Located on the Costa del Sol the historic coastal town of Benalm\u00e1dena boasts a port, a town centre and an old town \u2013 three distinctly different areas.<\/p>\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThe Paseo\u00a0Mar\u00edtimo Benalm\u00e1dena is a long promenade, lined with caf\u00e9s, bars and souvenir shops typical of many seaside towns. <\/strong>But this little town also has a fascinating history that has resulted in some interesting sites <\/strong>behind its sea front.\u00a0<\/strong> Since the Phoenicians arrived during the seventh and eighth centuries BC many different civilisations have left their mark here including the Romans and the Arabs. Its name derived from the Arab words\u00a0\u201cBen-al-Madina\u201d, meaning \u201cChildren of the mines\u201d. <\/p>\n Historically the main activities associated with the town were fishing, agriculture and the manufacture of paper. Many artefacts associated with the early settlements can be seen in the Archaeological Museum. At the core of this museum is the private collection of D.Felipe Orlando, a Mexican who once lived here. He gifted this collection to the town on condition it was exhibited in the locality. The museum is located in Benalm\u00e1dena Pueblo the old town of Benalm\u00e1dena. Arroya de la Miel, the town centre, and Puerto Marina\u00a0Benalm\u00e1dena, the port are the other two separate areas of the town.<\/p>\n A rather plain fa\u00e7ade of the small shopping mall that fronts the marina at the far end of the town does not reflect what lies beyond or encourage exploration. But on the other side visitors will marvel at the award winning Puerto Marina Benalm\u00e1dena. This splendid marina has been voted Best Marina in the World several times since it opened in 1979. <\/p>\n International recognition derives from the mix of Indian, Arabic and Andalucian architectural styles of the residential islands.\u00a0\u00a0These blocks of luxury apartments are accessed by little bridges spanning the water. There are moorings for over one thousand boats and yachts on the marina which is surrounded by a covered walkway.\u00a0 The busy waterside of the marina features caf\u00e9s, quality restaurants and some upmarket shops makes a popular attraction in\u00a0Benalm\u00e1dena. Another, more peaceful attraction located at the opposite end of the promenade is a beautiful park,\u00a0El Parque de la Paloma.<\/p>\n The park is a short walk up the hill just beyond the large red\u00a0<\/strong>Moorish style Bil-Bil Castle. This distinctive building was once a private residence but is now the municipal cultural centre and a good landmark for finding the park. Created as part of the local council\u2019s green spaces El Parque de la Paloma (The Dove Park) was opened to the public in 1995. A large, artificial lake dominates the landscape and features a circular walk sprouting paths to further explore the park and gardens. The lake is home to turtles as well as flocks of water fowl including ducks, moorhens and swans. Mouflon sheep in their own enclosure are a favourite here. <\/p>\n Other attractions include three huge bronze heads sculpted by Jos\u00e9 Seguiri and known as\u00a0\u201cLas cabezas\u201d\u00a0or the \u2018three heads\u2019. When they first arrived in Benalm\u00e1dena in 2007 they were exhibited in the marina on a breakwater. They are representative of the fallen civilisations that preceded ours. The formal gardens in the park embrace\u00a0a bamboo area, a pond covered by water lilies and one of the most important cactus and succulent gardens in Europe. Towering above a small lake at one extreme of this large park is the municipal library which is next to an adventure playground. A restaurant, caf\u00e9s and bars, picnic areas, play areas and an auditorium for concerts are among the amenities here. The town centre,\u00a0Arroyo de la Miel (stream of honey), is within walking distance of this park or a short ride on the public bus in an alternative. The main attraction in this area is the\u00a0cable car to the top of Monte\u00a0Calamorro.<\/p>\n Arroyo de la Miel was originally the site of a farm from which it derived its name. After the farm was purchased for the purpose of building paper mills it evolved into an industrial complex that became the nucleus of the town. Today, its narrow, cobbled streets and small courtyards peppered with orange trees create an ambience very different from the coastal area. This is where the town\u2019s railway station was built and the start of the Telef\u00e9rico Benalm\u00e1dena. <\/p>\n Open every day the small cabins rise gently to the top of Monte\u00a0Calamorro. Tickets are available online and are cheaper if bought from the official website. Should the cable car be closed due to adverse weather these tickets can be used on a date other than the one for which they were booked. The ascent up the mountain is a thrilling experience. But the cable car stops just below the peak and this is where the real adventure begins. There are two peaks linked by well-constructed stone paths with hand rails. Glorious panoramic views on both sides of these peaks are the reward for walking to their summits. A long wooden walkway on the descent from the top goes past the home of a\u00a0collection of birds of prey. Weather permitting these birds perform in a show twice daily (extra charge applies). There are regular local buses between the town centre and Benalm\u00e1dena Pueblo, the old town, a few kilometres away.<\/p>\n In the pretty little settlement of Benalm\u00e1dena Pueblo visitors can enjoy a taste of the real Spain in both senses. Its narrow cobbled streets lead to the Plaza de Espa\u00f1a a traditional square featuring two restaurants and a sculpture of the town\u2019s emblem \u2018Ni\u00f1a de Benalm\u00e1dena\u2019. Wall gardens \u2013 potted plants attached to the whitewashed walls of the little houses \u2013 brighten up the streets leading to Benalm\u00e1dena\u2019s oldest church. Extended and renovated several times the seventeenth century Church of Santo Domingo de Guzman stands proud in its own plaza. It is distinguished by a bulrush belfry containing three bells and a clock. <\/p>\n A gate from its plaza, which looks out over the coast below, leads into the Jardines del Muro. These gardens were created\u00a0in1980 by the Canarian architect C\u00e9sar Manrique. They follow the line of the old Muslim wall incorporating\u00a0\u00a0the sections that are still standing. Features of these lovely gardens include a lake, a waterfall and an oriental style gazebo. There are several viewpoints on the paths through the gardens from which there are wonderful views of the coast below the old town. The gate at the bottom of the gardens opens on to the road that goes down the hill to the Castillo de Colomares. Young families will enjoy spending some time exploring this modern, fantastical interpretation of ships sailed by Christopher Colombus. But a bit further out of the town is an attractions one would not expect to find in Spain, a stupa.<\/p>\n The Tibetan Buddhist Stupa of Enlightenment graces a cliff top close to Benalm\u00e1dena Pueblo. This pristine, white building was inspired by Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche, a Buddhist master from\u00a0Bhutan, who was a frequent visitor to the area. It is the largest stupa in the western world and adjacent to two other interesting attractions. <\/p>\n Next door is the\u00a0Parque R\u00fastico El Reta the site of an annual, traditional Passion Play performed by over 150 amateur actors from\u00a0Benalm\u00e1dena. Entitled El Paso de Benalm\u00e1dena on the Costa del Sol it\u2019s audience grows larger every year. The\u00a0Monowa Butterfly Park, one of the largest butterfly parks in the world, is just across the road from the park. Its landscaped tropical garden incorporating little waterfalls that cascade into a water feature is home to a host of brilliantly coloured butterflies. Over 150\u00a0different species from across the world are represented by the\u00a01500 butterflies that are kept here.\u00a0<\/p>\n Malaga is the closest airport to Benalm\u00e1dena It is an easy journey from the airport to the town on public transport by either bus or train. For more information about Benalm\u00e1dena., click\u00a0here.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Valery Collins is a travel writer from south-west England, UK. Her passion for travel covers everything from luxury safaris to sylish ski goggles. A keen photographer Valery uses her own images to ullustrate her writing and social media posts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n Receive similar content direct to your inbox.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.aluxurytravelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The-Promenade-of-Benalmadena-in-Spain-920x767.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nPuerto Marina\u00a0Benalm\u00e1dena\u00a0on the Costa del Sol<\/h2>\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nEl Parque de la Paloma in Benalm\u00e1dena<\/h2>\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nTelef\u00e9rico Benalm\u00e1dena in Benalm\u00e1dena\u00a0<\/h2>\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nEverything you need to plan your trip in 2026<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Benalm\u00e1dena Pueblo<\/h2>\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThe Stupa of Enlightenment in\u00a0Benalm\u00e1dena Pueblo<\/h2>\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nGetting there<\/h2>\n
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Valery Collins<\/h3>\n
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