Things To Do – Benalmadena Costa
Popular for its beaches, restaurants & bars, Benalmadena is a beautiful town in southern Spain’s Costa del Sol.
Some of the popular historic places and ancient archaeological monuments like Benalmádena Stupa, the tallest stupa in Europe is found here. However, being near to the sea, it is mostly famous for the boating, beaches, and stunning marina which attracts a lot of tourists.
If you are planning to go to Spain, here are a few things that you can do to enjoy your time in Benalmadena.
Benalmádena Stupa
The Stupa of Enlightenment, a living monument to the enlightened mind, a Buddhist monument for peace, prosperity and harmony of the world, and an ideal place for learning, reflection and meditation.
The Stupa, together with the activity carried out in it, is directed and administered by the Karma Kagyu Cultural Association of Benalmádena and its spiritual guide is the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Tinley Thaye Dorje.
This Stupa was built thanks to the inspiration of the great Buddhist Master of Bhutan, Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche, the cooperation of some of his western disciples and with the support of the Municipality of the City of Benalmádena, with his former Mayor Don Enrique Bolín.
Parque De La Paloma
El Parque de la Paloma or “Dove Park” is one of the most beautiful on the Costa del Sol. Located in the centre of Benalmádena, this park has become an authentic green space in the city; an ideal natural enclave for enjoying contact with nature, discovering animals roaming free and taking a walk around its immense green areas.
Paloma Park is the perfect space to enjoy a fantastic day out relaxing as a family, with children, in a couple or as a group of friends. It”s also an excellent place for sports and a runners” favourite, or for simply getting away from the city and disconnecting from stress and the routine.
What”s more, the park is home to many free-roaming animals such as rabbits, chickens, ducks and parrots, amongst others. There are also bars and terraces for making a stop-off, picnic areas, bike hire services and a spectacular lake with ducks.
Benalmadena Puerto Marina
Benalmadena Puerto Marina is a busy little place where there is always something to do. You go on a catamaran cruise with the guys at Catamaran Cooper or the Chinese Junk in search of dolphins, grab a bite to eat in one of the various restaurants or try a cocktail in Kaleido owned by Antonio Banderas and spot the odd celeb. The whole atmosphere changes at night when bars become nightclubs and the night becomes early morning in the blink of an eye. A 10/15 minute walk from most benalmadena hotels and a must visit whilst in Benalmadena.
Benalmadena Pueblo
Benalmadena Pueblo was founded during the Muslim invasion of the Iberian Peninsula in the eighth century. It was originally named Ben-Al-Madina by the Arabs, which when translated means “children of the mines”. This was because ochre and iron ore were once mined locally.
Today, the Pueblo has become a beautiful village of whitewashed houses, adorned by brightly coloured flowers. The municipality of Benalmadena, which includes Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmadena Costa and Torremuelle, is governed by the town hall in the Pueblo.
Teleferico Benalmadena
The cable car trip starts in Arroyo de la miel next to the train station and Tivoli World, it takes about 15 minutes to get to the top of the Calamorro mountain which is 771 meters high, at the top take in the amazing views of the whole coast from Sierra Nevada to Gibraltar and all the way across to North Africa on a clear day.
The bird of prey shows are great for families, couples, young and old, check the show times on the website. Oh and you can walk it if you choose to…
Butterfly Park
Located in the heart Benalmadena, you can walk amongst more than 1,500 exotic butterflies from around the world, flying freely in a tropical paradise between waterfalls and flowers.
The butterflies that fly at the park, travel there as pupa or chrysalis. They come from as far away as the Philippines, Malaysia, Costa Rica, Belize and Kenya where they are bred in captivity, not captured in the wild. Once in the laboratory and after being inspected, they are placed in hatching cages under controlled environmental conditions. This is when you, as a visitor, can experience the butterflies being born.
Castillo de Colomares
The Colomares Castle known locally as ‘Castillo de Colomares’, in Benalmadena, is one of the most fascinating tourist attractions the municipality has to offer.
It’s not really a castle, it is a monument dedicated to the life and adventures of Christopher Colombus.
Looking at this exquisite fairy-tale castle you could never guess it was designed by a doctor, and built by two local builders. The design unifies various styles which had a marked effect on Spanish culture: Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic and Mudejar.
The doctor and his team spent seven years creating this marvelous monument, a labour of love completed entirely in their spare time.
Selwo Marina Delfinarium
Located next parque la paloma, its a great little attraction for the whole family.
Plan the day around “meeting the tropics”, watching the dolphin & sea lion shows and don’t miss the penguins at feeding time.
There is also an exotic bird show 3 times a day.
Castillo de Bil Bil
On the promenade, Castillo del Bil Bil is one of the most beautiful castles in Benalmadena. Built in 1930’s and inspired by Moorish design inside the castle, it has its charm.
There is the constant exhibition with the display on modern art. There are music recitals and concerts on certain days of the week. If you are a fan of music and art, this is a place for you to check out.
Sea Life Aquarium
A visit to the Sea Life Aquarium is an unforgettable experience for the whole family, stimulating the interest of children and adults alike.
You will encounter almost every type of sea creature imaginable, and be amazed at how much has been packed into this modest-looking building.
This unique interactive aquarium takes visitors on a journey through the world of colorful fish, darting seahorses, frozen in stillness, proud Moray eels and sea turtles.
Children will recognize the orange-and-white Nauti, with his blue-and-yellow companion, both of them known to us from the film Finding Nemo.
Tivoli World
Tivoli World is a kids theme park with a lot of fun rides. There is a big wheel, a water flume ride, go karting and loads more.
Feeling brave? Try the Passage of Terror and mingle with chainsaw massacre, Freddie and friends…
You are spoilt for choice when it comes to eating and drinking in the park with lots restaurants to pick from.
www.lets-spain.com
Book your hotel, villa or apartment direct with owners via the website.
Most tourists we chat with do not know about Arroyo de la Miel. In fact many think 24 hour square is the centre. In my opinion, Arroyo should not be missed, especially Plaza De La Tribuna/plaza España/Fountain Square.