# Benalmádena near Málaga > Benalmádena is a resort 12 km west of Málaga, between Torremolinos and Fuengirola. It packs in an unusual number of sights: a 33-metre Buddhist stupa, the largest in Europe, the fairy-tale Colomares Castle, a marina of whimsical buildings and a cable car up Mount Calamorro with coastal views. Beaches lie below and a white village above. Allow a day. Web page: https://yesgo.io/spain/malaga/benalmadena - City: [Málaga](https://yesgo.io/spain/malaga), Spain - YesGo score: 26/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 5 h - Opening hours: Town always open; cable car and castle by day - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Town free; cable car paid - Getting there: Commuter train from Málaga ≈ 25 minutes - Stupa: 33 m, the largest in Europe - Time needed: A full day - With kids: Cable car, marina, beaches - Location: 12 km west of Málaga - Coordinates: 36.59690, -4.55350 - Facts checked: 11.11.2026 ## Key facts - **33 m** — height of the Buddhist stupa (source: English Wikipedia) - **12 km** — from Málaga (source: English Wikipedia) - **3 centres** — Pueblo, Arroyo de la Miel, Costa (source: English Wikipedia) - **27 km²** — from Sierra de Mijas peaks to the sea (source: English Wikipedia) ## About Benalmádena Benalmádena is a Costa del Sol town **12 kilometres** west of Málaga, between [Torremolinos](https://yesgo.io/spain/malaga/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. > **The cable car** The cable car from Arroyo de la Miel climbs Mount Calamorro in 15 minutes. At the top are viewpoints over the whole coast, trails and a bird of prey display. On clear days you can see Gibraltar and the mountains of Africa. It closes in high winds, so check the schedule before you go. ## 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 1. **Cercanías C1** commuter train from Málaga to Arroyo de la Miel, about 25 minutes. 2. From the station to the cable car, a few minutes on foot. 3. Bus or taxi to the stupa, castle and marina. 4. 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 Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Check the cable car schedule - [ ] Ride up Mount Calamorro - [ ] Visit the stupa - [ ] Photograph Colomares Castle - [ ] Dine at Puerto Marina ## Places in Málaga: compare and choose Places in Málaga rated by YesGo. - [Alcazaba](https://yesgo.io/spain/malaga/alcazaba-malaga) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · Paid - [Málaga Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/spain/malaga/malaga-cathedral) — YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Paid - [Ronda](https://yesgo.io/spain/malaga/ronda) — YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 5 h · Free - [Mijas](https://yesgo.io/spain/malaga/mijas) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Free - [Benalmádena](https://yesgo.io/spain/malaga/benalmadena) — YesGo score 26/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 5 h · Free; cable car paid - [Caminito del Rey](https://yesgo.io/spain/malaga/caminito-del-rey) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Paid - [Nerja](https://yesgo.io/spain/malaga/nerja) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 5 h · Free; caves paid ## Don't mix it up Benalmádena Pueblo is the white hillside village; Benalmádena Costa is the seaside resort with the marina, both part of one town. ## Tips - 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. ## How we checked Facts from English Wikipedia. Prices and schedules weren't confirmed with an official source — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - English Wikipedia: Benalmádena - Benalmádena tourism portal, visitbenalmadena.com --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.