Type of holidays:
All types of holidays are to be had in Benalmadena. Self catering or bed and breakfast stays are popular, since there are plenty of great options for eating out, many of which are inexpensive.
However, for the budget minded, there are half-board, full-board and all-inclusive options as well.
Main holiday season:
Summer is the main holiday season in Benalmadena, with temperatures climbing to
104°F (40°C) in August.
For those that want to avoid the crowds of tourists but enjoy pleasant weather, spring and autumn are also great times of the year to visit.
With 325 days of sunshine a year, you can expect mild and pleasant weather, no matter when you visit.
Popular excursions:
Benalmadena has plenty of different types of excursions.
Visiting the Puerto Marina is a must for visitors in the area. It has been labeled the "Best Marina in the World," a tribute to its Venetian-style architecture, famous nightlife, and abundant shopping and dining options.
The Old Village of Benalmadena Pueblo is also worth a visit. Guided tours come in many forms.
One is Discover Sailing. In either one or two-hour cruises, small groups can tour the surrounding waters, take sailing lessons, rope surf, or just watch the sea life.
By land, Rangers Jeep Safari takes visitors through small Spanish villages, with traditional food provided.
For a well-rounded tour, there is Gibraltar Rock Tour. It includes amazing views, historic WWII tunnels, the infamous Barbary Apes, and free time to shop, explore or have lunch.
Popular sports and activities:
There are many activities in Benalmadena that are great for families and people of all ages. One is the serene Parque De La Paloma. Children will indeed find the play area and climbing frame great fun, but adults will also enjoy the cool bar/café and the weekly flea and produce market.
Also, the Playa Mini Golf Espana caters to all ages with fun for kids and great prices on food and drink for adults.
Another of these activities is the Teleferico Benalmadena tram. Children and adults alike will be amazed by this steep climb with an entertaining birds of prey show at the peak.
The Sea Life Aquarium is small, but it offers guests the opportunity to get very close to many different species of marine life, while the Butterfly Park is the biggest in Europe.
For adults-only enjoyment, there are several spas in the area such as Agua de Oriente, which offers two-hour sessions in pools and a relaxing massage at the end.
Beaches:
Popular beaches in Benalmadena include Malapesquera, Santa Ana, Torrevijia and Viborillas.
All of these are extremely busy during the summer months offer plenty of water sports, including jet skiing and parasailing. Sun beds are available to rent for those that want to work on their tan.
For families, Torre Bermeja Beach and Carvajal Beach are both great choices. Though less crowded, they have activities such as volleyball, windsurfing and fishing while still being close to the main part of town.
Arroyo Beach is popular with swimmers, while both Benalnatura and Las Yucas Beach cater to nudists.
Nightlife:
For a night on the town, visit Benalmadena 24-Hour Square. There are about 16 bars and 4 clubs here.
Linekers is a popular non-Spanish bar, while Jester's is the self-proclaimed "Party Club."
Buddy's Bar has a great atmosphere and caters to children, while Bar Ole has indoor and outdoor seating to allow guests to enjoy, reportedly, the best mojitos in the area.
The atmosphere at the off-the-beaten-path Buddha Bar is worth finding, and Shamrock Irish Pub shows live sporting events of all kinds.
For an elegant night out, attend the flamenco extravaganza of Sala Fortuna.
Most popular hotels/resorts:
The accommodation options in Benalmadena are vast.
Las Arenas Hotel has a great location, near the beach with Palomo Park just around the corner, while Sunset Beach Club is centrally located.
Palmasol Hotel offers great value, with access to the gardens, marina, beach, shops and restaurants.
There are plenty of self-catering options for those that want to take advantage of the local dining options.
For the best dining experience, Hotel Casa Rosa offers a great menu, Riu Puerto Marina Hotel has two time slots for the evening meal so that the dining room is not overcrowded, and Hotel Triton, in addition to its perfect location between Benalmadena's main street and the promenade, has a wide variety on its menu.
All-inclusive stays are recommended at the Siroco Hotel since it is such a good value and at the Holiday Village Hotel.
Other places, such as the two-star Balmoral Hotel are close to so many cafés and restaurants that self catering is no problem. This is also true of Minerva Jupiter Apartments, which also offers studio apartments for shorter stays or for those who just plan on using their room as a base.
Other excellent accommodation include Vista de Rey, which is actually in nearby Torremuelle but has instant access to the train station for travelling, and the Playabonita Hotel, with its beach front location.