Benalmadena Costa was, until not so long ago, a tiny fishing port and Arroyo de la Miel was little else but a paper making factory. The main population in the area lived in what is now known as Benalmadena Pueblo. Many of them used to walk, every day, down the hill to work in the paper factory, the remains of which can still be seen in oneof the quaint old squares just off the main road through the town.
How things have changed since those early beginnings! The advent of tourism quickly ensured that the “little fishing village” changed out of all recognition. The needs of the tourist industry meant that Benalmadena Costa was born with its many hotels, bars, restaurants, shops and discos etc. The fishing port itself has now become one of the major sports harbours on the Mediterranean and it is impossible to find any remnants of the original Spanish village. It is, however, possible to see evidence of an even older, Roman, village in the preserved remains on view in Palmtree Avenue. During recent building work near the windmill roundabout they discovered the remains of a Roman villa including a bag of Roman coins.. These are being preserved and can be viewed by the public.
If you are travelling from Fuengirola or Torremolinos by train be warned that the station is actually up the hill in Arroyo – quite a walk from the seafront. There is another station, El Pinillo, on the Torremolinos side and it is easier to walk down to the seafront from here, particularly if you want to be at the Marina side of the beach. It is now possible to walk along the seafront from Torremolinos through to Fuengirola. The section of the front from Benalmadena Marina to the BIL BIL castle is particularly pleasant with good, easy walking, great views and plenty of bars and restaurants for refreshments and a rest along the way.
Ferry Benalmádena – Fuengirola
The ‘Starfish’, the popular ferry boat takes passengers from Benalmadena Marina back and forth to Fuengirola. This trip is highly recommend for the views: Your trip aboard ‘Starfish’ will allow you to enjoy spectacular views of the whole coastline. Keep you camera ready so you can take some fabulous shots of local landmarks and attractions. Fuengirola is a town that enjoys a beautiful promenade and beaches, making it ideal for a leisurely stroll. If you chose to visit on Tuesday, Saturday or Sunday, you can visit the large and busy markets filled with local products and plenty of souvenirs ideal gift for that special someone. If you are lucky you might even see dolphins, as there are pods of dolphins in the waters off the Benalmádena coast. If you thinking about visiting Fuengirola, forget about taking the bus and travel in style aboard ‘Starfish’. Prices from €16 for a return day trip.
Paloma Park
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. 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 making Paloma Park the perfect space to enjoy a fantastic day out relaxing as a family, with children or woth a group of friends . There are also bars and terraces for making a stop-off, picnic areas, bike hire services and a spectacular lake with ducks.
Benalmadena Port
Benalmadena Puerto Marina rates amongst the best in the world, and has been the winner of the ‘Best Marina in the World’ award several times. With 1,100 moorings for boats of all nationalities and up to 6 meters long, Benalmadena Port – ‘Puerto Marina’ is one of the Costa del Sol’s busiest centres by day and night. It has many bars and restaurants serving a wide range of cuisines Mexican, Steakhouse, Chinese and Spanish. There are plenty of shops too for souverniers, hand bags, jewellery and clothes. If you are feeling energetic, the nightlife carries on in sophisticated bars and clubs some of which have dance floors overlooking the boats.
Other attractions in the port are the Sealife Centre giving you a chance to discover the deep ocean. You can even find out how it feels to touch a starfish and hermit crab. Amongst the other areas in the centre are the Jurassic Tunnel, Rays Island and Otters Oasis. The Sealife centre gets you closer to discovering the most amazing creatures through the windows and go into trough a glass tunnel surrounded by ocean life..
