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.
Destination highlights
Blue Flag beachesMediterranean sunshineHotels for every holidayFun and friendly atmosphereJump to...
Beaches | Hotels | Food & drink | Nightlife | Events | Things to do | Weather | Important information | Reviews |
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 palmsPlaya 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 accessPlaya Bonita – a calm beach with space to play and gradual depth into the sea, perfect for family holidays to BenalmádenaPlaya 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
What are the top hotels in Benalmadena?
This town attracts travellers of all kinds, so you’ll find everything from huge palaces of family fun to luxury lodgings for a peaceful break. Here are some of our favourites, right next to the beach (of course):
Sunset Beach Club - there's plenty to keep you busy, from the pools and on-site dive school to several lively bars to choose from each night.Hotel Aleysa Playa - enjoy the lap of luxury at this five-star getaway, with stylish rooms, amazing sea views and top-class accessible facilities.Benalmádena Palace - enjoy the high life for a reasonable price at this well-equipped hillside hotel.Globales Los Patos - if your family loves to slip ‘n’ slide, this modern hotel with its own waterpark won't disappoint.Holiday World Resort - get the most bang for your buck on an All Inclusive holiday to Benalmádena, with something for the entire family.Medplay Riviera - an adults-only hotel with everything you need for a comfortable break with evening entertainment.
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What’s the food like in Benalmadena?
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 oilGambas al Pil-Pil - freshly-caught prawns, flash-fried in a garlic, paprika and white wine sauceFritura Malagueña - deep-fried seafood served with a squeeze of lemon, often served around the marinaTarta Malagueña - a tasty cake made with almonds and soaked in sweet Moscatel wineBorrachuelos - a citrussy dough filled with pumpkin, fried and then coated in icing sugar and honeyThe 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.
Where's the best nightlife in Benalmadena?
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.What events can I go to in Benalmadena?
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.Things to do in Benalmadena
Fly high
Ride the cable car to the summit of Monte Calamorro and you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views as far as Africa on clear days. There’s also a daily falconry show to enjoy, or - if you’re keen to stretch those legs - you can follow a trail to the very top.
Be a nosey parker
For a relaxing day out on cheap holidays to Benalmádena, visit the Parque De La Paloma which is full of interesting cacti and critters. After spotting some peacocks and turtles, you can enjoy a picnic in the shade while the kids take over the adventure playground.
Capture the castle
If you’re always on the lookout for amazing backdrops for your holiday pics, head to the Castillo de Colomares. For a couple of euros, you can enter the fairytale castle dedicated to Christopher Colombus, making it a great trip for history and architecture buffs.
All aboard!
The seafaring folk of Benalmádena are renowned for their friendly manner, and they know how to offer tourists amazing days out. Into the Blue Diving will show you a good time under the waves whatever your experience level, but if dolphin-spotting with champagne is more your speed then give Kan Aima Boat Trips a try.

What's the weather like in Benalmadena?
For hours of glorious sunshine and ideal sea-swimming temperatures, you’ll want to visit between June and September. Spring and autumn are popular for a quieter break if you don’t mind a bit of a breeze. The town is generally warmer all year round than the UK but can be prone to frequent showers, so we recommend checking the forecast before booking any last minute holidays to Benalmádena.
Month | Average temp. | Sea temp. | Hours of sunshine per day |
Jan | 11 °c | 16 °c | 5 h |
Feb | 12 °c | 16 °c | 7 h |
Mar | 14 °c | 16 °c | 8 h |
Apr | 16 °c | 17 °c | 9 h |
May | 18 °c | 18 °c | 8 h |
Jun | 22 °c | 20 °c | 10 h |
Jul | 24 °c | 23 °c | 11 h |
Aug | 24 °c | 24 °c | 10 h |
Sep | 22 °c | 23 °c | 8 h |
Oct | 18 °c | 21 °c | 7 h |
Nov | 14 °c | 18 °c | 6 h |
Dec | 12 °c | 17 °c | 5 h |
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How long does it take to fly to Benalmadena?
Flights from the UK to Malaga Airport, a short car ride from Benalmadena, take around three hours.
What’s the time difference between the UK and Benalmadena?
The local time in Benalmádena is one hour ahead of the UK.
What currency do they use in Benalmadena?
The official currency used in Benalmadena is the Euro.
What language do they speak in Benalmadena?
The official language of Benalmadena is Spanish.
Will Covid-19 affect my holiday to Benalmadena?
We are currently closely following the Covid-19 situation and how it affects travel. You can find out the most up to date information about travel to Spain on the FCDO website.
Do I need any vaccinations to visit Benalmadena?
Please check with your healthcare provider for all up to date vaccination advice before booking your holiday.
Do I need a visa to travel to Benalmadena?
You don’t need a visa to visit Benalmádena for less than 30 days.
Here are some other destinations you might be interested in...
- Malaga
- Marbella
- Torremolinos
- Benahavis
- Estepona
- Guadalmina
Customer reviews
At On the Beach, we’ve sent many satisfied customers to Benalmadena for a bit of sunshine. But don't just take our word for it, read some of their 5-star reviews below.
J Stansfield:
Quick, easy and cheap - amazing value for the hotel and flights we booked, everything included in one place! Will definitely book again with On the Beach.
Karl Cooper:
I always choose my holiday through On the Beach it’s always easy to find what I’m looking for, you get longer to pay and honest reviews on the hotels - never been disappointed.
Melanie Howie:
We have used OTB for years, all our holiday are booked with them - at least 4 a year. Never had any problems.