Alcazaba
Málaga, Spain
Benalmádena near Málaga
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Photo: Kent Wang from Barcelona, Spain, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia CommonsThe essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Town free; cable car paid
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Hours
- Town always open; cable car and castle by day
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 5 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Getting there
- Commuter train from Málaga ≈ 25 minutes
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Stupa
- 33 m, the largest in Europe
- Time needed
- A full day
- With kids
- Cable car, marina, beaches
- Location
- 12 km west of Málaga
Key facts
33 mheight of the Buddhist stupa
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English Wikipedia12 kmfrom Málaga
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English Wikipedia3 centresPueblo, Arroyo de la Miel, Costa
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English Wikipedia27 km²from Sierra de Mijas peaks to the sea
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English WikipediaAbout Benalmádena
Benalmádena is a Costa del Sol town 12 kilometres west of Málaga, between Torremolinos and Fuengirola. Its territory climbs from the sea to the peaks of the Sierra de Mijas, and life centres on three cores: the white hillside village of Benalmádena Pueblo, the town district of Arroyo de la Miel and the resort of Benalmádena Costa by the sea.
Unlike its neighbours, it's not just about beaches. Benalmádena has Europe's largest Buddhist stupa, the storybook Colomares Castle, a marina of fanciful architecture and a cable car up the mountain for views along the coast.
What to see in Benalmádena
- The stupa — a 33-metre white Buddhist temple.
- Colomares Castle — a fairy-tale castle honouring Columbus.
- Puerto Marina — a harbour of shell-like houses.
- The cable car — up to Mount Calamorro.
- Benalmádena Pueblo — a white village on the slope.
- Beaches — Santa Ana, Torrebermeja, Malapesquera.
The stupa and Colomares Castle
On a hill above the town stands a white Buddhist stupa, 33 metres high with a golden spire, the largest in Europe. A broad staircase leads up to it, surrounded by gardens and a viewpoint over the sea. Inside are murals and a statue of the Buddha; entry is usually free and visitors are asked to keep quiet.
Nearby is Colomares Castle, built in the 20th century as a monument to Columbus's voyages. Its towers, arches and ornament mix Moorish, Gothic and Romanesque styles, and it looks more like a fairy-tale set than a real fortress, surrounded by a hillside garden.
Puerto Marina
Puerto Marina is a yacht harbour with unusual architecture: white buildings with round windows, turrets and flower-draped balconies that look like shells and coral. Yachts line the quays alongside restaurants and bars, with an aquarium and boat trips nearby.
The marina comes alive in the evening, with waterside dinners, strolls along the piers and twinkling lights. From here a seafront promenade with beaches runs all the way to Torremolinos on foot.
Benalmádena Pueblo
Higher up the slope lies Benalmádena Pueblo, the old white village where the town began: quiet flower-filled lanes, a small square with a fountain, a church and sea views, a world away from the busy coast below.
How to get there from Málaga
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- Cercanías C1 commuter train from Málaga to Arroyo de la Miel, about 25 minutes.
- From the station to the cable car, a few minutes on foot.
- Bus or taxi to the stupa, castle and marina.
- By car, about 20 minutes on the A-7.
Tips for your trip
To fit everything in, start with the cable car in the morning while the air is clear, then head down to the stupa and Colomares Castle, and spend the evening at Puerto Marina. Taxis or local buses are easiest between sights, as the town sprawls up the hillside.
At the stupa, keep quiet, remove hats and avoid flash photography inside. On hot days bring water and sunscreen, as the viewpoints have little shade.
Benalmádena is a great family choice, with the cable car, marina, aquarium and gently shelving beaches. With small children, taxis between sights are easiest.
Before you go
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Places in Málaga: compare and choose
Places in Málaga rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.
| Alcazaba | 44 | 1 h 15 min | Paid | 18.5 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Málaga Cathedral | 41 | 1 h | Paid | 18.1 km |
| Ronda | 40 | 5 h | Free | 56.7 km |
| Mijas | 29 | 3 h | Free | 7.5 km |
| Benalmádenayou are here | 26 | 5 h | Free; cable car paid | — |
| Caminito del Rey | 24 | 4 h | Paid | 40.5 km |
| Nerja | 24 | 5 h | Free; caves paid | 62.4 km |
How to do it right
- Cable car in the morning.
- Puerto Marina in the evening.
- Quiet at the stupa.
- Taxis between sights.
Questions
How do I get from Málaga to Benalmádena?
By C1 commuter train in 25 minutes or by car in 20.
What is there to see in Benalmádena?
The stupa, Colomares Castle, Puerto Marina and the cable car.
How tall is the stupa?
33 metres, the largest Buddhist stupa in Europe.
Where does the cable car go?
Up Mount Calamorro, with views along the coast.
Is Benalmádena good for children?
Yes, the cable car, marina and beaches suit the whole family.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia: Benalmádena
- Benalmádena tourism portal, visitbenalmadena.com
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