In addition to Torremolinos and Fuengirola, the small village town Benalmadena is perfect for your day trip or excursion from Marbella. Located high on a hillside, this is a traditional Spanish village, graced with the typical Andalusian culture and charming rural lifestyle.
Primarily a tourist town, its natural appeal is well-established with the presence of the sea and picturesque mountains. Over the years, the area has been developed with the creation of infrastructure to support sports, leisure and recreation activities in order to cater larger tourist interest.
Holidaymakers who visit Malaga, Marbella or any other nearest Costa del Sol town, mostly prefer Benalmadena as a quick excursion trip. However, this small town offers a great sightseeing option with a number of monuments and activities with leisure parks and beaches for a full-fledged holiday.
What to Do in Benalmadena
Benalmadena municipality is divided into three different areas: the village Benalmadena Pueblo with typical Andalusian whitewashed buildings and narrow cobbled streets; the Benalmadena Costa, the centre of town nightlife with hotels, restaurants, bars and pubs; and finally the busy commercial town of Arroyo de la Miel.
The Benalmadena Costa region is very much popular among seasoned tourists who flock here for their quality holiday. While Marbella is considered as rich men’s playground; Benalmadena attracts tourists from all background with sun, beaches, and plenty of option for leisure and recreation.
Estupa de la Iluminacion in Benalmadena
The original old town of Benalmadena has few monuments and sites such as the Bil Bil Castle, Buddhist temple or the La estupa de la Iluminacion (Enlightenment Stupa), El castillo de Colomares (the Castle dedicated to Christopher Columbus), Iglesia de Santo Domingo de Guzman, Plaza de Espana (Arroyo), among others.
While the beaches, marina and golf course fall in the Benalmadena Costa area, the Tivoli theme park, the Parque de la Paloma, Gondola Cable Car and the Ice Club in Arroyo de la Miel bring a wide range of leisure time activities.
Distance between Marbella and Benalmadena
Regular bus services are available from Marbella to Benalmadena Pueblo which takes approx 40-50 minutes. Check the Portillo bus timetable for exact details. In case, you want to drive your own vehicle or hire a taxi, it takes just about 25 minutes to reach.
