Benalmadena – traditional Andalusia and modern seaside resort side by side
Benalmadena, which is located on the Costa del Sol in southern Spain, might well be best known as a modern holiday resort, but visitors will find more than beautiful beaches and busy bars. The pretty old village of Benalmadena Pueblo, with its traditional whitewashed buildings and its winding, flower-decorated cobbled streets, sits nestled into the hillside above the resort. Here, you can sit in a peaceful square and enjoy wonderful views down to the town and along the coast. What might catch your eye is the striking golden Buddhist temple, which is the largest in Europe. Back down in the modern coastal part of Benalmadena, there is a pretty marina where yachts moor alongside the busy shops, bars and restaurants.
Entertainment for all the family
When you want a change from relaxing at your hotel or on the beach, Benalmadena has a great choice of attractions. A very popular attraction with visitors is Tivoli World, a theme park with rides and family-themed entertainment which includes musical shows and dancing. During the summer months, the park opens in the evening and stays open until late at night, making it a great choice for a family night out. By the marina, you will find the Sea Life Benalmadena aquarium. With over 2,500 sea creatures on display, including sharks and rays, an underwater tunnel, and feeding demonstrations throughout the day, the Sea Life centre is both interesting and informative for kids of all ages. You can expect your children to enjoy the rock pool experience where they can get hands on with starfish and crabs. Above the old hillside village of Benalmadena Pueblo is a Butterfly Park. This is an indoor tropical garden where the butterflies fly around freely, and is particularly popular with children, especially when a colourful butterfly lands on their shoulder! Many of the butterflies are bred in the park, so you can also see the caterpillars and watch the new butterflies emerge from their chrysalis.
Have a head for heights?
Between the coast of Benalmadena and its pueblo on the hillside you will find Arroyo de la Miel, or ‘Honey Stream’, which is a river that snakes down from the high hills. From here, you can take a cable car journey to the top of the mountain overlooking Benalmadena. If you are lucky, on a clear day you will be able to see across the sea to the coast of North Africa. While you are at the top you can enjoy equestrian and bird shows, and if you are feeling brave, once you get back down to the coast you could also have a go at parasailing. While attached to a tethered parachute towed behind a motor boat, you could reach a height of up to 150 metres. There are other fun, but less scary opportunities to enjoy the sea. There are speed boat rides available along the Benalmadena beaches, as well as banana boating, and lessons in stand-up paddle boarding. With so many hotels in Benalmadena to choose from, and to make the most of your trip to this part of Spain, look for a map of hotels to find one nearest to the activities that you would enjoy the most.
Tasty food and drink
If you have chosen an all inclusive hotel in Benalmadena, you might not want to venture out when it comes to eating and drinking, but it would be a shame to miss some of the delicious food on offer here. For a real taste of Spain try one of the many tapas bars. Tapas are a great way to try something new as they are only a small portion of food. Always popular for a light bite are montaditos, which are small rolls with cooked pork loin and a variety of other fillings such as cheese, peppers and sauces. If you want something more substantial, Benalmadena has a large choice of restaurants. Many are situated on and around the marina, which is the centre of nightlife too. There is international cuisine available as well as all your favourites from home, including full English breakfasts and fish and chips. Being by the sea, Benalmadena has great local seafood too. Visit a chiringuito, which is a bar on the beach, where you can enjoy the best of the catch of the day.
