The Costa del Sol is one of the most enticing places on earth, blessed with a beautiful coastline, sizzling sunshine, sleepy villages and vibrant towns, and of course a rich culture. Spanning the entire coastline of Malaga Province to the Costa de la Luz, it is possible to enjoy a healthy outdoor lifestyle of golf, long lazy days on the beach, water sports, tennis, hiking, cycling or horse riding. If you prefer more leisurely pastimes, there are endless opportunities for dining out, be it fine dining or sardines on the beach, nightlife, bars, designer stores and much more.
One of our favourite locations is Benalmádena. Real estate along this stunning stretch of the Costa del Sol coastline caters for all tastes and budgets, ranging from extremely affordable Benalmádena apartments for sale to the exclusive properties at Reserva del Higueron, through to luxury villas for sale in Benalmádena’s three districts: Benalmádena Costa, Benalmádena Pueblo to Arroyo de la Miel.
Here are some of our favourite attractions (including family friendly activities) that can be enjoyed when you own a property or visit Benalmádena.
Puerto Marina Benalmádena is possibly the most iconic Benalmádena landmark due to the architecture of the award-winning Arabic style marina. Here you find some of the most beautiful property in Benalmádena and a thriving port spanning 40,000 square metres, with a vast range of shops, restaurants, bars and clubs. If you fancy taking a sailing trip or dolphin watching tour, it can all take place from the marina.
If you would like to get closer to the marine life, you can visit the fantastic Sea Life Aquarium Benalmádena. This amazing venue allows you to observe an array of wonderful sea creatures, including turtles, sharks, fish, jellyfish, seahorses, octopi and even cute furry otters. The Sea Life Trust foundation is active in global conservation campaigns and breeding, rescue and protection programmes. You can check the website for daily feeding schedules and events, there is also a café and gift shop.
Another fun outing for the entire family is Selwo Marina, the only Dolphinarium in Southern Spain. Facility is divided into different areas from around the world, including the Tropics, Amazonia and the Antilles. Similar to Sea Life Benalmádena, Selwo Marina is committed to the conservation of threatened species via education. It’s a great place for children to see the dolphins, sea lions and penguins, watch the exotic birds, snakes and meet the monkeys, whilst learning about the importance of looking after their environment. For those who are interested, the organisation runs the Selwo Marina Easter and Summer Camps and regular talks and presentations.
Located adjacent to Selwo Marina, there is the beautiful Parque de la Paloma which is lovely to visit and completely free. There are over 200,000 square metres of verdant green spaces, an impressive artificial lake, playgrounds, walking trails and restaurants. You’ll also find several dramatic cactus and succulent gardens and a range of animals including ducks, turtles and pelicans, happily wandering around.
The Castillo de Colomares is a must-see for anyone who is interested in history, architecture and exploring. It is an impressively beautiful castle location in Benalmádena. It was created in homage to the famous Spanish explorer Christopher Colombus by Dr Estaban Martin, the monument features an interesting mix of ornate architectural styles ranging from Byzantine and Gothic. You can join a group or book a personalised tour of the castle and it’s also great venue for conferences, concerts and other cultural events. Visit the website to read its fascinating history.
The Stupa Benalmádena is a beautiful Buddhist temple which symbolises Buddha’s enlightenment, a place of meditation and harmony. It is the largest stupa in Europe which was built in 2003 by Polish architect Woitek Kossowski. Located a short walk from the Benalmádena’s old town, the Stupa features a distinctive gold spire and inside there is a large 100 square metre meditation room painted with images of Buddha’s life story which is free to enter. Apart from the tranquil atmosphere and opportunity for contemplation, the views across the coastline from this elevated position are breath-taking. There is a small shop selling literature and Tibetan artifacts and gifts like flags and incense.
Located just a few minutes’ walk from the Stupa, towards Benalmádena Costa, there is the Benalmádena Butterfly Park (Mariposario de Benalmádena) housing over 1,500 species of butterflies. You can watch them fluttering around and learn about them, amongst tropical flowers and a waterfall!
If you would like to get a bird’s eye view across the Costa del Sol as far as Gibraltar you should book a ride on the Benalmádena cable car. Officially known as the Teleférico de Benalmádena, is a great option. You catch the cable car in Arroyo de la Miel by the train station. Once you have reached the top of Mount Calamorro, you can attend a presentation by Valle de las Agullas Foundation about birds of prey and Falconry where you see these enormous birds soar through the air. Check the website for times and online bookings.
If you feel like enjoying a luxury pampering session, there are several Spa hotels in Benalmádena, including the Vincci Seleccion Aleysa Boutique Hotel and Spa, Hotel Spa Benalmádena Palace and of course the prestigious resort of Reserva del Higueron, where you find the 5-star Hilton Hotel Amongst the many 5-star facilities there is the Nagamo Spa, perfect for enjoying the much deserve ‘you’ time. If your idea of heaven is to dine in a Michelin starred restaurant, you’re in luck as here you will also find the Sollo restaurant run chef Diego Gallegos. Alternatively, you can enjoy the more relaxed surroundings of the other eateries, from Japanese to Indian. If you are looking for an investment property, this resort is at the top of the list for investors.
If you would like to experience the traditional Andalusian village lifestyle, you must visit the Benalmádena’s pueblo, it has a completely different character to the more-flashy Benalmádena Costa and the business area of Arroyo de la Miel. It is a chance to slow down, meander around the narrow, cobbled streets lined with typical whitewashed houses, most of which are festooned with colourful flowers. There are plenty of restaurants and bars offering traditional Spanish dishes such as fried fish and grilled sardines. Like every Spanish village, there is a lovely central plaza, ‘Plaza de España’, beautiful churches and plenty of history. It is also here that you’ll find the Castillo Colomares mentioned earlier.
Of course, these are only a few of the activities you can enjoy. There are so many options to choose from, so why not take your time to decide while enjoying a relaxing drink on one of Benalmádena’s beautiful beaches whilst watching the sun go down.
If you would like more information about property for sale on the Costa del Sol, whether your preference is for a luxury holiday home or investment property in Reserva del Higueron or a charming, traditional property in Benalmádena Pueblo, contact Birgitte at birgitte@weberestates.com or call +34 683 391 512.
