The Spanish spirit of fiesta is alive and kicking here, so your 2022 holiday to Benalmádena is a great chance to get stuck in with the local culture. Here’s a selection of our favourites from the town’s calendar:

• Carnival (February) - all of the life, colour and sound you’d imagine from a carnival week, plus a well-loved drag queen contest.

• Semana Santa (April) - Easter parades take place across the region, including a vivid outdoor re-enactment of the Passion of the Christ.

• Corpus Christi (May/June) - the old town is transformed in this religious celebration, where residents create a stunning carpet of flower petals and herbs on the streets.

• San Juan celebrations (June) - various events dedicated to San Juan, including huge bonfire nights on the beach and a vibrant fair held in Arroyo de la Miel.

• Benalfest (October) - the town’s biggest music festival showcasing the best Spanish pop and rock talents.

• Benalmádena Flamenco Week (November) - a whole week of incredible dance moves and enough sequins to rival that ever-popular Saturday night dance show.

• New Year’s Eve (December) - Arroyo de la Miel throws a free open-air party with a live band - the perfect way to celebrate the New Year in Benalmádena.

Young Brits gravitate towards the bright lights of the 24-Hour Square, while the marina has its own party scene favoured by locals and the cocktail crowd. The famous LGBTQ+ clubs of Torremolinos are just ten minutes away by bus, too. We always have a great night at these local spots:

• Buddy’s Bar - enjoy cocktails in the open air or pitch up at the bar for a chat and a laugh. The owners are some of the friendliest you’ll meet on your Benalmádena holiday.

• Bonanza Show Bar - this bar delivers the complete package of dinner, drinks, and a fab show for the whole family.

• Palm 5 Beach Bar - the perfect spot by the boardwalk to drink cocktails and people-watch at sunset.

• Forever Beach Club - a place to watch the marina go by with a drink in hand, or get some serious dancing done - this popular club does both.

Seafood fans will be in heaven, as the Andalusian cuisine is full of flavourful recipes using the catch of the day. There are also some great sweet treats to enjoy with your morning coffee. Look out for these dishes:

• Espetos - skewered sardines, grilled until crispy and then doused in lemon and olive oil

• Gambas al Pil-Pil - freshly-caught prawns, flash-fried in a garlic, paprika and white wine sauce

• Fritura Malagueña - deep-fried seafood served with a squeeze of lemon, often served around the marina

• Tarta Malagueña - a tasty cake made with almonds and soaked in sweet Moscatel wine

• Borrachuelos - a citrussy dough filled with pumpkin, fried and then coated in icing sugar and honey

The area is known for providing international cuisine of every kind, but if you’re looking for Spanish flavours then you can’t beat these restaurants:

• Lime & Lemon - a family-friendly restaurant offering freshly-cooked tapas with creative twists, tasty cocktails, and amazing service.

• Almarina Beach - go straight from sunbathing to supper at this beachside restaurant which serves the best seafood dishes.

• Panorama Bistro Bar - as the name suggests, you’ll get great views over the sea along with top-class meals at this beachside bistro.

• Sollo - for a special night away from the crowds, head inland to this Michelin-starred eatery serving the finest contemporary recipes.