Benalmádena

What to See in Benalmádena

In Benalmádena Pueblo is the Santo Domingo church, whose construction dates from the seventeenth century but which later underwent such a thorough reconstruction that nothing remains of its original structure. There is a magnificent viewing point next to the church, and in these same surroundings, the architect César Manrique designed the Jardines del Muro (El Muro gardens), which command a very wide view with the sea as a backdrop.

Even if it is not of artistic interest, the Escultura de la Niña has come to be a symbol of Benalmádena. It is a bronze statue by Jaime Pimentel that is part of the main fountain in the Plaza de España, in Benalmádena Pueblo. The sculpture represents friendship and comradeship, which is only natural in a such a cosmopolitan town.

La Fonda

The Museo Precolombino Felipe Orlando (Pre-Columbian Museum) is in 49 Juan Luis Peralta Avenue, in the heart of Benalmádena Pueblo. The museum is a cultural space of the utmost importance, as it holds the most important pre-Columbian collection in the entire province and one of the best in Andalusia and even Spain. The museum contains artefacts and artworks from Mexico, Peru, Nicaragua, Colombia and Ecuador. The collections, which have been grouped according to their place of origin –Mesoamerica (Ancient Mexico) and Central Andes (Ancient Peru)– include "pretty women," or female fertility figurines from Mesoamerica, that are in very good condition. The painter, poet and anthropologist Felipe Orlando García-Murciano, who was born in Mexico but considered Benalmádena as his new hometown, donated the collection to the museum. Felipe Orlando was director and curator of the Museum since it opened in 1970 until the day he died. Contact details: Telephone (+34) 952 448 593. Email:

is a building on Santo Domingo Street that is quite difficult to define, since it is not a conventional hotel as it was supposed to be according to the initial idea. In the middle of the twentieth century, it was refurbished by the sculpture and architect César Manrique, from the Canary Islands, and today it is home to the Benalmádena School of Hospitality Business. From its balconies you can enjoy fabulous views of the ocean, and on weekdays, visitors can eat the meals prepared by the students. For more info, you can call (+34) 952 568 625.

museo@benalmadena.com.

The Parque Rústico Casablanca is a 125,000-square-metre park that is considered to be the green lung of Benalmádena. It is in the Torremuelle estate and serves as a recreational area. It has been designed as to respect the environment in a spot where two streams meet. The park features various paths, barbecues that can be used only in some months every year), camping furniture, etc.

Next to the beach stands the Castillo de Bil-Bil (Bil-Bil Castle), an Arabic-style structure that is a glowing red on the outside and decorated with glazed tile and bas-reliefs in the exquisite Nasrid tradition. Fountains, a heritage from the Muslim culture, flank the castle, and its exterior commands magnificent views of the Benalmádena beaches. The Town Hall holds exhibitions, conferences, concerts, various cultural events and civil marriage ceremonies (only on Saturdays) in it.

The building’s construction dates from the 1930’s and was ordered by León and Fernanda Hermann. The Málaga architect Enrique Atencia was in charge of its planning and construction. Due to the outbreak of the Civil War in 1936 the Hermanns were never to live in the castle and they decided to put it up for sale. The American Schestrom family acquired it and lived there until the 1980’s when a series of negotiations and unforeseen events culminated in the acquisition of the building by the Town Hall of Benalmádena for use as a Cultural Centre.

Parque de la Paloma

(La Paloma Park) is the municipality’s main green belt and the only urban park on the Costa del Sol. It has an area of more than 200,00 square metres and an artificial lake with ducks, pelicans, turtles, etc. Other kinds of animals can also be seen, such as parakeets, parrots, rabbits, goats, sheep, etc.

The Castillo de Colomares (Colomares Castle) is even more eccentric, if such a thing is possible. It was built by EsTeban Martín with the aid of two bricklayers between 1987 and 1994 and dedicated to the discovery of America.

Every possible architectural style is brought together in this structure in a strange, almost dreamlike and visually gripping conjunction. Next to this architectural oddity is the Jardín de las Águilas (Garden of the Eagles) where falconry demonstrations with different birds are presented.

The district of Arroyo de al Miel grew out from the Plaza de España and the nearby houses in the eighteenth century. The Italian businessman Félix Soleccio wanted to use the buildings as paper mills that were to produce paper for playing cards manufactured in Macharaviaya, in Axarquía. He owned the only company that exported playing cards to the Indies. The only thing that has remained from that time is the shape of the square and the stone arch that serves as the entrance to this quiet, peaceful square.

The Budha temple on Gandhi Avenue, Benalmádena Costa, is a white marble sculpture representing a sitting Budha. The temple was a gift from a Chinese sister city as a proof of friendship. The scupture adds two lions and a classical Chinese temple.

The Estupa de la Iluminación (The Illumination Stupa) is another of the unusual things to be found in this municipality. This Buddhist temple was inaugurated in 2003, and at 33 metres tall and 25 metres across the base is the largest in the western world. It is crowned by a golden dome that is visible from the coast between Fuengirola and Benalmádena. The meditation hall has a surface area of 100 square metres and is six metres in height. It contains murals depicting the most important milestones in the life of Buddha. The paintings were done by artists brought from the Himalayas. This is a Buddhist monument symbolising harmony, prosperity and peace, and its origins go back some 2,500 years.

The Torrebermeja, Torrequebrada and Torremuelle watchtowers are part of the defensive network with which this region’s inhabitants attempted to prevent pirate incursions. The first two are of Arabic origin and the third is from a somewhat later date. It was built under Christian rule, probably in the sixteenth century, and its truncated cone silhouette forms one of the most distinctive scenes on the coast of Benalmádena.

Aula del Mar

(Classroom of the Sea) is an aquarium that combines the exhibition of Mediterranean sea-life with environmental education and training activities.

The Área de Recreo Cumbre del Calamorro (Calamorro Summit Recreational Area) is a supplementary leisure option, for those persons who reach the peak of Calamorro mountain (770 metres) by means of the cable car (or the paths climbing up to the mountaintop). It has viewing points, trails, cafés, horseback trails, a horse show area and a falconry show. Visitors can go to the paragliding site, the Centro de Las Águilas, an astronomical observatory (in the summer) and an eating area.

 

The seaside promenade in Benalmádena is said to be among the most beautiful by the Mediterranean Sea. It stretches along the seashore and beaches several miles, and is a nice place to eat out. The seaside promenade runs from the Bil-Bil Castle to the marina and shows decorative tiles made from ceramic, metal, wood or stone. There are more fine coastal areas in the municipality, like Sunset Beach or Nueva Torrequebrada.

 

Benalmádena

has 15 beaches, all of them within the town boundaries and offering very good services to tourists. The longer stretch of sand –900 metres long– is that in Arroyo de la Miel, while the shorter –150 metres– is Fuente de la Salud beach.