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Welcome to the definitive guide for holidaymakers and tourists visiting Benalmadena and Arroyo de la Miel on Spain's Costa del Sol. If you follow the site menu on the left, you will find everything you need to enjoy a fantastic visit here including local transport information, hotel and apartment accommodation, places to go and things to do. We have a page specifically for children's entertainment venues and another detailing the best places to eat, drink and be entertained. There are interactive maps of the resort, and mini guides for cities, towns and villages that you may wish to visit on an organized excursion, hire car or public transport.
There is so much to do in Benalmadena itself that that you are really spoilt for choice, and with over three hundred sunny days each year, rain is unlikely to spoil your visit here.
Some of the main attractions are the Paseo Maritimo or promenade that stretches the length of the resort, and with a small break at Benalmadena's wonderful Puerto Marina, continues on to the neighbouring resort of Torremolinos.
Paloma Park with it's large lake, water plume and beautiful trees and landscaped gardens is a favourite with children and adults alike. Rabbits, peacocks and other wildlife roam freely. Contained inside the park is a cactus garden with species from all over the world. There are also two childrens playgrounds and three cafes.
The world class Arabian style Puerto Marina. which has over one thousand moorings, is Benalmadena's centerpiece and should not be missed. It houses many restaurants, bars, discotheques and shops, and should be visited both in the daytime and after dark.
In Avenida Garcia Lorca you will find the new indoor swimming pool and ice skating rink.
The Cable Car or teleferico ride from Arroyo de la Miel to the top of Monte Calamorro is another popular attraction. The ten minute journey provides fantastic panoramic views over the area, and on a clear day you may even get a glimpse of the north African coast.
And finally, lets not forget the munincipalities historic centre, Benalmadena Pueblo, dating back to Moorish times. The village still retains Benalmadena's town hall and mayoral office. The Pueblo sits on a hillside, 280 metres above sea level with marvellous views across Malaga bay. On a clear day, vivid views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range can also be seen. Over the years the developers have moved up the hillside from the coast, but the Pueblo has still managed to retain its character as a typical Andalucian village, with its whitewashed houses, narrow cobbled streets and balconies decorated with flowers according to the season.
Whilst walking around the streets, you will come across natural springs which were put to many uses in days gone by, for example the spring at Calle Chorrillo fed the stream where until the 1960s the ladies from the village did their laundry. The main village square in the centre of the pueblo is Plaza de Espana and contains the statue known as Fuente de la Nina. This is of a young girl who has become the symbol of Benalmadena, and her outline is on all official tourist information and websites.
There are many places of interest to visit in the village, including the museum with its many artefacts and collections of Columbian relics. Castillo Colomares commemorates Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World. Built by a father and son and completed in the early 1990s, to some it looks like a fairy castle as you approach, but it is not what you imagine a castle to be.
Just outside the village is the Estupa with its gold copula. This is the largest Buddhist monument in the western world and is well worth a visit even if it's just for the fantastic views towards Fuengirola and beyond.
Returning to the Pueblo itself, a visit to the Church of Santo Domingo, sitting high on a promontory with magnificent views in all directions is another highlight not to miss.
There are many tapas bars and restaurants to visit here where you can take refreshment and people watch. After a while you too will become to understand why the Pueblo, even with all the tourists is still just a village at heart.
On leaving the Pueblo, and as you head down the hill towards Arroyo de la Miel, you will pass the sports centre with outdoor swimming pool and fitness centre. Next to this is the munincipalities bull ring.
A frequent bus service operates from Benalmadena Costa and Arroyo de la Miel to the Pueblo, and takes around half an hour.
As well as being the perfect summer holiday resort, other times to visit the resorts are for the festivals of Easter, (Semana Santa), and the eve of Three Kings day, (Los Reyes), which is the day the Spanish really celebrate Christmas, and is accompanied with fantastic parades through the streets of Benalmadena and Arroyo de la Miel. The Three Kings parades on the evening of 5th of January includes children aboard colourful floats throwing sweets to the crowds. It is always advisable to carry an umbrella, not for the rain, but to protect yourself from these sweet missiles. All the main streets are decorated with beautiful lighting effects. The other main festivals held locally are Corpus Christi and San Juan in June, and La Virgen del Carmen, (protectress of seamen), in July. Also in June is the feria, (fair), which is held at the top end of Parque Paloma.
If you have never visited Benalmadena previously, we are certain that after reading through our pages of information, you will have all the knowledge you need to have a great, fun filled holiday, and you will return as we have, many times.
You may even want to consider timeshares here to secure accommodations year after year. As with anything research is important. You can explore options before you go. We hope you enjoy exploring all of our site.
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