BENALMÁDENA IS A PLACE OF CONTRASTS WHERE THE SEA AND THE MOUNTAIN COME TOGETHER PRODUCING ONE OF THE MOST ATTRACTIVE SETTINGS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN WHICH IS FURTHER ENHANCED BY SEVERAL ELEMENTS OF INTEREST TO TOURISTS.

There are several moments in the history of Benalmádena which are of particular significance and make it a privileged enclave. On the one hand, Benalmádena was designated Town of Tourist Interest in the early 70s and three years later the Tívoli amusement park was inaugurated, it was the first and only one of its kind along the coast for nearly thirty years and offered something never seen before.
However, the most decisive moment for the whole town was the building and inauguration of its marina, the largest along the coast. On several occasions it was awarded the prize of "best marina in the world" by specialised communication companies. The marina has more than 1.000 mooring places and boasts a beautiful architecture along with leisure and recreational possibilities attracting millions of visitors every year.
The last significant step was the beginning of the Olympus Project aimed mainly at creating new leisure and recreational elements so as to improve what the town has to offer. The project also means building infrastructures and making them meet certain requirements so that the town achieves a level of quality and sustained growth required by 21st century citizens and tourists.

Sun and beach
The idea of building in Benalmádena a Maritime Centre arose a long time ago, the purpose being to provide the town's marina with a meeting place for seafares and marine enthusiasts together with a series of specialised stores.
One of the most beautiful seaside walks of the Mediterranean is located along the coastline. The area is a blend of the tranquillity provided by the beach and the sea along with a series of stores and restaurants making for a very pleasant moment.
Benalmádena has many quality beaches such as that of Arroyo de la miel, Arroyo Hondo, de las Viborillas, de las Yucas, de Benalnatura or de Bil Bil to name just a few.

Places of interest
The Benalmádena exhibition centre. A few years ago it was deemed necessary to have a building designed specifically as a first class exhibition centre which could, at last, put Benalmádena on the national and international art and sculpture circuits. The centre tries to schedule six to eight exhibitions every year including paintings, sculptures, archaeology, historic heritage, architecture and photography.
The Archaeological Museum was created in 1970 and is the only one of its kind in our country given that it is home to the best collection of pre-Colombian art in Europe. It also accommodates pieces of Benalmádena's history ranging from the paleolithical to the Roman occupation.

The Municipal open-air Auditorium is a structure that is part of a series of sessions held in Paloma Park. It is designed to be a meeting place for cultural activities organised in the town. The Municipal International Library located next to Paloma Park covers 1.125 m2, consists of three floors and is surrounded by landscaped areas with plenty of parking and areas for childrn to play.
The Casa del Artesano (artisan's home) is located on Plaza de España in Benalmádena Pueblo, it was inaugurated in March 1998 after the premises were extensively refurbished and adapted so as to suit the handicraft activities previously perfomed. Since it was opened several artisans have been working there permanently, in front of crowds, and selling their creations.
The Castillo de Bil Bil (Bil Bil Castle) is an Arabic styled construction with plaster red on the outside and decorated with glazed tiles and bas-reliefs following the exquisite Nazarí tradition. Fountains, a Muslim cultural heritage, line the castle and from the outside one can enjoy magnificent views over the beaches of Benalmádena.

The Castillo de Colomares constitutes with its various architectural styles a tribute to the discovery of América.
One cannot fail to visit the viewpoint the Jardines del Muro (wall gardens) have to offer at the top of the town with a wide panoramic view of Benalmádena's mountain side along with other points of interest.

Natural activities and leisure
Benalmádena has other tourist offers alongside beach and sun tourism. People increasingly choose the countryside to spend a few relaxing days. One can enjoy holidays in contact with nature in the recreational area of the Cumbre del Calamorro (summit of Calamorro) or in Cueva de la Alquibla (cave of Alquibla), Cueva de la Zorrera, Cueva de los Botijos or Cueva del Toro.
There are monuments, museums, nature and, of course, one must not forget leisure areas. The town has many hotels and restaurants to spend one's spare time.
Golf enthusiasts also have a place in town. The Golf course of Torrequebrada with 18 holes attracts a great deal of players throughout the year even more so as it offers tennis and paddle courts, sauna, swimming pool and everuthing related to golf.
The Casino of Torrequebrada an the night club "Fortuna" situated in the hotel and sports complex Torrequebrada are part of one of the most luxurious holiday centres in Europe.

The holiday centre alongside the Mediterranean accommodates among other things a fabulous night club with flamenco and international dance shows, a casino and several halls for conventions and congresses.

Basic data
Size: 26.60 Km²
Population: Approx. 30,000
Residents known as: Benalmadenses
Monuments: Church of Sto. Domingo, Archaeological Museum, Bil-Bil Castle.
Geographical situation: On the edge of the Sierra de Mijas mountains, 20 kilometres from Malaga, at 280 metres above sea level.
Tourist information: Town Hall, Antonio Machado, 10. 29630. Benalmádena Costa

FIESTAS
There are numerous festivals in Benalmádena right through the year, with cultural events, religious events, competitive events and big festivals like Holy Week. In the Holy Week celebrations, there are processions in Benalmádena Pueblo and Arroyo de la Miel. The most emotional part of this festival is at dawn on Good Friday, when the Passion of Christ, known locally as El Paso, is represented by the people of the town. This is followed by a silent procession of the Virgen de la Soledad, and the supports of the throne are then auctioned off as tradition demands. At the end of June is the Día de los Juegos (the Day of the Games) in the Arroyo de la Miel sports centre, where the young people of the town, just out from school, have the chance to enjoy a day of organised fun sports together. The Día de San Juan is also celebrated in Arroyo, while the Día del Carmen takes place by the sea. The Feria of Benalmádena Pueblo takes place in the middle of August.

GASTRONOMY
As in the case of nearby towns like Torremolinos and Fuengirola, the large foreign population of Benalmádena has resulted in a local cuisine that is part tradition, part import. Here, one can eat almost anything from any part of the world, but the local traditional cooking is excellent too. This is mainly made up of products from the soil and sea around the town, with plenty of fried fish, seafood, and gazpachos, washed down by a refreshing glass of sangria made from fresh fruit of the area.