iglesias and many others.
  In a word, visiting an amusement park will bring a lot of pleasure. And since you were near this place, by the way, this area is called Arroyo de la Miel (to make it easier to search), then the beginning, or more correctly, the lower station of the cable car, is located Teleferico Benalmadena.
  After a fifteen-minute climb in a four-seater cabin, you find yourself on top of Mount Calamorro.
  Get ready for the fact that you can spend a lot of time here, because in addition to the viewing platforms equipped with panoramic binoculars, for a better overview of the surroundings, and the city, which is visible at a glance, here is located the nursery "Garden of the Eagles" (Jardin de Las Aguilas).
  This is a type of small zoo where, in addition to birds of prey, there are some species of animals. Circus shows are held daily, in which feathered representatives of the nursery participate.
  Since a visit to the top of Calamorro can take a long time, there is an opportunity to have a bite to eat at a cafe located right there. There are several options for the return trip, since there is also a walking route down the mountain. If you have the strength to walk several kilometers on foot, then on health, get down yourself.
But I want to warn that for this you will have to take care of comfortable shoes initially. Some do a little different. Before climbing, they rent bicycles and climb in cabs with them, and then cycle. Who decides to return by cable car, I want to warn you that a ticket purchased immediately in both directions will be cheaper. The ticket price and opening hours are as follows: children from three to nine years old only lift costs 5.30 euros, round trip ten euros. For adults, the climb will cost 7.4 euros, and back and forth 13.25 euros. The teleworker works: in November and December from eleven in the morning until five in the evening. In March and October from eleven to eighteen hours. April, May June, September, from eleven to seven in the evening. And the longest months are July and August, when the lift runs until midnight.

Not only children but also adults will be interested in visiting Selwo marina delphinarium.
  The entire territory of this dolphinarium is divided into zones that represent different corners of our planet, and on this basis, they represent those species of animals that live in these places. In the Amazon zone, you can see various reptiles, fish, insects, birds and even a three-meter Paraguayan anaconda. In the complex Ice Island, where the temperature reaches zero degrees, flocks of penguins frolic. And in the largest, called "Antilles" there are five pools in which performances of dolphins and fur seals are held.
  Transparent walls allow you to observe the actions of animals at a time when they are under water. I specifically did not list all the dolphinarium complexes and what can be seen. Firstly, it will take a lot of time, and secondly it will be more interesting to visit it when you do not know everything that can be seen. I will only add that having bought a VIP ticket, you will have the opportunity not only to participate in the performance, which is held several times, at different times, but also to feed, touch and take pictures with dolphins.

From April to June, the dolphinarium is open from ten to eighteen hours, from the first to the thirteenth of July from ten to twenty one hours, and from the thirteenth of July to August, it operates from ten in the morning until midnight. The cost of a children's ticket (from four to nine years) is 14.95 euros, and for adults 19.50 euros. It is located in the same area of \u200b\u200bArroyo de la Miel, opposite the Paloma Park.

Architecture lovers will certainly be interested in Beale Bill Castle,
made in arabic style. Recently, it has become a favorite venue for weddings. The castle is located near the port, almost on the embankment, along which the central highway N-340 passes.

Right in the port area is a beautiful Sea life aquarium.
  Its aquariums are home to about five thousand marine representatives, not only the Mediterranean Sea, but also the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian Oceans, the Red Sea and even the Amazon River. It is worth adding that here the largest collection of sharks is collected, which is considered the largest in Spain, and even throughout Europe.
  If you happen to visit it, then try to get on time at 12.30 or 15.30, when some species of fish are fed. In this case, you will have the opportunity to take part in their feeding in person. On the territory of the aquarium there are children's playgrounds and a mini golf course. It is open for visits daily from ten in the morning until six in the evening. On weekends until eight in the evening. The ticket price for children aged three to eleven years is 13.50 euros. For adults - 15.50 euros.

And this is only a small part of what you can see while relaxing in Benalmadena. In addition, there are beautiful churches, museums, buildings, parks and even beaches that will attract the interest of tourists. There are many places associated with religion, and not only the Catholic churches. Here is the largest Buddhist temple in Europe. You can visit it even without being a Buddhist. So you definitely won’t be bored, I guarantee you that.

On two hills: Cerro Moro and Cerro Castillejo. The city is distinguished by its well-developed tourist infrastructure, unique architecture, rich history, as well as proximity to other tourist sites on the coast (Alaurin de la Torre in the north, Mijas and Fuengirola in the west, Torremolinos in the northeast, and the boundaries between cities are gradually erased). Bathed in the gentle Mediterranean Sea, Benalmadena is considered a universal resort: a lot of entertainment is designed for active youth and there are quiet places for families with children, where they will feel comfortable.

Benalmadena is a universal resort suitable for active young people and families with children.

How to get there

An air ticket from Moscow to Malaga - the capital of this Spanish region, will cost from 145 EUR, depending on the chosen airline, type of flight (direct, with transfers) and other factors. The prices on the page are for October 2018. From Malaga to the resort itself go no more than half an hour by car: a taxi will cost about 19-25 EUR. You can also take a bus or train. The road will take 30-40 minutes, trains leave every 20, and you can choose any type of train - they vary in terms of comfort and speed.

Search for flights to Malaga (the nearest airport to Benalmadena)

Weather in Benalmadena

Spain’s temperate climate has one peculiarity - frequent temperature changes. The area is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild winters. The number of sunny days in Benalmadena is approximately 150 a year. The average temperature is +25 ° C, in the summer +30 ... + 35 ° C, in the autumn +10 ... + 15 ° C, in the spring up to +5 ° C, in winter at least 0 ° C. At the same time, the water temperature in the Mediterranean Sea, even in high season, does not exceed +24 ° C due to the cold currents passing here.

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How to navigate

Benalmadena is divided into three large areas: the coastal tourist part of Benalmadena Costa (Benalmadena costa), Arroyo de la Miel, located on a hill and considered primarily a shopping and entertainment part of the city, and Benalmadena Pueblo (Benalmadena Pueblo), and remained a quiet Andalusian village on a hillside - a residential and essentially non-tourist part of the resort.

There are several versions of the origin of the name Benalmadena. According to one of them, this toponym means "between two cities", hinting at the close location of resort places on the Costa del Sol. According to another version - this is a joint name, part of which came from the Phoenician Benal-Roma (there was a settlement of fishermen) and the Arabian Ibn al-Madin ("children of mines" due to the ancient development of iron in the region).

Maps of Benalmadena

Beaches

Benalmadena is famous for its well-groomed, well-maintained beaches, the total length of which is more than 8 km. The cleanest sand and clear water of the resort have been awarded the international Blue Flag award for cleanliness and environmental friendliness.

All Benalmadena beaches are free municipal, none belong to the hotel or hotel, however, sun loungers, umbrellas and other infrastructure, of course, for an additional fee.

The most popular hotels Benalmadena

Attractions and attractions of Benalmadena

The oldest surviving buildings in the resort are the observation towers of the 15th century Torre Bermeja, Torre Quebrada and Torre Muelle. buildings that once guarded the coast from numerous attacks from the sea. However, evidence of more ancient times has remained on the territory of the settlement: Roman ruins on Benalmadena Costa and traces of human settlements from the Paleolithic in the caves of El Toro, Los Botijos and Las Zorreras.

Other historical attractions of the resort include the Church of Santo Domingo (17th century), the Municipal Archaeological Museum with a rich collection of ancient art donated to the city by Mexican artist Felipe Orlando, as well as the castle of Colomares (El Castillo de Colomares), built in the late 20th century. in memory of Christopher Columbus. Not far from the castle, in the central square of Benalmadena Pueblo, there is a symbol of the town - the sculpture "Girl from Benalmadena". And in the city hall is the Museum of the pre-Columbian era, which houses a collection of household items of Latin American Indians and their art, brought during the first Spanish expeditions.

To visit Spain and not taste the real Spanish cuisine and local wines means not to understand the particles of the country! It’s hard to choose one or two of the Spanish’s main dishes, but if we are talking about the most primordial ones, these are fried pescaito fish and charcoal gazpacho soup. Local wines are all of exceptional quality, but the most famous of them is undoubtedly Rioja.

Walking along the promenade of Benalmadena Costa, you should pay attention to the Bil-Bil palace, built in the 30s. 20 century in the Moorish style characteristic of Spain 11-14 centuries. Classical concerts are regularly held on the premises of the palace, exhibitions and other cultural events are organized.

Do not miss the chance to visit the sports port of Benalmadena - Puerto Marina. It is considered an example of resort architecture: snow-white buildings and picturesque turrets, giving rise to associations with fairy tales of 1001 nights. It houses many cafes, restaurants and shops, and beautiful yachts from around the world gather at the pier. Around the year, roses and tropical flowers bloom.

In the area of \u200b\u200bArroyo de la Miel, towering on a hill, offers the most picturesque views of the coast. The Tiwoli World amusement park, famous throughout the Costa del Sol, is also located here. Tropical gardens, fountains and artificial lakes keep cool even in the heat, and the Big Singing Fountain, designed by Russian specialists, will be proud of domestic engineering.

To fully enjoy the natural beauty of the resort, it is worth taking a walk through the gardens of El Muro and Las Aguilas and take the Cablecar cable car to the peak of Carramolo. You can also go from Benalmadena to Malaga, where you can choose an excursion to the architectural monuments of the capital of Andalusia.

On the exit from Benalmadena there is a curious sculpture: on the pedestal stands a lady, dressed in an Andalusian dress from behind, naked in front, and sphinxes at her feet. It is called the “monument to tourism” - it is a gift from grateful Belgian tourists by the work of a contemporary artist. The work is quite controversial, but in Spain they are sensitive to all the monuments, as evidenced by this design.

Benalmadena

Active holidays in Benalmadena

For lovers of water sports, Benalmadena offers a lot of opportunities: in Puerto Marina you can take sailing yacht lessons, book a fascinating tour to the three artificial islands located near the coast, or devote time to exploring the beauties of the underwater world.

Selwo Marina Zoo and Sea Life Aquarium with a huge number of inhabitants, Tiwoli World amusement park, two bullfighting arenas where fights are held every Sunday at 19:00, as well as huge shopping and entertainment complexes will allow you to choose a new entertainment every day.

5    things to do in Benalmadena

  1. Go through the tunnel with transparent walls in the Sea Life aquarium in the sports port and hold your breath when the shark swims right above your head.
  2. Take a look at the penguins (and not only) in the marine animal park Selwo-marina.
  3. Feel free fall from a height of 60 m in the amusement park Tiwoli World.
  4. Climb the cableway to a height of almost 800 m above sea level.
  5. And there, in the mountains, use the donkey "taxi" if you do not want to bother your legs.

Benalmadena

In the center of the city are typical Andalusian streets, smooth and beautiful. That part of Benalmadena, which is located near the sea, is quite modern, but in general the city is divided into three unequal parts - Benalmadena Costa (coast), Arroyo de la Miel (city center, there is a railway station) and Benalmadena Pueblo (old town).
   A tourist train (a car, of course) travels around the city, departing from the port and making a circle with stops in the main tourist places. The ticket is sold in full circle - you can go anywhere, and then at the same stop take the other train in the same direction.

Arroyo de la Miel

There is an amusement park near the beaches Selwo Marina   with a dolphinarium and some tropical inhabitants. We did not go there, it seemed too expensive. Beside la Paloma Park. There themselves walk rabbits, peacocks and other hens, and different ungulates sit in corrals.

Rabbit for a walk :)

By the way, in almost all the parks that we have seen, there are free simulators, and there are many different ones.
   I also really liked the cactus garden.

What kind of cacti are not there ..

Further uphill, near the train station, is tivoli World Amusement Park. Well, rides are like rides, nothing special. You can highlight, except that the passage through the gutter with water in a canoe. Made on the principle of a roller coaster (small, of course). Dumping from above, spray, everything is wet, screaming ... Fun :). As for tickets, there is a nuance. You can buy a subscription that allows you to visit any attractions (except for separately specified, which cost more) as many times as you like, or you can buy a ticket every time (special chips). It would seem that the first is clearly more profitable, however, when we calculated how much we would have spent according to the second option, it turned out that the amount was approximately the same, as part of the attractions did not work, and twice on the same was not interesting. And the lines are everywhere ...

Near Tivoli begins cable car (Teleferico)   - You can get to the top of the mountain and look around. The mountain is the highest in the county, visible far away. :)

Cableway (Teleferico)

There is still an eagle nursery on the mountain and sometimes they show some kind of show with eagles.
Actually, the sights that can be reached on foot end there, then you need to take the bus in the direction of Mijas.

Between Benalmadena Pueblo and Aroyo de la Miel built castle of Colomares (Castillo de Colomares).

Colomares Castle

In fact, this is not a castle, but an artificial structure built in the late 20th century. Its different parts symbolize the stages of the historical development of Spain.

Colomares Castle

In addition to banal bricks, improvised natural materials were used, such as shells, old objects caught from the sea, stalactites-stalagmites, etc.

Colomares Castle

This, of course, is not a historical attraction, but it is very beautiful and informative.

On the outskirts of Benalmadena Pueblo is a Buddhist temple - Stupa. This, of course, is also a modern building. I don’t know how many Buddhists there are in Spain and, in particular, in Benalmadena - I had only tourists with me. Well, the abbot, or whatever they call them, who even knows a few words in Russian. :)

Buddhist stupa

Inside there is an almost perfect void - sit on the floor and meditate. :)

Nearby is a much more interesting place - butterfly Park in Benalmadena.

Butterfly park

The only problem is stuffy there, because the local inhabitants require special climatic conditions. And butterflies are beautiful and different.

Butterfly park

In addition to butterflies, there is still a small kangaroo and, it seems, some kind of lizard.

Butterfly park

The old town is a typical Andalusian town with white houses in flowers.

Very cute and beautiful. Right next to the bus stop is a small museum of Latin American History   (free:)

Near Benalmadena two water parks   - more in Torremolinos and less in Mijas. We were in water Park Torremolinos - Aqualand. The impression is not very. Not so big, but a huge number of people. There are not enough circles and other means for going down the hills and swimming - you need to constantly stand in lines.
   Tickets can be bought via the Internet (the site of the water park) - this is somewhat cheaper and eliminates the need to stand in one more turn - at the entrance. There is no special bus that would take you directly to the water park. From Torremolinos bus station to the water park, walk for about half an hour. A regular bus on this route seems to be there, but it runs almost once a day.

I liked it in Benalmadena. And the city itself is interesting, you will not get bored, and there are a lot of things around where you can go. For evening walks - a spacious promenade, port. Beaches of Benalmadena   big, sandy, a lot of people, but, in general, not so much that it got on my nerves. The water is far from always warm - Gibraltar is close, the ocean current sometimes reaches. But, again, and not so cold that it interferes with rest.

The beaches of the resort of Benalmadena, is a coastline about 10 kilometers long of the province’s Mediterranean coast. The entire coastline of the resort is divided into 14 beaches.

The beach area of \u200b\u200bthe resort of Benalmadena, smoothly replaces from the eastern part of the coast, passing the relay race to the west.

Most of the beaches located along the zone with a developed tourist infrastructure of Benalmadena are well-equipped recreation areas with all the necessary attributes of beach life, there are those that have direct access to the sea from coastal. There are also little-visited wild beaches with rocky or rocky shores, which have retained an almost pristine appearance.
  Further, all the beaches are listed, sequentially, from west to east, from the resort of Fuengirola.

Characteristics: length 700, width 25-60 meters; attendance is high; dark sand; parking, next to the N-340 motorway, shower, toilet for the disabled, telephone, restaurant, kiosk, rental of umbrellas, sun loungers
  Description: a large wide beach that appeared in the 90s of the XX century, located on the border with the coastline of Fuengirola resort. He was awarded the Blue Flag, the highest award of the European Union for the cleanliness and quality of tourist services.

Characteristics: length 400, width 15 meters; rocky coast with small bays, dark sand; parking, next to the N-340 motorway

Description: one of the wildest beaches of the resort of Benalmadena, descent to the sea from the beach club of the El Holiday World Palace 4 * hotel complex, located on high cliffs at Cape Punta de Caballo, outstanding in the sea.

Characteristics: length 1000, width 15 meters; average attendance; stones, parking, shower, telephone, kiosk, rental of umbrellas, deck chairs, next to the N-340 motorway
  Description: a narrow sandy beach with rocky areas located between the residential complexes Valdeconejos and La Hidalga.


Characteristics: length 400, width 20 meters; average attendance; dark sand; parking, next to the N-340 motorway
  Description: narrow coastline with a rocky shore and small sandy bays, access to the sea from the El Hotel Playa Bonita 4 * hotel.


Characteristics: length 400, width 15 meters; average attendance; dark sand, stones; rental of umbrellas, sun loungers, parking near the N-340 motorway, diving.
  Description: the coastline consists of several small natural bays with a rocky shore surrounded by cliffs and strewn with large dark sand with fine pebbles near the water. A great place to relax small companies.

Features: length 700, width 15 meters; attendance is high; the sand is dark; kiosk, beach restaurant, shower, phone, rental of umbrellas, sun loungers, summer rescue team.
  Description: a beach combining a rocky shore and a wonderful area of \u200b\u200babout 350 meters wide for swimming, access to the sea to the right of El Hotel THB Class Torrequebrada, this hotel has a concert hall Sala Teatro Fortuna and Casino Torrequebrada.

Characteristics: length 350, width 60 meters; attendance is high; dark sand; specialized parking, near the N-340 motorway, toilet for the disabled, shower, telephone, kiosk, rental of umbrellas and sun loungers, rescue team in summer
  Description: a small wide beach with all the attributes for a beach holiday in Spain, located between the El Hotel THB Class Torrequebrada and Hotel Best Benalmadena hotels.


Characteristics: length 600, width 20 meters; attendance is high; dark sand; parking, next to the N-340 motorway, toilet for the disabled, shower, telephone, restaurant, kiosk, rental of umbrellas and sun loungers, in the summer a rescue team.
  Description: a beautiful sandy beach awarded the Blue Flag of the European Union for the purity of water and the quality of service for vacationers, has all the necessary attributes for a comfortable stay at sea. Here begins the promenade of the resort of Benalmadena.


Characteristics: length 400, width 20 meters; attendance is high; dark sand; paid parking, promenade, shower, disabled toilet, phone, rental of umbrellas and sunbeds, kiosk, restaurant, rescue team in summer
  Description: an excellent sandy beach located opposite the Castle of Bill Bill in the center of the tourist area of \u200b\u200bBenalmadena Costa.

Characteristics: length 500, width 20 meters; attendance is high; dark sand; parking, promenade, toilet, shower, phone, kiosk, restaurant, playground, rent of umbrellas and sun loungers, summer rescue team
  Description: a beautiful sandy beach starting to the left of the Bill Bill Castle in the center of the tourist area of \u200b\u200bBenalmadena Costa.


At first, a contradictory impression was made on me by the Spanish Benalmadena. I immediately noted that with European infrastructure, landscapes here are inspired by Africa, and architecture by the East. That the safety level on the streets is exceptional, even when you walk around the city in the evening - and this also pleased us. It was also great that the people here are hospitable and that you can dine in restaurants at prices quite reasonable for a running resort ... In general, at once there were a lot of positive and interesting things in this place.

On the other hand, this small city on the coast seemed to look like any conventional resort with similar hotels. The prospect of a holiday in such a safe place at first glance may seem like a postcard tourist “isolation”. And at first I was afraid of this.

But that was before the first walk into the city, after which I changed my mind. Like any settlement of Andalusia - now I understand it - it would be difficult for Benalmadena to be faceless. Going deeper into the old part of the city, I saw that it really was a resort with a high-class set of entertainments, but with it the charm of a typical Andalusian village: small streets and houses with bright facades that go steeply up the paths, and the sea flickers far below, because the trails lead very high. And it’s great that everything is happening against the backdrop of the endless mountains characteristic of Andalusia.

At the same time, indeed, Benalmadena is happy from year to year for those who want to relax on the sea for days on end and come to be just a tourist: there is a huge beach and a really cool climate, food with sangria in cozy places, and much more in a good sense of the word spa.

Now, having already been there, I would say that in this small city, very, very many tourists with different needs will find something for themselves. It is unlikely that there will be many who, having been in Benalmadena, decide that the time spent here was completely wasted.

How to get there

By plane

Hint:

Benalmadena - time is now

The difference in hours:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Ekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

How to get there

The nearest airport to Benalmadena is outside the city, but still very close - Costa del Sol Airport is located in Malaga, 25 kilometers from the resort. Almost all vacationers come here, including from Russia, then getting to Benalmadena by ground transport - by train, bus or taxi.

The transport connection is organized clearly: for the whole trip I do not remember a single late bus, and the trains were remembered by comfortable and clean interiors. It is a pity that there are not so many cities from which you can directly reach Benalmadena by train and bus: these are mainly nearby resorts and settlements, or already mentioned. Therefore, if you plan to come from afar, it will be faster to do it by air.

To decide how best to build my route, I was guided by while traveling. Here you can choose the best path by choosing the point of departure and destination, find out the fare and schedule of transport.

By plane

So, the most obvious arrival option is by plane, to Malaga airport. There are three terminals in the airport building, but mainly flights take terminals 2 and 3, interconnected by a special passage for passengers.

I flew to Malaga as well, buying at an attractive price of 35 EUR a ticket for a direct EasyJet flight from Berlin (and not such prices can be caught if you track special airline promotions). By the way, it’s not so long to fly here from most European capitals - in my case, it took 3.5 hours to get to sunny Andalusia by air.

The local airport generally spoils with a variety of flights - airplanes from almost all European countries fly directly here daily. Mainly low cost airlineson which you will need to pay extra for checked baggage:

  • EasyJet (from the cities of Great Britain, from Berlin, Milan, Paris, etc.);
  • Air Berlin (from German cities and Palma de Mallorca);
  • Air Europa (from Spain and France) Iberia Express (from Spain);
  • Ryanair (send regular flights and seasonal charters from a large number of European cities here);
  • Wizz Air (from Romania and Hungarian Budapest).

Nice that from Moscow to Malaga, you can fly a direct flight of Aeroflot and Air Europawhich is operated daily: from Friday to Sunday, two flights are sent per day - with departure at 8 o’clock in the morning or at 19 o’clock, on other days the flight departs once a day - at 8 o’clock in the morning. Typically, an average ticket costs about 215 EUR (15,000 rubles) one way and 285 EUR (20,000 rubles) for a round-trip flight; Muscovites are separated from Malaga by five and a half hours by air.

Prices for the dates you are interested in can be clarified by.

From the airport to Benalmadena

As soon as I flew to Malaga and left the airport, I immediately went to buy a train ticket - I advise you to use the railway exactly to everyone who wants to save on a taxi and at the same time comfortably get from the airport to Benalmadena.

You can buy a ticket at Renfe Malaga Airport Train Station, which is located near the exit of Terminal 3: when leaving the airport, you need to go straight all the time. Trains leave from here every 20-30 minutes (the very first train leaves at 5:32 a.m., the last at 23:42). One-way ticket price - 2.05 EUR, travel time - 18 minutes.

If the train doesn’t work out, you can take an official taxi at the Malaga airport without any difficulties (but having taken the turn) at the exit from the arrivals hall of terminal 3. The fare to the coast of Benalmadena will be around 20-25 EUR, to the city center - about 30 EUR . At night and on holidays, taxis will naturally cost more.

Other airports on the way to Benalmadena

If, for example, for some reason you don’t want to fly to Malaga, you can also land at other airports:

  • Seville, which is already quite close to Benalmadena - 230 km by car (public transport is not directly accessible).
  •   (140 km, only flights from Spain and the UK arrive there).
  •   (220 km by car, flights fly from Spain, the UK and Belgium).

By train

Riding Spanish trains, as I noted, usually turns out both quickly and comfortably (and, of course, cheaply). When I needed to take the train, first I checked the current schedule and prices on the convenient site of the Spanish national railway network RENFE, then I bought a ticket on the spot at the stations, at the box office or ticket machines. In the second case, even those who do not know Spanish will have no problems with the purchase: in the proposed menu, if you wish, you can choose English instead of Spanish (idioma - English / Ingles).

You can get to Benalmadena by train, in addition to Malaga Airport, from several larger cities and nearby villages. Of the most popular destinations, it is worth mentioning:

  • Fuengirola.
  • And center of Malaga   and small towns in the suburbs.

From the neighboring tourist city of Benalmadena, Fuengirola, trains are poisoned daily from 6:00 a.m. to 11:55 p.m. every 20 minutes (the interval increases early in the morning and late in the evening), the trip time is 15 minutes. Such a transfer will cost 2.70 EUR.

From another famous resort town, Torremolinos, you can get to Benalmadena by train in just 10 minutes from 5:40 a.m. to 11:53 p.m., and the trip will cost 1.80 EUR. The timetable and frequency of trains are about the same as from Fuengirola. I was pleasantly surprised that even when the trip from Fuengirola or Torremolinos (and vice versa) took place on the weekend (or at peak time after 17:00), the trains were not packed to capacity and traveled quite freely. Apparently, the reason is the large number of vehicles plying in this direction.

As for the route from Malaga, in addition to the airport, trains to Benalmadena regularly run from the city center. This option is very convenient for transit: when I returned to Malaga from another city, Ronda, I quickly transferred by train to Benalmadena and left without even checking the schedule in advance: trains run on average every 20 minutes, from early morning until late in the evening, the price goes around 2 EUR in each direction. In this way, I managed to get to the resort in about half an hour.

Where trains arrive in Benalmadena

It should be borne in mind that the station to which trains arrive in Benalmadena - Arroyo de la Miel - is located about three kilometers from the coast of the resort, where most of the hotels are located.

Therefore, it is better to think in advance how to get to the hotel from it: you can do this both by bus (you need routes M-112, M-116, M-121, M-126) and by taxi, catching a car at the station (such the trip will cost about 8-10 EUR). Buses from here to the coast, by the way, also depart regularly - another reason why I gave preference to this particular type of transport, as opposed to the taxi which is not very economical for such a distance (it takes about 10 minutes to travel on average).

By bus

The bus, in my opinion, is one of the cheapest and most convenient means of transportation within the settlements closest to Benalmadena. This mode of transport should be chosen if arrival is not planned from the Malaga airport, since the bus route does not go directly from there.

Major cities that are connected to Benalmadena by a regular bus network and are popular with travelers:

  • Mijas
  • Fuengirola,
  • Marbella
  • And of course, .

From the city of Mijas, you can get to Benalmadena by M-112 bus, which runs at least 7 times a day until late in the evening. The price of the trip is 1.65 EUR, the duration is about 30 minutes, depending on which stop in Benalmadena you need to go.

Using this route, depending on the purpose of the trip, I went out in the old part of the city, near the railway station or on the coast - it is very convenient that there are bus stops at almost any point in Benalmadena.

Probably the most sought-after destination is trips from Fuengirola and Torremolinos to go for about 20-30 minutes for 1.65 EUR and 1.55 EUR, respectively. I would like to pay tribute to the local transport again: despite the popularity of the route, even in the afternoon and late afternoon, moving in this direction, I did not get into the salon filled to failure - it was almost always free and spacious inside. It was pleasant that there was no need to carefully study the schedule (however, it should be checked if the trip is to be at night) - buses from these cities go to Benalmadena on average every half hour and stop, like the route from Mijas, in all three main areas of the resort .

From Marbella, getting to Benalmadena by bus is also not so difficult - it takes 55 minutes to get, giving 4.43 EUR per way in one direction. But just in this case, before setting off on the road, I advise you to look at the schedule: buses from here run less frequently than, for example, from Torremolinos. I usually came already with a view to a specific time, so as not to wait for transport for a long time. It’s wonderful, of course, that those traveling to Benalmadena have a chance to catch the bus during the day almost every hour, but it is more pleasant to spend this time with a cup of coffee than at the bus stop.

If you need to get to Benalmadena from the center of Malaga, there are many buses from the central station during the day from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. on weekdays (on Sundays the last bus in both directions leaves at 2 a.m.). In Malaga, a bus station is located near the train station and the city center. Ticket price - 1.65 EUR one way, ride about 50 minutes. I bought a ticket right at the station, and, as with the rest of the routes, upon arrival in Benalmadena, I chose any stop I needed at that moment to leave - on the coast or in the center of Benalmadena.

By car

If the goal is to get to the Benalmadena railway station, you need to look for the A-7 highway (its other name is Autovia del Mediterraneo). From Malaga Airport, for example, the journey by car will take about 25 minutes.

You need to go, following the signs for the N340 / Cadiz. Then the signs will be on Benalmadena, and closer to the destination you need to choose the sign Benalmadena / Arroyo de la Miel.

Many travelers arriving in Malaga take the car directly upon arrival - there are really plenty of opportunities for this: companies that offer rental services are constantly catching my eye, and the official website says that there are eight such companies only in the airport building (upon arrival I found out that almost all of them are located on the first floor of terminal 3, in the arrivals hall). However, in the summer season you need to keep in mind the queues at the representative offices of such companies, as in many large airports, the car rental service here is quite in demand. To simplify your task, you can take a car outside the airport: in particular, I without any queues took advantage of one of the companies (and there are also a lot of them) located on Avenida del Comandante García Morato street near the airport.

By the way, I advise everyone who needs to find the optimal car route to use the site, which has helped me more than once: here are given detailed recommendations on trips to Benalmadena from other cities in Spain.

By ferry

Before the trip, I, like many travelers who saw the picturesque Benalmadena port in the guidebooks, thought that I would be able to drive directly from here to some unusual place (or even to one of the neighboring countries) through the water. And, having already studied the timetable on the spot, I saw that the choice of ferry routes was very small - you won’t leave for neighboring countries (for this you need to go to Almeria, which is 230 km from Benalmadena, the city closest to Benalmadena, from where water transport leaves to Algeria, and c), and as an option for a ferry visit to another city, you will have a choice between Fuengirola, and, if you're lucky, Malaga.

But here everything is not so simple. The port of Benalmadena is mainly used for sporting events, excursions and sightseeing during the tourist season. In general, any non-excursion ferry transfer is best agreed in advance: the timetables posted on the Internet can change without warning, depending on the season, weather conditions and personal considerations of the carriers about this very transfer.

It should be borne in mind that, in particular, a trip by water from Malaga is still not the best way to get from the airport to Benalmadena - the journey will take about an hour and a half, the price, depending on the chosen carrier, is on average 11 EUR from the port of Malaga, and the port is located 10 kilometers from the airport, in the city center.

If, despite the difficulties, the desire for the first time to see Benalmadena from the sea has not disappeared, here are a few carriers who are engaged in such trips and, perhaps, will help to realize the desired:

Hint:

Benalmadena - time is now

The difference in hours:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Ekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season. When is the best time to go?

Hint:

Benalmadena - monthly weather

When is the season? When is the best time to go?

Benalmadena has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild, sometimes rainy winters; which is nice: in the summer months, cool sea winds make even the heat of the day bearable. My favorite time to travel here is May, with its moderate coolness and a large selection of affordable accommodation.

Those who come from overseas, I advise you to choose the period from June to September: in addition to the warm weather, during this period you can take part in interesting holidays - festivities on the occasion of St. Juan's Day (Festividad de San Juan), which is celebrated on a grand scale in fact, in June or mid-July - a very vivid memory of my trip.

As for the second half of September, from the point of view of economy, this period, in my opinion, is good for travelers no less than May - only in September there is also the opportunity to swim, and summer excitement decreases, as well as housing prices.

Some make sea voyages in October, but it’s better to be careful with this period of the “low season” - from October to December, precipitation falls in the city, and the daily minimum of +14 ° C, although it seems to be a good indicator, but in the evening the temperature drops significantly, and while walking you need to wrap yourself in warm clothes.

Before traveling in April, it is also worth weighing twice the climatic features - rains, sometimes showers this month return to the city. It is better to wait a month, choosing May for the trip: precipitation usually decreases and the weather becomes sunny. The main thing is not to forget to take warm clothes for evening walks.

Benalmadena in the summer

June-August is by far the most popular time among vacationers. The average temperature in the summer is around +23 ° С, and the sea warms up to the ideal +24 ° С. The dry climate and warm breeze, characteristic of these months, do not allow to freeze during the evening drop in temperature and save from the heat of the day.

Prices are also increasing with the number of people who want to relax - the cost of renting a house in August can be one and a half times higher than in September, so it is better to think about booking a place in advance.

Benalmadena in the fall

In terms of weather, September is one of the most comfortable months for rest - the air temperature during the day is on average at +24 ° C, water - at +23 ° C.

But in October and November one should not expect Mediterranean friendliness from the weather here: daytime temperatures of about +18 ° C in October and +14 ° C in November will not please those who come for the resort heat and warm sea; in addition, it gets colder in the evenings: coupled with the winds blowing from the sea, the temperature may seem even less than it actually is. Have to warm up.

Benalmadena in the spring

In March and April, there are more sunny days than in winter, and the air temperature is around + 16–18 ° С during the day. It’s too early to swim, but relaxing in the resort is pleasant with silence and low prices for accommodation. The main thing is not to forget about warm clothes and an umbrella: in the evenings the temperature is still quite low - you need to be prepared for 10 ° C.

In April, during the day, rains do not seem to be a rare occurrence. In May (especially in the second half), the air sometimes warms up to fairly high temperatures - I had it all +26 ° C and many hours of sunshine per day, in the afternoon it was possible to lie down properly on the beach and sunbathe.

Benalmadena in winter

The average air temperature in winter usually stays in the region of +14 ° С during the day, in January it can drop to +12 ° С. In the evenings, the indicator sometimes drops to +4 ° C in the coldest months.

The city does not fall asleep in winter. From December to February, many shops and cafes were opened, since the infrastructure here is well developed. However, lovers of nightlife should not go during this period, in my opinion, unequivocally: despite the fact that the city does not belong to the cult ones in terms of nightlife, many clubs and bars are closed in winter, and when demand among nightlife seekers falls, Benalmadena becomes calm a place where families with children and elderly tourists come to relax.

Benalmadena - monthly weather

Hint:

Benalmadena - monthly weather

Areas. Where is better to live?

Benalmadena has three main areas:

  • Benalmadena Pueblo   (Benalmadena Pueblo) - the old secluded part of the city, there is most of the "typically Andalusian" atmosphere;
  • Arroyo de la Miel   (Arroyo de la Miel) - the resort area closer to the coast with shops and offices, there is also a railway station;
  • Benalmadena Costa   (Benalmadena Costa) - the coast of the city, where most tourists stop.

Benalmadena Pueblo

The historical part of the city is 4 km from the coast of the resort and about the same distance from the Benalmadena railway station; located on the slope of Mount Calamorro. Pueblo is loved by many, I am no exception: in the heart of this area, among the quiet narrow streets and beautifully decorated white houses, you can feel the spirit of traditional Spanish settlements, as well as silence and solitude. The panoramas of the coastal part of the city opening from here are also impressive.

Despite the warm feelings for this place, not many tourists choose it for a stop during a vacation in Benalmadena - the matter is the great distance that separates the Pueblo from the sea. But for some, this seclusion will be a plus - for such travelers there are hotels and apartments that will cost significantly less than those located on the seashore.

Arroyo de la Miel

In the past, a small village, and now - the area where all trains arrive and which is conventionally considered the commercial center of the city, connecting the central part of Benalmadena with the coast - Arroyo is 3 km from it.

The main difference from Pueblo, in my opinion, is a large number of hotels, shops and institutions. Attractions known in Benalmadena are also located here: cable car and amusement park.

Accommodation in Arroyo will cost a little cheaper than in the coastal area, but you won’t be able to make a significant difference: this area is also popular among holidaymakers and good hotels set prices similar to those in Benalmadena Costa. But it is worth noting that the choice of accommodation options in Arroyo is much wider than in Pueblo.

Apartments and hotels 3 stars in the summer season on average will cost 75–80 EUR for two per day, guest houses will ask for a stop at 35-50 EUR per day. Prices can be compared.

Benalmadena Costa

The most cosmopolitan and most hyped (not bad) district of the city. It is well connected by land transport to any other part of the city, as well as to nearby cities and settlements. It is here that the largest number of Benalmadena guests live in season and the most located hotels.

One of the most photographed sights of the city is located here - the port of Puerto Marina, as well as a park with the La Paloma Botanical Garden.

This area, of course, has good proximity to beaches, the most developed infrastructure (restaurants, bars, attractions), as well as the fact that, in my case, housing with sea views can be found here for good money - a studio for 60 EUR per day this is real if you look for options in advance.

In addition, there is another reason to rush to book: among the three zones of the city of Costa, it is still on the first line in terms of high cost, especially for hotels. In the season itself - June-August - prices for a double room in 3-star hotels on average will start from 85 EUR when booking less than a month before check-in.

Hostels, guest houses and hotels like bed & breakfast will naturally be cheaper: on average 40 EUR per day, but you can find a bed in a dormitory and for 25.

Summarizing

In my opinion, if you analyze and compare the offers of hotels and apartments in the city, Benalmedena will appeal to those who prefer to live in a rented apartment during their vacation: both at the coastline and in the historical center a huge amount of housing of different price categories is rented at any time of the year . As for hotels, there is less choice in the season in this category, but quite often there are also good last-minute special offers from them. Just saving on hotels is much harder.

What are the prices for holidays?

As for going to restaurants. While eating out during the trip, I tried not to get involved in meals in restaurants, but I didn’t save hard: prices in many establishments made it possible to go where I liked the atmosphere and the menu at the entrance. In a standard coastal restaurant, the bill went to EUR 15–20 for two medium-sized dishes (for example, grilled anchovies and a vegetable salad) or one large dish (paella, which can be taken for two) and a drink. There is room to take a walk, given that the portions in most establishments are generous.

However, I advise you to take a closer look at the institutions in the Puerto Marina area, where the most expensive restaurants and shops are located - many tourists want to relax in the picturesque port. But here, if you wish, you can find cafes comparable by check with other institutions on the coast.

A great way out for a crisis-free trip is to rent your apartment and buying fresh food in a store. The cost of food was reduced several times when I cooked it myself at home: in the store you can buy a package of good cheese for 1 EUR (sometimes less), a kilogram of tomatoes for 1.30 EUR, a liter of milk for 0.60 EUR, a bottle of good wine for 3 EUR. Compared to going to a cafe, the savings are tangible.

In addition to the fact that, living not in a hotel, but in an apartment or villa, you can spend less on food, this option reduce housing costsin principle, renting an apartment in Benalmadena is cheaper than living in a hotel. More precisely, it is possible to find a relatively inexpensive hotel (up to 70 EUR per day for two in peak season) in the city, but you can live in the apartment with great comfort for the same price. If you want to choose a comfortable option in a good place, you can also pay 50 EUR per season, again, the main thing at this time is to attend to the reservation in advance.

The main attractions. What to see

In Benalmadena, in addition to the side streets, which are sometimes interesting to visit without a specific purpose, you can devote time to active pursuits or relaxation near nature. Tourists always have something to do here.

Top 5

Beaches. Which are better

On the coastal line, lovers of outdoor activities, families with children and seekers of a quiet pastime will be able to look for a suitable beach. Entrance to the beaches is almost everywhere free, you will have to pay only for the rental of sun loungers and umbrellas (an average of about 9 EUR).


Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

Museums Which are worth a visit

Parks

Tourist streets

What to see in 1 day

If it’s only a day to get to know the city, it’s optimal to walk around the characteristic places of Benalmadena without any fuss, feel the spirit of the city and appreciate the most important thing - nature, beaches and architecture:


What to see in the surroundings

Holidays in Benalmadena is good because, having got bored in the city, you can get to nearby cities for half a day or a day and see a lot of interesting things - there are cities and settlements nearby, from which I have left a lot of positive emotions:


Food. What to try

Food. What to try

Despite the fact that the cuisine in Benalmadena is as cosmopolitan as the city itself, in the first place it makes sense to try dishes that make the glory of Andalusia and Spain - even more interesting is the influence of various cultures that dominated the region at different times:


The best places to eat in terms of quality and price are, in my opinion, in Pueblo, the historical part of the city - there you can admire excellent panoramic views during the meal.

  Many people like to have a romantic dinner on the coast right on the beach, which is why there are many more visitors in the establishments here, and the quality of the food does not always correspond to the prices.

Below is a list of places that, in addition to a great atmosphere, I also like by price-quality criteria.

Budgetary

Mid level

Expensive

Holidays

Celebrate in Benalmadena, as in most regions of Spain, on a grand scale and with all passion. When I visited one of the local holidays, I finally got sick of leaving the city:


Security. What to watch out for

Benalmadena, in my opinion, is a safe city in terms of tourist safety. You can safely go here with children and alone to girls or men, without fear of going out in the evenings and even walking at night in crowded places.

However, as in any city, it is worth observing the banal rules to ensure your safety during your vacation: not to be in uninhabited and remote places at a later time of the day, to keep track of things in squares, tourist clusters and in retail outlets.

But it is highly likely that, in addition to these rules, one still won’t have to think about security in Benalmadena.

Things to do

Things to do

Get impressions that will be remembered for a long time, you can not only sightseeing. I liked a few other ways to surprise myself while relaxing:

Shopping & Stores

For large purchases such as electronics, clothing, sports equipment, I advise you to go to neighboring cities -, Fuengirola (unlike Torremolinos, where, in addition to interesting small shops in the city center, I went to the large shopping center Miramar) or Malaga, where you can really go shopping . Unfortunately, in Benalmadena there is no choice of stores where you can buy something worthwhile in these segments.

As for food, souvenirs, accessories, cosmetics, home clothes - I found this in the city, looking at the shops and shops near the promenade, or in Arroyo de la Miel. In the latter, in particular, on Fridays in the morning a flea market arrives where you can look at leather goods, souvenirs and all sorts of small things. Be prepared that there will be many people.

In Benalmadena, I was initially surprised at the lack of a choice of basic food products - milk, the choice of fresh fruits, vegetables and so on. Actually, only water, chips and the same set of yoghurt are sold in tents along the promenade, while large grocery stores are often hidden not on the first line. But the assortment in them is excellent. It is better to write yourself nearby stores in advance, depending on the location of the accommodation. The largest networks are Mercadona, Supercor, Aldi.

Bars Where to go

There are many places in Benalmadena where you can have fun in the evening and have a drink in a warm company.

The city has a good selection of round-the-clock bars. Most of the interesting places of this kind are located in Puerto Marina. At the same time, a visit to a bar there will cost two to three times more than, for example, in Pueblo.

A large number of bars are on Plaza Solymar, which is located near Puerto Marina.

However, I advise you to be careful and not to walk here alone in the late evening - the place has the dubious glory of the popular among tramps and marginal personalities.

As for prices, the check at the bar in the port area and in the Pueblo area can differ dramatically - 10 EUR per drink against, say, 2.

Places worth visiting:

  • The bull bar benalmádena. Great views of the beach and the same beer.
  • Zafira Wine & Gin Bar. in pueblo with good gin and cocktails.
  • The drunken sailor. Soulful place on the seashore.
  • Palm 5 beach bar. The bar is a favorite with the British delicious food.

Clubs and nightlife

Benalmadena seemed to me rather a city for measured relaxation, it is not worth waiting for something fantastic from nightlife. This does not mean, on the other hand, that it is not there - the resort has clubs of local scale, including round-the-clock clubs, plus this is the Costa del Sol, so you would not be left without fun.

Most places where you can dance, naturally, were found in Puerto Marina, where there is a choice of thematic (for example, Latin, salsa clubs), and in Plaza Solymar, where they have fun 24 hours a day.

Famous clubs in the city:

  • Near Plaza Solymar - El elefantewhere, among other things, concerts and cabaret shows are often held, Mango’sloved by both locals and tourists as well Times Square Disco Bar.
  • In Puerto Marina - Disco Terraza Monetwho is loved for good music.

Sports activities

Naturally, in Benalmadena, the most popular types of activity are water. But there are some others. So:

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

  • The most excellent souvenir to relatives and friends, in my opinion, will be local gastronomy: Iberico jamon, Malaga sweet wine, for example, Botani wine (price about 12 EUR); I also bought locally produced olive oil as a present.
  • Andalusian pottery   It looks beautiful and will also be a good surprise - plates, decorative dishes, etc., hand-painted. Such products came across to me at a price of 40 EUR.

  • Jewelry depicting bisnag   - bouquets of jasmine flowers in the shape of a ball, which are sold on the streets in the summer, for example, brooches or pendants. Price - from 15 to 60 EUR.

How to get around the city

How to get around the city

For me, the bus was the most convenient and regular mode of transport, which quickly delivered to almost anywhere in the city.

To travel around Benalmadena (especially if you plan to move not only on foot, but also actively use the bus network) in order to save money, I advise you to buy transport card, which allows you to ride city buses in Benalmadena, as well as some trains from Benalmadena to Malaga and the underground transport of Malaga at lower prices than when buying one-time tickets.

You can buy a card at any tobacco store, the cost is 1.08 EUR, plus a deposit of 1.80 EUR, which will be returned when you return the ticket. The card does not apply to tourist double-decker buses that run around the city - you need to buy a ticket for them separately.

Taxi. What features exist

I was able to find a taxi in Benalmadena almost at any time without much difficulty - white cars were parked both along the promenade and in Arroyo. If the trip will be at night or, for example, you live in Pueblo, it is better to arrange with taxi drivers in advance, or book by phone.

The trip is calculated by the meter, within the coast, the average price of a trip is usually around 4 EUR; from the coast to Arroyo, a taxi costs about 6 EUR.

Buses

The most common form of transport. There are a lot of buses so as not to get confused in the routes and always have a schedule on hand, I downloaded the application of the transport network of Malaga and the surrounding area to my phone. Here you can see the numbers of routes and the names of bus stops, choosing the optimal one.

The most popular routes are, of course, those that bring to the main attractions in the city and beyond: M-103, M-110, M-121 and others.

Vehicle rental

The offices of well-known companies like Budget, Avis came across to me mainly on Avenida Antonio Machado street near the promenade, in Arroyo de la Miel there is also the local White Car Hire and Brians Rent a Car.

In Pueblo, there are also several companies that offer to rent a car. The service is in demand, so there is a choice in the city.

I advise you to book a car online in advance - this will guarantee that the model will be exactly the one you wanted, especially for the summer season.

Documents required for rent:

  • Passport (passport).
  • The credit card on which the car was booked.
  • Driving license of international standard.

The rental price starts from 15 EUR per day - for this price you can take a small Fiat Panda or Opel Corsa. A liter of gasoline costs on average 1.45 EUR. On weekends, rent is cheaper than on other days. The price usually includes insurance, but in each case it is better to specify separately (as well as carefully read the contract - there may be large fines for violating some points in the contract).

You can compare car rental prices.

In Spain, there are many one-way streets - so as not to travel too much in search of a way if I was driving, I thought over the necessary route in advance. Also, do not forget that here, as in the whole of Europe, fines in case of a serious violation can be rather large, in some you will have to pay up to 600 EUR.

In general, on the roads I often came across violations just from the local side - they can drive into a red light or unexpectedly go to another lane, so that I have to brake drastically.

A definite plus of driving here, of course, is the good quality of roads, as well as throughout the country.