Benalmádena, Spain

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Benalmádena, Spain

Region: Andalusia

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Geographic Coordinates: 36.600000, -4.516700

Population: 73160

Language: Spanish

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Benalmádena is a picturesque town located on the Costa del Sol in southern Spain. Nestled between the stunning Sierra de Mijas mountains and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, This coastal gem offers an enticing mix of natural beauty, Rich history, And vibrant culture. One of Benalmádena’s most iconic landmarks is its charming old town, Known as Benalmádena Pueblo. This quaint area boasts narrow winding streets lined with whitewashed houses adorned with colorful flower pots. The pueblo offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and is home to several historical sites, Including the 15th-century Church of Santo Domingo.

For those seeking sun-soaked beaches, Benalmádena has a coastline that stretches over 9 kilometers. The main beachfront area, Known as Benalmádena Costa, Features golden sands lapped by crystal-clear waters. Here you can relax under a parasol or take part in various water sports activities such as jet skiing or paddleboarding. In addition to its natural beauty, Benalmádena also boasts an array of attractions for all ages. One must-visit spot is the award-winning Puerto Marina—a luxurious marina filled with beautiful yachts and surrounded by trendy bars and restaurants.

Strolling along its promenade at sunset while enjoying delicious tapas is an unforgettable experience. Another popular attraction in Benalmádena is Tivoli World—a theme park that promises endless fun for families and thrill-seekers alike. With thrilling rides, Live shows featuring flamenco dancers or acrobats from around the world, And a delightful selection of traditional Andalusian cuisine to enjoy on-site—Tivoli World guarantees an unforgettable day out. For those interested in history and culture, A visit to Castillo de Colomares should not be missed.

This enchanting castle was built as homage to Christopher Columbus’s discovery of America and features stunning architecture and intricate details that showcase the region’s rich heritage. Nature lovers will also find plenty to explore in Benalmádena. The town is home to the Benalmádena Butterfly Park—a tropical paradise filled with exotic butterflies, Waterfalls, And lush vegetation. The adjacent Stupa of Enlightenment, One of the largest Buddhist stupas in Europe, Offers a peaceful retreat where visitors can learn about Buddhism and enjoy stunning views of the coastline. Benalmádena is a captivating town that has something for everyone.

From its charming old town and beautiful beaches to its vibrant marina and cultural attractions—this Spanish coastal gem promises an unforgettable experience filled with history, Natural beauty, And endless entertainment options.

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1. Benalmádena Pueblo: The picturesque old town with narrow streets, white houses, and a stunning view of the coast.
2. Puerto Marina: A beautiful marina known for its vibrant nightlife, restaurants, shops, and luxury yachts.
3. Castillo de Colomares: A unique castle dedicated to Christopher Columbus with intricate architecture and beautiful gardens.
4. Selwo Marina: An interactive marine park where visitors can see dolphins, sea lions, penguins, and other marine life up close.
5. Tivoli World: An amusement park with thrilling rides, live shows, and entertainment for all ages.
6. Sea Life Aquarium: A fascinating aquarium showcasing a wide variety of marine species including sharks, turtles, seahorses, and more.
7. Butterfly Park (Mariposario de Benalmádena): A tropical garden filled with hundreds of exotic butterflies from around the world.
8. Bil-Bil Castle: A distinctive Arabic-style castle located on the beachfront that serves as an exhibition center for art events.
9. Buddhist Temple (Stupa de la Iluminación): The largest Buddhist stupa in Europe offering panoramic views of the coast from its hilltop location.
10. Cable Car (Teleférico Benalmádena): A cable car ride that takes visitors to the top of Mount Calamorro for breathtaking views over Costa del Sol.

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1. Tourism: Benalmádena is a popular tourist destination, known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and cultural attractions. The tourism industry plays a significant role in the local economy, with numerous hotels, resorts, restaurants, and entertainment venues catering to visitors.
2. Real Estate: The demand for holiday homes and rental properties in Benalmádena has led to a thriving real estate sector. Many international buyers invest in apartments or villas along the coast or near golf courses.
3. Hospitality: With its large number of tourists visiting throughout the year, there are several hospitality-related businesses like bars, cafes, restaurants, and nightclubs that cater to both locals and tourists.
4. Retail: There are numerous retail stores selling clothing brands, souvenirs, handicrafts as well as supermarkets providing daily necessities to both residents and visitors.
5. Leisure Parks: Benalmádena is home to several leisure parks such as Tivoli World amusement park and Selwo Marina Dolphinarium that attract tourists looking for family-friendly entertainment options.
6. Marinas and Yachting Services: The town boasts two marinas – Puerto Marina (one of the largest on the Costa del Sol) and Puerto Deportivo de Benalmádena – which provide berths for private yachts along with various boating services.
7. Healthcare Services: As a popular retirement destination for expatriates from Northern Europe due to its pleasant climate and quality of life amenities; healthcare facilities including hospitals clinics have developed significantly over time.
8. Language Schools: Due to its popularity among international residents who have made it their permanent home or spend extended periods here; language schools offering Spanish language courses have emerged as an important sector within education services.

Overall these industries contribute significantly towards employment opportunities within Benalmádena’s local economy while also catering to the needs and preferences of its diverse population and visitors.

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1. Roman Occupation: The area where Benalmádena is situated has evidence of Roman occupation dating back to the 1st century BC. Ruins and artifacts from this period can be found in the region.
2. Arab Influence: During the Moorish era, from the 8th to 15th centuries AD, Benalmádena was under Arab rule. The town’s name itself has Arabic origins.
3. Castillo de Colomares: This unique castle-like monument was built between 1987 and 1994 by Esteban Martín Martín as a tribute to Christopher Columbus and his discovery of America. It is one of the main tourist attractions in Benalmádena.
4. Stupa of Enlightenment: The largest Buddhist stupa in Europe can be found in Benalmádena Pueblo (the old town). Built by Buddhist monks from Nepal, it stands as a symbol of peace and harmony.
5. Selwo Marina: This marine park opened in 1995 and houses various marine animals such as dolphins, sea lions, penguins, and exotic birds.
6. Puerto Marina: Benalmádena’s marina is known for its distinctive architecture resembling an Arabian medina (walled city). It has won numerous awards for its design and facilities.
7. Pablo Picasso Connection: Although not directly associated with Benalmádena itself, Pablo Picasso spent time on the nearby Malaga coast during his childhood vacations at his family’s summer home in nearby Torremolinos.

While these are some notable events and features related to Benalmádena’s history, it is important to note that the town is primarily known as a popular tourist destination with beautiful beaches, resorts, and attractions.

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1. Castillo de Colomares: This unique castle is dedicated to Christopher Columbus and combines different architectural styles, making it a must-visit in Benalmádena.
2. Museo Precolombino: Located in the heart of Benalmádena Pueblo, this museum showcases an extensive collection of pre-Columbian artifacts from Central and South America.
3. Selwo Marina: A marine park that offers visitors the chance to see dolphins, sea lions, penguins, and other marine life up close through interactive exhibits and shows.
4. Butterfly Park (Mariposario de Benalmádena): A tropical butterfly garden where you can observe hundreds of colorful butterflies fluttering around freely.
5. Tivoli World: An amusement park that offers a variety of rides, entertainment shows, and attractions for all ages.
6. Puerto Marina: Known as one of the most beautiful marinas in Europe, Puerto Marina is surrounded by shops, restaurants, bars, and stunning yachts to admire.
7. Benalmádena Cable Car (Teleférico): Take a ride on the cable car to enjoy breathtaking views over the Costa del Sol coastline from the top of Mount Calamorro.
8. Sea-Life Aquarium: Explore an underwater world at this aquarium featuring various species of fish and marine creatures from around the globe.
9. Iglesia de Santo Domingo de Guzmán: This church located in Benalmádena Pueblo boasts beautiful architecture with its white-washed walls and picturesque bell tower.
10. Plaza de España: The main square in Arroyo de la Miel where you can find charming cafes, shops, and enjoy local events or festivals that take place here throughout the year.

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1. Benalmádena Club de Fútbol: The most prominent sports team in Benalmádena is its football club, Benalmádena CF. Founded in 1997, the club has competed in various regional leagues and has had several successful seasons. However, it hasn’t reached professional levels or achieved significant national recognition.
2. Club Deportivo Benalmádena Rugby: This rugby club was established in 2006 and participates in regional leagues and tournaments across Andalusia. They have been actively promoting the sport of rugby within the local community.
3. Padel Club Benalmádena: Padel is a popular sport similar to tennis that originated in Spain. The Padel Club Benalmádena offers facilities for playing padel and organizes local tournaments and events.
4. Nautical Sports Clubs: Due to its coastal location on the Costa del Sol, there are also several nautical sports clubs offering activities such as sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, and more.

It’s important to note that while these clubs may not have extensive histories or compete at national or international levels like some larger cities’ teams do, they still provide opportunities for locals to engage with various sports activities within their community.

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1. Feria de San Juan: This festival takes place in June to celebrate the arrival of summer. It includes traditional music, dance performances, fireworks, and processions.
2. Semana Santa: The Holy Week celebrations are held in April and feature religious processions throughout the town with participants dressed in traditional attire.
3. Festival Internacional de Cortometrajes y Cine Alternativo (FICCAB): This international short film festival is held annually in November and showcases independent films from around the world.
4. Fiesta del Carmen: Celebrated on July 16th, this festival honors the patron saint of fishermen with a procession that carries an image of Virgin Carmen through the streets to the sea.
5. Feria de Agosto: Held in August, this fair features live music performances, dancing, amusement rides, food stalls offering local delicacies like pescaíto frito (fried fish), and various entertainment activities for all ages.
6. Festival Flamenco Ciudad de Benalmádena: This flamenco festival takes place every year during July or August and brings together renowned flamenco artists for live performances showcasing this traditional Andalusian art form.
7. Fiesta del Vino y la Vendimia: Celebrated in September or October depending on harvest time, this wine festival highlights locally produced wines with tastings, grape stomping competitions (pisa de uvas), live music performances, and gastronomic experiences centered around wine pairing.

These are just a few examples of cultural events and festivals that take place in Benalmádena throughout the year; there may be additional smaller events or celebrations specific to certain neighborhoods or communities within the town as well.

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1. Pescaíto frito: This is a traditional Andalusian dish consisting of freshly fried fish, typically small white fish like anchovies or sardines.
2. Gazpacho: A cold tomato-based soup that is refreshing and perfect for hot summer days.
3. Paella: A classic Spanish rice dish usually made with a variety of seafood or meat and flavored with saffron.
4. Espetos de Sardinas: Grilled sardines on skewers, a specialty along the Costa del Sol.
5. Tapas: Small plates of various dishes that are perfect for sharing and trying different flavors.

Some popular restaurants in Benalmádena include:

1. Restaurante La Fuente: Known for its delicious seafood dishes and stunning sea views.
2. Restaurante La Perla de Torremolinos: Offers a wide range of traditional Spanish dishes including paella and tapas.
3. Restaurante El Mero Arriero: Specializes in fresh fish and seafood, providing an authentic dining experience by the beachfront promenade.
4. Restaurante Los Remos: Famous for its grilled meats, this restaurant offers a cozy atmosphere with beautiful views over the marina.
5. Mesón Mariano Benalmadena Pueblo: Located in the charming old town area (Benalmádena Pueblo), it serves traditional Spanish cuisine with a focus on grilled meats and homemade stews.

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1. Parque de la Paloma: This is a large park with beautiful gardens, lakes, and walking trails. It also has a mini zoo, playgrounds for children, and picnic areas.
2. Butterfly Park (Mariposario de Benalmádena): This park is home to hundreds of species of butterflies from around the world. Visitors can walk through the tropical garden and observe the butterflies up close.
3. Tivoli World: This amusement park offers a variety of rides and attractions for all ages. It also hosts live shows and concerts during the summer months.
4. Selwo Marina: This marine park features dolphin shows, sea lion presentations, penguin encounters, and various other marine animal exhibits.
5. Cable Car (Teleférico Benalmádena): The cable car takes visitors on a scenic ride up to the top of Mount Calamorro where they can enjoy panoramic views of the coast and mountains.
6. Sea Life Aquarium: Located in Puerto Marina, this aquarium showcases a wide range of marine life including sharks, turtles, seahorses, and stingrays.
7. Arroyo de la Miel Park: Situated in the town center of Arroyo de la Miel (part of Benalmádena), this park offers green spaces for relaxation as well as playgrounds for kids.
8. Golf Courses: Benalmádena is home to several golf courses such as Torrequebrada Golf Club which offers stunning views while playing golf by the sea.
9. Water Sports: With its coastal location on Costa del Sol, there are plenty of opportunities for water sports such as jet skiing, paddleboarding, parasailing or renting boats along its beaches.
10. Mirador del Estupa Buddhist Temple & Stupa Monumental Zone: Located atop Mount Calamorro, this Buddhist temple offers stunning views of the coast and houses a large stupa, which is a sacred monument in Buddhism.

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