Benalmadena is a town situated around 280 m above sea level on the side of the Sierra de Mijas Mountain, The town is 20 km from Malaga and is easily accesable from the motorway (Autovia de Mediterraneo). The area enjoys an average temperature of 23 degrees and an average 320 days of sun per year, However in the winter months the temperatures can drop as low as 3 deegrees at night and as high as 40 degrees in the height of summer. and has become one of the main year round tourist areas of Spain.....The population of the area rises from around 10,000 in the winter to around 35,000 at the height of the season These days Benalmadena
actually refers to 3 areas,
Benalmadena Pueblo, Arroyo de la Miel and Benalmadena
Costa.
Benalmadena Pueblo (Situated 280 m. above sea level) is atypical white spanish village with narrow streets and whitewashed houses, the town is well worth a visit there are many small interesting shops and nice cafes and restaurants. The main square, churches, houses and gardens combine to make the pueblo a village full of Spanish Character. The only down side of the village is that it has become a little over developed in recent years and can become crowded and the streets congested.
Arroyo de la Miel is a town situated between Benalmadena Pueblo and the coast, Originally the town was a small traditional village, and evidence of this can still be found around the church in the centre close to the railway station. Over the last 20 years the area has become very developed and now consists of hundreds of apartment blocks, lots of shops and a very high concentration of British bars and Restaurants.
The main nightlife area of Arroyo can be found in the Bonanza square area and the main tourist apartment blocks of Minerva, Jupiter and the Zodiac apartments are also close to this area. Arroyo is well situated because the coastal railway from Malaga to Fuengirola stops in the town, However, the beach is around a 10 minute walk away , fine going down to the beach but can be a bit exhausting walking back up the hill..Tivoli world amusement park,with rides,shows and attractions is situted in Arroyo and there is the cable car (Teleferico) which takes you on a breathtaking trip to the top of the mountain where you get a fantastic view of the areas below.There are also many large supermarkets in the town offering traditional spanish foods and a great selection of British and foreign products.
Benalmadena Costa, is as the name suggests a coastal area and not a town as such, there are hundreds of bars, restaurants, night venues, fast food units. supermarkets etc, In fact everything you would expect to find in a popular coastal resort. A cinema,shopping mall, bars and discotheques are situated in an area known as 24 hour square.
Paloma park, a tranquil park area surrounding a large lake with lots of different species of birds, the park also plays host to a weekly flee market. There is the Selwo Marina offering dolphin shows and many more attractions. The 5 star Torrequebrada hotel is situated on the Benalmadena Costa which houses the casino (Remember to take your passport with you or they will not let you in). The Paseo Maritimo (Promenade area) is well maintained and a very pleasant area for walking there are many snack and coffee bars and some fine seafood restaurants, most of the areas top tourist hotels are situated along the paseo maritimo.
The area also has some of the best and safest sandy beaches on the Costa and many of them have the EU blue flag of quality,
The Puerto Marina at Benalmadena Costa is a fabulous stylish port which certainly can give Puerto Banus a run for its money, there are lots of stylish bars and discos, many fine restaurants, coffee shops and ice cream parlours as well as boat trips water sports and some nice shops. The marina is home to 100s of yachts and boats from all over the world and offers some of the most prestigious apartments on the coast
Places
To Visit.
Teleferico
The cable car runs from the entrance of Tivoli World
over the motorway to the peak of the Carramolo mountain, a spectacular natural area where you can see the entire Costa del Sol area and on a clear day, the mountains of Africa
across the Mediterranean . T
Church of Sto. Domingo
Situated in Benalmadena Pueblo, go from
calle Real through the Plaza de Espana, to the open plaza
which is home to this 18th century church.
Benalnatura
This official nudist beach is situated in a small cove in Benalmadena situated just off the N-340 ( Fuengirola direction
and turn off at the roundabout after the Torrequebrada
steps take you down to the beach and chiringuito.
Tivoli World
Situated in Arroyo de la Miel Tivoli is the coasts No1 theme and attraction park. Lots of rides and attractions: restaurants, bars and shows, nice landscaped areas this is a real family day out, Disney land it isn´t, but a very popular attraction on the Costa.
Municipal Archaeological Museum. Avda.Juan Peralta,
43. Tel: 952 448 593.
Sea-Life Aquarium, Benalmadena Costa , Puerto Marina. Tel: 952 560 150.
Selwo Marina, Situated behind Paloma Park
Fiestas
Benalmadena hosts many fiestas through the year both cultural & religious . In Holy Week celebrations, there are
processions in Benalmadena Pueblo and Arroyo de la Miel. On Good Friday the
Passion of Christ, known as El Paso, is represented by the
people of the town. This is followed by a silent procession of the
Virgen de la Soledad, and the supports of the throne are then auctioned
off as tradition demands. At the end of June is the D?a de los Juegos
(the Day of the Games) in the Arroyo de la Miel sports centre, where
the young people of the town, just out from school, have the chance
to enjoy a day of organised fun sports together. The Dia de San Juan
is also celebrated in Arroyo, while the Dia del Carmen takes place
by the sea. The Feria of Benalmadena Pueblo takes place in the middle
of August.On Saint Patricks day Arroyo de la Miel celebrates in style (Due to areas large Irish population)
GASTRONOMY
As in the
case of nearby towns like Torremolinos and Fuengirola, the large foreign
population of Benalmadena has resulted in a local cuisine that is
part tradition, part import. Here, one can eat almost anything from
any part of the world, but the local traditional cooking is excellent
too. This is mainly made up of products from the soil and sea around
the town, with plenty of fried fish, seafood, and gazpachos, washed
down by a refreshing glass of sangria made from fresh fruit of the
area.
MARKETS & SHOPPING.
Benalmadena and Arroyo Have everything you need in terms of shops.
There is a Car boot style market held every Sunday at Tivoli World,
A very popular Flee Market at Paloma Park on Thursday and the Towns
Municipal Market on Friday behind the train station. In terms of supermarkets
There is a very large Super Sol situated in Arroyo which stocks a
large range of UK foods, but if you can't find your favorite "Home
comfort food" there then try Costaless, again in Arroyo which
specialises in Imported Uk foods. For those who need to shop late
then try Opencor in the Marina which is open untill at least 2.00am,
or the supermarket on 24 hour square slightly pricier but as the name
implies open 24/7.
PHONE NUMBERS.
First Aid 95 244 35 45
Municipal Police 95 256 21 42
Taxi Service 95 244 15 45
Tourist Office 95 244 24 94
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