Benalmadena is a perfect place for a family holiday. We all know that Mum and Dad want to get around the pool with a good book and hope that the complex pool will be enough to keep the youngsters happy. Would that it did but often they need greater stimulus to keep the little lovely people entertained. This section is designed to provide you with information on the many and varied attractions you might find useful. Where available, a web link has been provided to take you to the relevant web site:-
Parque de la Paloma
Let’s start with something free! Sadly, many visitors to Benalmadena Costa never venture a short way up the hill and miss this jewel. Paloma Park is easily found by following the main N340 road, (Avenida Antonio Machado), to a roundabout known locally as the ‘windmill roundabout’, as there is a large mast with lots of individual windmills. This is at the junction with Avenida Federico García Lorca. Walk up the hill 150 metres, and the entrance to the park is on the left. This beautiful park has a large lake with a stunning fountain plume feature. There are terrapins, fish and water fowls on the lake. Further up the hill is a small boating lake where at weekends, and various times in the holidays, radio controlled motor boats are available. A little further up the hill is an emu compound with three fine specimens, but don’t get too close, and over to the left a small farm with many farm animals. Throughout the park, rabbits, peacocks and chickens roam freely and contentedly, and there are three bars, two of which have play areas for children right alongside them. To crown it all, and perhaps more for the grown ups, there’s a cactus garden at the upper end of the park. All this and for free too. A fun thing for youngsters is to set them a task to find the parks albino peacock. This will keep them occupied for an hour. The park is a very popular family place, where holidaymakers and local residents alike, spend many happy hours side by side in the peaceful and beautiful surroundings.
Whilst we’re in the area, we might as well consider Selwo Marina, which is situated at the opposite end of Palmoa Parque that you just entered from. Just walk alongside the lower left hand side of the lake, climb up the hill and leave the park by the west exit. Selwo marina is right in front of you. Although in Spanish, the website is easy to navigate and understand.
Still within Benalmadena / Arroyo de la Miel is the famous Tivoli World. This leisure park hosts a number of rides for children of all ages from around 5-13. There’s also an auditorium with concerts throughout the year. All details are on their website.
Indoor Swimming Pool
The new indoor swimming pool has recently opened in Avenida Federico García Lorca. Urban bus line 1 and 2 stop nearby.
Boat / Ferry Trips
For a trip that will keep all the family entertained, boat trips take place from the Puerto marina, Benalmadena, with round trips to see the dolphins and ferries to Fuengirola. Details and times do change and leaflets are available at the Puerto Marina.
At the entrance to Tivoli World there is also the start of the famous Benalmadena Selwo Teleferico. Details on the website.
Mini - Train
Two mini-trains run within the resort, both of which start within the Puerto Marina. One tours the Marina area only, whilst the other travels from the Marina through Benalmadena to Tivoli World and return. Details and tickets are available at their starting points.
Travelling further afield
This zoo is praised for its sympathetic approach to housing a really wide range of animals in natural surroundings. All details available on the website.
Staying with zoo type attractions, and in the opposite direction down the N340, is the Torremolinos Crocodile Park. Once again – all details on the website.
Whilst Benalmadena doesn’t have a water park of it’s own, two are within easy reach of the resort.
And continuing with a nautical theme, the Sealife Center is also a great attraction, particularly on the odd days when the weathers a bit inclement. It’s situated in the Puerto Marina or harbour as some might call it, but that would be an understatement. The website has an English summary, with the rest being in Spanish. Also at the Sealife Centre is a new and popular Pirates Mini Golf.
Mini Golf
As popular, perhaps even more popular in Spain than it is in the UK, and there’s several to choose from. To start with there’s the Pirate Mini Golf as mentioned at the Sealife Centre. There’s also mini-golf on the main N340 just 250 metres the Marina side of the ‘Windmill Roundabout’. This one is not very aspiring and has only twelve holes.
A brand new mini-golf has been opened this winter on the Paseo MaritImo, or promenade, between Benalmadena and La Carahuela / Torremolinos. Finally, there’s a pitch and put 9 hole golf course and driving range on the road that connects Arroyo de la Miel with Benalmadena Pueblo. Spoilt for choice really.
