Benalmadena Spain. What to do and what to see in Benalmadena. Close to Malaga and Torremolinos

Benalmadena. Official information. Geography and history. Beaches. Map of Benalmadena. Map of transport. Sightseeing train. What to see. Schedule and prices. Other useful information.

Benalmadena is a town, or pueblo, in a province, Andalusia. Located on the Costa del Sol, 22 km from the capital. The population is about 66,000 people. It consists of three parts - Benalmadena Pueblo (Benalmadena Pueblo), Arroyo de la Miel (Arroyo de la Miel) and Benalmadena costa (Benalmadena costa).

Arroyo de la miel   It is located between the shore and the mountains. As a separate settlement, it was founded in the eighteenth century, when six paper mills and several agricultural facilities were built here. The Italian Félix Solesio bought several plots of land for the construction of a paper mill.

In the photo there is a monument and the inscription: “The city of Benalmadena to Felix Finarius Solesio Buracci (Finale Ligure 1739 - Malaga 1806). Master of paper business and founder of Arroyo de la Miel. May 15, 2006. "

The name (Honey Stream) was given due to the large number of streams and rivers in the area.

In the photo, the street near the railway station with the name of the district, part of the street became a pedestrian, fountains were built, work was completed in 2010.

The area was developed with the construction of a railway linking Malaga and Fuengirola.

In the photo an orange tree blossoms.

And the tourist boom of the 60s caused both an increase in area and an increase in the number of inhabitants.

(pictured House of Culture (Casa de la Cultura), Arroyo de la Miel.)

Arroyo de la Miel also houses the Church of the Virgin Carmen (La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen). About the holiday Virgen del Cármen.

Benalmadena costa   stretches along the coast, a large number of hotels are concentrated here. The former route from Malaga to Cadiz is now called Avenida Antonio Machado Avenue and the Sun, or Avenida del Sol Sunny Avenue, runs along the line of beaches. In this part is the promenade (Paseo Maritimo), connecting Benalmadena with neighboring Torremolinos and Fuengirola.

Beaches

The beaches of Benalmadena stretch almost 20 kilometers in length, are composed of sand and pebbles. Landed palm groves are often found on beaches.

Pictured is Malapesquera Beach.

There are 17 beaches in Benalmadena - Arroyo Hondo, Carvajal, Bil-Bil, La Morera, Arroyo de la Miel, Benaltura, Fuente de la Salud, La Perla, Las Viborillas, playa de Las Yucas, Malapesquera / Malapesca / Torre Bermeja, Melilleros, Santa Ana, Tajo de la Soga, Torremuelle, Torrequebrada y Torrevigía. The beaches in the western part of Benalmadena are located on the cliffs, which creates ideal conditions for fishing and diving.

Quays Benalmadena Costa, or Paseo Maritimo

Paseo Maritimo can be translated as a boat trip, or the sea promenade. In Benalmadena, the promenade is one of the most interesting promenades in the Mediterranean. This zone stretches for several kilometers, in which the calmness of the sea and the beach on the one hand and the liveliness of restaurants and shops on the other hand are miraculously mixed.

Pictured promenade near the hotel Triton

Paseo Maritimo Benalmadena is located between the sports port of Puerto Marina and the fortress of Bil Bil. There are other embankments that are supposed to be united in the future, for example, Sunset Beach embankments or Nueva Torrequebrada promenade.

Throughout the Paseo Maritimo Benalmadena, made by different craftsmen from a variety of materials such as ceramics, metal, wood and natural stone ...

Map

We lay out the map of Benalmadena. The quality is not very, but you can get such a card for free at any tourist office. In Benalmadena, the central office is located near Puerto Marina, there are enough signs, so it's easy to find. On the map, the office is indicated by the number 29. And it looks like this.

The map is always issued the same, so in our comments we will give the numbers by which all objects are indicated on the map.

Transport

Explanations for the map:

Railway   marked in red, in Arroyo de la Miel is the Benalmadena station of the same name (Arroyo de la Miel Benalmadena). By train, you can reach Fuengirola, Torremolinos and Malaga. Read more about the suburban trains of Malaga-Torremolinos-Benalmadena-Fuehirola.

Buses of Torremolinos and Benalmadena.The map of bus routes is general.

L1 and L2 are local bus lines in Torremolinos. The bus station, or bus station, is located in Torremolinos at calle Hoyo, this is the very center of the city.

The bus station, or rather, the final stop of Benalmádena Costa is located near the tourist office, on Plaza Solymar, this is the intersection of Avenida Antonio Machado and Avenida Alay.

Orange L2 - domestic route to Benalmadena.
From blue - the second domestic route to Benalmadena.
There are many passing buses, their routes are indicated at the top left. They can both drive inside Benalmadena and get to other towns on the coast and the continental part of Andalusia. At stops, the schedule of each route hangs. Oddly enough, it is respected.

Marked in black on the map. The lower station in, the upper one is on Mount Calamorro.

Sightseeing train.

The final stop and ticket sales are near the Torre Bermeja tower, next to Puerto Marina (on the map, number 50 is near the port).
Route Puerto Marina - Park Paloma (Parque de la Paloma) and Selvo Marina (Selwo Marina, amusement park) - Park Tivoli and Teleferico (Tivoli, Teleferico).
Return route Tivoli Park and Teleferico - Paloma Park and Selvo Marina - Puerto Marina.

Note: on Wednesdays a flea market operates in Paloma Park, from 10-00 to 14-00. On Fridays, the vegetable market and the market for new goods (clothes, shoes, etc.) also work there. The time is also from 10-00 to 14-00. Close to Selvo Marina.

Schedule: the train runs every hour. Departure from Puerto Marina at exactly 10-00, 11-00 and so on.
To Selwo Marina go 15 minutes, stop 15 minutes every hour, to Tivoli 25 minutes, stop 25 minutes every hour, From Tivoli to Paloma Park - 15 minutes, stop at Paloma Park 40 minutes every hour, and from Paloma to Puerto Marina 10 minutes .

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 timetable: 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 only have to pay for the rental of sun loungers and umbrellas (on average 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, to 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, besides 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.

The conditional border between them is the port for sports and pleasure yachts (Puerto Deportivo de Benalmadena). Benalmadena is part of the province of Malaga and consists of three areas: Benalmadena Pueblo, Benalmadena Costa and Arroyo de la Miel.

The tourist area originates from Benalmadena Pueblo or Mijas (Mijas) - a village that is located about 3 km from the coast, on a 200-meter elevation. The coastal Benalmadena Costa is a classic seaside resort with well-developed infrastructure. Arroyo de la Miel today is the commercial center of Benalmadena, built on the site of a detached fishing village that has long merged with the resort.

  Beaches of Benalmadena

The coastal line of Benalmadena-Costa stretches for 9 kilometers; rocky ledges cut the coast into cozy beaches.

Beach Malapesquera y torrebermeja   starts from the port; the best coastal hotels are concentrated around - and therefore it is almost always noisy and crowded here. The beach is equipped with showers and changing cabins, volleyball and football grounds, and rental of sun loungers and umbrellas is available on the coast. The beach is 300 m long and 200 m wide.

Triangular beach Santa anna   separated from Malapesquera y Torrebermeja by a sandy ledge. It is well equipped and has a high level of service. The beach is 500 m long and 50 m wide.

Beach Bil bil located at the foot of the castle Castillo de Bil Bil and at the peak of the season - July and August - it is crowded. The calm waters and children's slides on the shore make it suitable for families. The beach is 400 m long and 60 m wide.

Popular beach Arroyo de la miel   It is a continuation of Bil Bil and stretches west to a rocky cape. The beach is 900 m long and 60 m wide.

Small natural beach Torrevigía   located behind a rocky cape. On the beach you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas, but there is no other infrastructure. The beach is 350 m long and 60 m wide.

Beach Torrequebrada   "attached" to the hotel of the same name, so a few vacationers are guests of a coastal hotel. There are no shower cabins, as well as water slides and sports grounds. The beach is 350 m long and 60 m wide.

Natural beaches La viborilla   and Las yucas   located in small rocky bays and are great for snorkeling. They are loved not only by tourists, but also by local residents. Rental of sun loungers and deck chairs is not available here. The total length of the beaches is more than a kilometer, the width is about 40 m.

Secluded beach in the bay Benalnatura   designed for nudists.

Beach Arroyo hondo   located next to the Playa Bonita; equipped with showers and changing cabins; umbrellas and sunbeds can be rented. Length - 700 m, width - 60 m.

Wild sand and pebble beaches are located to the west of the resort Torremuelle, La morera   and Tajo de la Soga. They spanned three kilometers; access to the coast is difficult in some places.

  Hotels in Benalmadena

The resort's hotels and apartments are concentrated mainly along the Mediterranean coast of Benalmadena Costa. In the central part of the marina there are several artificial islands, which housed fashionable apartments in an oriental style.

  Attractions Benalmadena

The main attractions of the resort are concentrated in Benalmadena Pueblo - a classic white-walled Andalusian village, in which only a few modern buildings are visible. Here it is archaeological Museum   with artifacts of the Bronze Age.

The small castle Castillo de Colomares was erected at the end of the last century at the expense of a local doctor in honor of the blessed memory of Christopher Columbus. In the west of the village is another castle - Castillo de bil bil, built in the Moorish style in the 1930s. It was recently renovated and today is used as a venue for concerts and exhibitions.

  Things to do in Benalmadena

It stretches along the Mediterranean coast la Paloma park   with a lake and pelicans. Located nearby entertainment center Selwo Marinawhere you can see shows featuring dolphins, penguins and tropical birds. There is an aquarium in the port Sea life, which presents marine life. In addition, in Benalmadena there are golf courses, a casino, as well as an existing bullring. Bullfights are usually held on Sunday evenings. Boutiques, restaurants and 24-hour bars are concentrated around the port.

Entertainment center Tivoli world   located in Arroyo de la Miel. In the park there are attractions, restaurants with special children's menus, as well as slot machines.

Not far from Tivoli World is the lower cableway station, whose telecabin rises to Mount Calamorro (769 m) and allows you to enjoy panoramic views towards Gibraltar and the Moroccan coast. The highest point of the cableway is located in the park Jardin de las aguilaswhere dozens of feathered predators live.

  How to get to Benalmadena

The nearest airport to Benalmadena is at (19 km). You can get to it by taxi, shuttle bus or commuter train Renfe. Benalmadena Train Station is located in Arroyo de la Miel.

The small resort town of Benalmadena is located on the Mediterranean coast of the Costa del Sol of the autonomous community of Andalusia in Spain. There is sunny and warm weather all year round, so a vacation by the sea at any time will be unforgettable. It is easily accessible by taxi, commuter train or bus, which runs from the nearest airport in the city of Malaga (22 km).

  The resort is conditionally divided into three areas:

• spread along the coast Benalmadena Costa   - A tourist recreation area with developed infrastructure;
• located at an altitude of 300 meters Benalmadena Pueblo   - The old part of the city, representing the classic Andalusian village;
• Arroyo de la Miel   - The commercial center of the municipality.

A bit of history

The current name of the resort refers to the Arab period. Then Benalmadena was a defensive fortification of the settlement and its observation post. In the XV century, the city was conquered by Catholic monks. They restored the destroyed fortifications and turned the city into a defensive fortress. Gradually, Benalmadena regained the status of the economic center of the region.

The coastline of the resort stretches for about 20 km. Along it there are 17 beaches. Those located in the western part of the city are located on a rocky shore. This place is very convenient for diving and fishing. There is a secluded beach in Benalmadena, which was looked after by nudists. It is located in Benalnatura Bay.

  All beaches are covered with clean gray sand and pebbles. They are equipped with showers, sunbeds and umbrellas. Many of them have slides and playgrounds installed, and bars work. Palm trees are planted on all beaches. It is good to relax here for couples with children, and youth companies. Entrance to the beaches of the resort is free; rent of beach equipment is provided for money.

Benalmadena Hotels

Since the main part of the resort is intended for tourists and is located along the seashore, many hotels are concentrated here. All of them meet the standards of the European standard:

• level of three to five stars;
• availability of developed infrastructure;
• comfortable conditions for relaxation.

Entertainment

Attractions Benalmadena

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.

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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.

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 trading 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 combined 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.