Benalmádena area guide: fun and contemporary
Benalmádena is a resort that has been stereotyped to within an inch of its life. Like that last sentence, it has become a cliché; something safe and recognisable, that to change what we think about it would be to challenge the foundations of what we hold to be true. Benalmádena is regarded as a sort of second-tier destination for tourists and homebuyers that cannot afford the delights of their neighbours in Marbella. Of course, there are two major things wrong with this attitude. For one, many people, regardless of financial clout, prefer somewhere like Benalmádena; unpretentious, welcoming and carefree. Secondly, Benalmádena has come a long way since the 80s and 90s. Today, this modern resort is a forward-thinking destination that has added oodles of culture, style and charm to its incumbent 'cheap ‘n cheerful' starting point.
Sandwiched either side by Torremolinos and Fuengirola with barely a break in between, Benalmádena's architectural makeup is unashamedly different. While its neighbours streaked ahead in the package holiday race, Benalmádena grew at a more considered rate – today, the promenade is wide and spacious, backed by a long line of superb cafés, bars and restaurants, and fronted by a huge beach. The award-winning Puerto Marina yacht harbour combines living and office space, plenty of restaurants, a number of bars and shops and even a Sealife Centre into its unique shape and scope.
Beyond this, the wide tree-lined streets are fresh and modern, hinting at a classically Spanish influence but quite international in their makeup. The atmosphere throughout town is impressively welcoming, with a distinct family-feel evident at every step. Indeed, aside from the plentiful late-night bars and clubs located on the 24-hour Square, the entire resort seems targeted at children, particularly Tivoli World, which is a mini theme-park located in the heart of Benalmádena.
There are three main routes into Benalmádena. If you arrive via Torremolinos in the east, there is no discernible border between the two towns; they seemingly melt into one another until the distinctly more modern makeup of Benalmádena becomes apparent. Approach via the N340 highway that snakes its way around the edge of the town and you face a steep descent into the resort's heart, past a number of smart new apartments and the old Benalmádena Pueblo area before finally hitting the shoreline. From the western Fuengirola approach, the coast road dips and weaves, delivering lovely views of the Mediterranean while you zoom through the intriguing no-man's land in between. Whichever way you arrive at Benalmádena, your first move is likely to be one that involves making a beeline for the beach. Benalmádena has a couple of Blue Flag beaches, while every single stretch of sand is spotlessly clean, with safe and gentle surf all along, making them ideal for families with young children. Water sports enthusiasts will be buoyed by the choice of excellent activities on offer all along the beach. And once you're peckish after all this activity, you really are spoilt for choice along the promenade – fussy eaters will rejoice at the presence of a number of typically British establishments, while there are also some exceptional seafood restaurants to sample, too.
During the day, Puerto Marina throbs with activity. Kids of all ages will enjoy the Sealife Centre and accompanying crazy golf course, while keen shoppers can take a leisurely stroll along the water's edge, where a number of boutiques, gift shops and craft stores can be found. With a large Pizza Hut, a Ben and Jerry's kiosk and numerous drinking holes serving highly recognisable alcoholic beverages, you’re sure to feel at home... well, aside from the 30ºC plus heat of the summer months!
Head away from the shore and Benalmádena also boasts a couple of beautiful parks (complete with shaded walkways and fragrant pine trees), plenty of pretty squares, a maze of quaint and peaceful residential streets and some fine shopping. For expats, Benalmádena has pretty much everything a family or couple could ever need, including The British College of Benalmádena, Benalmádena International College, the Peter Pan Nursery, the commercial district of Arroyo de la Miel and a wealth of British and Irish independent traders, on hand to assist with day-to-day living requirements, such as gardening, satellite TV installation and all those things that can get overlooked, such as getting your hair cut in a language you understand! And if that were not enough, Benalmádena is also home to the Selwo Marina, complete with performing dolphins, penguins and killer whales; as well as the Teleférico cable car, taking passengers to the top of the Calamorro Mountain.
The compact size of Benalmádena makes the resort an easy one for planning a night out in. Hardcore party animals have it nice and simple – the 24-hour Square is home to approximately 20 pubs and clubs, all centred around a small square. Aside from a few fast-food outlets and a McDonalds, every establishment here is bright, glitzy, loud, open until late and keen to entice as many revellers inside as possible, leading to a number of exceptionally well-priced deals. Such competition for consumption obviously has its drawbacks, but generally the atmosphere is one of fun and frivolity rather than drunken menace and debauchery.
Puerto Marina also has its fair share of late night bars and clubs. With higher prices and an ostensibly classier outlook, the bars found here are less crowded, but still wonderfully atmospheric and a firm favourite with youngsters, couples and families from Málaga, Europe and beyond. Elsewhere, the line of lovely pubs that front the coast road deliver a more sedate evening, where everyone is welcome, colourful cocktails are a common sight and the strained warblings of slightly inebriated karaoke waft on the still air.
Besides eating, drinking and relaxing with friends and family in the comfort of the many welcoming pubs and eateries, Benalmádena's pretty promenade is ideal for romantic moonlit walks, while the Tivoli World Amusement Park hosts a number of shows, concerts and other social events throughout the summer. On the outskirts of town toward Fuengirola, Benalmádena's only five-star hotel – the Torrequebrada – boasts its own casino for those that fancy a flutter, as well as a spectacular flamenco show.