| Sandwiched between the resorts of Fuengirola and Torremolinos, the purpose-built coastal resort of Benalmadena Costa extends 5 mls along the coast and 2 mls inland, going steeply up into mountains behind and encompassing the 2 older towns of Arroyo de la Miel and Benalmadena Pueblo (village). The coastline is characterised by reasonably high-rise hotels and apartments that run on continuously from Torremolinos. Unfortunately, the old main coastal dual carriageway dominates much of the coastal development, with most of the accommodation placed either side of it. The small original port of Benalmadena Costa has been developed and expanded so that it is now equipped to handle more than 1,000 boats and yachts of all types, as well as being a social meeting point. Along the main promenade are a number of Moorish watchtowers and also the Arab-style Castle del Bil-Bil, used for conferences, concerts and exhibitions. Arroyo de la Miel is now undergoing rapid development, mainly in the form of hotels, apartments and small commercial centres. Perched higher on the mountainside, ancient Benalmadena Pueblo has preserved many of its original narrow, cobbled streets and whitewashed houses, providing a much-needed taste of real Spain, conspicuously absent from the much younger development along the coastline. | ||||
Beaches: Not as good as in neighbouring resorts. Short stretches of sand, some of which is imported, are interspersed with rocky outcrops. At the W end, the sandy sections are very narrow and close to the busy main road. |
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