Adventure Hunt Benalmadena

Benalmadena FAQ

Adventure Hunt Benalmadena Partners

About Benalmadena

ABOUT BENALMADENA

Benalmádena is a jewel in the crown of Andalusia’s Costa del Sol – ‘The Sunshine Coast’ – on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea with mountains to the north. Its delightful climate has helped turn it into one of Spain’s top tourist destinations, and it can be enjoyed year-round. It has beautiful beaches, a huge range of facilities for tourists and locals alike, a fascinating history, and endless leisure opportunities.

THE THREE BENALMÁDENAS

Benalmádena is not just one place, it is divided into three different areas – Benalmádena Pueblo, Benalmádena Costa and Arroyo de la Miel.

• Benalmádena Pueblo is the original village, lying about three kilometres inland at approximately 200 m above sea level, and is mainly a typical white-fronted Andalusian village.
• Benalmádena Costa has almost 9 kilometres of clean and well-kept beaches, with fine sand alternating with small rocky coves which can be enjoyed all year round thanks to the climate of the area. This is the perfect place for a beach holiday, with hotels, restaurants and visitor attractions.
• Arroyo de la Miel lies between the Pueblo and the Costa, and is the busy commercial area, with shops, bars, restaurants and the railway station.

THE HISTORY OF BENALMÁDENA

The earliest settlements in Benalmádena date from the Upper Palaeolithic. The Phoenicians and the Romans were also here, leaving behind the remains of several villas and a fish salting factory that can be seen on Benalmádena Costa.

The town’s name comes from the Arabic ‘Ibn al-Madin’. The Muslims stayed here for several centuries until Christian troops conquered the village and razed it to the ground – a punishment for the fierce resistance shown by locals.
In the 16th century, attacks from the sea never stopped, and the village was constantly being ransacked by enemies. When pirate and Berber assaults became less frequent, the population began to grow.

In 1680, a severe earthquake brought the village to the ground again, followed by a tsunami. In 1784, a man from Genoa, Félix Solesio, came to Arroyo de la Miel, building six paper mills to supply the Royal Card Factory in Macharaviaya.

In the second half of the twentieth century, Málaga Province – and Benalmádena in particular – became a prominent position tourist destination, and the first resorts were developed.

SUN, SEA AND SAND

Benalmadena Costa also has almost 10 kilometres of beaches to choose from, ranging from quiet rocky coves to sandy beaches with activities, and even a nudist beach. The town’s beaches are bordered to the west by Fuengirola and to the east by Torremolinos. It is possible to walk to these neighbouring cities along the seafront promenade which is part of the Málaga Coastal path.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN BENALMADENA

Many people see Benalmádena as just a beach resort, but there is so much more to it!
Don’t miss:

• Puerto Marina , with stunning design and architecture, over 1,000 moorings, and many leisure activities
• Buddhist Stupa of Enlightenment, the largest in the Western world
• Colomares Castle, built by Esteban Martín in 1987 in honour of Christopher Columbus and the discovery of the Americas
• Bil Bil Castle, built in 1927 in the Moorish architectural style to look like a defensive fortress, now a cultural space with tourist office
• Three Muslim watchtowers: Torre Bermeja, Torrequebrada and Torremuelle
• Parque de la Paloma, one of the most beautiful parks on the Costa del Sol
• Jardines del Muro, designed by César Manrique
• Felipe Orlando Pre-Columbian Museum
• Cable car up to Monte Calamorro, with a bird park at the summit
• Los Molinillos archaeological site with remains from Roman times
• Murals and statues, historic streets and squares, street markets, car boot sales, tapas routes… the list goes on!

LOCAL FOOD AND DRINK

You will eat well in Benalmádena, with the best and freshest fried or baked fish, skewers of sardines, anchovies, shellfish, grilled seafood, paellas and rice dishes, or a popular warm fish soup called gazpachuelo, not to be confused with the chilled soup known as gazpacho! Wash it all down with a local beer or wine, or perhaps a cocktail at the beach bars. This is one of the great things about Adventure Hunt, as you can stop for a drink, ice cream or a full meal whenever you want, with no time limit!

CULTURE AND RELIGION IN BENALMADENA

Cultural and religious events are a great way to see another side of life in Benalmádena. Visitors and local people alike can take part in a multitude of special events throughout the year:

• The Three Kings parade, a traditional event in Spain, is held on 5 January. Colourful floats pass through the town, from which the Three Kings of the Orient and their helpers throw thousands of sweets into the crowds
• A colourful carnival in February or March with parades, costumes and lots of fun, as well as a popular drag queen carnival!
• Holy Week, with impressive and moving religious processions, as well as the unique ‘El Paso’, a theatrical representation of the passion and death of Jesus Christ in the surroundings of the ‘El Retamar’ Park.
• May Crosses, celebrated with floral displays and festivities in early May
• Corpus Christi, celebrating the Body of Christ with processions and festivities
• The yearly St. John Pilgrimage held in honour of the town’s patron saint takes place in June, followed by feasting and dancing…
• …followed shortly after by the St. John Fair, with dancing, a fairground, tapas, wine and horses
• Festival of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on 16 July, when a statue of the Virgin Mary is taken on a procession on a boat, accompanied by 100s of boats
• Festivities in honour of Virgin of the Cross, the Patron Saint of Benalmádena Pueblo, in August

YOUR BENALMADENA ADVENTURE HUNT

We can’t wait to show you more of Benalmádena whilst solving fun clues in the open air, so book now and we will see you soon!

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