Benalmádena is a picturesque Spanish town on the Costa del Sol, in the province of Málaga, Andalusia. The town lies just 19 km west of Málaga and is one of the most popular tourist destinations on this coast. Benalmádena is a fine blend of cultural heritage, modern comforts and stunning sea and mountain scenery. The municipality covers 27 km². According to the 2023 census, it has 75,801 inhabitants.
Benalmádena: climate and weather by season
Benalmádena delights its visitors with a Mediterranean climate. Summer here is long, with high temperatures reaching 30°C and more, while winters are usually mild and warm. This pleasant climate makes the town attractive to tourists and permanent residents alike.
July, August, September and October are the best time for a holiday in Benalmádena.
At this time air temperatures range from +26.5°C to +30.2°C, and rain is rare.
The sea in Benalmádena is warm, with water temperatures from +20.5°C to +22.5°C, perfect for swimming. In season there are up to 27 to 31 sunny days a month.
In the low season, in winter, the air warms up to +15°C and the water to +14°C, with rain on up to 3 days a month and 21 sunny days a month.
The history of Benalmádena
The history of Benalmádena is rich in the influence of different cultures. From the Romans and the Moors to the Christian period, each era has left its own unique mark on the town’s architecture and culture.
Benalmádena officially became a town in 1840. Since then it has been transformed from a fishing village into a beautiful resort that attracts tourists from all over the world.
The first settlements in Benalmádena date from the Upper Palaeolithic, as shown by remains found in several caves in the municipality: Cuevas del Toro, Los Botijos and La Zorrera.
The Phoenicians arrived on these shores in the 7th and 8th centuries BC, starting an exchange of cultures that included farming methods, livestock raising and trade. Evidence of this is the remains of Phoenician settlements in the municipality.
Later came the Romans, and many traces of their settlements survive in the coastal areas of Benalmádena. Of particular interest are the ruins of a salting factory in the Benal-Roma area, as well as the remains of other villages and fishing installations in the Torremuelle and Capellanía areas.
After a long period in which different cultures interacted in Benalmádena, the area was occupied by the Arabs, to whom the municipality owes its name. The Arabic “Ben al-Madina” can be translated as “Sons of the mines”. This may be linked to a number of mines in the area, from which iron ore and, above all, ochre had been extracted since Phoenician times.
After the Reconquista, the Christian reconquest of the territory, a dark period began in the town’s history, as it was almost depopulated because local people feared attacks from the sea. Several attempts were made to resettle the municipality, but all of them ended in failure or near failure.
Only after the beginning of the 18th century did the area gradually start to regain its population, helped in part by the creation of several paper mills (four making white paper and two making brown paper), which brought social stability. This industry dominated for about twenty years and was followed at the dawn of the 19th century by the spread of farming, especially winegrowing. The local grape variety became a monoculture across the whole area until, at the beginning of the 20th century, an outbreak of phylloxera (Latin: Dactylosphaera vitifoliae, a vine pest) destroyed harvests on a massive scale and led to a serious economic decline.
Over the years what had once been the coastal fortifications and the castle of Benalmádena (on the site of today’s Wall of Benalmádena Pueblo, Spanish: el Muro de Benalmádena Pueblo) fell into ruin, so only small remains of the fortress of those times have survived to the present day.
Sights of Benalmádena
The town has a rich history and offers many interesting places to visit and spend your free time. Let us look at some of them.
The Girl of Benalmádena (La Niña de Benalmádena)
Today the symbol of the town is a bronze statue of a girl known as “The Girl of Benalmádena” (La Niña de Benalmádena), placed in the Plaza de España at the end of the 1960s. Its author, Jaime Fernández Pimentel, foresaw the revival of the town’s economy through tourism, and his sculpture was originally made for an international film festival held here in the middle of the last century.
Towers, parks and the centre of Benalmádena
As the town of Benalmádena rises 280 metres above sea level, it offers fine viewpoints over the coast and its towers from the time of the Catholic Monarchs, Torrequebrada and Vigía Bermeja.
For a stroll, head to Arroyo de la Miel, a district in the centre of town. “Honey Stream” was the name of a sugar mill that stood here in the 18th century, and today you can admire old buildings and well-kept streets here. There are also several inexpensive hotels.
The town centre has kept its traditional architecture of narrow streets and white houses covered in bright flowers. Thanks to the strong growth of tourism, this old part of Benalmádena has all the modern amenities and service centres. It is home to one of the largest leisure ports on the coast, Puerto Marina Benalmádena; a large green park with an artificial lake, footpaths, playgrounds and cafés, Parque de la Paloma; and one of the best-known casinos in the area, Casino Torrequebrada, which opened in 1980.
Felipe Orlando Museum of Pre-Columbian Art (El Museo de Arte Precolombino Felipe Orlando)
The town has an interesting museum of Pre-Columbian art, the Felipe Orlando Museum, El Museo de Arte Precolombino Felipe Orlando. It is a unique part of Andalusia’s cultural heritage, holding one of the most important collections from Pre-Columbian America, as well as examples of crafts from Mexico, Peru, Nicaragua, Colombia and Ecuador. Two great civilisations of Pre-Columbian America, Mesoamerica (ancient Mexico) and the Central Andes (ancient Peru), form the two main cores around which the whole collection is organised.
Visitors to the museum can see a variety of handmade objects and household items from ancient cultures, as well as finely detailed “pretty women” sculptures from Mesoamerica that symbolise fertility.
The exhibits come from the private collection of Felipe Orlando García-Murciano, a well-known artist, poet, writer and anthropologist of Mexican origin, who donated it to Benalmádena, turning his residence in the town into a unique museum, which he personally curated from its opening in 1970 until his death.
The Felipe Orlando Museum of Pre-Columbian Art also displays a collection of archaeological finds from various sites in the town, which takes you on a whole journey through the history of the municipality, starting with its first settlers, whose household objects are more than 5,000 years old.
Admission to the museum is free. It is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 to 13:30 and from 17:00 to 19:00, and on Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 to 14:00.
Colomares Castle (Castillo Monumento Colomares)
Colomares Castle, Castillo Monumento Colomares, is another interesting sight worth visiting in Benalmádena. It is an unusual monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus that looks like a castle and a ship at the same time. The castle walls offer breathtaking views.
Benalmádena Butterfly Park
For educational and enjoyable outings with children, the Benalmádena Butterfly Park, Mariposario de Benalmádena, is ideal. This colourful and fascinating park is located next to the Thai temple; it is home to more than 1,500 butterflies, has a gift shop and runs educational tours.
Benalmádena: beaches
The beaches of Benalmádena are an essential part of what the Costa del Sol offers tourists. Below we describe each of them in a little more detail.
Playa Carvajal
With its fine sand and calm waters, Carvajal beach can be called a family beach. It has all the services you need on holiday, including sunbed and parasol hire, as well as beach bars where you can cool off with a cold drink.
Playa de Malapesquera
Malapesquera beach is close to Benalmádena marina and is popular for its long shoreline, ideal for walks, and its lively atmosphere. There are sports facilities, restaurants and bars along the busy promenade.
Playa Arroyo de La Miel
Arroyo de La Miel beach is perfect for those looking for a quieter, more peaceful place for their holiday. The beach takes its name from the nearby district of Arroyo de La Miel, and it offers a relaxed, soothing setting with comfort and the basic beach services.
Playa Torrevigía
Torrevigía beach lies in a small cove and stands out for its crystal-clear waters and picturesque surroundings. It is a wonderful choice for those who want to get away from the noise and bustle and enjoy the natural setting.
Playa de Benalnatura
Benalnatura beach is the ideal place for those who want to relax in harmony with their own body and the environment, as it is a nudist beach. Here, among the greenery and in a calm atmosphere, you can freely enjoy the sun and the sea without clothes.
Playa Torre Bermeja
Torre Bermeja is a small beach with a relaxed and soothing atmosphere. It is a lovely place to unwind, with views of a historic landmark, the old Torre Bermeja defence tower.
Playa La Perla
La Perla tempts visitors with its golden sand and clear water, promising the most pleasant beach experience. The beach is close to the tourist area and offers a range of services and water activities.
Playa de Santa Ana
Santa Ana beach is right in the centre of Benalmádena, so it is always buzzing. With its wide choice of beachfront cafés, restaurants and shops, it is deservedly popular with tourists.
Playa Las Viborillas
Las Viborillas beach is surrounded by rocks, which gives it a special landscape. Compared with the previous ones it is a fairly quiet beach, well suited to those looking for privacy, peace and unhurried walks away from the crowds.
Playa Las Yucas
Las Yucas is a beach popular with young, active and sporty people, including water sports fans. There are also several chiringuitos, beach bars where you can enjoy local snacks and cool cocktails right by the sea.
Choosing a beach in Benalmádena to suit your taste and mood is easy, as each of them meets the two main criteria: cleanliness and safety.
Benalmádena: property
Benalmádena attracts not only tourists but also people looking for property to buy on the Costa del Sol. The town offers a range of options, from simple apartments in the centre to apartments with views on the seafront and luxury villas with their own grounds and pool.
According to the idealista.com portal, in January 2024 the average price of housing in Benalmádena was €3,017/m². For comparison, in the provincial capital, Málaga, the average price of housing is €2,687/m².
Prices vary by property type as follows:
- Townhouses and semi-detached houses: €2,523/m².
- Flats and apartments: €3,396/m².
- Detached houses and cottages: €3,566/m².
- Villas: €3,653/m².
- Duplexes: €3,875/m².
Benalmádena is a wonderful town that embodies the spirit of the Mediterranean lifestyle. Whether you are coming here on holiday or planning to buy a home of your own, this resort town promises everyone an unforgettable experience, and the specialists at Alegria are always happy to answer your questions and help you choose a home.
