Costa del Sol Tourism Guide - Benalmadena

Benalmadena Costa Tourist Guide & Orientation

Benalmadena's main economy might be based on tourism today, but there's a history of mining in the area, specifically iron ore, dating right back to when the Phoenicians were active on the Iberian Peninsula around 600BC. Benalmadena's name is of Arab origin, Ben-Al-Madiina the Arab word translated means 'children of the mines'. More recently in the 18th century paper mills dominated the Benalmadena area alongside some vineyards. Benalmadena however, like Torremolinos, saw its biggest boom from the 1950s onwards in connection with tourism. Key Benalmadena attractions which make this a number one Costas holiday resort include the superb Benalmadena Marina, and Tivoli World Amusement park which first opened in 1973.

Add to this some of the best Costa Del Sol golf courses nearby, a delightful level promenade, a couple of historic sites, an aquarium and inland Arroyo shopping area, a quiet adjacent pueblo and one of the Costa Del Sol's highlight attractions - the cable car up to Mount Calamorro from Tivoli World and you have a receipe for resort holiday success. Benalmadena has kept up well with the times and demands of holiday visitors, retaining some of its historic links, notably the Moorish towers on the coast, the most prominent of which is the one adjacent to Benalmadena Marina.

For a good street map plan for Benalmadena see the Benalmadena Official tourist guide right. The map gives you a good idea of the huge extent of beach area here at Benalmadena. What you can also see is the distinctive three areas, all with different flavours, of Benalmadena - Benalmadena Pueblo, Benalmadena Costa/beachfront and Arroyo de la Miel. Benalmadena Pueblo is actually 300 metres up and there's no big Benalmadena hotels up here, just pretty whitewashed houses, narrow streets and relaxing small squares. Out of peak season particularly many visitors use Benalmadena Costa as a budget base for accessing the choice of outdoor activities inland around the Sierra de Mijas including a host of mountain biking and walking trails around the peaks of Cerro Castillejo (67m), Cerro del Moro (959m and Mount Calamorro (771m). Calamorro is the most popular peak, with cable car access up to the summit.

Arroyo de la Miel is Benalmadena's administrative centre with railway station and a host of shops, whilst Benalmadena Costa, the beach area, is the main tourist area with marina, beaches, a huge choice of Benalmadena hotels and apartments, a beach promenade and a selection of holiday bars, restaurants and shops. Find the Benalmadena Tourist Information office on Calle Antonio Machado, 10, 29630 Benalmadena - Costa. Tel. 952 442 494. Interesting additions are being added to Benalmadena's all year round events calendar including the October Benalmadena Short Films Festival (see weblink right for details).