Benalmadena is one of the most popular holiday resorts on Costa del Sol. But apparently not that many people know that the coast isn’t the only part of the town. In fact, Benalmadena has three main parts and each has something different to offer. In this post, we’ll focus on things to do in Benalmadena Pueblo, the old part of town, which unexpectedly charmed us and quickly became one of our favorite places in Andalusia! Vamos!
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Benalmadena Pueblo, Spain FAQ
Benalmadena Pueblo is located in Andalusia in the Province of Malaga on stunning Costa del Sol. It’s also an amazing starting point to explore other nearby popular places like Malaga, Mijas Pueblo, Ronda, Caminito del Rey, or Antequera.
Benalmadena is best known for being home to one of the most beautiful marinas in the world, many amazing beaches, the town’s old quarter – Benalmadena Pueblo, and impressive Colomares Castle.
Benalmadena Old Town is located about 7km from Benalmadena Costa, on a hill, at an altitude of about 200m a.s.l.
Of course, Benalmadena Pueblo is absolutely worth visiting! We weren’t expecting anything special and thought it would be just another Andalusian white town, but it positively surprised us.
Our video from Benalmadena Pueblo
Three parts of Benalmadena, Spain
Throughout the years area evolved and right now consists of three distinct parts:
- Benalmadena Pueblo – calm traditional Andalusian white village, located on a hill, at the foot of the Sierra de Mijas (at a height of about 200m a.s.l)
- Benalmadena Costa – holiday resort area, known for its sandy beaches, many tourist attractions, and vivid nightlife
- Arroyo de la Miel – main residential area where most of the local population lives
As we really enjoy old Spanish villages and towns and want to share their beauty, today we’ll show you attractions and things to do in Benalmadena Pueblo. Vamos!
Things to do in Benalmadena Pueblo, Spain
Benalmadena Pueblo Old Town Streets
Benalmadena’s old town retained the authenticity of a typical Andalusian village. It’s full of narrow cobbled streets and whitewashed houses generously decorated with colorful flowers. Just wander around in this mesmerizing labyrinth and discover what each corner has to offer. You can also take a short break in one of the squares, enjoy coffee or tapas, and observe the town’s slow life. Exploring this part of the town is definitely one of the best things to do in Benalmadena Pueblo – we’re sure you’ll love it!
Plaza España square
While wandering around the Benalmadena Old Town, there is no way that you’ll miss the town’s main square, Plaza España. It’s a pretty little area full of orange trees, restaurants, and a fountain with a small girl – “La Niña” (The Girl).
Church of Santo Domingo de Guzman
Church of Santo Domingo de Guzman (es. Iglesia de Santo Domingo de Guzmán) is one of the oldest buildings in the Benalmadena Pueblo. It dates back to the 17th century and was possibly built on the foundations of a previous smaller temple. The last time it was restored was in the 20th century. The church is located in a small town’s garden – Jardines del Muro, from which you can admire amazing views over the coast.
Jardines del Muro
Jardines del Muro gardens were designed by the famous artist César Manrique (mostly known for his work on the Canary Islands). They offer spectacular views of the coast and Castillo de Colomares. There you can also find a children’s playground, shaded areas with benches, a waterfall, and a restaurant.
Colomares Castle
Colomares Castle, or Castillo de Colomares, is one of the most stunning pieces of architecture you’ll see in your life. And it’s definitely the most interesting and unique attraction in Benalmadena Pueblo! Colomares Castle looks like a fairy-tale castle but in reality, it’s a monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus and his discovery of America. The most fascinating fact is that… it was built by only 3 people!
Stupa of Enlightenment
One of the most interesting things to do in Benalmadena Old Town is visit Stupa of Enlightenment. It’s a Buddhist temple for peace, harmony in the world, and a place of meditation. The temple was the idea of Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche, the Buddhist Master from Bhutan. The government of Benalmádena approved and supported the construction, and so this beautiful, peaceful building came to life.
Benalmadena Stupa is not only beautiful on the outside but also on the inside. Once you’re inside, it’s best to walk around in a clockwise direction just to honor the tradition. Many believe that wishes made near a Stupa will become true, so don’t forget to make a wish!
Outside the Benalmadena Stupa, you can admire nice views of the Costa del Sol and after that, you can visit a souvenir shop that offers traditional ceramic figures or books to learn more about Buddhism.
The entrance is free. For current opening hours, visit Stupa official website.
Butterfly Park
Butterfly Park is located right next to Stupa so there is no need to travel much to see both at once. There you can walk amongst 1500+ butterflies from all around the world, flying freely above your head, between artificial waterfalls and many flowers.
Entrance to Mariposario costs €13.5 for an adult ticket and €11.5 for children’s ticket (3-12) when bought online. However, prices at the ticket office onsite are slightly higher: €12 & €9.5 (March 2026). For current prices, opening hours, and online tickets, visit monowa.es website.
Visit nearby: Benalmadena Costa
Benalmadena Costa, the coastal part of the town, is one of the most popular holiday destinations on Costa del Sol located only about 7 kilometers from Benalmadena Pueblo. Sandy beaches, award-winning marina, beautiful green park, unique castle, vivid nightlife, fresh seafood, and a wide range of activities… All of that attracts thousands of people every year and makes it an amazing place to unwind.
Explore local attractions
How to get to Benalmadena Pueblo, Spain?
Benalmadena Old Town is located only about 7km from Benalmadena Costa, 8km from Mijas Pueblo, 25km from Malaga Old Town, and 35km from Marbella. The most convenient way to get to Benalmadena Pueblo is by car or by bus.
Where to park in Benalmadena Pueblo?
Your best option is to leave your car in this Benalmadena Pueblo free public parking.
How to get to Benalmadena Pueblo from Benalmadena Costa?
Benalmadena Old Town is located only 7km from Benalmadena Costa. To get there you need to take a bus or taxi. The trip by bus takes about 20 minutes and starts near Paloma Park. A taxi ride takes only about 5 minutes and costs about €12-15.
Airports near Benalmadena Pueblo
The closest airport to Benalmadena Pueblo is located in Malaga, only 15km away. From it, you can reach the town by bus, car, or taxi. You can check the connections you are interested in on the rome2rio.com website.
To Benalmadena Pueblo by bus
You can easily get to Benalmadena Old Town by bus. There are direct and usually cheap connections from many nearby places like Mijas, Malaga, Marbella, Estepona, or Nerja. To check the connections that might interest you, visit the rome2rio.com website.
To Benalmadena Pueblo by train
Unfortunately, there’s no train station in Benalmadena Pueblo. But thanks to the line connecting Fuengirola and Malaga you can reach Arroyo De La Miel by train and from it take a walk (4km), taxi, or bus to Benalmadena Pueblo. Here is a map of train stations on the Fuengirola-Malaga route.
Things to do in Benalmadena Pueblo – Summing up
Now you know all about the best attractions and things to do in Benalmadena Pueblo. Be sure not to skip this lovely white village during your upcoming trip to Andalusia as you may find Benalmadena to be one of the most charming places on Costa del Sol! Enjoy your visit!
Our opinion about Benalmadena Pueblo
For us, a visit to Benalmadena Pueblo was a half-day trip from nearby Mijas Pueblo where we lived for a few weeks. We visited in mid-December and back then village streets were very quiet, mostly filled with some locals preparing for Christmas. The same goes for Colomares Castle – there were only us and two small guided tours.
Benalmadena Old Town enchanted us from the first steps and we had a really lovely time there. Slowly strolling among village streets was a pure pleasure. To this day we remember it very fondly and it’s consistently one of our favorite white villages in Andalusia.
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Benalmadena?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Benalmadena:
