Located on the sun-soaked Spanish coast of the Costa del Sol, this gorgeous resort has everything you need - beaches, bars and a town to explore.


🎢 Why Choose Benalmadena for Your Costa del Sol Jollie?

Benalmadena - entertainment capital of the Costa del Sol, perfect for those who love variety and excitement! This resort town offers everything from beautiful beaches and a stunning marina to cable car rides up the mountains and with loads of all-inclusive options, it's brilliant for families who want everything sorted.

You've got Puerto Marina – an award-winning marina complex that's like a theme park for adults, with restaurants, bars, shops, an aquarium, and even a massive Ferris wheel offering spectacular views. Plus you've got three distinct areas: the traditional pueblo (village) up in the hills, the coastal strip with beaches, and the marina area.


🎡 What Makes Benalmadena Special

  • ☀️ Weather – Over 300 sunny days a year with summer temps hitting 28-33°C and the sea warming to a gorgeous 23°C by August

  • 💶 Prices – A caña (small beer) costs around €2, and you can get a solid menú del día for €10-12. Great value compared to fancier neighbours like Marbella

  • 🚡 Cable Car – Ride the Teleférico to the summit of Mount Calamorro (769m) for panoramic views, hiking trails, and daily falconry shows

  • 🏖️ Beach Variety – 9km of coastline with everything from lively resort beaches to quieter coves, all with Blue Flag quality

  • 🎢 Theme Parks – Tivoli World amusement park, Selwo Marina wildlife park, and the Sea Life aquarium keep families entertained for days

  • 🚂 Connections – Direct train to Málaga (20 mins), Torremolinos (5 mins), and Fuengirola (15 mins) from Arroyo de la Miel station

  • 🌙 Nightlife – The 24-Hour Square and marina area offer some of the Costa del Sol's liveliest bars and clubs, plus Torremolinos LGBTQ+ scene is just 10 minutes away


What are the best beaches in Benalmadena?

The Costa del Sol is lined with award-winning shores, and choosing a beach holiday in Benalmádena will put you in easy reach of ten whole kilometres of them! These are a few of our favourite places to inspire you:

  • Malapesquera Beach – a place to wander along the boardwalk at sunset, get stuck into some watersports, or simply relax under the palms

  • Playa Arroyo de La Miel – the place to go for a casual dip in the sea before hitting the nearby bars, with ramps and boardwalks for easy access

  • Playa Bonita – a calm beach with space to play and gradual depth into the sea, perfect for family holidays to Benalmádena

  • Playa de Benalnatura – a laidback nudist beach - the perfect place to get your kit off in peace!

  • Playa La Viborilla – a gorgeous little beach surrounded by trees, with coves to explore in the nearby cliffs

  • Playa de Bil Bil - a truly unique pocket of sun and sand in Benalmadena with a castle right next to it with events hosted - we deffo recommend sticking around until the sun sets to make full use of the gardens and enjoy the tranquil atmsophere.

What are the top hotels in Benalmadena?

Benalmádena's hotel scene is brilliant for families – think waterparks, kids' clubs, and all-inclusive options galore. But there's plenty for couples and groups too, from beachfront apartments to hillside retreats. Browse all our Benalmádena hotels, or check out our top picks below.

For Families

  • 🏨 Benalmádena Palace – A fantastic 4-star resort with two pools, kids' club, cinema room, playground, games room, and a brilliant spa for when the parents need a break. Mini-golf, volleyball, archery – the kids won't be bored. Great all-inclusive option on a hillside with lovely views.

  • 🏨 Holiday World Resort – The ultimate family playground with themed pools, waterslides, wave pool, and a Beach Club that'll keep everyone happy. All-inclusive guests get free access to all the water park facilities. Modern rooms across two hotels (Holiday Polynesia and Holiday RIWO).

  • 🏨 Hotel Benalmádena Beach – Right on the beachfront with an infinity pool, kids' pool with pirate ship, mini club, and spa. The name says it all – you're steps from the sand. Free sunbeds and parasols on the beach for guests.

  • 🏨 Sunset Beach Club – Spacious apartments with kitchens, perfect for families who want flexibility. Two big pools, kids' club, adventure climbing area, mini bowling, archery range, and an on-site dive school. Beachfront location and great for longer stays.

  • 🏨 Sahara Sunset – Stylish self-catering apartments in traditional Andalusian style, just 130m from the beach. Indoor and outdoor pools, mini golf, playground, and activity programme. Parque de la Paloma is a short stroll away.

For Couples

  • 🏨 Vincci Selección Aleysa – The luxury option. This gorgeous 5-star offers stylish rooms, amazing sea views, and top-class facilities including spa and fine dining. Adults-only areas and a sophisticated vibe make it perfect for a romantic break.

  • 🏨 MedPlaya Riviera – An adults-only hotel with everything you need for a peaceful break. Evening entertainment, comfortable rooms, and no little ones running around. Great value for couples who want some grown-up time.

  • 🏨 Las Arenas Affiliated by Meliá – A solid 4-star right on the beachfront with that reliable Meliá quality. Pool, spa facilities, and a prime location for exploring the marina and coastal strip.

Budget-Friendly

  • 🏨 Best Benalmádena – Good value 4-star with pools, jacuzzi, mini club, spa, and sun terrace. Queen-sized beds and balconies in every room. A solid choice if you want facilities without the premium price tag.

  • 🏨 MedPlaya Hotel Bali – Reliable MedPlaya quality at friendly prices. Pool, entertainment, and a good location. No frills but everything you need for a fun Costa del Sol holiday.

  • 🏨 Aparthotel Sunny Beach – Self-catering apartments overlooking Santa Ana beach with sea-facing balconies. Right next to the nightlife of the 24-Hour Square, and the train station is just 1km away.

Popular Benalmadena hotels

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Weather in Benalmadena

JAN

13°C

FEB

14°C

MAR

16°C

APR

18°C

MAY

22°C

JUN

23°C

JUL

26°C

AUG

26°C

SEP

24°C

OCT

21°C

NOV

17°C

DEC

14°C

If you're after a breakdown of the Benalmadena weather then you're looking in the right place - the weather graphics probs gave it away. It's never a bad thing to be clued up on the weather for your jolly whether you're looking for some winter sun, or a summer time jaunt, we've got you covered.

Spring doesn't shy away from showers, but they are not and should never be considered the star of the show, oh no, in Spring it's all about the mild temps that tip the celsius above 20. We're talking temps reaching up to 25°C in May - so beat the Summer crowds and make this a holiday to Benalmadena where you can explore the place to your hearts content.

If your dying to see that dial rise above 30 - then you already know Summer is your gal, we're talking highs of 33°C during July and August. It's not even like June dips much either, it's the cooler lil sister of the big, heat months, but it still racks up a toasty 28°C at its worst which really ain't too shabby for all the beach bums and pool pleasers out there.

Autumn is low-key becoming the new Summer - the temp holds steady at around 30°C in September, the perfect time to go when the school holiday crowds have died down but the heat deffo hasn't. Even into November you're still looking at low 20's on the celsius, although the rainfall does pick up around this time too, maybe pack a mack and some hiking boots and get lost in the city streets.

When winter whooshes in to Benalmadena, you can still expect things to stay relatively mild - way more than back home anyway - with temps sitting pretty around 16°C - 18°C. You might not be inclined to kick back on a beach during these months, but the option is definitely still there - or, if you'd rather make the most of the surroundings while the suns less intense, this might be your best time to do it!

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FAQs

How long does it take to fly to Benalmadena?

It takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes to fly to Benalmadena from the UK/Ireland - enough time for a film... make sure you pick a long one and you'll be there by the credits.



What’s the time difference between the UK/Ireland and Benalmadena?

Benalmadena is one hour ahead of the UK/Ireland - that's one hour less of drinking time on arrival day, just a heads up from us there.



What currency do they use in Benalmadena?

The official currency of Benalmadena is the Euro.

What language do they speak in Benalmadena?

The official language spoken in Benalmadena is Spanish.

Is Benalmádena good for families?

Absolutely brilliant. It's arguably one of the best family destinations on the Costa del Sol. You've got Tivoli World amusement park, Sea Life aquarium, Selwo Marina wildlife park, the cable car, Parque de la Paloma with free-roaming animals, and beaches with calm shallow waters. Most hotels have kids' clubs and family-friendly pools. The kids won't be bored.

Is Benalmádena walkable?

The coastal strip and marina are very walkable. Getting up to the Pueblo requires a taxi, bus, or the cable car. Arroyo de la Miel (town centre) is about a 20-minute walk from the coast, or you can take the train one stop from the marina area.

What's the nightlife like?

Brilliant if you like variety. The 24-Hour Square lives up to its name with bars and clubs open round the clock – popular with young Brits. Puerto Marina has a more sophisticated scene with cocktail bars and restaurants. The famous LGBTQ+ clubs of Torremolinos are just 10 minutes away by bus or train.

Is Benalmádena expensive?

It's great value. A beer costs around €2, a menú del día €10-12, and there are loads of all-inclusive options that make budgeting easy for families.