Malaga surroundings, part 2. Benalmadena

Benalmádena Attractions

Benalmadena(Benalmadena). It is a small but very important and significant city in Andalusia. Only 40 minutes south-west of Málaga and its attractions, and you'll find yourself in another one of Spain's best holiday resorts. There is so much to see and do here, so if you have more than one free day, be sure to visit everything this amazing city has to offer.

Benalmadena, places of interest

Benalmadena is made up of three main neighbourhoods: Benalmadena Pueblo, Arroyo de la Miel and Benalmadena Costa.

Benalmadena pueblo(Benalmadena Pueblo)

This is where the village began, which has grown over time and is now a full-fledged town with its own stories, secrets and interesting places to visit. It is an absolutely charming neighbourhood with white houses decorated with flowers and narrow streets. Here, in the central Plaza de España, in the centre of the fountain is one of the symbols of Benalmádena, ‘La Niña’. This bronze statue of a girl offering water in a basin symbolises hospitality and friendliness.

Colomares Castle(El Castillo Monumento de Colomares)

Not to be missed is the extraordinary architectural structure near the square - the Colomares Castle(El Castillo Monumento de Colomares). Built more than 30 years ago, this monument can be considered a landmark of Benalmadena. The amazing 1,500 m² complex tells the story of Christopher Columbus' adventure and his discovery of the New World. Its history is carved in stone, concrete and brick, and a little in glass and wood. The main elements of this composition are the ‘Santa Maria’, the ‘Niña’ and the ‘Pinta’, the ships involved in the voyage of Columbus in those distant times. Here you will see the palace, fountains, towers and the smallest chapel in the world (it measures only 1.96 m², for which it was included in the Guinness Book of Records) This complex is fascinating, you must visit it!

Enlightenment Stupa of Benalmádena(Estupa de la Iluminación)

The Stupa of Enlightenment(Estupa de la Iluminación) is another interesting iconic monument of this neighbourhood and Benalmadena itself. It is a temple built on an observation deck with scenic views that invite contemplation and quiet reflection. It is one of the few temples in the world open to the public for meditation. Every week the Stupa hosts classes, exhibitions and Buddhist festivals. The Benalmadena Stupa is designed after Tibetan stupas and represents harmony, prosperity and peace.

Butterfly Park(Mariposario Benalmadena)

This amazing indoor butterfly park in Benalmádena is in Thai style, harmonising with the Stupa of Enlightenment just next door. One of the largest places in Europe dedicated to butterflies. It is a tropical garden with flowers and waterfalls, 8 metres high and more than 900 m² in area, in which about 1500 butterflies of exotic species from all over the world fly freely. Here you can spend up to 1.5 hours learning a lot of new and interesting things about the birth of butterflies, their reproduction and their peculiarities. It is a pleasure to watch them. Other animals can also be seen here - turtles, iguanas, birds, fish...

Arroyo de la Miel(Arroyo de la Miel)

Arroyo de la Miel - ‘Stream of Honey’ is how it translates from Spanish. It is believed that the area was once home to a large number of honey bearing plants, which created many bee apiaries, which is how the area got its name. It is now where the majority of Benalmadena's population lives and is the centre of activity and commercial life. In addition to the many shops, there are also many interesting attractions that attract tourists to the area.

Selvo Marina Dolphinarium(Selwo Marina)

An aquarium and marine life park covering more than 1.5 hectares. Walking around Selwo Marina, you will be transported to the hot South and Central America, to the cold of the Arctic and Antarctic, where you will see many different species of flora and fauna, that are characteristic of these places. It has the only penguinarium on ice in this part of Spain, as well as a huge pool where they have shows with magnificent dolphins. The duration of the visit is approximately 3 hours, it will be an amazing and unforgettable trip!

Paloma Park(Parque de la Paloma)

A large green area next to the dolphinarium in the city centre, where you can take a walk with your family and see the animals and birds living here. There are sports grounds for sports enthusiasts, and for children there are playgrounds with play areas, slides and swings. If you are tired of the heat and the hustle and bustle of the city, you can sit on one of the many benches in the shade of trees or have a cool drink in local cafes.

Cable car in Benalmadena(Teleferico Benalmadena)

Rightly considered one of the main attractions of the province of Málaga. The route starts from the Arroyo de la Miel station. You will be provided with a small but comfortable cabin that can accommodate up to 4 people. The journey will take about 15 minutes, but during the ascent you will enjoy magnificent views of the neighbourhood, then the sea with the coastal part of the city and ends at the top of Mount Calamorro, where visitors can walk to three observation decks with stunning views of the Costa del Sol. Also, at the top of this mountain you can see the aviaries with birds of prey and attend an amazing performance with their participation, which usually takes place three times a day, but it is necessary to check and ask for the time of this event at the departure station.

Benalmadena Costa( Benalmadena Costa)

The coastal area of Benalmadena with its upscale beaches, harbour area and hotels. It is the main tourist area and offers literally everything for relaxation and entertainment. During the day, locals and holidaymakers alike laze in the sun and swim in the Mediterranean Sea. And the evenings here are lively and noisy. There are many shops with souvenirs and necessary goods. And numerous cafes and restaurants offer surprisingly tasty local cuisine.