One of the most original leisure facilities on the Costa del Sol is the “Teleférico de Benalmádena” (Benalmádena Aerial Cable Car), also known as the “telecabina”. Its embarkation point is next to the Tivoli amusement park in Arroyo de la Miel, one of the three urban districts of the municipality of Benalmádena.

This is without any doubt one of the most attractive leisure offers on the coast of Málaga. While travelling something more than 2,600 metres—the distance from the facility’s base to the peak of Mount Calamorro—in about fifteen minutes, the visitor has the opportunity to enjoy the most exceptional views on the Costa del Sol. When he arrives at his destination he will be at an altitude of about 800 metres. At that elevation the landscape is enormous, as not only several Costa del Sol municipalities can be seen but also, but only if the day is especially clear, the coast of the African continent.

Some surprises other than the extraordinary scenery are in store for the traveller on the crest of Mount Calamorro. For example, he can witness a 45-minute exhibition of birds of prey, with falcons, eagles, vultures and owls soaring in perfect freedom over a stage whose backdrop is the sky and the Mediterranean. There are also Spanish dressage exhibitions in a riding school, a half-hour demonstration in which the rider shows off his expertise in the training of horses.

There are perfectly marked paths for trail walking or trips by mountain bike, and those who prefer something a bit more rural can travel over a number of trails on the backs of gentle burros who are very familiar with the itinerary. Several overlooks in strategic locations invite the traveller to take out his camera or video recorder and make some souvenir shots of some of the best views of the Costa del Sol.

The Benalmádena Aerial Cable Car is open 1 to 6 January, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 20 February to 31 March and 1 through 31 October, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. In April, May, June, September and October, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. July and August, from 10:00 a.m. to midnight (ticket offices close at 11:30 p.m.). The cable car doesn’t run from 7 January to 19 February. For information call: 902 190 482.

Arroyo de la Miel, which is where the embarkation station of the cable car is located, is perfectly linked with the Costa del Sol by the Mediterranean Expressway (AP-7; N-340) and also by commuter rail (Cercanías) with Fuengirola, Torremolinos and the city of Málaga.