Benalmadena, Spain – An Essential Travel Guide for 2025

Benalmadena is a bustling resort town on Spain’s Costa del Sol, just 24km from Malaga and neatly wedged between Torremolinos and Fuengirola. It blends Andalusian charm with a lively holiday vibe, offering sandy beaches, a busy marina and plenty of nightlife. It is split into distinct areas; an action-packed beachfront, a commercial area and a quieter old village in the hills, meaning there are vastly different holiday experiences to be had here. Could Benalmadena be the best resort to visit on the Costa Del Sol?

Keep reading to find out!

• Currency – Euro
• Language – Spanish but locals speak fluent English
• Time – One hour ahead of Ireland
• Plugs – The 2-prong Type F plug so be sure to pack an adaptor
• Cash or Card – Avoid using ATMs as they charge large fees and card is accepted in most establishments
• Public Toilets – Some along the promenade and large ones at the marina
• Tipping – Customary to leave a 10% tip in restaurants and bars

Malaga Airport (AGP), the gateway to the Costa Del Sol, lies only 12km from Benalmadena and is a 3hrs 10mins flight from Dublin. The nearest alternative is Granada Airport, about 100km away, so Malaga is by far the best option for the Costa del Sol. You’ll land in Terminal 3, where the train station is handily located, as Terminals 1 and 2 see little use. This modern terminal has plenty of shops, restaurants and toilets, although it can feel crowded at peak times.

Find Cheap Flights to Benalmadena

The absence of a direct bus from the airport means there are three options here, if you do not hire a car:

By Taxi: Taxis are always available at the taxi rank at the exit of terminal 3. The 25-minute journey will set you back €30, although you may be able to find a slightly cheaper fare by using the Uber app instead. Neither of these options can compete with the train in terms of speed or cost.

By Train: The train from Malaga Aeropuerto Station takes just 18 minutes and costs €2.05. Exit terminal 3 and head across the road to the Renfe operated train station, where you will find just one solitary line. This C1 line takes you to Malaga City in one direction and Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Fuengirola in the other, with trains departing every 20 minutes. You can buy tickets at the machine in the station or just tap your card or phone at the turnstiles. The train station in Benalmadena is located at Arroyo de la Miel, the town’s main commercial centre.

By Private Transfer: As a couple, the presence of a decent train service means that we don’t bother adding private transfers when booking package holidays through OnTheBeach.ie. Those travelling with children should definitely consider it however, as they offer fairly cheap rates and it can make life so much easier.

Cheap Package Holidays to Benalmadena

Being a Costa Del Sol resort, Benalmadena has plenty of accommodation, from lavish beachfront hotels to good-value apartments. We always book our sun holidays through OnTheBeach.ie, the cheapest providers in Ireland right now. If you’re treating yourself, there are plenty of all-inclusive and half-board options, while three-star stays are easy to come by for those keeping costs down.

We stayed half-board at the four-star Mac Puerto Marina Hotel. As the name suggests, it sits right beside the town’s famous marina and next to the beach too. We chose half-board since we tend to spend a lot of time in the hotel on our sun holidays, as opposed to a city break.

The outdoor pool is very big and we never had any trouble getting a sun lounger, surprising for this part of Spain! We also made use of the lovely indoor pool, although we regrettably didn’t have time for a massage at the spa.

The buffet breakfast was tasty and the dinner was surprisingly delicious for this type of stay. We booked the Mac Puerto Marina for its location but will definitely be returning for the service we received!

Check out Benalmadena’s Four Star Hotels

Many people stay half or full-board in resort towns, where the quality of food means eating out isn’t worth it. This just isn’t the case in Benalmadena, especially around the marina area which is teeming with great eateries. For €23 we enjoyed a mouth-watering rib eye steak at The Steakhouse, where the scenic backdrop of the marina creates a surreally romantic atmosphere. There are plenty of other places to enjoy a tasty main course for a little over €10 too.

Skip desert and instead pick one of the many gelaterias to grab yourself a post-dinner treat. Children and adults alike will have a field day in these little slices of heaven.

Hot Beverages: Although cafés are a common feature in Benalmadena, many of them expect you to order a hot meal. These kinds of places aren’t very comfortable for those just looking for a hot drink and a pastry.

Luckily Grainier has you covered. This bakery chain, abundantly popular along the Costa Del Sol, serves up delicious coffees and plenty of baked goodies. Our coffee was actually really good, as were the croissants, and both were reasonably priced. If it’s just a quick stop you want then this is your place.

Alcohol: €3 will buy you a cool pint of local beer pretty much anywhere in Benalmadena. San Miguel, brewed in Malaga, is the best option as it’s both cheaper and nicer than the imported brews. €5 cocktails can be found but these tend to be rubbish and you’re safer paying €10 for a quality one.

We sampled the Irish and British bars of the marina but felt they lacked a little charm. We wanted a pub where we could meet fellow holidaymakers and listen to live music, but these bars gave off nightclub vibes.

Our favourite spot, the Ha’penny Bridge, held live music each night from 9pm. Fairly decent food, a gorgeous décor and cracking atmosphere made it feel like a home away from home. Unfortunately, it’s a good 30-minute stroll from the main parts of town.

24-Hour Square is essentially the nightlife strip in Benalmadena and is home to The Irish Times pub. Pretty and very Irish, it’s a great bar if you are looking for a party!

Head here from June to August to enjoy the blistering sunshine we all associate with the Costa Del Sol. Summers are hot, often over 30°C, while the mild winters are really too cool for proper beach days. Spring and autumn hit the sweet spot temperature wise, with 20-degree heat which is ideal for sightseeing or marina strolls. Rain doesn’t show up often, even in the shoulder season, so you can risk leaving the umbrella at home.

Travel on Foot: Benalmadena is extremely hilly and can be tricky to traverse for those that struggle with walking. The beach and marina areas are fine for navigating on foot but it’s a long uphill trek for anyone wishing to reach Arroyo de la Miel from there. The marina area is quite safe at night but we wouldn’t advise wandering around 24-hour square alone.

Public Transport: Taxis and Ubers are your best friends when looking to get from one part of Benalmadena to another. Journeys cost just €5.50 within the town limits.

The orange local buses are also a good option for less than €2 within the town. Buy a travel card for these at one of the many Tabac shops. You can then tap that card on the machine as you board the bus for a greatly reduced fare.

If travelling to the neighbouring resorts of Fuengirola or Torremolinos then catch a train at the station in Arroyo de la Miel. This is a fast and cost-effective service. Taxis between the resorts tend not to break the bank either.

Vehicle Hire: There are many car hire providers around Benalmadena, some offering vehicles from as little as €15 per day. Of all of the Costa Del Sol resorts, this is probably the one where it makes most sense to hire a car, due to the hilly terrain. The roads here, while busy, aren’t too hard to navigate. There are many bicycle rentals in the town too but the hilly terrain means this isn’t advisable.

This town has three very different faces, each beautiful in its own right. Benalmadena Pueblo’s charm lies in its authenticity. Arroyo de la Miel has a more modern beauty to it and the marina has its architectural beauty, particularly as the evening draws in. Add stunning beaches to the mix and you have something for everyone to marvel at here.

Arroyo de la Miel is Benalmadena’s lively inland neighbourhood, sandwiched between the coast and the mountains. Once its own town, it has since merged into the wider resort but still retains its character. It’s home to plenty of modern bars and restaurants, and the pretty Church of the Immaculate Conception. The cable car to Mount Calamorro also departs from Arroyo de la Miel. We found it to be a decent place for a stroll if in the area, rather than somewhere to seek out in itself.

A lovely green park in the heart of Benalmadena, Parque de la Paloma is known for its free-roaming hens, quiet walking paths, and peaceful atmosphere. Oft overlooked, you may find you have this little paradise almost to yourself. Families will love the play areas, petting zoo and terrapins sunning by the ponds. There are several bars for grub, but it’s just perfect for a picnic. Parque de la Paloma is open daily from 9am to 11pm, is free to wander and is fully accessible.

For €16 you can also visit the fantastic Selwo Marina here, an exotic animal park packed with penguins, porcupines, snakes, and everything in between.

Selwo Marina Tickets

The brainchild of architect Eduardo Oria, the Puerto Marina is the resort’s headline attraction. Finished in 1982, this architectural marvel was named the best marina in the world just five years later. With its Moorish-inspired design, winding walkways and flashy yachts, it’s certainly striking.

The marina is crammed with lively bars, shops and restaurants, with the upper tiers housing the best food and views. Unfortunately, it’s not at all authentic and was very much purpose-built for holidaymakers, so don’t expect old-town charm. Despite being dead quiet during daylight hours, it picks up in the evenings and can feel a bit mad, but it’s still fun for a wander. It’s fully accessible throughout, although the crowds can be tricky to navigate with a wheelchair.

Most Costa Del Sol resort towns have one beach that is wildly popular but Benalmadena has several popular small beaches. The 400-metre long Bil Bil Beach is probably the most popular due to its location. It’s much closer to the town than the likes of Carvajal Beach which is well on the way to Fuengirola. Each beach here offers somewhere supremely relaxing to enjoy a drink while you chill out in the Spanish sun. They are also fabulous places for a stroll when the sun sets and lights illuminate the resort.

Plaza Solymar, better known as 24 Hour Square, is supposedly the resort’s main nightlife hub, but don’t get your hopes up. We pictured a buzzing square with bright lights, a miniature version of Times Square, but the reality was a massive let down. The atmosphere just isn’t fun, the bars and restaurants are poor and the whole area feels sketchy after dark. It seems to be in decline, with many venues closed and we couldn’t wait to get out of this dump! Skip it unless you’re desperate for late-night drinking.

In all honesty, Benalmadena isn’t the best place for a chilled-out break. It’s a resort better suited to a boozy, lively holiday rather than a family getaway or a relaxing escape. The beach areas are fairly calm and are probably the most laid-back parts of the resort, but the marina, which is marketed as the main attraction, really isn’t the serene spot for an evening meal that it’s made out to be.

Locals are friendly, as are the droves of tourists visiting from all over Europe, but there simply aren’t many genuinely nice spots to mix and mingle. Maybe our view is skewed from the let downs of the marina and 24-Hour Square, but it the whole place felt a little underwhelming to us when compared to the more subdued Fuengirola.

Benalmadena’s coastline is made up of a string of small beaches, each with its own vibe, but each prone to large crowds. The main one, Playa de Bil Bil, is a 400-metre dark sand beach named after the nearby Castillo de Bil Bil. This striking red Moorish building is free to visit and is definitely worth a look while you are here. A lovely promenade lined with chiringuitos stretches from Playa de Bil Bil to the marina.

Playa Arroyo de la Miel is a slightly larger Blue Flag beach, at about 600 metres long, though it still does get quite crowded. Playa de Santa Ana, near the marina, is another dark-sand option but again, at just 500 metres long, it’s pretty compact.

We made the most of the sea here with a two-hour dolphin-watching tour. Having been let down by tours of this kind elsewhere, we were pleasantly surprised to actually witness a full pod of dolphins beside our catamaran! The friendly crew were very knowledgeable and we even had time for a swim. We got all of this for €20 which was tremendous value.

Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

Pueblo is the resort’s charming old town, dating back to the 8th century. This proper whitewashed village with cobbled streets has a really authentic feel to it. It’s reachable via a 30-minute bus ride from the beach and is slightly too far away to walk to comfortably.

Smaller and less crowded than Mijas Pueblo near Fuengirola, it delivers jaw dropping views over the coast and surrounding hills. The old town is centred around Plaza de Espana with its orange trees and little cafés and bars that are perfect for a drink or a snack. This square comes alive during the many festivals that take place here. Our favourite landmark was the Santa Domingo Church and its serene gardens which offered sensational panoramas. Visiting this old town was the best part of the whole holiday, with the only negative being that it’s not very accessible.

Mijas Pueblo is a similar village, 30 minutes away by train, that is worth visiting if you have time. We visited it during our Fuengirola holiday and, while we slightly preferred it, there’s no need to see both in the same trip. Either of these towns will leave their mark on you.

Our Essential Travel Guide to Fuengirola

The distinct looking Colomares Castle is more of a monument than your typical fortress. It’s much closer to Benalmadena Pueblo than the marina and you can actually spot it from the Santa Domingo Church gardens in the old town. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, it’s a calm little spot to wander, snap some photos, and enjoy the unusual architecture.

This monument to Christopher Columbus is not old, with construction completed in 1994, so many visiting history buffs are left disappointed. However, for a €3 entrance fee, it’s a charming little detour. Colomares is open from 10am to 9pm during the summer, although it closes for siestas from 2pm to 5pm. The facilities are great, with toilets and a café onsite, so it definitely should be hit up if in the area.

When it comes to unique things to do here, the Mariposario takes some beating! It’s about an hour and a half from the main resort area, so walking or taking the train isn’t really an option. We got there via a taxi and used an Uber to get home, and would recommend you do the same.

Inside, you’ll find a tropical garden kept at a cosy 24 to 28 degrees, optimal for the butterflies fluttering around it. The Butterfly Park is home to some of the rarest and most endangered species in the world. There are daily demonstrations so you can see these fascinating creatures up close. Adult tickets start at just €13 for this fantastic experience and there’s a café for coffee or a snack. It’s open until 8:30pm in July and August and closes slightly earlier the rest of the year.

While visiting, check out the nearby Buddhist Stupa. Free to explore, it offers stunning views over Fuengirola below. Tradition says that walking clockwise around the stupa while making a wish might just make it come true, adding a little extra magic to your trip.

Benalmadena Butterfly Park Tickets

Bioparc in nearby Fuengirola is easily reached from Benalmadena by train in about 15 minutes and for less than €2. This expansive open zoo covers 22,000 square metres and is home to over 300 species, from quirky axolotls and golden lion tamarins to lemurs you can actually stroll alongside during the Walk with Lemurs experience.

The park’s lush rainforest setting makes wandering through it a real pleasure and the enclosures are designed to feel natural rather than like traditional cages, giving the animals a more comfortable home.

Summer evenings are especially magical, as Bioparc stays open until 11pm for nocturnal shows – a unique opportunity to see the creatures in action after dark. The park is fully wheelchair accessible and open all year round, with tickets starting at €19.

Bioparc Fast Track Tickets

If you’re flying into Malaga Airport, squeezing in a quick visit to the city on your arrival day is a great idea. We done this and used Radical Storage to store our luggage while we explored. It costs around €5 per bag per day and is much easier than dragging suitcases around the streets.

If you’ve already travelled to Benalmadena, the C1 train line whisks you to Malaga in 30 minutes for just €3. Tickets are easy to grab at the station, or you can simply tap your bank card at the gates.

Malaga is a charming city but you can cover the best landmarks in a day. The historic old town is perfect for wandering, while sights like the Alcazaba fortress, Roman Theatre, and the Botanic Gardens add history and beauty. Art lovers can check out the Pablo Picasso Museum, an ode to the 20th century painter who was born here.

Cafés, plazas and cute shops are scattered throughout the city, giving plenty of opportunities to relax and soak up the atmosphere. Alternatively, hit up the world famous Calle Larios shopping street for some designer goods! There’s too much to cover here so plan your day using our complete travel guide below.

Store Luggage with Radical Storage

Our Essential Travel Guide to Malaga

Sea Life Aquarium Benalmadena opened its doors down by the marina in 1995 and has been present ever since. This fun day out is spread across a series of themed zones, like The Tropical Lagoon, The Jurassic Tunnel and The Reef, and is a fun adventure for all ages. You’ll find everything from sharks and turtles to playful otters and a litany of fish and marine species.

Tickets cost €21 for adults, which includes access to educational talks and feeding sessions, so you won’t get bored just staring at tanks! The aquarium is open every day except Christmas, with doors open until 7pm and last entry at 6:15pm. We recommend popping in before your evening dinner at the marina.

There’s a gift shop onsite, although, as with most zoos and aquariums, it’s incredibly expensive. Still, with its variety of exhibits and close-up marine encounters, Sea Life Aquarium is a great option for anyone looking for family-friendly things to do in the centre of the resort.

Book Sea Life Aquarium Tickets

While visiting the Arroyo de la Miel area we decided to hop aboard the Teleferico Benalmadena cable car. For €16 we enjoyed 15 minutes of sublime views as we glided towards the summit of Mount Calamorro. On arrival we found more panoramic lookouts, as well as the town’s highest restaurant, complete with an open-air terrace. It’s hard to imagine a more perfect setting for a romantic meal.

The mountain itself is home to a fascinating Birds of Prey exhibition featuring eagles, vultures and owls to name but a few. Shows take place daily at 1pm and 5pm and we had no qualms forking over an extra €7 for these. There are also discounted rates available for children.

Between the cable car ride, breath-taking vistas and the impressive bird display, the Teleferico was one of the most surprising and memorable activities from our trip.

Book Cable Car Tickets