BENALMADENA INFORMATION

Benalmadena is just 19 kilometers from Malaga Airport. It's easy to reach from both Malaga capital and International Airport by road, train or bus and its privileged position looking out onto the Mediterranean Sea, it is little wonder that it has grown so rapidly in size over the last 20 years and become so popular - especially with the British. It is always lively, but the busiest time of year is during the hot summer months, when holidaymakers swell the population by more than triple - up to 100,000 people.

This area offers an easy lifestyle and a comfortable climate (minimum temperatures of 5º and a summer maximum of 35º) with the light sea breezes. Many thousands of British families have bought holiday homes and a large number of them have settled down permanently to live the life of their dreams.

Benalmadena is split into three distinct areas:

Benalmádena Pueblo(The old village)

Despite the influx of foreigners, the Pueblo has managed to maintain a certain degree of decorum in the midst of the massive amounts of building works and construction developments that now surround it, where not so long ago it was rough countryside

Arroyo de la Miel

The busy commercial town centre separating the village on the hill from the sea front. Arroyo has grown rapidly, due greatly to the excellent train service running between Fuengirola and Malaga, as well as good road connection.

Benalmádena Costa

The coastal area with many hotels, beaches and the award winning Marina, with excellent port facilities, fantastic nightlife and the fabulous Aquarium.

With the huge number of resident and visiting foreign Tourists to Benalmadena and the Costa del Sol in general, the variety of types of restaurants is enormous. There are many English, Scottish and Irish pubs, most of which have live big screen sporting events. You have the choice of all nationality restaurants, including, Chinese, Italian, Dutch, Lebanese, etc. There are also plenty opportunities to try out the local dishes and the best place to go is along the beach or to the Marina and visit a "Chiringuito" (Beach Bar) where fresh fish dishes are served up with a wonderful chilled wine or a refreshing glass of sangria.

One of the best places on the Costa del Sol for nightlife is Benalmadena, with so many different types of bars, clubs, restaurants that there is always something to suit all tastes. From the latest Clubland sounds with top D.J.'s to swish sophistication and the live jazz, or salsa dancing till dawn, the Marina Port has it all.

All along the promenade, which stretches from the Bil Bil Castle to the Marina, you will see an amazing variety of mosaics done by different artists. The styles and materials differ greatly, with some artists using a ceramic finish, while others have opted for metal, wood or natural stone. The overall impression of this outdoor 'exhibition' is the result of the Plan of Local Art Development, which has encouraged local artists to add beauty to the area by exhibiting their art in this way.

The promenade is one of the smartest of the Costa del Sol and plans are afoot to extend it further. It presently covers several kilometres and stretches across the Benalmadena area with the relaxing tranquillity of sand and sea on one side and the bustling commercial hubbub of activity on the other. There are many bars and restaurants all along the sea front, where you can enjoy a pleasant time looking out across the Mediterranean or watching the world go by.

Only 25km from Malaga International Airport is the town of Fuengirola – one of the most popular destinations on the Costa del Sol.  Easily accessible by road, rail or bus, it is not difficult to see why this buzzing cosmopolitan town on the Mediterranean is the number one choice for so many different kinds of people.

Previously, a tiny fishing village, Fuengirola has become a vibrant metropolis with character. 

The advent of many up-market tapa bars and good restaurants, interspersed with chic boutiques and other shops of interest, as well as fabulous beaches makes it the perfect holiday destination.  The main square, Plaza de la Constitución, has been re-designed but still retains its unique enchantment.  It looks pretty especially at Christmas, when it is decorated with very attractive lights and ornaments. A walk down the narrow, pedestrian streets leading off the main square is a voyage of discovery for the many visitors, who come across some of the hidden secrets and delightful corners of this friendly, Andalucian town.

One of the Fuengirola’s main attractions is, of course, its wonderful seven kilometres (five miles) of sandy beaches stretching from Sohail Castle the to the west and Torreblanca to the east

Andalucia is famous for its beautiful horses. For the expert or the beginner, there is horse riding at the Rancho El Rengo. As well as riding lessons, there are organised treks around the local countryside and along the dry river bed. The stables also have a bar/restaurant – perfect for the times you have worked up an appetite after a ride. You will find Rancho El Rengo at Ctra. Cerros del Aguila, La Vega, opposite the castle.

For the keen golfer, Fuengirola is ideal, since it is right in the heart of the golfing territory of the Costa del Golf with Mijas Golf just a few kilometres from Fuengirola centre and many more courses within a very close radius.

Of course water sports are strongly featured and where better to get to grips with speed boats, jet skis or fishing gear than at the cool marina.

The choice of accommodation is vast, from 5 star luxury hotels or penthouse apartments or villas with private pool, to studio flats with sea views or fishermen’s cottages on the beach. With an average of around 320 days of sunshine a year, the only decision is when to make the move.

Always Evolving Fuengirola

If you are planning to re-visit Fuengirola after a gap of 10 years or more, prepare yourself to take in the changes. If you are considering a first time visit, you are sure to be impressed with the atmosphere, amenities and wide choice of accommodation and property for sale (in case, like most people, you want to stay a little longer!). In recent years the municipality has made enormous investments towards improving the infrastructure in Fuengirola, not only to maintain a healthy and happy tourist trade, but also to make this a wonderful place to live. The results speak for themselves and have brought Fuengirola into the 21st century, while never losing sight of the rich historic past and traditional Andalucian roots.

Since the 1960’s, foreigners have been discovering the joys of living in Fuengirola. At the beginning of the 1960’s, there were around 8,500 people living in this small village. By 1980 there were some 30,000 and now there are over 63,000 official residents. In the summer season, this number swells enormously with tourists.  

Torremolinos is a seaside resort not too far from Malaga. It offers most amenities you expect on the Spanish coast: there are hotels with swimming pools, with bars and restaurants.

Although you may find it hard to believe that just forty years ago Torremolinos was little more than a sleepy village, the old La Carihuela fishermans quarter still exists. The streets of the quarter have been pedestrianised making a pleasant walk. Many of the original cottages still exist and not all have been turned into bars or shops. Some have stood still in time. It's best to wander around the area early one morning before the tourists wake up and see a different world.

In general, however, the wave of tourists who descended on the town in the fifties and sixties changed the face of Torremolinos for ever, which doesn't mean you can't enjoy yourself here.

The Aquapark near the Palacio de Congresos has Europe’s largest water-slide and is a great attraction for children - and grown-ups who are still young at heart