Benalmadena: Modern Authenticity

Unpretentious, welcoming and carefree, Benalmadena has come a long way since the 1980s and 1990s. Today, this modern resort has added a lot of culture, style and charm to its usual 'cheap and cheerful' starting point. Bordered by Torremolinos and Fuengirola, Benalmadena Costa's architectural make-up is unashamedly different.

Benalmadena is an accessible destination for both second-home and year-round residents

Benalmadena video guide

While its neighbours streaked ahead in the package holiday race, Benalmadena grew at a more considered rate. Today, the promenade is wide, with a lot of superb cafés, bars and restaurants fronted by a huge beach.

The award-winning Puerto Marina yacht harbour combines living and office space. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, shops and even a Sealife Centre. Beyond this, the wide tree-lined streets are fresh and modern, hinting at a classically Spanish influence but quite international in their make-up.

The atmosphere throughout town is impressively welcoming, with a distinct family-friendly feel evident at every step. Indeed, aside from the bars and clubs on the main "24-Hour Square" (Plaza Solymar), Benalmadena seems targeted at children.

Cosmopolitan Residential Developments

Head a couple of kilometres inland from the coast and you reach Benalmadena Pueblo. The original epicentre and an authentic Spanish village, complete with quaint Andalucian townhouses, cobblestoned streets and narrow alleys.

Property developments on the northern outskirts of town have a wide cross-section of residents from all over the world. Both cosmopolitan and charming, Benalmadena delivers fun-filled holidays all year round. As a result, is an affordable and accessible destination for both second-home and year-round residents.

Property for sale on the Costa del Sol

Benalmadena Guide - Wonderful cosmopolitan lifestyle in Benalmadena

Wonderful cosmopolitan lifestyle in Benalmadena

There are three main routes into Benalmadena but, whichever way you arrive, your first move is likely to be one that involves making a beeline for the beach. Every single stretch of sand is spotlessly clean, with gentle surf all along, ideal for families with young children.

Water sports enthusiasts will be buoyed by the choice of activities on offer along the promenade. There are several typically British (and other European) establishments, but we recommend trying the exceptional seafood restaurants.

Benalmadena Guide - Stunning views from Benalmadena's cable car

Stunning views from Benalmadena's cable car

Day-Time Pursuits and Evening Pleasures

During the day, Puerto Marina throbs with activity while, away from the shore, there are a couple of beautiful parks (complete with shaded walkways and fragrant pine trees), plenty of pretty squares, and a maze of quaint and peaceful residential streets.

For ex-pats, Benalmadena has pretty much everything a family or couple could ever need, including an international college and bilingual nursery, the Arroyo de la Miel commercial district and a wealth of traders orientated towards the ex-pat community and on hand to assist with day-to-day living requirements such as gardening, satellite TV installation and getting your hair cut in a language you understand.

And if that were not enough, Benalmadena is also home to the Selwo Marina, complete with performing dolphins, penguins and killer whales; as well as the Teleférico cable car, taking passengers to the top of the Calamorro Mountain.

The compact size of Benalmadena makes the resort an easy one for planning a night out. Hardcore party animals have it nice and simple – the 24-Hour Square is home to approximately 20 pubs and clubs. Puerto Marina also has its fair share of late-night bars and clubs. With higher prices and an ostensibly classier outlook, the bars found here are less crowded but still wonderfully atmospheric and a firm favourite with youngsters, couples and families from Málaga, Europe and beyond.

Benalmadena Guide - Serene seaside life in modern marina

Serene seaside life in a modern marina

Diverse Social Ambience in Benalmadena

Elsewhere, the line of pubs that front the coastal road deliver a more sedate evening, where everyone is welcome, colourful cocktails are a common sight and the strained warblings of slightly inebriated karaoke enthusiasts waft on the still air.

Benalmadena's promenade is ideal for romantic moonlit walks, while the Tivoli World amusement park hosts shows, concerts and other social events throughout the summer.

Benalmadena is home to the largest Buddhist temple in the western world