Benalmádena is situated on the side of the Sierra de Mijas, at 280 metres above sea level, and easy to get to from Malaga, just 20 kilometres away, by the Autovía de Mediterráneo. There are also train and bus links to the town from Malaga. The climate is mild, varying between a minimum winter temperature of five degrees and 35 in summer.
Over the past twenty years Benalmádena has become one of the key tourism centres on the Costa del Sol, triplicating its off-season population of 30,000 inhabitants in the summer period. It is divided into three urban areas: Benalmádena Pueblo, Arroyo de la Miel and Benalmádena Costa. The first is at 280 metres above sea level, a typical mountain village with narrow streets and geranium-potted windows. The second is between this area and the sea, an urban area that grew up around the train station and the main road between Benalmádena and the coast. The third, Benalmádena Costa, is just what the name suggests: a coastal town with all the relevant facilities of such a place.
There is plenty to do here all the year round, among the attractions being the Puerto Marina, the Telecabina, the Casino in Torrequebrada and the golf course of the same name. The marina, in Benalmádena Costa, can take up to almost 1,000 boats of up to six metres long, and almost all types of water sports are practiced here, including hang-gliding and underwater snorkelling. The cable cars (telecabinas) link Arroyo de la Miel with the peak of the Carramolo mountain, and from here, on a clear day, one can see right across to Africa. Heading down from the town on the Torremuelle road, one arrives at the Torrequebrada Casino, one of the best entertainment and conference centres on the entire coastline. In the housing development of the same name one finds the Torrequebrada Golf Course.

Places to visit

Puerto Marina

Puerto Marina is one of the most important recreation centres in the municipality, with boats moored there from all corners of the world. Apart from sailing, the sporting facilities here include water skiing, canoeing and underwater diving. The harbour area has plenty of bars and restaurants with terraces, where one can simply sit and watch the activity of the port, if one so chooses.
Telecabina

Parques reunidos

This recently installed facility is the only one of its kind on the Costa del Sol. It leaves from the Tivoli esplanade, crossing high over the motorway to the peak of the Carramolo mountain, one of the most spectacular natural balconies in the province of Malaga, from where one can view the entire Costa del Sol and the mountains of Africa across the Mediterranean on a clear day. There are sign-posted pathways down from the mountain for those who may wish to walk. For information, call: 952 575 038 Fax 952 575 061.

Church of Sto. Domingo

This church is in Benalmádena Pueblo, and to get there one goes from calle Real through the Plaza de España, continuing to the open plaza in which we find the 18th century church..

Tivoli World

Tivoli World is the Costa del Sol’s best-known theme and attraction park. Here there is something for everyone: restaurants, theatre and shows in which the top performers in Spain and abroad take part, from Isabel Pantoja to the Moscow Ballet. Tel: 952 577 016 and 902 114 700.

Municipal Archaeological Museum. Avda.Juan Peralta, 43. Tel: 952 448 593. From 10 to 2 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.

Sea-Life Aquarium, Benalmádena Costa Pleasure Port. Tel: 952 560 150. From 10 to 8 p.m.

Selwo Marina

Parque de la Paloma s/n Arroyo de la Miel Telf.902190482
Adults: 13,90 EUR Kids 9,90 EUR

Beaches

Benalnatura

There is a small cove in Benalmádena called Benalnatura, which is a nudist beach. To get there, take the N-340 in the Fuengirola direction and turn off at the roundabout between Torrequebrada and Torremuelle. A concrete road leads down on the right to the beach and chiringuito below.

 

Where to sleep

Hotel Torrequebrada *****Crta.de Cádiz Km. 220Telf. 95244 6000 Fax 95244 5702
Aleysa Playa ***** Avda. Antonio Machado 54Tel. 952576100 Fax. 952576335
Hotel Playa Bonita ****Crta.de Cadiz Km.217Telf. 952442840 Fax 952561429
Hotel Balmoral **Crta.de Cádiz Km.221Telf.952563262 Fax 952563262

Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans... the major Mediterranean civilizations more than two thousand years ago found in Málaga an exceptional site to establish trade routes, thanks to the strategic position of its port. The Citadel (8th-11th centuries) is, as well as one of the city's symbols, one of the largest Arab fortresses in Andalusia. The Archaeological Museum is located in this building, which contains valuable pieces from the Phoenician and Roman periods.
The Castle of Gibralfaro (14th century), joined to the Citadel by a stretch of wall, gives the best views of the city, which opens out onto the sea with the port and the promenade of La Farola, one of the major leisure areas in the city. At the foot of Gibralfaro is the Roman Theatre, the bullring (known as "La Malagueta") and the historic quarter of the city.

In the centre stands the Cathedral (16th-18th centuries), also known as “la Manquita” because of its unfinished right tower. This temple, beautifully executed in the Renaissance style, preserves an interesting series of chapels which contain fine examples of Andalusian images. In the old town, other prominent churches are Santiago (15th-18th centuries), with a beautiful Mudejar tower, los Mártires, Sagrado Corazón and Santo Cristo de la Salud.

Historic Málaga offers countless spots and corners full of local colour. The façade of the City Hall, from the early 20th century, can be admired, as can the Merced square, dominated by the Monument to Torrijos and where the house in which the famous painter Pablo Ruiz Picasso was born is situated. A tour of the historic quarter must take in the busy Pasaje de Chinitas, calle Granada, with the Fine Arts Museum, or calle Larios, the old town's main thoroughfare.

Málaga provincial capital also has extensive green areas, such as the Park, the Alameda Principal, the gardens of Puerta Oscura and Pedro Luis Alonso.

But a visit to the centre of the city is not all we recommend. It is also worth taking in and getting a taste of the flavour of everyday life in the different adjacent neighbourhoods, such as El Perchel, El Egido or La Trinidad.

Map of Málaga

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or a PDF map of Málaga for download clicking here

 

Gastronomy, festivals and surrounding area

A good time to visit Málaga is during Holy Week. This festival, declared in Málaga to be of International Tourist Interest, stands out because of its tremendous floats and the popular fervour it arouses in each neighbourhood. One of the best options for accomodation in Málaga is the Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro, located next to the Castle. It is a good idea, however, to book well ahead at this time of year.

The surrounding area of Málaga invites you to tour a province marked by sharp contrasts between the towns inland and those on the coast.The Costa del Sol is dotted with towns of considerable tourist tradition, such as Benalmádena, Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Marbella or Estepona. It is also possible on this stretch of coast to enjoy hotel establishments such as the Parador de Málaga Golf or its sister establishment in Nerja.

Golf lovers have an extra incentive to visit Málaga, since it has some thirty courses scattered around the entire province, some of which are ranked among the best in Europe.

There are several natural spaces in the provinces's interior, such as Alcornocales-Sierra del Aljibe Nature Reserve, the Montes de Málaga Nature Reserve or the Sierra de las Nieves Nature Reserve. The paradors of Ronda and Antequera stand out among the hotels available in the province's interior. Products from the sea and inland give rise to a rich and varied gastronomy. On the coast, the most famous dish is “pescaíto frito” (fried fish), although also typical, among others, are seafood rice, monkfish with potatoes and noodle casserole.

Soups occupy an important place in Málaga's cuisine, with specialities such as "gazpachuelo" (soup made from potatoes and mayonnaise) and "gazpacho malagueño" or "ajoblanco" (a kind of cold soup with almonds, oil, garlic and grapes). These dishes can be accompanied by the wines with Designation of Origin Málaga status.

For dessert, the choice includes sweet potato (roasted or covered in syrup), oil pancakes or raisins from Axarquía

Places to be visited

• Museo Picasso
• Casa natal de Picasso
• Museo Carmen Thyssen  Telf: 902 303131
• Museo Alcazaba (Málaga)tel. +34 952227230
• Catedral de Málaga (Málaga) tel. +34 952215917
• Teatro romano de Málaga (Málaga) tel. +34 951041400

 

Where to eat

Adolfo €€€
Paseo Maritimo Pablo Ruiz Picasso, 12
Teléfono : 952.60.19.14

Dani García (Old Antonio Martín) €€
Pza. de la Malagueta, s/n
Teléfono : 95 222 73 82

Cañadú €€
Pza. de la Merced, 21
zona : Centro
Teléfono : 95.222.90.56
Vegetarian


Circus €€
P.º de Reding, 41
Málaga
Teléfono : 95 222 00 85
Pizza & Pasta

Clandestino €€
Calle Niño de Guevara Nº: 3
Málaga
zona : Centro
Tef. 952 219 390

Where to sleep

• Hotel IBIS (**) Pasillo Guimbarda 5, Tel: (+34)952/070741
• Hotel del Pintor C/ Álamos 27 Tel: (+34)952060980
• Tryp Alameda (****) Centro Comercial Larios. Avda. de la Aurora, 25
• Tryp Guadalmar (****) Calle Moby Dick, 2, Tel: (+34)952231703
• Hotel La Chancla Paseo Maritimo (El Pedregal), 64, Malaga Telf (+34) 952 206 900
• AC Málaga Palacio Cortina del Muelle, 1, Málaga - 952 215 185
• Meliá Costa del Sol (****). Paseo Marítimo El Bajondillo.Torremolinos  Tel: 952 386 677.

Tourist information:

Plaza de Blas Infante, 1. 29620.
Phone: 952 379 511 Fax: 952 379 551

Its origins go back to the Celts who called this spot Arunda; some historians situate the city in Acinipo, and both populations were passed to the Romans; later on it was Muslim and in the XV century, conquered by the Catholic Kings. It was also occupied by Napoleanic troops and defend themselves from them, they organised centers of banditry.

The hitoric city is divided into three zones: the neighbourhood of San Francisco (XV century), Puerta de Almocábar (XIII century) and Puerta de Carlos I (XVI century).

There are a lot of monumental spaces in this city; among the main ones are the Mondragón Palace, the headquarters of the kings from Muslims to the Christians, with Mudejar, Gothic, and Baroque elements; La Casa del Gigante, of Arab origin (XV century); the Palaca of Salvatierra (XVII-XVIII centuries) with a Renaissance facade and the very interesting House of the Moorish King, poorly named, given that it is already the XVIII century; through its gardens you can access the descent to the Mine that goes down to the bottom of the Tagus.

The Arab baths are interesting from the XIII or XIV century, and the famous Puente Nuevo of the XVIII century, work of Martín de Aldehuela, with superimposed arches. The bull ring is the oldest in Spain from XVIII, and Martín de Aldehuela also intervened in this work. The Collegiate Chuch Santa María la Mayor (Century XV to XVIII) is the primitive mosque. The fountain of the Ocho Caños, from the period of Carlos III, is close to the old Arabic bridge over the Tagus.

The minaret of San Sebastian is a Nazarí construction of the XVI century, not far from the Convento del Espíritu Santo, of Gothic-Renaissance transition. El Templete (Small temple) de los Dolores is a votive chapel in the street from the XVIII century. The chuch of father Jesus, of Gothic-Renaissance style, is from the XVI century. Santo Domingo and the Convent of San Francisco were founded by the Catholic kings in 1485. El Santuario Nuestra Señora de la Paz is from the XVI and XVIII centuries.

The popular grove of San Carlos or of Tagus is a beautiful garden from the XVIII century with a large row of balconies with views of the Guadalevin valley. In the Roman ruins of Acinipo, about 20 km in the direction of Setenil, the Roman theatre is preserved (stage, wall, orchestra, and tiers). Benaoján is 15 km away, with the Knows caves of Gato and La Pileta. In the direction towards the coast, the access to the Natural park of the Sierra de las Nieves is located, and the connection to the incomparable Valle del Genal, whose town and chestnut groves, both of which are beautiful, are essential to see.

Where to sleep?

La Casona de la Ciudad **** C/Marqués de Salvatierra 5 Telf.952879595 Fax 952161095 www.lacasonadelaciudad.com

Hotel Enfrente Arte C./ Real40 (Double room from 80 Euros) Telf.(0034) 952879088 /43 12 Fax 952877217 www.enfrentearte.com

Hotel Maestranza **** Virgen de la Paz 24 Telf 952187072 Fax. 952190170 www.hotelmaestranza.com
Hotel Don Miguel *** Villanueva 8 Telf.952877722 Fax. 952878377 www.dmiguel.com
Parador Nacional de Ronda *** Pza. De España 1 Telf. 952877500 Fax: 952878188 www.parador.es
Hotel Residencia El Tajo *** Cruz Verde 5, Telf.952874040 Fax: 952875099
Hostal Virgen del Rocío ** C/. Nueva 18 Telf.952877425 cheap hotel

Where to eat?

Restaurante Tragabuches €€€ José Aparicio 1 Telf. 952190291 www.tragabuches.com
Pedro Romero €€ Virgen de la Paz 18 Telf. 952871110 Spezialität: Rabo de Toro
Don Miguel €€ Villanueva 4, Telf. 952871090
Doña Pepa € Plaza del Socorro 10 Telf. 952874238
Sol y Sombra Virgen de la Paz 26 Telf. 952187176

Ronda on the web

http://www.turismoderonda.es/Tourist information of Ronda

http://www.ronda.net Information from Ronda only in spanish available